Category Archives: Alzheimer’s Love Story

Cultural Tuesday

Tuesday content will be set aside for culture, based on the movements of the American Discovery Symphony. Others will contribute as well, first on the Humanity Hiker Facebook Page, later on this blog when set up for that. Here is … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, American Discovery Symphony, American Discovery Trail, Embrace Joy, Live Fully | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Cultural Tuesday

Shared Memories

Last week I made a Facebook announcement for Cindy’s birthday, calling her my Expedition Woman. I am proud of Cindy, a woman who has hiked thousands of long distance miles, but that pales in comparison to the pride Cindy has … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Journeys, Live Fully | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Yes, No and Uh-huh

“Are you hungry?” I asked before leaving our “bedroom” to make breakfast. “Yes,” she replied in her barely audible manner these days. Cindy responds to a question occasionally, though not very often. In fact, she infrequently makes any verbal sounds … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Caregiver Journal, Healthy Living | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A Caregiver’s Canary

Towards the end of my first thru-hike I encountered a coal-miner, also nearing the end of his thru-hike. We took a break and chatted awhile, as back in the seventies thru-hikers encountered each other much less than they do now. … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Brain Health | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Sleep Tight

“Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite. If they bite, squeeze them tight and save the blood for another night.” I fondly recall my father saying that to me at bedtime, delivering the last line with an impish … Continue reading

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When a Simple “Yeah” Will Do

We may have gone for our last long outing of the year. Our adult stroller may allow us to continue on shorter outings as late fall and winter arrives, but I will have to balance the health advantages of being … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Stages of Decline | Tagged | 4 Comments

Our Downstairs Routine

4:12 am – I am awake. Whether Cindy woke me or not I seldom know for sure, but I do know she appears agitated, which sometimes occurs around this time of night. Her hospital bed does not align seamlessly with … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Caregiver Vignettes | Tagged | 7 Comments

Live Each Event as Your Last

On Thursday, September 19, Cindy and I celebrated our 33rd anniversary. I planned to make this day special by pushing Cindy in the stroller up the old wagon road to the peak of Haystack Mountain. From there I would carry … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Caregiver Vignettes | Tagged | 4 Comments

The Stroller and Kirk Junior

Everything is in place now from our move downstairs. Most mornings I transfer Cindy from the hospital bed in our “bedroom” to enjoy the outdoors on our porch. Facilitating this transfer is our new door to the porch that Cindy’s … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Caregiver Vignettes | Tagged | 3 Comments

Of Dreams and Melatonin

I woke up around 4 am thinking about a caregiver I met online whose situation is worse than mine. I mentioned this is an important ingredient for staying healthy, being more concerned for others than myself. Still, any health benefits … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Brain Health | Tagged , | 4 Comments