Cloud Nine

Was today ever fun in The Garden!! Marie and I went for a visit and at our voice Elbert's head shot up and he smiled at us. And, for the entire visit we were just in awe at the change in that man. He was alert, engaging, funny.... nearly like he was a year ago. Elbert has been put on a trial test using ritilin. Never heard that used for Alzheimers before. It's for ADD but it is working and I'm not complaining one iota. I just hope that it continues to keep him alert.... and fun.... 

Martha, the director, came by with ice cream.

 He would not decide which flavor he wanted and finally told her he'd take both. That was so like him, the man who used to eat anything and everything was not going to turn anything away. So, she gave him chocolate. He would not feed himself so I started scooping spoonfuls and fed him. 

 Nearly to the finish line with the ice cream race, he announced he had to make a potty run. I laughed at him so hard when he came out of the bathroom.  He was always such a jokester so it was great to see a little of that in him again. As he walked toward me he was scratching one side (like you do when you are imitating a monkey) so I said, 'I have found me a monkey' to which he very snappily replied, 'no, I've found me one' and pointed right at me... and he smiled. Oh my, how I loved it. 

He continued saying funny little things. He looked through two picture albums (before today he would turn a couple pages and then lay it aside.... more progress).

He filled his cheek full of air so I started punching it and as the air would escape he'd make this big whooshing sound. You could tell he was having fun. 

When we got ready to leave I leaned over and asked for a kiss and that little stinker would NOT kiss me. See that silly little grin on his face.

He'd make smacking sounds with his lips and grin but he would not lean over for a real kiss. I asked, 'you not going to kiss me?' and he shook his head no. Okay, dokey.... buddy you asked for it for I gave him a big one. 

Another residents wife came by and said, 
'I have to tell you. As I started into the Garden to visit Glenn (her husband) I could see your husband and Glenn standing in the hall just chatting up a storm. So I stayed just outside the door and watched. It was so good to see'.
I appreciated her sharing that with me so much. It affirmed my feelings that this med may be the answer to our prayers.

I left that place feeling like I was on cloud nine. They had told me that when they started the ritalin they weren't sure which way it would go.... would it work? would it not? They also told me he is staying awake a lot more, walking up and down the halls, talking more. Great news. I just pray so hard that he continues to be more like he used to be.