We had a good finish to a somewhat rocky day.

Just before 6:00, Kate came into the family room where I was listening to music and making some notes for my blog. She was ready to eat. She was Back to normal. When I asked about her leg, she said that it still hurt but that it wasn’t bad. We were off to dinner.

In the car I turned on some music that I know she enjoys. We didn’t have far to go, but she really appreciated the music. She was in good spirits throughout the meal. As we came home, I played more music. When we arrived, she looked at me as if to say, “What now?” as she often does. I told her we could relax in the family room and I would play some music. She liked the idea, so we did.

We spent almost an hour and a half there. She and I both were enjoying the music. She began to reflect on her mother and said how happy she was that we had been able to keep her in our home the last 5 years of her life. That led to other things about her family, our marriage, and children. This occurs regularly, and I am happy to support the conversation. We are both very grateful for our parents, our children, and our lives together. We often reflect on the many things we have been able to do over the past 55 years. About 20 minutes before we went to the bedroom to get ready for the night, I played a few pieces of music that she likes a lot. She was moved by the music in a way that I have observed a few other times recently. She became very teary as the music played. I was touched as well. Music as been very important to me. I am so glad that she is able to be moved by it as well. What had been a more difficult than usual day for us ended up on a very high note. I am grateful.

After Lunch

Once we were back at the house, I suggested we change clothes and relax a while. She told me she didn’t want to change. I told her that was fine. I got her a Tylenol to help the pain in her knee, and we sat in the family room. I started this post, and she worked on her iPad. We have been here a little more than an hour. She has been working on her iPad steadily and peacefully all this time. I thought all was well. Then she said, “I’m ready when you are.” I asked if she wanted to go to Barnes & Noble. She said, “I’m just tired of the same old thing.” We went to Barnes and Noble and were there about an hour before she was ready to leave. During the time we were there, she seemed fine.

On the way home, I stopped by Walgreens and bought a sleeve for her knee. I had no idea whether or not it would help, but I didn’t think the Tylenol had made a significant difference. I was ready to try anything. When we got home, I put it on for her. She immediately felt better. I should add that she hasn’t given it a real test so far. She has been sitting in bed with her leg stretched out straight. We’ll soon be off to dinner. That will give me a better idea of how well it works.

I just checked to see how Kate is doing and was pleased to see that her mood had changed completely.

At Lunch Today

They were having an Easter buffet today. We walked slowly to the tables where the food was displayed. I just got salad with the intention of going back for my entrée. It looked like Kate was doing the same thing. She only had salad items on her plate. She had no greens, but did have some boiled shrimp, a large helping of mandarin oranges, some black olives, and another generous serving of shredded cheddar cheese. On the way to our table we passed the desserts. She got a cupcake and two slices of pound cake.

When I finished my salad, I went back for a serving of roast beef and salmon and brought some back to Kate as well. As I was serving myself, I saw a server we knew had known for a long time. She asked how we were doing, and I told her about Kate’s Alzheimer’s. She asked where we were seated and said she wanted to speak to her.Then she asked if Kate would know her. I told her I didn’t think so, but she responded well socially and would enjoy seeing her. Before I got back to the table, the server met me and said she had spoken with Kate and that she had responded as I as said she would.

When I reached the table, I gave her a slice of roast beef and a some salmon. She started to eat the salmon with her fork, but she ended up eating it with her hands. This is not a very unusual thing for her to do. She usually does it discretely and doesn’t pick up the food with her hands throughout a meal. I do, however, wonder what may be ahead in the future. If that becomes a typical way to eat, that could affect our dining out though I would think it depends on how noticeable it is.

It looks like another marker on our journey, and it involves clothes.

This past week Kate’s doctor had asked if she needed any help with dressing. Kate was offended by the suggestion, and I confirmed that she dresses herself. That was only a half-truth. She does need help in putting on the right clothes for a specific occasion as well as selecting clothes that are not too soiled. This morning we may have crossed another marker. She needed my help getting dressed.

We ate lunch at a nicer restaurant than those at which we usually eat. It is also Easter Sunday, so I knew people’s attire will be a little dressier than usual. With that in mind, I carefully chose everything for her and put the clothes on her bed. I even included the specific shoes along with appropriate hosiery.

When I was aware that she had gotten up, I went to her room where she was just getting out of the shower. I told her good morning, reminded her about our lunch plans, and said that I had put her clothes on the bed. I came back in about ten minutes and found that she had selected different clothes and was just about to put them on. I explained once again that she would need something a little dressier and that I had put out the clothes for her. At that time she was sitting in a chair that was only two or three feet from the end of the bed where I had put her clothes. She seemed a little irritated that I was helping. I told her I would get out of her way and let her dress.

In a few minutes, she came out ready to go, but she wasn’t wearing a single item I had picked out. She was also wearing black shoes that didn’t match. I said, “You didn’t put on the clothes I picked out.” Having said that, I quickly realized that wasn’t the best response I could have made. Fortunately, it didn’t seem to bother her. She just said, “Where are they?” I took her back to the bedroom. Her clothes were still there, but I noticed that the shoes were not. I showed her the clothes and started to look for the shoes. She asked me not to leave and said, “I don’t know what to do.” It was painful to see. She was so confused that she didn’t realize that the top I had given her and was in her hand was what she should put on. I couldn’t find her shoes or the hose I had gotten out for her.

After she was dressed, we went back to our bedroom where I had seen a pair of shoes she had worn yesterday. I knew they would be a good substitute for the ones I had originally picked out. She put on the shoes, and we were on our way.

The next issue we faced, and one that continues, is the pain in her knee. I have been unable to tell if the Tylenol has helped. One thing for sure is that she is indicating more pain today than I have observed in the past. Again, it makes me wonder if this isn’t something more than a case of arthritis.

Getting ready did not lead to a panic attack, but Kate was definitely experiencing more emotion as a result of learning she had put on the wrong clothes and having to change. I think that is what caused her to be so confused as she was getting dressed. It was about 20 minutes before we needed to leave for the restaurant, and I didn’t think it was worth it to drop by Panera. I suggested we go to the family room and relax a few minutes before leaving. I gave Kate her iPad and put on an album of soft cello adagios. That seemed to work. She was calm by the time we needed to leave.

When we got in the car, I played the second movement of the Brahms Violin Concerto in D. That is another piece of music I have found to be very relaxing. I have played this often when she has had an actual panic attack. We didn’t speak on the drive to the restaurant. When she got out of the car, I could tell the pain in her knee was bothering her. I parked in the closest place I could, and we walked very slowly to the restaurant.