Struggling

I have been struggling with the bloody catheter all week. I am also struggling with everything I have to do. Tonight with a call from someone who could talk me through it I now have it sused on how to put on the night bag.

This morning George's caregiver arrived about 9.15. During his shower some workers on the road turned off the water! Just what you need. Once he was ready we went off to the memory clinic end of year coffee. Next it was to Mum's home. Stayed there for some time. Today mum was awake and then asleep in equal time frames during this time.

On the way to Brighton George was obviously in pain so I took him home, gave him more painkillers ( he had his medication while we were at the home). I emptied the bag for the third time today which shows he is getting those fluids through. I then put him on the bed and put on a DVD. I then went and did the things I needed to get done, post mail, get groceries, order meat, order flowers for Mum, get petrol for example. By the time I got home I needed to get the washing on as I was not able to get it done this morning. I then had to get on with tea.

George had a good sleep while I was out so that was good. I am now off to get him ready for bed.

I must say I am flat out but achieving very little. I rather panic when I think of all I need to do in the next few days so I try hard not to think about it. Unfortunately a lot of time is spent unproductively as I am with either Mum or George. I did have it all worked out as to what had to be done and when I would be able to fit it in but unfortunately the last two weeks have thrown everything out and with only be to do everything I doubt if I am going to achieve what I need to do.

No rest for the wicked ( I was wicked in a past life as I don't have time to be wicked).

Lost

At the weekend I took George down to the shop with me - he likes to go. When we got home I was unpacking groceries. He then wanted me to do something. From experience I have learnt to stop whatever I am doing and attend to his needs before any thing else. I did this and then having got side-tracked did not complete unpacking groceries. Later when I went to do this guess what? A bag was missing. I have been searching for it ever since!! George has no idea what happened to it. God only knows what George has done with it and he  won't tell me. Unfortunately there is a perishable item in the bag!!

Number with Alzheimer's

My mother has an old friend Helen who she went to school with. Helen did not have children and is still living alone at home but now has Alzheimer's. Since just before Christmas she has been contacting me and telling me about some of the things that have happened. She obviously needs support so I have contacted a case worker at the Alzheimer's society to try to organise some help for her. Unfortunately it is a difficult time of year to organise these things.

Today I put a DVD on for George and left a big morning tea for him.

I went and got Helen and took her to see Mum. She was shocked at how Mum has deteriorated. Mum was asleep for most of the visit but drank her milkshake and so did Helen drink the one I got her. Helen had taken in a present and was trying to waken mum to open it without any luck. Mum did open her eyes at one point and reach out to stroke Helen's hair and face so I think there was a glimmer of recognition.

On the way home I took Helen shopping. As with George this takes a long time. Helen has a lot of difficulty with her ATM card but with me there to help we managed it.

I talked to Helen the whole time about how having someone to help and/or support would just make her life easier. Until she gets some help I will obviously have to ring and check and go and take her shopping - she does have some trouble answering the phone I have found (same as Mum and George) and obviously holds the wrong end to her ear at times.

Raced home to get George some food and for me to face the mess here.

Staying in your home town has definite disadvantages!

Night time

There appear to be times when George gets up during the night and I don't wake. This morning I found that his shoes were inside his slippers so he was wearing the two at once. When he woke this morning that is what he puts on.

On Saturday, when I got home from visiting Mum, I found George in the garage waiting for me. He had been to Brighton and done some shopping. He thought that he had left his shopping somewhere. I asked if it was in the bus stop (thinking of the bus stop in Brighton). He kept talking about the bus stop but didn't really know. I got him into the car and started driving towards Brighton. A little bit down the road he said 'That's where it will be'. He was pointing to the bus shelter GOING to Brighton. I said that he would have been there when he was going to Brighton but he insisted on getting out and looking, nothing there. Got home and there in the pantry was his shopping bag!!

shopping

Took George to his coffee afternoon tea at Wigram today. On the way I decided to go to the Warehouse as they are haivng a 20% off day later this week. I suggested to George that he might like to go and look at the men's clothing. I found him...

In the kids clothes looking at these tiny little clothes. I realised he didn't have a clue what he was up to so told him to stay with me.

At the cafe one of the other woman said to me about how his Alzheimer's has progressed (which it has).