A GOOD FRIDAY

It has been a bumpy week or so. Mom is not happy about or with having Janice here with her during the day and is pretty much uncooperative and even defiant. After a particularly rough day of temper tantrums and bad attitude, Joe and I talked with her for some time to appeal to whatever capability she has to make choices and act accordingly. Mom did agree that she cannot stay alone and we talked about some of the reasons. She did not disagree. We explained that it came down to a couple of facts: She is getting worse and it is okay to be angry and scared but we are in this together. Janice is here to help us with that. Insofar as Mom is able to make a choice, we advised her that the choice was to be cooperative with Janice - go places, do things, see people OR sit at the table doing crafts, take naps, refuse showers and refuse to eat AND get worse a lot faster. It was late but she let me assist her with a shower and put her to bed. The next day was a little better, so I was hopeful. But last night as she and I ate ice cream at Sonic at 9:30 after church services, Mom had nothing good to say about her day, and I am sorry to say, Janice. I know that she reads this and I trust that she has learned enough about Alzheimer's and Mom and us, to not take it personally. The absolute truth is that Mom would be like this with anyone. Janice took her to Goodwill one day because I had told her she liked that. Mom was totally uncooperative that day and stated she would never go back to that store. Today, she can't wait to go with me! We have a ways to go, I guess!

So, today is Good Friday and my offices are closed. Joe and Julie had to work, so we are off to Goodwill and maybe the Dollar Tree or someplace. It will be a good day! Tonight Mom and I will go to services at church if she is up to it. And maybe ice cream afterwards again.