Guacamole...

shiawase12 · October 6

My husband was diagnosed with Alz. a year ago, though I had been taking notes on things I had been noticing for at least 3 years prior to that.

He's still quite capable of caring for himself and still does small projects around the house. Most people only seem to notice that he can't think of certain words now and then. But they are not around him for more than an hour or so. I of course notice things of things all the time.

Anyway, today he was out planting some planters for me and I had the football game on. I decided to put out one of his favorite dips, guacamole so he could have a snack when he came in.

When he came in I just said, "There's some guacamole there for you if you like. " His response surprised me a bit, "What? I don't know what you are talking about. " So I slowed my speech down a bit and repeated it, he still didn't get it. I had to finally say "It's a dip made with avocados and you usually eat it with tortilla chips." He did go to the pantry to get the chips, but asked me if these chips were the ones.

Another step in progression I guess, but it just got to me that he didn't remember what it was. Yet somehow I feel like another day he just might. This disease is so odd in that way.

I don't post her often, but find comfort here when I do come and share or vent. Appreciate all of you.

Thanks,

M

annie51 · October 6

It’s strange how certain things hit you like this as they progress. Things that were such habits that you wouldn’t expect them to forget. I remember when my husband began constantly asking me to confirm he was doing the right thing, like your husband asking if those were the right chips. At first I would get irrritated because he’d ask me three or four times. But it hit me that he really wasn’t sure and needed me to help…patience comes with time.

Maru · October 6

We have had the same experience. I have to make sure it isn't just the hearing, but even repeating or re-stating still leads to a blank stare. Just another glitch. Two or three weeks go by and he seems perfectly normal…then,bang, he isn't. I think a lot of us live in some state between denial or the feeling that I am just making this up…until the next shoe drops.

Hang in there. You are not alone.

blacksparky · October 6

My DW has progressed quite a bit this past year but still wants to do things that she has no idea how to. I really try to let her do her best as long as she is safe doing it. The other day she was in the kitchen and I asked her what she was doing. She told me she was making us sandwiches for us. When I came into the kitchen and here is what I saw. 🤪🤔 By the way our dog loved them. 😂😂

RetiredTeacher · October 6

It is very interesting how this disease affects the brain. The dog biscuit sandwich did make me chuckle....we need to find humor along the way otherwise we would all be seriously depressed.

Sunfish47 · October 6

The first time I noticed this word finding difficulty with my DH was when he couldn’t remember the words “fax machine.” Think it was in 2019, we ran a small business and would fax orders over to our vendors. One vendor didnt get the order cuz they had an old fashion fax machine that required paper. DH tried to explain this to me and finally said: “that thing they get messages on” had no paper. I was so surprised he wasn’t able to say “fax machine.” That was my first clue something was happening that I didn’t want.

SDianeL · October 7

when my DH was in stage 5 I fixed scrambled eggs one morning. He looked at them and said “I don’t like eggs”! He had eaten eggs all his life and loved them with catsup. The 2nd time was cereal and a banana. He didn’t know the word for banana. I cried that day. The next time I fixed pancakes instead of waffles. He stared at them along time and looked at me confused and said “they’re smooth”. 😢 Those moments are a gut punch.

BikingOldMan · October 7

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/74292/guacamole

I have been experiencing the same thing on a more and more frequent basis these days. We caregivers have so much to learn. It is so easy to misunderstand the little things we deal with on a daily basis. We get regular doses of surprises.

trottingalong · October 7

Those dog treats gave me quite the chuckle. Just the other day my husband thought our dog treats were cookies. I wish I could share your photo with him, because in the past he would have gotten a laugh from it.

shiawase12 · October 8

Thank you all for your responses and sharing. I too chuckled at the dog treat sandwiches. :) thanks for the humor. Always good.

And feel less alone here.

Appreciate all of you. 💕

Guacamole...

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