What do Changes Mean? You may be Right!!

As Mom progresses, I try to tell myself "you must expect deterioration, Delores, it is part of the disease". Several days ago as Mom was struggling with her walking and I was thinking about how she was going down hill, it dawned on me that her last decline had occurred very quickly. This triggered the question, "is this the Alzheimer's Disease or is she ill. When a decline is quite sudden or is much faster then previous rates of decline, and there is no explanation, the illness question should be asked. Mom turned out to have a urinary tract infection (UTI) and we are now treating this.

Whether it is a UTI, pain, pneumonia or other illness, these can cause an increase in behaviors and/or decline in cognitive function or mobility. There is no doubt, as familoy members, we all want to be realistic and accept the inevitibility of the downward path of the diease. The other side of the coin, however, is that this fact makes it diffucult to keep in mind that our loved one also may have an acute illness and this acute illness may be causing the decline.

As I said, she is being treated for the UTI and this morning she said "I love you" which had been the only conversation she could inititiate for the last week or so. I said in response "I love you too Mom" and kissed her hand. She looked at me and said "no at least on the cheek." I didn't understand at first, then it dawned on me she meant "the kiss"!! That gave me goosebumps and a few tears. Mom was back in a small way. Very few can understand how meaningful that small phrase was. Those of you who have loved ones out there with the diease can appreciate this fully. This was a small moment and I cherish it dearly. I don't know how many more there will be, but this one means a great deal!!

May God keep you in the palm of Her Hand.