Update on Mom

(NOTE: Franglais is spoken in this video: French and English)

The video shows Mom, able to get up from a chair and walk with a walker. As simple as this seems, it is quite remarkable. She continues to eat, and is doing physical therapy at the rehab facility.

Your prayers as always are coveted. We see this wonderful physical sign that Mom is getting stronger, however there are still grave concerns about her future. Will she be independent enough to safely be back in her own apartment. The initial diagnosis for Mom is DLB ( Dementia with Lewy Bodies) is an insidious mental decline. Many mistake it for Alzheimer's Disease (AD), which most people are familiar with and which is a difficult and heart wrenching condition. What differentiates DLB from AD is that the decline is faster, and that parkinsonism (signs of Parkinson's Disease) accompanies it. Add to the confused state of mind, DLB has the additional feature of auditory and visual hallucinations.

So, with this diagnosis of DLB, Mom and Dad have a difficult road ahead. Another feature of DLB is that you have absolutely clear moments where you are completely with it, and all of a sudden, the fog rolls in, you are confused and may be seeing or hearing things. The other thing that is troubling Mom is that she seems to be getting anxious, not wanting to even answer the phone, as she put it ... "it scares me".

Given this diagnosis (the only way to actually confirm it is DLB is at autopsy with examination of the brain) Mom's prognosis is less than sunny. My siblings continue to pursue a different apartment, one which would accommodate a walker. If Mom is able to return home, she would need constant supervision. Given Mom and Dad's financial situation, their funds would give out in about six months.

Dad is not the healthiest of 81- ( soon to be 82 ) year-olds either. He would be unable to give Mom the assistance and care she needs. Dad is barely mobile, and probably should give up his keys / car. At this point, he goes over each day to spend time with Mom. Pray that his health would hold up, and that he be able to continue coping with this situation.

So, being in NC with the folks up in NH is problematic. Thank God, I have five of my six siblings right in the area and that they are looking out for things for Mom and Dad. If Mom indeed has DLB, then only God can heal her. There is no cure, no real treatment (avoiding certain medications and they experiment with Alzheimer's drugs) and the decline is progressive.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and warm thoughts, those are indeed sustaining us. God bless you all (or as we say in the south, y'all)!

Gerry

Adorable sleeping baby

Sorry just couldn't resist.

Monday, Monday ....

But actually, unlike the Mamas and the Papas, my Monday is good. Good to be back to work. Sunday was a great message, and the pool guys are at the house putting in the liner. Mom continues to improve, though she is having some swelling in her feet, so appreciate those prayers for her.

We have a pile of dirt that needs to go. Tamping of dirt around the pool and in about two weeks, we will have our patio/decking put in, fencing put up and when we get back from Bolivia, hopefully all will be settled and ready for our pool.

We've also put up several bird feeders, and the most consistent visitors are North Carolina's state bird, the cardinal.

I've also spotted some green hummingbirds, darting in and out of our nectar feeder. Wrens, finches, woodpeckers have all been seen as well. Very relaxing to see the feeding frenzy outside of our screened porch. The cat seems oblivious to anything around her, at 18 years of age, she probably has passed her prime for pouncing. We continue to enjoy our new homestead in the great state of North Carolina.

Mom is in REHAB

No, not THAT kind of rehab, but physical rehab. She's made great strides since I last saw her at AVH last Saturday evening. I spoke to her this afternoon, and her speech is so much clearer, really is remarkable.

Her first goal is to attend my niece's high school graduation on June 12th. They are working to that goal, and even though her base of operation will be the rehab facility, she'll be able to plan and take excursions out for short periods of time.

Mom is also eating "mechanical" soft foods, not just purée'd foods. She also works with physical, speech and occupational therapists so that she can safely move around and get in and out of bed without assist.

Thanks so much for your prayers. God is GOOD!

If you feel up to dropping her a note:

Theresa Poulin
ATTN: Second Floor Rehab Dept.
St. Vincent De Paul Rehab Center
29 Providence Avenue
Berlin, NH 03570

Home sweet, "steamy" home

Durham, NC (27707) Weather Forecast

We flew into Raleigh-Durham yesterday and felt our first 80+ degree weather in a week. NH was rainy, damp and if we hit the 60's those were the warm moments. It is catch as catch can back in Berlin as far as weather goes. It was cool, but also very green. Those sunny moments with the backdrop of the Presidential Range was beautiful. So I'm back in the NC piedmont "flatlands" and we are definitely in warmer clime.

Thanks for all the prayers for Mom, she continues to improve and now our prayer request includes what next ... where can she do re-hab and ultimately live long term. My parent's current appartment is not conducive to walkers and wheel chairs. Just because we don't know what happens next doesn't mean we need to worry, but it is a concern for us on how to keep Mom and Dad safe.