Great News!

Little Miss Harper is doing great, down to 26% O2 and awake and alert.  What a wonderful God we have.  And not to mention, she is completely adorable.  I love reading blogs like Harper's.  So onto my life, update on my Dad, he's doing good, still not eating a whole lot, but then again, he sleeps most of the day and night, he did try and get out of the new bed that Hospice brought him Friday, so I guess he hasn't completely given up being cantankerous yet (wow, that was a $100 word right??).  My Mom thank goodness was at home and coxed him to not get up.  I'm telling you, keeping an eye on the fellow is a full time job.  Glad it's not my job, or I'd seriously have to tie him to the bed!  (Yet another reason I'm not a health care provider.)  So while we're on the subject, let us move onto...Stage 3...

As defined by the Alzheimer's Association Stage 3 is whenfriends, family or co-workers begin to notice deficiencies. Problems with memory or concentration may be measurable in clinical testing or discernible during a detailed medical interview. Common difficulties include:

• Word- or name-finding problems noticeable to family or close associates
  
• Decreased Word- or name-finding problems noticeable to family or close associatesability to remember names when introduced to new people 
  
• Performance issues in social or work settings noticeable to family, friends or co-workers
  
• Reading a passage and retaining little material
  
• Losing or misplacing a valuable object
  
• Decline in ability to plan or organize
  

Stage 3 was really noticeable, I could just see the stain on my Dad's face when he was trying to remember things, it was a little heartbreaking.  I would try and talk to him on the phone and on a good day, he was quite lucid, but on a not so good day, he would just answer in a yes or no.  I think that at this point he still knew who I was andstill knew my voice on the phone.  Or at least that's what I told myself at the time, but who really knows what was going through his mind at the time.  My advise at this stage is to keep close tabs on where the patient is and what they are doing, also keep tabs on car keys, wallets and cash.  And as soon as you see a decline in memory, have your loved one tested and start on a regimen of choice as soon as possible.  Well it's time to call it a night and get some sleep.

Picture of the day

Blessings,

Magnolia