I haven't said much about this before, but my boyfriend and I take care of his sister, Robbie and her husband, Bob. They both have Alzheimer's.
Bob had his left leg amputated above the knee on July 30th of this year. He went to a nursing home for twenty days. He came back home on this past Monday.
He is doing pretty well. He is, understandably, afraid to stand on his one leg. At six foot tall, that would be a long fall.
He has lost the ability to know when he must urinate and wears diapers now. That sensation may return. He knows when he needs to sit on the bedside commode to defecate, but does not know when he actually does.
Robbie, bless her heart, tries to care for him, but she just isn't able to. When he wants an extra blanket, she will take the he one has and put another one on him.
He has learned that he can raise his hips and pull his own pants up.
When the staples come out of the stump, September 4th, they will start shrinking it so that he can be fitted for an artificial leg.
Please, learn the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's so that if a loved one of yours develops it, it can be caught early and treatment begun.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Don's Shoulder Surgery
The physicl therapist has said that he is ready for the shoulder surgery.
The doctor has scheduled it for Sseptember 16th.
He is walking with a "mini-walker" now.
Mama has been able to go back to work, working her work schedule around Don's therapy and doctor appointments.
The doctor has indicated that he may still end up 100% disabled. Don is not very comfortable with that idea--he prefers working.
Again, we thank all of you for your continued prayers and thoughts.
The doctor has scheduled it for Sseptember 16th.
He is walking with a "mini-walker" now.
Mama has been able to go back to work, working her work schedule around Don's therapy and doctor appointments.
The doctor has indicated that he may still end up 100% disabled. Don is not very comfortable with that idea--he prefers working.
Again, we thank all of you for your continued prayers and thoughts.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Don Is Walking!!!
Don has been walking with a walker for a couple weeks now. He says it hurts but it feels good to walk.
He can walk from the living room to the bedroom which is about 45 feet. Says it leaves him in pain for a while but he knows it has to be done.
Once he can bear weight and walk well enough, the doctor will schedule his shoulder replacement.
Once the shoulder heals well enough Don can use his arms and shoulders to move his body weight around, the doctor will schedule the surgery to re-set his right leg and replace the knees.
So, he is progressing but there is still much healing and repair work that needs to be done.
Again, thank you for the prayers and well wishes.
He can walk from the living room to the bedroom which is about 45 feet. Says it leaves him in pain for a while but he knows it has to be done.
Once he can bear weight and walk well enough, the doctor will schedule his shoulder replacement.
Once the shoulder heals well enough Don can use his arms and shoulders to move his body weight around, the doctor will schedule the surgery to re-set his right leg and replace the knees.
So, he is progressing but there is still much healing and repair work that needs to be done.
Again, thank you for the prayers and well wishes.
