Vacationing?

Tom has been on a little vacation in his mind for the past few weeks..... Unfortunately he didn't go on one of our many hunting - fishing trips.  He went back to work in Colorado where he fed a blacktop plant.

This plant put out a million ton of blacktop in one year.  Tom worked unbelievable hours and many days never got out of the loader he ran.  He was amazing at his job.  Nobody could do what this man did.  Many days I would ride in the loader with him just to see him.  He did this for ten years. 

Well that's where he went and got stuck 24/7 working at this plant.....me too.... I go where he goes and he had me working at the plant too.

Under a Dr's care we got his meds tweaked and finally got him back to our little world in the woods......

He is different now.... which is how it all goes.

BUT life goes on, we have moved on to a different normal.... I'll just have to be more creative ..... 

We are getting a dump of snow as I write so I'll be busy for a few more days... I'll be back.    Miss Me?   ; )
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1/30/11
It started out ...the first part of January.... Tom begin to talk in his sleep.  It was kinda cute... he' d laugh and giggle... they were happy dreams.

Well eventually the dreams became more a part of reality to him as he started hand movements, which in turn escalated to sleep walking.  Nope it didn't stop there.

He ended up not knowing what was real or dream.  He went back to work in Colorado where he had a very demanding job..... he told me it was as real as can be.  He knew he was in his house and was running this black top plant with all the old guys right here in our house.  Tom didn't sleep for near a week.  Let me leave it there...

 It was the most bizarre thing I have ever experienced.  Where I live the choices are few.  None of them good.  So our one Dr. who deals with the meds for dementia people agreed to "try" to get Tom back.

He only agreed after talking to me and found I was very realistic about this disease, had a good support system and founded me very grounded.

He told me I have done an excellent job with caring for Tom and added quality to his life beyond what he has seen.  He also noted Tom would have been institutionalized a long time ago if It weren't for me........ I knew that but was really nice hearing those words from his lips.

We have Tom back now.... not quite the same but better than I had expected. 

So life goes on..... not too much different than it was..... And we have only God to thank for bringing Tom back to where he is now.

And I hold the deepest respect and gratitude for the Dr. who thought Tom was worth a try.....

I am finding that people with this disease are disposable....... how sad!  No you can't STOP or CURE this disease BUT they can be given QUALITY of life..... not all but that's where everybody gets thrown into one bucket. 

The first response I got when I asked for help was..... he isn't going to get any better.... you can't stop this disease from doing what it wants..... maybe it's time to just put him away...... why are you doing all this for this one man.

I also have to mention, speaking of gratitude....... I have found that the most unexpected of people from our community have reached out with a helping hand..... This day and age you don't see that like the old days where everybody looked out for there neighbor.

Tom was one of those guys..... always lending a helping hand.... he would give his last dollar, last cigarette and the shirt off his back....... Something to ponder.