Jackie, I'm so sorry about your aunt. I've been working as usual and dealing with mom. We have a new "habit" where she is clutching wads of Kleenex. She puts on some chapstick, wipes it off with Kleenex. I had to actually take the chapstick away because she's irritating her lips with all the Kleenex. I noticed tonight when I gave her her bath she has scratches on her back, like she was scratching herself really hard. I'm going to have to cut her nails tomorrow. She's also doing a lot of picking at herself and staring at things. We tried 1 week without Exelon and she became noticeably worse within 4 days, so when the week was up I decided to put her back on it.

Carol, the idea of a group home sounds good to me. It is a smaller setting, the people taking care of your dad will know him so much better and it's probably much more home-like than a regular facility.

Joyce, what can I say? I am SO not looking forward to cleaning up poop. I have a touchy stomach and I'll need to start training myself for when the time comes.

And for those of you who traveled this road before us, I probably speak for all of us when I say that we do think of you a lot and wonder how you're doing. All of you give such wonderful advice and have first-hand knowledge of how to deal with all the stuff that comes along with AD. All of you are a Godsend to us, really.

Nothing has changed in Bill's eating habits or meds. Yesterday he had three, no make that four BMs. He spent the afternoon in bed and went to sleep for the night at six. The nurse was scheduled to come but she called and said she was called to check in two new patients and that she would be here today, Fri.
Bill is going down so fast right now that I thought it was going to end last night. I should say evening because it was about 4pm. He was in bed and I was sitting next to the bed. He was so lethargic it scared me. I shouldn't say scared me because I was scared just thought he was leaving me. He was holding on to one of my hands and had his other hand on my arm as I layed my head on his shoulder. At one point he raised my hand to his lips and kissed it three times. I even talked to him about our son and he got a smile on his face. I don't want to lose him, but it is so hard to watch him like this.

Bill and I have been together since I was 18, not to give away my age but let's say medicare does have it's good points. I can't imagine life without him. But then again I never imagined life like this. I will make it through this and I will make it when he's gone. I know that he will be with all who have gone ahead and he WILL no longer be suffering .

This is what I get when I get up early and start writing. It's also what you have to listen to, because without you to talk to, there is no one else that I can really tell how I feel.

Thanks for being here to listen.

Bill woke up a little more alert this morning. I was able to get him into his wheelchair and to the table where he ate a big breakfast.
He again had a full diaper. Now he is reading some of his GLO cards that I keep in a basket for him. I give him a few to entertain him. Greeting cards and just a few playing cards will entertain him for hours.

Guess I got up too early this morning and started thinking too much. I feel better now. Just seeing Bill sitting up makes me feel better.

Joyce, when you said that about Bill kissing your hand 3 times it reminded me of something my mother used to do. She would hold my hand and squeeze it 3 times meaning I Love You. Maybe Bill was doing that too.
I know how hard these days are on your heart and my heart breaks for you.

Boy, after all this "poop" talk i am really glad that mom can still use the toilet but I know my day is coming. Don't know if you want to go down this road but giving him iron for his blood might help to tighten things up a bit. I would check to see if he is anemic first. That can also cause loose stool. Hope this turns around for you soon. Keep us informed.

The nurse was just here. She did nothing but suggest Imodium.

His doctor comes tomorrow so maybe he will say something more. He's only had two today and not over flowing, so maybe it's slowing down.