Rosebud, tell your Dad for me I am on my second go round, also. I still get up every morning and feel pretty good most of the time. We have a mighty God who still answers prayer. Don't know why these things happen but God will prevail.

THANKS, BARGOO ~ yes, and that was my Uncle Garnet's second round too; and GOD brought him through it too, even though it was a lot to go through ... you are a wonderful encourager!!!

Rosie, my thoughts and prayers are with you...

Thanks for your prayers for my SIL and DH. Your encouragement and support for Rosebud are awesome. I too will pray for her DF's testing to be done sooner rather than later. I'm going to start using a notebook to keep our prayer concerns at my fingertips; I like to use my cool down time after walking as prayer time, esp intercessary prayer.

A few years ago when I was part of a Via de Cristo reunion/prayer group, a member said that she had read something to consider when when we are exasperated with someone, esp someone we don't know very well. It's important to realize that everyone is
1. in the midst of a personal crisis
2. just getting past a personal crisis, or
3. approaching a personal crisis

I'm not sure about the everyone/always part, but I'm frequently amazed that when I actually get talking with someone who appears to have it "all together," s/he is having a difficult time with something or someone in his/her life.
A reason to try to keep a smile on our faces when we approach strangers--or anyone for that matter.

Wow. Sorry about the soapbox, folks.
May God shower His blessings on each of you today!


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Rose, thank you for sharing that. When we get annoyed with others, I would just amend that to :
!. They may be in the midst of a personal crisis.
2. They may be just getting past a personal crisis.
3. They may be approaching a personal crisis.

THANKS, KAREN ~ from all of us -- we appreciate your faithful support here ...

BARGOO ~ I agree to your amendment as well -- plus, they may be in the midst of several personal crises at the same time ...

ROSE ~ there is a saying -- "That we should always be kind to others becuz we never know what battles they are waging in their lives each day".

Plus, we may not know where they are coming from either; what battles they have been through already; what wounds they received during those battles; and what scars they are still carrying from those battles to this day ...

Sometimes, we may think that someone's life is better or smoother than ours, or at least, that's our perception; but that doesn't mean that they don't have trials every day that we may not be aware of ... plus, when we really find out what they've been going through, we realize the LORD must be giving them strength to get through it all. I know there are many days that I am hanging onto the LORD by the hem of his garment. I think those are the days that HE has been carrying me.

DH and I have had a handful of battles going on at the same time over the last while. I didn't mention them all becuz I didn't want to overwhelm the prayer group. We were having problems with our income becuz of a foul-up by a worker (with a chip on their shoulder); it took a couple of months to sort it out. I had to pray for wisdom how to handle it; and trust the LORD that HE would sort the rest out. HE did -- PRAIZE GOD!

Plus, we had some people in our lives who were/are jealous of us. I had shared this here once before. Instead of being happy that the LORD had blessed us, some people were making envious remarks to us. This can happen in a small community. Too often, they make judgements based on erroneous assumptions.

What did I do? I prayed for them ... and will continue to do so until GOD blesses them so much that they won't feel the need to be jealous or envious of us anymore (plus HE told me to ignore them). I have seen some results from those prayers already.

DH has Alzheimer's and has had it for a number of years; a diagnosis takes a long time, but I have still had to live with it and deal with it all through those years and that is very stressful (more than one can describe here). This was on top of the cognitive learning disorder that he was born with that had it's own challenges.

Then I have my own issues with weight and my physical challenges of Spina Bifida, injuries to my knees, walking difficulties, and the pain all that causes each day too. The LORD has been helping me with all of these issues; but there have been times I felt like putting a letter in the paper entitled ...

ALZHEIMERS: please don't be envious of me
SPINA BIFIDA: please don't be jealous of me
ASPERGER'S SYNDROME: please don't wanna be me
CHRONIC PAIN: please don't compare yourself to me
OBESITY: no -- I don't like how it makes me look/feel either ...
CANCER: oh, stay away from my family, please ...

One of the blessings we have in this place is that we can share and soap and rant, and our friends here care and share back and pray for us too. I love that so much -- and now you can see how and why we support each other so much! Our LORD asked us to support and pray for each other; it's our mission and our duty and our pleasure ... thanks for your prayers & support too!

Rosebud I don't feel that ypu are ranting at all but if you think so OK. Just sitting here reading your post and all that you are going through, The Holy Spirit spoke to me and instructed me,specifically me, to pray for Rosebud as she carries the burden of her husband's Azheimers. I am not belittling your other problems , they are significant, but I am definitely led by the Lord to pray for you,especially regarding your husband and his Alzheimers that you, will, have strength and wisdom and courage as you walk with your husband through this time of trial.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength , a very present help in trouble.
Deuternomy 31:6
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them ;for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you.

THANKS, BARGOO ~ I wasn't sure that I was ranting, but thought that I was just sharing what we have been going through. And yes, the Alzheimer's has been really hard on me lately. He has been so confused that sometimes it makes him cry (esp after the very stressful testing on Wednesday); becuz he's worried about what's going to happen to me (and maybe himself too, but we've talked about that at length already). We both were crying a lot on Thursday; this is a very scary disease at times.

DH said it felt like he was in a twilight zone to hear how much he couldn't remember. I felt so bad for him; and he felt so bad for me. It's just so hard to explain. He's not ready for a home yet; he can still stay here with me a long time, but it must feel like he is being chased by an unseen monster, and he's losing ground, ya know?

And sure, I get occasional thoughts of concern about what's gonna happen to me (becuz I am human too), but I don't want to worry DH. Just today, the LORD assured me ... I have taken care of you all this time, and I will continue to do the same in the future. Just continue to pray as usual, read my word (the Psalms esp), and TRUST ME, like you always have!

Thanks for that wonderful word; and your support is more important than you can ever know ...

Many years ago, GOD showed me that He had a job for me, a kind of mission; which He was preparing me for ahead of time. Often those that achieve a lot in this life, have also suffered a lot first. He told me that the many trials and experiences I had been through in my life were prepatory lessons. This is true for all of us ...

GOD wanted me to do three things: 1) tell people that HE loved them; 2) be a Prayer Warrior; 3) be an encourager of Christians. I asked him where and how I would do this; and HE said that when the time was right, it would be revealed to me, and He would prepare the way.

LOVE ~ He then explained that HE wanted me to help people who didn't love themselves by sharing with them that HE loved them, and that His love could heal them like a soothing balm, if they let it. PLus, he wanted everyone to know that no matter who they were, what they had done, or what flaws or imperfections they had -- that HE forgave them and loved them anyways. GOD LOVES YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE!!!

For instance, people who were struggling with their weight (or addictions, etc) needed more of GOD's LOVE in their heart & lives so that they could heal. This would help them love themselves, and then others as well. It would have a ripple effect in their lives ...

PRAYER WARRIORS ~ GOD said He needed people who were willing to sacrifice a little time each day to be prayer warriors; and, that there were many things that could be changed in this world and in people's lives, if only they would pray more; and if they had others to pray with/for them. Prayer can move mountains. Prayer can heal and save lives. Prayer can change the world!

CHRISTIAN ENCOURAGERS ~ GOD showed me verses about lifting up and edifying and encouraging other Christians; plus sharing with them, so that they could grow in their Christain walk. He wanted them to realize that they could learn how to make a difference in other people's lives right where they were/are. Not everyone is supposed to be a minister or a foreign missionary; you can be an emissary for GOD right there in your everyday lives.

It doesn't matter how successful you are ~ everyone will continue to face battles & trials in this life, all throughout their lives. That is just the way life is and that is how we learn and grow. If you don't have any problems, then you won't grow. As soon as one issue gets solved, the next lesson will come. This is a blessing; not a curse. This helps you to serve the LORD and others better.

If you have survived cancer, then you can support those facing the same thing. If you have had financial struggles, you can advise & help others going through hard times. If you are a widow, you can encourage and support other widows, and so forth. So, whatever you have been through (or are going through) -- that is YOUR mission ...

^Prayers^ continue for you & yours. Have a blessed day friends ...

Rosebud, how are you this morning ? Here is another scripture that I have leaned on when I have been going through tough times.

Isaiah 41: "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you , Do not fear ; I will help you."

BARGOO ~ we have been feeling wonderful for the last couple of days. Yesterday, I tried to come in later in the day to tell you that but couldn't get a post in. There was some glitch that is gone now. I can really feel all your prayers, and of course I was studying those scriptures yesterday and found some more too. GOD is blessing us with peaceful messages -- that everything will be OK!

DH is feeling better too; it is very noticable as well -- he's calm & more at peace. HE started his new meds last Friday; so far, so good. He has been having dreams but the amazing thing is that he can recall them too (usually, he doesn't remember his dreams). Thanks for your prayers & support & all the scriptures too ...

Rosebud: I am glad your husband is doing better! My Dad was misdiagnosed as Alzhimers by his family physician. Since my dad remarried after divorce, I don't have the same relationship with his wife that I would have if she was my Mom. Eventually, after much research and phone calls, I got her to take him to a neurologist. He was not diagnosed with Alzhimers then, but with Mild cognitive impairment. Unfortunately, my step mother has had her mother and aunt with alzhimers do she is convinced it is just a matter of time.

If you don't mind, what drug is he on? my step mother is scared to death of my dad taking these drugs. I can't do anything about it, and she isn't allowing them to increase his dosage. I don't know how to ask without sounding like she isn't doing a good job.

I am sure it can't be easy for you or your DH. I don't even know what to do about my dad. We were never close, but I feel his situation could be improved if he had someone telling him he didn't forget everything all the time. He seems fine when we see and talk to him, remembering some things BEFORE I do. I tell him that, but with someone, including himself, telling him otherwise, I can see he would worsen more quickly.

Hey Rosebud,

You are such a wonderful encourager, and you write so beautifully, have you ever considered writing a book about your struggles with these illnesses in your life? I think a book like that would do really well. Maybe a daily devotional?

I am praying for you and your DH. With your positive attitude and sweet concern for others, I would have never guessed that you have had so many and such hard trials.

Love, Kelli

NELLY ~ the new meds he is on now is called MEMANTINE HCL -- this one doesn't have as severe side effects as the last one did. So far, he seems calmer and less confused. We'll see what happens as the dose increases over the next month. As the specialist said, all medicines can potentially have side effects for anyone; but I know what to look out for this time.

I understand your SM's concern; as the other drug could slow the heart down and make them dizzy, which is what they think happened to DH. This one won't do anything like that. It is like some other drugs (i.e. prozac) -- it will either work for you or not, but the reports on this drug are quite good actually. I'll keep you informed & your DAD in my prayers.

My DH doesn't say that he can't remember -- he says "I don't know" or "I didn't know that" whenever he can't remember something. So I say something positive like -- "Well, now you do!" Many things I just let pass; things that don't really matter, like if he gets the wrong day. I only correct stuff that is really, really important like if he thinks somebody stole something when he just misplaced it or sold it. I just gently remind him "Oh, we sold that to so & so a few years back".

He'll often say that he doesn't have a certain tool, and I have to take him to it and prove to him that we do so that we can use it. I bought myself a tool box and am putting tools in it in my office (PC room). WE call different rooms by different names so he won't get confused. Saying bedroom 1, 2 & 3 is too confusing for him. So one is the laundry room; one is the bedroom, and one is the office. Actually, we converted one bedroom into a laundry/utility/storage room.

I have been praying for wisdom to find little tricks like that so we don't spend half our days looking for things becuz he constantly says, "I can't find it" and won't go look for them anymore becuz by the time he gets to the bottom of the basement stairs, he forgets what he went down there for, or gets distracted by somethng else that catches his eye. So we are slowly going through our stuff and putting them where I can find them instead. We will need some more cupboards upstairs to complete that though. That will take some time, but it will be worth it in the end.

Concerning diagnosis -- yes, DH had already been diagnosed with a "Cognitive learning disorder" (high-functioning Autism or Aspergers) that resembles Alzheimers (very interesting). So, as the specialist said, the question is "where does the Aspergers (Autism) end and the Alzheimers start? Or, are they overlapping? OR, is this Aspergers getting worse as he ages? Or, is this "early onset" Alzheimers? Or, a little of both? It's hard to say for sure, but that's what we all believe is happening ...


KELLI ~ thanks for your kind words; actually, I never thought of that, but who knows, if the LORD puts it on my heart. As you know, that can be a big project. Btw, how is your bible study coming along?

Rosebud--thank you. Those are very helpful ideas. I do not even know what is going on with my Dad. My SM is slightly paranoid and won't let him drive "because at some point I am afraid he will press the gas instead of the brake" When I ask what exactly does he do that concerns her, she says "nothing specifically" She is afraid to let him walk the dog because "he may get lost one day" Has he done anything to make her think that? Not that she can actually say.

I believe she is over reacting. It took me a few months to get the nerve to ask her what he was doing, and then she said "nothing specific" OK, so she has my Dad locked up (almost literally) without reason. She put up a fence in the back yard "for the dog" I really wonder if it isn't for someone else. And with HER relatives being the ones with Alzhimers, She should be the one we are more concerned about.

There is really nothing I can do. they do not visit or drive out of town any more. My dad would love to come to our gatherings, but he won't if SM does not arrange it, and she usually is afraid (there it is again) to be gone from home "in case their adopted Daughter" needs them" AD (adopted daughter) is a total mess...and is 20 and lives on her own but has some BIG issues and needs help w/finances and stuff.....another story, but it saddens me that SM allows her to control what they do. I want my dad to come and my sister has offered to bring him...then SM cancels "just in case AD needs them"

I appreciate your telling me about the drug. I might could use that as a way to bring things up about my dad with SM. Dad always says "I have this memory problem" ..... if so, why don't I see it or get it? SM says it bothers Dad that he can't remember birthdays...WHAT? Seriously, I can't either