The Blue Cup System

DBL and DS have this system called the Blue Cup System that concerns the coffee distribution in the house. 

As you know Dad suffers from Alzheimer’s Disorder (AD).  And his memory is not so good. 

In the beginning, Dad, whose veins run with coffee (As DS likes to say), Dad would leave his coffee cups all over the house.  And if you were drinking coffee at this time, Dad would steal your coffee (unknowingly) and drink from your cup.  And so, in order to keep the household from a state of barbarianism, DS and DBL devised the “Blue Cup System”.  Dad was given six Blue Coffee Cups.  Only Dad would drink from the Blue Cup.  They would all be filled-up in the morning at breakfast.  Dad, whenever he wanted a fresh cup of coffee, would go pick-up a blue coffee cup and nuke it.  This new system accomplished a few important goals.

• We always knew which coffee cups were Dads,
• Dad could always find his coffee,
• Dad could “Help Himself” to coffee through-out the day with no direction, and
• No one had to worry about Dad stealing their coffee in the morning.

It’s important to understand the place that coffee takes in Dad’s mind.  Coffee is his favorite thing.  When we go into a restaurant and order coffee, that waitress had better keep his coffee cup filled OR no tip for her.  Dad was a serious coffee drinker. The only thing Dad enjoys more in the world than coffee is his red wine Merlot.  Dad enjoys a little with dinner at times.  We have to keep an eye on him though; the wine seems to hit Dad like a ton of bricks.  The other day we went out to the VFW to enjoy their steak dinner.  Dad stuck with his coffee throughout the meal. 

Remember how Dad likes to Dance?  Dad made a trip to the little boys room and on his way back started dancing with a young twenty something lady.  And he danced the night away.  We didn’t become alarmed until we saw Dad leaving the bar with the lady.  Then my DS ran after Dad and Stopped him from leaving with the girl.  Dad was the happiest we’ve ever seen him.  One of our DF said, geeze, I can’t even do that at my age and your Dad is what ? -75 years young.  DF is very sweet and patient with Dad.  DF recently lost his mother to Alzheimer.  And so he understand the disease.   

 

[The picture above and to the right is one from "American Squares" Web Site.  Many Thanks for the use of the picture. ]

Grandpa’s singing a new tune!

<p>Well, I’m told the only way to truly diagnose an Alzheimer patient is after they’re dead, when you examine their brain. So, in my mind, and quite possibly, my mind only. There is ever the slightest chance that Dad may really not have Alzheimer disorder. And could possibly wake-up one day fully conscious and with his memory restored. However, at the same time I acknowledge that often the family is in denial about the patient having Alzheimer at all. </p>
<p>Today, Dad seemed to have some memory recall. Last night we went out to Heidi’s Jazz Club in Cocoa Beach. The was a really sweet night club band playing. They sounded good. Dad was all over the floor dancing with anyone who would dance with him. </p>
<p>Mom taught Dad how to dance in her mother’s basement when they we’re just 13 years old. They were a great dancing pair till the very end. Dad is still very lost without mom.</p>
<p>So, today, Dad woke up remembering what happened yesterday. Surprise, Surprise! Very rare. He couldn’t remember anything beyond yesterday. But we’ll take these little miracles as they come with grateful hearts. </p>
<p>It’s always so nice when he can remember. You don’t find a need to keep telling him what your name is or why we need to go to the car now. Where we’re going in the car. etc. etc. </p>
<p>Hopefully this will be an ongoing trend.</p>