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