What a week!

Last week was a bit crazy but I felt that I accomplished so much. My Father is doing well - a couple of really good days last week but as soon as the weather got cloudy he became a little confused and somewhat sad. Today he is in good spirits and looking forward to planting his flowers and watching the NBA Playoffs. We are scheduled for his specialist appointment and an attorney that his sister recommended is also available to meet with us right after the upcoming holiday.
I know that someday he is going to wake up and not remember me - but I am doing everything now to make that day not come for a really long time. I have had a couple of friends that had to make that awful decision to place their parent in assisted living care. Each of them told me that as soon as their parent was removed from their home - their health quickly deteriorated. My Father's future changes are not fully known since this form of Alzheimer disease is not widely researched. As I travel down this road there are many decisions that I will need to make. All I can say is that I am faithful that I will have divine guidance!
As far as my 13 year old - she is realizing that having a "boyfriend" is not all that! The text messaging continues but she does not seem as smitten with a particular boy like before.
It was a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday and I have to say... life is good for this Sandwich Parent!

The Sandwich Parent - Week Two

Didn't we just have this conversation? These are the words that I have been using more often lately. Both my Father and Daughter are asking repeated questions and I am in demand.
The good news is that my Father is beginning to understand and possibly accept that he is experiencing memory loss. He admits that he is forgetting things but is also quick to point out that this happens to everyone! My Father has been a very private person all of his life, and in the past he would have never answered any inquiries. Today he is more receptive and the answers I am seeking are coming without too much effort. While he has expressed gratitude in the past, when he says thank you now - it just has a very special and sincere tone to it. Last week was a very busy as I spent my time securing appointments with a neurologist, a geriatric psychologist and an estate planning/elder care attorney. Now I just need to convince my Father that he needs to go to these appointments.
As I have tried to learn more about Blogging, I have discovered the WSJ Health Blog.http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2009/09/22/macarthur-genius-award-reducing-falls-in-the-elderly/ This is an interesting article about the multiple diseases elderly people encounter.
My Daughter is doing well. It doesn't matter how little or how much I do for her - the way she says thank you has really touched me. It's sweet and sincere and I appreciate it!
Until next time.....

The Sandwich Parent

Yes, I have become my father's parent and will always be my children's parent. I have heard about the Sandwich Parent - and now I am living it! No I am not talking about preparing a "roasted turkey, provolone, hold the mayo on sourdough" sandwich. I am talking about picking up where your parent has stopped thinking and doing for themselves. I am talking about the joy in a young teen-age daughter that has discovered boys. Yes these are the two slices of life's sandwich that I will be managing for a while. It's strange how things suddenly change - as Sheldon would say "Bazinga!"

The early signs of dementia have now advanced into a more serious condition and my father's diagnosis has a name: Binswanger's Disease. This disease is also known as subcortical vascular dementia. I found The Dementias: Hope Through Research website helpful. Basically, my father has erratic behavior and a severe case of forgetfulness. But he also has normal and clear thinking days. To help him with his confusion, I immediately purchased a very large Alzheimer's clock that showcases the month, date, day and time. It is battery operated and my father is quite pleased that he can move it room to room and never be without this information.

Now on the opposite side of my sandwich is my 13 year old daughter's giddy and giggly world of discovering boys. Her recent boy crush has already invaded my wallet with the cost overages of text messages. To my daughter's delight, an immediate change to our family cell phone plan was done. In her world there is less worry about usage and more laughter about texting privileges.

I want to thank you for reading my blog and any advice you would like to share would be appreciated. It was a satisfying week one of Sandwich Parenting.