GOD IS GOOD

The other evening about 5pm they had Carol sitting out in the hall by the Nurses station and she decided to go for a walk.  Has been walking good for me and the Theripist but had not gotton up on her own and just took off--about 6-8 feet to see her roommate.  But the mechanisms for lock ON the wheels and foot rests of Bernices chair got tangled up with her feet and she slid down the face of chair and she cut her upper lip and skinned her arm and knee.  But she bled so much as we all do with a head injury that they called the ambulance and we met her at the ER.   Every thing checked out ok and they glued the wound shut, took some mri and Eric and I gtook her back to her room.  She was in good spirits the whole time.  God Is Good.  He decided to make up for the fall and little injuries and proceeded to straighten her neck up to about 15 degrees from verticle.  Best her neck been this good in a couple of months.  She is also much more alert and actually seems to be happier.  Last two days have been good.  I try to feed her at meals because she has lost 20 lbs in last 2 months.  I don't know if she eats any better for me but it is good therapy for me also.  Even her physical excercises and walking by the Therapist is good therapy for me.  I am encouraging the Aids and Nurses to let Carol walk when they can.  At least around her room.  God is improving my spirits while He is helping Carol physically.

Head Nurse was amazed that Carol's face was not black and blue because of the way she looked right after the accident.  Not a bruise on her face or even body for 2 days and then some on cheek and jaw.  She is a hardy soul.

GOD IS GOOD!!!!!!!!

NURSING HOME TIDBITS

I have read a number of comments on other Blogs about Nursing Homes and how they sometimes upset you or make you disappointed with them. Carol has been in a NH since early January and I now have 3 months experience. I was very confused about the NH at first but herer are some little tidbits that have helped me:

• 1. The concentration of wheelchairs around the nurses station is good for the patients. Otherwise they would be in their rooms without seeing any activity except a quick passerby.
• Most nurses or aides do have good hearts and are doing something that very few of us would be willing to pursue.
• I encourage the aides and staff to smile more often. They have beautiful smiles and it would be good for the visitors as well as the patients.
• Talk to the other patients, even if they can’t carry on a conversation. They like the attention. I am astounded about how many do not seem to have any regular visitors.
• Take your LO for a walk, maybe outside to a courtyard or just around the building. The change of scenery is helpful.
• Take Sunday Ad sections from the newspaper and help them leaf through them looking at the children, the pretty shoes, or sporting goods for the men.
• Remember all the little things they get like baths, shampoo, skin lotion, potty help, good food, eating help, medicine help (crushed pills),etc.
• Respond to those other patients that seem to want to talk or just ask you a question.
• Get personal with the staff. They have homes, families, kids, pets, etc.

Add to this list from what you have experienced. Certainly, a NH is not the most desirable place for our LO but it is a big help for the Caregivers. Just click on the ADD COMMENTS below and sign in.  This is a very secure site and Ok to use your email.    

CAROL IS DYING (Slowly but surly!)

I don’t mean to be blunt or shocking but that is a true statement. Carol’s Alzheimer’s (AD) in now in the later stages and we see part of her loosing out to AD almost daily. And though I know that Carol would not want to prolong this despicable disease, her physical body continues to fight on. Cognitively, Carol is almost gone but she still likes to look at her picture albums and newspaper ads. Sometimes she does seem to recognize family but most of the time, there is no acknowledgement that she knows us. Physically, her walking has greatly degraded but we still work with her on a walker. However, the Nursing Home got her a wheelchair and always use that instead of the walker. The therapist works with her on MWF on walking and other leg exercises. We hope that will improve her quality of life. The Therapy seems to also be helping her cognitive abilities. She is still continent and can swallow and drink but needs to be fed each bite. Does use a straw most of the time. I think her vision is also failing but she loves to look at her picture books.
According to the Alz Assoc. they estimate that Carol could live for several years or only several months. But it is inevitable. AD is a terminal illness with only a few research projects offering any hope for even diagnosing the disease early enough to maybe stop it or at least really slow it down. The medications she takes now do not do much good in the latter stages. But as I said in a previous blog, 2/17/10, God is Great and He definitely answers prayers. He has given Carol a peace and contentment that is making it much easier on her, and of course the family. She is in no pain, has no anger, or sadness.

Psalm 23.

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For more information on this gradual death of the brain, I refer you to my Aug 23, 2009 Post:

“What’s it like from Carol’s side of her Brain”

GOD ANSWERS PRAYER!!!!!

Carol has now been in the Nursing Home (NH) for 3 weeks and we are very comfortable by the way that God has answered our prayers.  We prayed that she would not have any sadness, anger, or desires to leave whenever we visited.  Only God could have enabled these request to come about.

Carol is very Content, glad to see us ( very simply) and likes to see her family visit her.  She has never asked me to take her home, --please don't go--etc,  She is very peaceful with her surroundings.  The staff seems to be taking good care of her.  One aide has changed Carol's hair to a pony tail to keep it out of her face.  Her head is nearly always drooping to the right.  It was hard to feed her and she seemed to even have trouble chewing so they now chop her main food up.  But she does swallow her food, drinks her tea or water.  She continues to walk from her recliner to her bed, to her bathroom.  But the staff is very cautious and protective which is OK with us.  A fall can be a disaster in her lifestyle. 

GOD IS GOOD and we are very relieved to have her reacting in such a good way. 

But----please do keep us in your prayers.  I am feeling a lot of loneleness but OK otherwise.   

Love from Carol and Bill.    2/17   7:00PM

CAROL IS NOW IN A NURSING HOME

Last friday, the Alzheimer's facility decided that Carol could get better and more personal care in an adjoining Nursing Home.  So we moved her and took some of her furniture but she is sharing a room.  But she seems contended and we see no anger or agitation.  She sometimes shows recognition but usually she just continues to look at pictures or eat or whatever she was doing.  No conversation but seems to be in fairly good spirits.  We still feel that this is what God was leading us to do.  It is very hard on me as I just get down and funky.  I'm OK when I am with her but miss her in our home. 

Leave a comment if you feel like it.    bill

CAROL NOW LIVING IN AN ALZHEIMER'S FACILITY

During December, Carol took a downward spiral and had a fall and several squats that took her down.  I had great difficulty getting her back to her feet.  She was still walking hesitantly and we tried to indoctrinate her to use a walker.  She was still sleeping well and eating with some "proding".  I awoke one morning with the strong conviction that the time had arrived to start the process of finding a new home for Carol.  I truly believe that God was directing this new direction.  We choose The Courtyard, part of The Christian Care Center, Mesquite.  It is the same facility her father lived for about a year.  We think it is very good with a lot of compassionat staff. 

Carol seems to be adjusting very well and has not had any anger or sad actions.  She is glad to see us when we get there and is being kept busy with a lot of interestng activities. 

I will post more in several days.            bill

50th Wedding Anniversary

50th Wedding Anniversary

Bill & Carol Eldridge

Bill & Carol Eldridge are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on January 15, 2010. Due to Carol’s condition with Alzheimer’s we are compiling a Memory Book for them in lieu of a reception. You are someone important in their lives! Please help us celebrate with them by emailing or mailing a fond memory you have with Bill & Carol. Carol LOVES pictures so photographs of you, or with Bill & Carol will be most appreciated. Please mail or email your stories by January 15th to one of the addresses below.

cdennard@att.net (Carman Eldridge Dennard) or eric@theeldridges.net (Eric Eldridge) or

billeldridge2@att.net (Bill Eldridge)

Or, snailmail to: Bill Eldridge
3404 Waterview Trail

Rockwall, TX 75087

Here's a a short video commemorating our 50 years of marriage: