What's it really like?

Ed1937

I got a text from one of our daughters. Here is part of what she said:  "I had a bad dream last week that I was walking and didn't know where I was and it was dark..I got up to go to the bathroom (for real) and I think I was still dreaming. I couldn't find the bathroom and I was looking in other doors. I was so confused and scared ..Todd said he thinks I was sleep walking but I remember all of it. I told him if that's at all what mom is experiencing, it's terrible ."

June45

Thanks Ed...I needed to hear and think about that. It seems much of the time I am thinking about how my husband's constant confusion affects me and I forget to think about it from his perspective and be more patient with him.

NinjaWife

Ed, Your daughter may have been sleep walking. To this day, I remember all of my sleepwalks as a child.  

June, in the words of Marvin Gaye, “I second that emotion.”  The only thing that keeps me sane with my DH in late stage 6, is the fact that he is going through as much or more than we are.  He was so confused the other day, because he thinks we are not living in our home, that he asked me to make an appointment with a doctor to see why.  He wanted to go home last evening, so I took him for a ride for about 45 minutes.  When I turned down our street he said, “great we’re almost home.”

Lynne D

Today my husband said “I am in my own world.” He is out of sorts and from his communication style I can tell he feels detached and alone. I tried my best to reassure him and hugged him hard. He went to bed after being up for about an hour. I hope some rest brings him back to our reality.

amicrazytoo

This post really hit home with me. Over the weekend, I had misplaced my keys (since found!) then visiting with my niece and her husband, talking about boating (the one thing us old fogies have in common with them) I really struggled to remember some memories. My DH could only remember replacing the engines on the boat. He was not familiar with waterways nearby, although we have boated there many times. I started to wonder if I should get a base line evaluation on my own cognitive ability. Scary.

David J

Amicrazytoo-

I’ve been thinking the same thing!  I know that stress and exhaustion can cause trouble with executive function and memory, but it would be nice to know. On the positive side, we had our annual visit from the nurse hired by insurance company. Early in the visit she told me three words to remember, because she was going to ask me later, if she didn’t forget. I was ready to repeat back, but she forgot to ask me. BTW, “ball, cup, apple”

Dave

amicrazytoo

Dave,

The more I think about, I think I will ask about being tested next checkup. At least then I can better prepare myself and family for what may or may not be coming down the pike. My DH suffers from Anosognosia. (spelling?) I don't want to be the same. Good job with the three words!

Marta

Baseline cognitive testing is part of the annual Medicare Wellness Exam.