Brahms’ lullaby

Lullaby and good night, with roses bedight
Hi!  I’ve been away for awhile.  Life was just turned up to TURBO speed where my Father with Alzheimer’s Disorder (AD)  is concerned.  I hardly have the time to write any longer.  But I’m fiercely determined to continue blogging.  So where I can sneak in a minute or two, I’ll do so and we’ll see where it takes me. 

With lilies o’er spread is baby’s wee bed
Dad is napping right now.  He’s worn out because he was busy keeping every one awake all last night, wandering around the house asking where the bathroom might be.  I’m only letting him take a quick, short, 30 minute nap so he will still sleep tonight.  Just enough to refresh him.  I’m a big believer in naps, as I try to take one short nap every day in the afternoon.  I must say it does wonderful things for me. 

Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed
Recently I’ve moved out of my DS’s house and into my own apartment.  It’s quite a wonderful feeling having my own place again.  No kids, no husbands to serve.  I’m really lovin it!  Sorry all you jealous women out there.  Of course I do take care of my Dad eight (8) hours a day, 4 days a week.  That is quite the challenge.  But it gives DS some space to do her job and keep her business running. 

Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed
Just to recap, Dad is working through both Prostrate Cancer and AD right now.  Dad has probably had AD for at least 10 years now and we’re guessing that he’s just entering into stage 2 of the disease.    My DS is my father’s official caretaker, I’m just a sister who’s here to help her, the primary caretaker.  We’re very fortunate because Dad has remained quite functional these last ten years.  As a hospice volunteer, I’ve seen people with AD that couldn’t speak, walk or even feed themselves from the very first onset of the disease.  Dad is quite functional.  Only his memory has betrayed him so far. 

Lullaby and good night, thy mother’s delight
Lately, Dad’s Prostrate issues have caused him some pain.  He was in the hospital overnight because he couldn’t urinate (pee) because his prostrate was enlarged.  The Urologiest taught me how to catherize my Dad to help him relieve himself.  I don’t mind doing it because I’ve been considering going back to school to become an RN for a while now.  So Dad requires this procedure three (3) times a day.  Which he never remembers me doing (gratefully).   Well my brake is over, so I’ve got to go.  Until tomorrow!

 

Many Thanks to Brahm’s for the beautiful lullaby