Courage Re: Xmas was just not the same

[Guest guest]

I'm glad you could laugh about the shih tzu story. As I was writing

it, I was aware that you own one and was hoping that you would not

be offended but see the funny side of it! I personally dont mind

shih tzus as long as the owners take care of them (grooming) because

I see alot of them that have gross stuff all over their faces from

their eyes running, and matty yucky fur. They are beautiful dogs

when their fur is gleaming and brushed! I can't believe your little

dog is Sweet Sixteen...thats amazing! I have no idea how long shih

tzus generally live...but I would say she is probably gonna break a

record!

Sorry to hear you got that flu..and of course that your Mom

didnt " miss " you when you werent around. I'm pretty sure if my Dad

didnt see me for awhile he wouldnt miss me either. I live for those

little glimpses of " him " , his laugh..even at totally stupid things,

just brings me total joy. I guess we just have to cling to those

little moments and be grateful for them. Some people never get the

chance to really appreciate their LO and all the " little things "

that most people would just brush off and forget about. As painful

as it can be sometimes, we have that chance.

Take care of yourself. And your Mom. And ...

Love & hugs,

Coyote

> >> Courage:

> >>

> >> You are such a good daughter. I love the image of you singing

> >carols

> >> softly in your mom's ear while she had her eyes closed.

Somehow,

> >> whether or not she knew they were carols you were singing to her

> >is

> >> secondary. I know she must have had some peace at having her

> >> daughter sing quietly to her (unless of course you have a voice

> >like

> >> my husband...nah, couldn't be. Your mom wouldn't have run for

the

> >> hills if you had..) Seriously, I know she must have enjoyed

that

> >> moment just as much as I did reading about it.

> >>

> >> I know just what you mean about Christmas not being the same

this

> >> year. None of us said it aloud but we were all focusing very

hard

> >on

> >> making it a good one just in case my dad isn't around next year

or

> >in

> >> case his illness progresses to a point where he can't know what

is

> >> happening around him. Because of this, all of our times were

> >tinged

> >> with the sadness that he ill this year and that he may very well

> >be

> >> gone next Xmas. As much as you try to live for the day, the

> >> bleakness of this beast overcomes us at times.

> >>

> >> My dad was over my house yesterday while my mom and sister

Boxing

> >Day

> >> shopped. He was fine the whole day but once my mother and

sister

> >> came home he became considerably more unable to move and his

face

> >> became more numb than it had throughout the rest of the day (the

> >> numbing face is due to the brain tumor and not LBD). He changed

> >so

> >> suddenly. He was actually having a good day up until then. I

> >just

> >> hate these fluctuations and I hate even more that the good times

> >> aren't lasting as long as they used to.

> >>

> >> Nevertheless I do still have my dad with me and I am very

grateful

> >> for him. I'll continue to live for the glimpses of the man he

was

> >> and love the man he's become in spite of the ravages of LBD.

> >>

> >> Abby

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Coyote,

I hear what you're saying about people letting their Shih Tzu's go. When

was younger she didn't mind being brushed everyday or so or with my

putting bows/clips in her hair but as she got older she just wasn't having

anymore of it. (did you know that shih tzu's eyelasses can grow as long as

their hair? beautiful). For years now, I've had her hair shaved really

short about twice a year. She likes this much better then the constant

brushing though just before she goes in for a cut I always tell her she

looks like nobody owns her!

I asked mom today if she missed me after not seeing her this weekend and she

said " why, where did you go?. I just smiled at that one. She's convinced

that some people who live down the street have taken the baby (???????) and

when my dad came in from his walk the first thing she asked him was if he

went to get the baby back. I told her that the next door neighbours were

going to watch her for a while as we were all too tired. That seemed to

satisfy her for now.

Courage

Courage Re: Xmas was just not the same

>I'm glad you could laugh about the shih tzu story. As I was writing

>it, I was aware that you own one and was hoping that you would not

>be offended but see the funny side of it! I personally dont mind

>shih tzus as long as the owners take care of them (grooming) because

>I see alot of them that have gross stuff all over their faces from

>their eyes running, and matty yucky fur. They are beautiful dogs

>when their fur is gleaming and brushed! I can't believe your little

>dog is Sweet Sixteen...thats amazing! I have no idea how long shih

>tzus generally live...but I would say she is probably gonna break a

>record!

>Sorry to hear you got that flu..and of course that your Mom

>didnt " miss " you when you werent around. I'm pretty sure if my Dad

>didnt see me for awhile he wouldnt miss me either. I live for those

>little glimpses of " him " , his laugh..even at totally stupid things,

>just brings me total joy. I guess we just have to cling to those

>little moments and be grateful for them. Some people never get the

>chance to really appreciate their LO and all the " little things "

>that most people would just brush off and forget about. As painful

>as it can be sometimes, we have that chance.

>Take care of yourself. And your Mom. And ...

>Love & hugs,

>Coyote

>

>

>> >> Courage:

>> >>

>> >> You are such a good daughter. I love the image of you singing

>> >carols

>> >> softly in your mom's ear while she had her eyes closed.

>Somehow,

>> >> whether or not she knew they were carols you were singing to her

>> >is

>> >> secondary. I know she must have had some peace at having her

>> >> daughter sing quietly to her (unless of course you have a voice

>> >like

>> >> my husband...nah, couldn't be. Your mom wouldn't have run for

>the

>> >> hills if you had..) Seriously, I know she must have enjoyed

>that

>> >> moment just as much as I did reading about it.

>> >>

>> >> I know just what you mean about Christmas not being the same

>this

>> >> year. None of us said it aloud but we were all focusing very

>hard

>> >on

>> >> making it a good one just in case my dad isn't around next year

>or

>> >in

>> >> case his illness progresses to a point where he can't know what

>is

>> >> happening around him. Because of this, all of our times were

>> >tinged

>> >> with the sadness that he ill this year and that he may very well

>> >be

>> >> gone next Xmas. As much as you try to live for the day, the

>> >> bleakness of this beast overcomes us at times.

>> >>

>> >> My dad was over my house yesterday while my mom and sister

>Boxing

>> >Day

>> >> shopped. He was fine the whole day but once my mother and

>sister

>> >> came home he became considerably more unable to move and his

>face

>> >> became more numb than it had throughout the rest of the day (the

>> >> numbing face is due to the brain tumor and not LBD). He changed

>> >so

>> >> suddenly. He was actually having a good day up until then. I

>> >just

>> >> hate these fluctuations and I hate even more that the good times

>> >> aren't lasting as long as they used to.

>> >>

>> >> Nevertheless I do still have my dad with me and I am very

>grateful

>> >> for him. I'll continue to live for the glimpses of the man he

>was

>> >> and love the man he's become in spite of the ravages of LBD.

>> >>

>> >> Abby

>> >

>> >

>> >

[Guest guest]

Courage,

My mohter see babies and kittens. This is quite common in LBD patients

according to his doctor. He says that as long as they do eventulally realize

that they are not real then there is no harm.

M

>

>Reply-To: LBDcaregivers

>To: LBDcaregivers

>Subject: Courage Re: Xmas was just not the same

>Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 04:01:59 -0000

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>

>Hi Courage-

>When you talk about your mom and talking about the baby......

>After my mom came out of her surgery on her hip she wouldn't open her

>eyes and was always saying,Get the baby or Wheres the baby.

>Constantly babbling about babies????? We knew nothing of LBD at that

>point. Just remembered about the baby thing when i read your post.

>About this time last year she told us that she had woke up one

>morning and thought we were little kids again and that she had to get

>up and make us breakfast. She said she got up and look down the

>hallway and realized that we were not there and we were older with

>kids of our own. At that time she told us maybe she was going crazy

>and just laughed. Never in my wildest dreams did i think it would

>come to this!

>Just has to let you know.

>Hugs and prayers-

>Sharon

>

>

>

>

>

> > >> >> Courage:

> > >> >>

> > >> >> You are such a good daughter. I love the image of you singing

> > >> >carols

> > >> >> softly in your mom's ear while she had her eyes closed.

> > >Somehow,

> > >> >> whether or not she knew they were carols you were singing to

>her

> > >> >is

> > >> >> secondary. I know she must have had some peace at having her

> > >> >> daughter sing quietly to her (unless of course you have a

>voice

> > >> >like

> > >> >> my husband...nah, couldn't be. Your mom wouldn't have run for

> > >the

> > >> >> hills if you had..) Seriously, I know she must have enjoyed

> > >that

> > >> >> moment just as much as I did reading about it.

> > >> >>

> > >> >> I know just what you mean about Christmas not being the same

> > >this

> > >> >> year. None of us said it aloud but we were all focusing very

> > >hard

> > >> >on

> > >> >> making it a good one just in case my dad isn't around next

>year

> > >or

> > >> >in

> > >> >> case his illness progresses to a point where he can't know

>what

> > >is

> > >> >> happening around him. Because of this, all of our times were

> > >> >tinged

> > >> >> with the sadness that he ill this year and that he may very

>well

> > >> >be

> > >> >> gone next Xmas. As much as you try to live for the day, the

> > >> >> bleakness of this beast overcomes us at times.

> > >> >>

> > >> >> My dad was over my house yesterday while my mom and sister

> > >Boxing

> > >> >Day

> > >> >> shopped. He was fine the whole day but once my mother and

> > >sister

> > >> >> came home he became considerably more unable to move and his

> > >face

> > >> >> became more numb than it had throughout the rest of the day

>(the

> > >> >> numbing face is due to the brain tumor and not LBD). He

>changed

> > >> >so

> > >> >> suddenly. He was actually having a good day up until then. I

> > >> >just

> > >> >> hate these fluctuations and I hate even more that the good

>times

> > >> >> aren't lasting as long as they used to.

> > >> >>

> > >> >> Nevertheless I do still have my dad with me and I am very

> > >grateful

> > >> >> for him. I'll continue to live for the glimpses of the man he

> > >was

> > >> >> and love the man he's become in spite of the ravages of LBD.

> > >> >>

> > >> >> Abby

> > >> >

> > >> >

> > >> >

[Guest guest]

That look with the hanging jaw really gets to me. We have been out to dinner

twice in the past week. One time to celebrate the fact that after an amputation

and three months my brother was able to sit in a restaurant and celebrate his

birthday! Liam never said a word. He ate what he wanted then sat and watched the

rest of us. When conversation was directed at him he ignored it. I asked him

about it on our way home and he said no one listened to him. He would not accept

the fact that he said nothing.

Last night was the next time. Two physicians he knew were at the next table and

came over to say hello. He neither recognized them nor remembered their names.

After they introduced themselves to him he looked at them but said nothing. Upon

leaving one got up and said to me " good luck " . Oh, to remember what used to

be!!!! Our friends helped him into the car and I managed to get him into the

house. After he was safely in bed I sat down and wanted to cry. It is good that

a few people will go out with us knowing how difficult it really is. Some days

he is very good when others are around.

The hallucinations are getting worse. Before we left last night he saw 2

children at the table and described how they were dressed....then told me they

just disappeared after I said no one was at the table. Many times yesterday he

asked if the other people were still in the house!

Back to happier thoughts.....HAPPY NEW YEAR to all and may some good things

occur in this coming year!

Simmel Courage Re: Xmas was just not the same

Courage...

Aww, its SO cute when people put the bows in!! Whenever I see a

really neglected looking Shih Tzu I want to grab the owner and show

them a pic from a dog magazine like YOUR dog is SUPPOSED to look

something like this!!!! YOUR dog is an insult to the breed, go get

him groomed, lol!!!

I have a Springer Spaniel, so I totally understand how they are

about being brushed to " show dog " beauty. So, we go the clipping

route too! If you dont take care of these kinds of dogs (long

haired) they get ear/eye infections, they look ratty and dirty..and

they start to reek!

Funny you should say " you look like nobody owns you " ..I say that to

my daughter all the time, lol!!

Thats funny about your Mom and the baby. Good answer you came up

with!! My Dad keeps waking my Mom at 3 am saying " we have to get out

of here! This is not our bed!! " and he tries to wander to strange

places ie the " chicken house " . They dont even live on a farm! (and

he NEVER did, not even as a child). He has also asked my mom stuff

about " the baby " , but my Mom isnt as nice as you..she tells my Dad

the baby is 36!!! I tell ya, I would LOVE to live inside my Dad's

head for just ONE day, then go back to myself and be able to

understand where this stuff comes from. A few days before christmas,

my husband saw my dad (hadnt seen him for about 6 weeks) and

said " please dont take this the wrong way...but your dad has that

look, like... you know, retarded adults " . Earlier that day I had my

Dad in the car and I looked at him in the rear view mirror, staring

off into space with his mouth hanging open and I thought the EXACT

same thing! I told my Mom about this and she said SHE had thought

the same thing while looking at him....FREAKY. Only four months ago

we would have to whisper to people " Alzheimers " (easier than " Lewy

body " ... " hes got WHAT? " .... because you couldnt tell anything was

wrong from looking at him, except what he SAID didnt always make

sense. Now he doesnt have to say anything, and people know.

Stupid disease....I hate it.

Well, its after 2 am..gotta go before dh has a conniption!!! hahah

Coyote

> >> >> Courage:

> >> >>

> >> >> You are such a good daughter. I love the image of you

singing

> >> >carols

> >> >> softly in your mom's ear while she had her eyes closed.

> >Somehow,

> >> >> whether or not she knew they were carols you were singing to

her

> >> >is

> >> >> secondary. I know she must have had some peace at having her

> >> >> daughter sing quietly to her (unless of course you have a

voice

> >> >like

> >> >> my husband...nah, couldn't be. Your mom wouldn't have run

for

> >the

> >> >> hills if you had..) Seriously, I know she must have enjoyed

> >that

> >> >> moment just as much as I did reading about it.

> >> >>

> >> >> I know just what you mean about Christmas not being the same

> >this

> >> >> year. None of us said it aloud but we were all focusing very

> >hard

> >> >on

> >> >> making it a good one just in case my dad isn't around next

year

> >or

> >> >in

> >> >> case his illness progresses to a point where he can't know

what

> >is

> >> >> happening around him. Because of this, all of our times were

> >> >tinged

> >> >> with the sadness that he ill this year and that he may very

well

> >> >be

> >> >> gone next Xmas. As much as you try to live for the day, the

> >> >> bleakness of this beast overcomes us at times.

> >> >>

> >> >> My dad was over my house yesterday while my mom and sister

> >Boxing

> >> >Day

> >> >> shopped. He was fine the whole day but once my mother and

> >sister

> >> >> came home he became considerably more unable to move and his

> >face

> >> >> became more numb than it had throughout the rest of the day

(the

> >> >> numbing face is due to the brain tumor and not LBD). He

changed

> >> >so

> >> >> suddenly. He was actually having a good day up until then.

I

> >> >just

> >> >> hate these fluctuations and I hate even more that the good

times

> >> >> aren't lasting as long as they used to.

> >> >>

> >> >> Nevertheless I do still have my dad with me and I am very

> >grateful

> >> >> for him. I'll continue to live for the glimpses of the man

he

> >was

> >> >> and love the man he's become in spite of the ravages of LBD.

> >> >>

> >> >> Abby

> >> >

> >> >

> >> >