Alzheimer's is a ...... (insert bad word here)

I'm WORN out! Got home this morning at 5am, went back to sleep @6am, then Mom called and woke me up at 9am. I couldn't believe it when i heard her voice on the phone. I sat straight up in bed and said, "MOM! What's wrong?"... she said, "Well, nothing honey... are you okay?" She said it just like she calls me everyday and that her calling me was normal. Then she proceeded to talk to me about getting her nails done and going to Walmart. I just couldn't believe it. I mean, this is a woman who has hardly talked at all in the last few months. It was as if we had gone back in time about 5 years. I almost cried. MOM WAS BACK!!!!!!! I told her I was coming down to see her and we'd visit more. I jumped out of bed just in time for Sam and Jeff to walk in the house. (Jeff was heading to work and dropping Sam off because he didn't have school today. Parent/Teacher conferences.) I told them about Mom and how I was anxious to go see her in person. So, Jeff said good-bye and I decided to run a few errands before heading to my Parent/Teacher meeting at Sam's school. I'd get all that out of the way so i could spend the afternoon with Mom... and that's exactly what I did. But first....

.... while I was driving to Sam's school, i called Mom's nurse at the assisted-living home. I told her about my conversation with Mom this morning and that I was weirdly concerned. I mean, what makes a person's mind snap back like that? The nurse just chuckled and said, "We've all been talking about her this morning. We can't believe it either! I've been here a year and a half and I've NEVER seen your Mom walking around and talking like this! I think someone slipped her a "wake-up" drug, because that's just what it seems.... like she has woken up!"

I couldn't wait to finish my meetings and go see for myself! When I got to the 3rd floor of the assisted-living facility where my parents live, i saw my Dad down the hall playing bingo with several of the residents. I decided not to interrupt his game and went down to their apartment. I was nervous and excited. Would Mom still be talking?... or would I find her like I have found her everytime I have visited for the last few months, just laying on the couch and barely responsive. I knocked on the door, then walked on in. I looked on the couch... no mom. "Mother!", I yelled. "Yes!", she said as she walked out of her bedroom with a little spring in her step. "What are you doing, Mom?", I said. "Oh, just going through my jewelry boxes and organizing my earrings." I stood there in shock. Mother hasn't worn any jewelry in months, maybe years. "Well, that's nice.", I said. "You know, my watch has stopped. I think it needs a new battery." she said. "You think?!?!", I laughed. She hasn't worn a watch in two years. Not since she entered the assisted-living home. She said, "Come in and sit down and visit awhile." I almost burst into tears, but I held them back. I didn't want her to see me cry. I wanted to pretend that everything was normal. I didn't want to alarm her in any way. So we talked. And talked. And talked.... for three hours. Then it was time for her to go down to her dinner. I promised her I would come back tomorrow and bring fingernail polish. She wants to polish her nails!!!!! I know that sounds silly, but trust me.... this is a MAJOR turn-around. Just the fact that she is aware of her appearance is HUGE!! She's got all sorts of plans for the next few days.... going to Walmart, getting her hair done, re-arranging her apartment and even writing some letters to old friends.

I'm worried that we'll wake up tomorrow and find that she's right back where she's been. That this is a temporary "awakening". I remember in the movie, "The Notebook" that James Garner would live for those few moments of clarity that Gena Rowlands would have every now and then. I guess only time will tell. At least I had her back today. I'm SO glad I was here to enjoy it with her!!

After leaving Mom, I get a surprise visit from my cousins from San Antonio, TX, Nick and Mandy! They are in town for a music competition and came by my house to see me. Unfortunately, our visit got cut short because the phone rang and it was Jeff, saying he had just been in a car wreck!! Sam and I said our good-byes to Nick and Mandy (because they were heading up to St. Louis for the night) and ran over to check on Jeff. Luckily, he was banged and bruised up, but didn't seem to have anything broken. Neither did the lady in the other car. Of course both of their cars were totaled. They were REALLY lucky not to have been seriously hurt! Things like that make you remember how in just a second, a life-altering tragedy can occur. We got lucky this time. So....... Jeff's wife, Candice took Jeff home and Sam and I headed back to the house. "Are you hungry?", I asked Sam. "Kind of" he said. Then he asked, "Mom, how about we have a "Guitar Hero" night?" "You know what, Sam? That sounds wonderful." I told him..... and that's exactly what we did. We played that silly "Guitar Hero" game and laughed alot. I needed a fun night with my son.

I'm heading to bed now. I hope I can sleep. I can't wait to call Mom in the morning!!
Sleep-tight friends......