Yesterday we took mum to the geriatrician and her lungs are fine. The bronchitis has disappeared and along with it the possibility of pneumonia.
Mum has been groaning a lot, and I asked the doctor about it. She said that it is a behavioral symptom of Parkinson Dementia. It goes along with the hand movements that mum already has. She folds and folds the hem of her dresses or any cloth that is around.
The doctor said not to keep asking her what is the matter when she starts groaning, but just to try to gently distract her by showing her a kitten or whatever she likes. She says that Mum is losing speech and it’s a sign of this type of dementia. Her neurons are being burnt out. She will reach the place of not speaking anymore.
The doctor also explained that Parkinsonian Dementia gets worse in steps so that all of a sudden the patient becomes worse whereas in Alzheimer it’s a slow decline. This is true as Mum began groaning on May 9th. She hadn’t done that before.
It’s all very sad especially when I remember that Mum was re-reading the classics of world literature. In 2006 she was reading War and Peace and planning on reading Dostoevsky.
To tell the truth, I’m a bit down today. Even though I could see all this happening with Mum, to hear it explained, had some kind of psychological effect and has made me sad. As well, my hand hurts from carpal tunnel (I am going to try to have the operation in July), and my daughter had her purse grabbed yesterday by a motorcyclist whizzing past. Now we have to get all the documents re-done, ID, driver’s license, etc. etc. as well buy a new cell phone, new MP3 etc.
It never rains, but it pours.
Hi Dilys, I’m sorry you’re down today. It’s absolutely understandable. There’s something about a “verdict” so to speak–words spoken about observations we make. When others speak the truth about we see, it can seem so final. It removes the potential that perhaps the observations really weren’t correct.
I hope can find time today to just feel sad.
Thanks for updating us. I hope everyone can hang on (literally and figuratively) today.
Hi Dilys,
I am so sorry that you are feeling so sad today. I hope that as the day goes on, that you will feel just a bit brighter. I remember when the doctor actually said dementia to me, it was startling. I thought the stroke was what we would all continue to help my mother with, I never thought dementia would come as well. You take care and I’ll be thinking about you and praying for you today.
Hi, Dilys,
It is understandable that you are feeling down today. The diagnosis which you already suspected confirmed, your own bodily pain, and your daughter’s purse being stolen with all the problems that has caused together is a seemingly overwhelming load. It does seem sometimes as if troubles come in bunches. My prayers are with you.
so sorry to hear your sadness today also Dilys…its fine…sometimes we dont feel like smiling…let your feelings out..your right, when it rains it does pour sometimes or at least when we feel down it seems that way. Im glad you were able to come on and hopefully knowing we are all connected in here will comfort you in some small way…i wish your daughter good luck in the loss of her bag also. Im not certain how people who do bad things like that rest at night…I really dont!! I suppose in a way in this case it was good she did not try to hang on to it…she could have gotten hurt as well.
good luck…im thinking of you today and hope your feeling better soon.
Wouldn’t it be nice if purses were made with dye pack compartments?
You know what it was but anyone else got a nice surprise.
grr.
I hope you don’t have too difficult of a time getting your items replaced quickly. And hugs Dilys to you. I pray for you to have a calm spirit through your care giving journey.
Even though we suspected it, officially hearing the words dementia felt like somebody sucked all the air out of my lungs. I understand why you feel sad.
My husband was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia in Oct 2007. He too gets Obsessive Compulsive about folding things at times. Some days I want to take him the laundry or at least the towels but he wouldn’t want to do it then
Remember, you are not alone,
Prayers for you
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