Tuesday, January 29, 2008

I am in Illinois


Good afternoon to everyone!! I am out of state this week. I know that some of you know why and others of course don't!!

My dad was taken to the hospital Sunday. He was acting funny in church. He went out to the car and was trying to get in the WRONG car. Mother went out and found him. He fell and she pulled him back up!! He was starring and acting very odd. This has been coming on though. He has done some of this before...got disoriented...doing weird things.

They took him to the hospital ER. Then is when I found out about it all. I could not get in touch with anyone. I had received an email saying that he had been taken to the hospital. I had no way to get hold of anyone. Finally I decided to call the hospital!! I found out about everything. Also I got to talk to Mother. She was very upset. They thought that he had had a stroke!!
Finally after all of the tests, catscans and all they found out that he has alzheimers!! Mother wanted me to come so I started trying to find a flight that would get me to Illinois as quickly as I could.

I left very early Monday morning and got into Illinois around 10:10 that morning. I got frisked at the Savannah airport!! Can you believe me!! I look like your average terrorist! Our daughter Julie and granddaughter Emily picked me up!! Dad had remembered that i was coming. He was doing great when we got there.

We took him to the doctor Monday afternoon. His blood pressure was high but the doctor thinks that now since he knows what he has that he is worrying about it and making himself have headaches!! His blood pressure was really high!! We also could not get him to eat anything.

Mother and Dad have a long row ahead of them. They just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary!! They have been together for a long long time!!

I would appreciate your prayers!! We do not know how long this is going to go on for him since he is almost 90 years old now!! We have been told that the older you get it the faster it goes!! He is on one medication now and in a month they are going to add another one. The problem is that this medication is so expensive!! Never just one problem..RIGHT?

I may not be posting much and I know all of you will understand. I have not been around reading either and I do apologize!! I just wish that things were not like this!! I wish that things could be different but they are not. I am telling Mother to look at this in a positive way!! Smiling and laughing I think will be her best options!! Dad loves to joke. I sure hate to see him loose that!!

Hope all is well with everyone!! It is dark and dreary here in Illinois. We are under a Thunderstorm warning. Snow is also in the weather report!! Hm. This ole' Georgia girl is not liking this weather. I miss my SUN!!

FLIP FLOP...God is still on HIS throne!!

16 comments:

Denise said...

My dear friend, my heart is hurting for you, and your parents. But, God is still on the throne, and He will carry you through this season in your life. I am lifting your dad up in my prayers. I love you.

Melli said...

Awwww Sandy... I am sO sorry. This is going to be very hard on your mom... she's going to lose her life partner -- but not the way she expected to. I pray that she WILL be able to look at it with a sense of humor - at least for a good while yet! HE will be fine... he won't know he's forgetting ... if nobody tells him! I do wonder though why they told him. Actually ... I wonder now if they ever told Mom... I don't think so. But I think she was waaaay far gone before diagnosis. You are all certainly in my prayers!!! (((hugs dear)))

Linda said...

I am so happy you found time to post. I've been worrying about you ever since I learned about you Dad. Enjoy this time you have right now. I'll continue to keep you in my prayers.

Talk..to..Grams said...

Sandy I am so sorry. I know this has to be very hard for you and your Mom and Dad. You both have a deep Faith in God and He will have to get you all through this. I am so glad you have found time to post! I have been praying for you all. I will keep on..... Love and Hugs Carolyn

Baba said...

Dear Sandy, My prayers and thoughts are with you , your dad and mom...This must be a hard condition to understand? It seems like as we get older, we should not have to have so much stress...and heartache....Wishing you a safe trip home , when you are able..Hugs, Barb

Peggy said...

sending up prayers Sandy. Laughter is the one thing that has kept my neighbor Ms Fran going so I always try to have a funny story or joke for each evening when I put her to bed.

Jennifer said...

Oh, Sandy...I hate that :( I am definitely praying...for everyone to stay strong and cheerful through it all. I love you...hang in there!!
You SO look like a terrorist, girl...think the Savannah airport folks just had too much time on their hands ;)!

Jennifer said...

I know how hard this must be for you! My grandmother had dementia & early onset alzheimers! Please know that your dad and the rest of your family is in my thoughts & prayers!

{{{HUGS}}},
Jennifer :-)

Glo said...

I know this is hard for you and I know all to well about alzheimers. That is what I trained for and worked with for years. If he not wanting to eat,try baking some bread. I don't know if it tiggers memories or what,but when we made bread everyone ate very well. It's worth a try.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
It's very cold here 6 degrees,snow, wind and white out conditions. Stay warm.
God be with you and your family.
Love and Prayers,

Heart of Rachel said...

Hi Sandy. I'm sorry to hear what happened. I'll be praying for your Dad and the rest of your family. God bless.

Hootin Anni said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhh, Sandy, I didn't know 'til just now when I finally had a chance to come visit those who have visited with me recently.

My thoughts and prayers for all involved!!!

Hope said...

Sandy, I just dropped in and found out what is going on with you. This is such a hard thing but you're so right...God is still on His throne.

I'm praying for you and your family.

Hugs,
Hope

Lazy Daisy said...

Hey babe, gotcha all prayed up. I'm concerned for your mom too, I am glad she has a good support base but I know how you will worry being so far away. I'm praying about all the details. Miss you.

Maggie Ann said...

Just read your post about your Dad's diagnosis and I'm so sorry. That's something no one wants to hear. May God's grace shower down upon you....meeting every need and strenthening your hearts. Praying yet tonight for him and you all....

Betty said...

Sandy, I have been worried about you and have missed you. I am so sorry about your Dad. I just pray that God will be with him and especially with your Mom during the days ahead of her. I think that disease is harder on the care giver than it is on the sick person himself, but my prayers are with both your parents. I pray for you, too. I'm sure it is really difficult to see something like that happen to someone you love so much.

Love and Prayers,
Betty

Pear tree cottage! said...

Dear Sandy, We here in Australia send up our prayers for your Dad, Mum and YOU! dear lady - There are some tuff roads ahead but we know the rainbow is just over the hill.

I too believe the laughter is a wonderful sigh and a lovely time to remember.

If it is any help the sun stopped shining for awhile today and the rains fell BUT.....it is still summer.

Thinking of you all Lee-ann