There are many things I can say about Alzhiemers disease. That is what my primary nursing field was. I do know that it is harder on the family then it is on the person who has it. As for the DNR, look at it this way. How fragile is this person who the CPR will be performed on? What will the quality of life be like after CPR? Remember DNR does not mean do not do anything to do anything to help if there is a problem. If your loved one is choking or having chest pain the staff will react and do everything in their power to keep them alive. What DNR means is if they die they will not beat on their chest and use extrordanry messures to keep them alive. Basically what you are being asked is just how much you want done to save your loved one. I know this sounds cruel but CPR sometimes is not the answer because it is their time to go. I say this with love please understand. I have wittnessed the agony of loved ones trying to decide on DNRs many times. For this reason Alone I made my parents sit down 5 years ago and go over their wishes. We go over these wishes every ground hogs day too. They think I am crazy but I know that I will be prepared and not be second guessing when the time comes. I guess that is what Hospice and Alz have taught me. SO please don't be offended I just wanted you to know that you can put conditions on your DNR as well.

Joan I am glad to hear that your Mother is doing so well.
Rachel

Praying!

Hi everybody,
I need some power prayer for a little girl Named Kara and her family. She is only 6 and is going through a second bout of tumors. This latest one has been found in her pituitary (sp?) gland and is in-operatable. She has grown 4 inches in a year since her last bout, but hasn't gained any weight. Kara is the granddaughter of a friend and could use a lot of prayer support.

Thanks in advance. Cheryl

My Mom was never diagnosed as having Alzheimer's but she had some kind of brain disease that sure acted like it. She did some very foolish things that were not like her and eventually agreed to live in a nursing home in her town. She never disliked it (although she sometimes complained about things) and it was a good place. The hardest part for me was in her last months when things were going downhill rapidly, I was in a rehabilitation nursing home myself and struggling to walk again. My brother was the one who had all the burdens and responsibilities. I was fortunate to be with her the day before her last stroke, and to be a part of the decision making. None of us were with her when she died. (Another family emergency was in process and we ended up with two funerals in one week) But there were other family members who had been able to take over for my db and I when we were needed elsewhere. I still feel the pain and guilt of needing to be in two places at once and having to choose but I know Mom (and my nephew who died that week also) are together and the rest of us must carry on and I know that God let me live and recover so I could deal with and survive these things. God is Good, All the Time, All the Time God is Good. prayers are going out for you Patti and for everyone else during this time. And prayers to Ami Simms for the loss of her mother to that awful disease but thanks also for her efforts for a cure. God be Praised. Ann

I just want to thank everyone for your prayers. I appreciate them so much as I head out tomorrow.

Good morning friends. Paul and I returned home (VA) from Florida last night (a long day with pelting rain through NC & VA) and I saw all your wonderful messages today. Thank you so much for all your prayers and words of friendship. I feel somehow we all know each other without having even met! The viewing and funeral went well, and mom is handling it all better than anyone. She tells people he is not in pain anymore, and when my sister was crying her eyes out she just told her to pray for her father. I think the dementia helps, but she still understands what is going on. God is good and is taking care of her. She knows dad is gone, didn't once ask "where's your father?" or "where's Ray?" as if she forgot he died. Dad has been brought up here and on the 20th we will have a service in the cemetary chapel before the burial. My boys will be home and mom and my sister will be here too, and family from all over. So much still going on here!
Thank you all and know you are in my prayers too.
Love
Joan

I'm still praying for all those needing a job. Patti I'll pray for your safe trip and a good peaceful visit with your Mom and sister.

Karen

Sandy, you have been so faithful to your parents. God bless you. This disease is a tough one and I have been dealing emotionally being so far away but the real tough challenge is doing what you are doing, day to day.

I check this list and say a prayer for everyone every day. Patti I am saying some extra prayers for you. My mom has been in the nursing home for 18 months and her Alheizmer's seems to be progressing again. They had just laid her down when I got there yesterday and she was tired and wanted to sleep so I sat and worked on my BOM. She can't get whole words out and when she can they don't make sense and she gets fustrated so we don't get to just talk. My parents went in the nursing home at the same time and dad made the DNR decision for both of them at that time. There are no easy decisions.

Mary Kay sorry to hear about your friend My brother inlaw still has not been able to find a job he lost his after being with S&K for 25 years and my dd is done with collage she went to her last class last Friday and she has been looking with no luck Happy

Patti - praying for and with you - for your sisters sobriety especially.

MK - praying for your friend to find a job

Rachel - continued prayers for your family and all you're dealing with how are things going with your neighbors?

my dh is still looking - I'm starting to look as well although I'm working part time, if I find something full time with benefits I'll take it.


Teri

Patti - You and you family are in my prayers!

That's a lot for a daughter (you) to handle. Although it's might not be communicated, I am sure that your mother and sister appreciate what you are doing to help them deal with these challenges.

HUGS to you!

Mary Kay

Mary Kay that's sad for your friend. I hope your job is safe.

Rachel glad to hear you're doing a little better. I too am routing for a terrific 2009 to offset 2008 for your family.

I would love some prayer this next week. Saturday I'm driving down to Alabama to visit my mom in the nursing home and my sister. Mom is declining with Alzheimers and is now bedridden. It will be hard to see the woman who would never sit down in that condition. My sister has a ton of problems. In February she will be tried for felony DUI which carries a mandatory 10yr sentence in AL. She's been a bit out of control since having to put mom in the nursing home. My job is to keep reminding her that God loves her. Now she wants to put a DNR in mom's file. I don't. I believe in these things being in God's hands and really whether it's there or not, God is still in control. My biggest concern is the guilt I think my sister will feel after the fact. It was out of her control that the state ordered mom to be placed in the nursing home but my sister lost her sobriety over the guilt of that one. Anyway, this may not be an easy week. Would love some prayer.

One of my good friends at work got laid off today. These are just plain tough times in this economy and I just know that this is not the end of the pain.

Please keep my friend and her family in her prayers. I know she will be fine, but it's a difficult thing to have to deal with.

Mary Kay