As some of you know, I have recently made the decision to place my wife Linda in a specialized Alzheimer's Assisted Living care facility. During the past year her disease progression has accelerated and she is in an advanced stage of the disease. For the past eight months each trip I have taken for work has resulted in significant crises as she is destabilized by my absence. Only the care of many here has made it possible to care for her and continue my work.
This morning I got the call that the room is available for her admission to Arden Courts of Fair Oaks, a Manor Care facility that specializes in Alzheimer's care. I will have to complete all arrangements in the next two days and admit her on Friday morning.
I am taking leave from work these next few days to focus exclusively on this work and then discovering initially who I am when I am alone at home. Even at this stage there is great complexity, including trying to find a way to handle Linda's medicines since my mail order insurance company will not work with the institutional supplier of the facility. Oh, the difficulties and short comings of the US medical system!
I am working with a pharmacist on the 4th of July (bless her!) to have all our medicines repackaged in a manner accepted by the facility. Then Lela will work with me all day on Thursday to handle paper work and move key items into Linda's new room. Lela will spend the night here and on Friday morning I will take Linda out for brunch and then take her to her new home. Lela will do the final moving of bedspread, stuffed animals, and some clothing while I am having this special date with Linda. When I receive a text message from Lela that all is ready, then I will take Linda. After that, I don't know what I will do with myself...quiet, walks, tears, pain, waiting for news, and taking a few days for her to adjust. God help her....and I know the Spirit will be nearer than I can be.
I invite your prayers for both Linda and me. It is a very painful, tearful, and tender time for me. I do not know how Linda will respond when this happens. Her ability to grasp this reality is quite limited...but she is keenly aware when my presence is gone. Pray for her to make the transition to her new home during the few days when I need to stay away from the facility. Pray for the time in a few days when I will be able to visit her again. I hope that her deep soul will not be too angry with me and that she can know that even these steps are out of love and care.
Your friendship and support is beyond measure in value to me. Thank you all.
For those of you who are nearby, soon it will possible for you to visit her and even take her out for ice cream or go for walks with her on the nearly half a mile of sidewalks and garden area at Arden Courts. Give me a call in a week or so and I will advise as the developments unfold.
Blessings and peace,
Bill
This morning I got the call that the room is available for her admission to Arden Courts of Fair Oaks, a Manor Care facility that specializes in Alzheimer's care. I will have to complete all arrangements in the next two days and admit her on Friday morning.
I am taking leave from work these next few days to focus exclusively on this work and then discovering initially who I am when I am alone at home. Even at this stage there is great complexity, including trying to find a way to handle Linda's medicines since my mail order insurance company will not work with the institutional supplier of the facility. Oh, the difficulties and short comings of the US medical system!
I am working with a pharmacist on the 4th of July (bless her!) to have all our medicines repackaged in a manner accepted by the facility. Then Lela will work with me all day on Thursday to handle paper work and move key items into Linda's new room. Lela will spend the night here and on Friday morning I will take Linda out for brunch and then take her to her new home. Lela will do the final moving of bedspread, stuffed animals, and some clothing while I am having this special date with Linda. When I receive a text message from Lela that all is ready, then I will take Linda. After that, I don't know what I will do with myself...quiet, walks, tears, pain, waiting for news, and taking a few days for her to adjust. God help her....and I know the Spirit will be nearer than I can be.
I invite your prayers for both Linda and me. It is a very painful, tearful, and tender time for me. I do not know how Linda will respond when this happens. Her ability to grasp this reality is quite limited...but she is keenly aware when my presence is gone. Pray for her to make the transition to her new home during the few days when I need to stay away from the facility. Pray for the time in a few days when I will be able to visit her again. I hope that her deep soul will not be too angry with me and that she can know that even these steps are out of love and care.
Your friendship and support is beyond measure in value to me. Thank you all.
For those of you who are nearby, soon it will possible for you to visit her and even take her out for ice cream or go for walks with her on the nearly half a mile of sidewalks and garden area at Arden Courts. Give me a call in a week or so and I will advise as the developments unfold.
Blessings and peace,
Bill
1 comment:
Good words.
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