Two months ago, I wrote a post recognizing the 13th anniversary of Kate’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Since that time I have added five new posts. Each one has celebrated “Happy Moments” with Kate. This is another one.
Kate has continued to make significant progress. Not concerning her Alzheimer’s, but she has more “Happy Moments” than when we moved to our retirement community three years ago. I haven’t kept score, but since January I don’t think a day has passed when she hasn’t been very cheerful at least part of each day. Let me remind you that this doesn’t mean she has Happy Moments all day long. Her mornings are still the quietest part of her day. Of course, she sleeps a good bit of the time before the caregiver arrives at 11:00; however, she has been waking earlier and is often smiling.
Her Monday through Friday caregiver and I have also been struck by the fact that she is saying more words that we can clearly understand. I keep a record of them as they occur. Here are a few from last week.
After I returned from lunch
Richard: It’s about time for us to go for ice cream.
Kate: That’s good.
After dinner that night
Richard: We’re going to have a nice night together.
Kate: I love it.
Just before leaving the dining room
Server: Goodbye. See you tomorrow.
Kate: I’m glad you’re here.
In apartment
Richard: I like all the pictures I see of you.
Kate: I thank you.
Getting Kate ready for bed
Kate: Coughing
Caregiver: Are you OK?
Kate: I strangled.
You may think of these as insignificant, but for someone who rarely says a clear word, it is very special.
I attribute much of her recent progress to her recovery from her stroke two years ago. Since then, we haven’t had any bumps in the road. In addition, she continues to receive a good bit of attention from the residents and staff at our retirement community. I, too, give her a lot of attention. I am only away from her about three hours a day. That comes when I am out for lunch, meeting friends for coffee, and/or running errands. In addition, I smother her with love from first thing in the morning until we turn the lights out each night.
Almost two weeks have passed since I began this post. Since then several everyday non-caregiving responsibilities have gotten in my way. During that time, Kate has experienced numerous Happy Moments. It should go without saying that has meant many Happy Moments for me. It has been an amazing time.
I know these moments won’t last forever; however, right now, I’m savoring every one of them.
