Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Monday, October 12, 2015
Janet Trezza ,October 5, 2015
My mother passed away after an approximately 13 year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. From July , 2015 on, she had recurrent UTIs and then developed a recurrent c diff infection, which took her downhill gradually and then suddenly.
http://danjolell.tributes.com/obituary/show/Janet-Morello-Trezza-102915032
Posted by Unknown at 8:44 AM 0 comments
Thursday, August 13, 2015
The photos were taken at St. Mary's Manor, where Mom went for a bit of rehab, for 3 weeks.
She had had a severe UTI, among other things.
I drove her back to the assisted living facility, and these photos are of that day. We were waiting outside of the Manor, for an aid to help get her into the car. I had a spare pair of sunglasses, Hello Kitty, in my car. Mom is wearing them, as she rarely went outside and the summer sun was high!
Posted by Unknown at 9:00 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Mom's rendition of Edelweis
Amazing the way one's brain works. She still has the grasp of language, its just like a milkshake version. Mom
probably thinks she is singing the right words or words that make sense to her.
She used to sing this song, and loved all the songs from The Sound of Music movie. It was a particular favorite, and she used to sing some of the songs and dance in the living room. Mom had a beautiful singing voice and she loved Julie Andrews.. Perhaps that is why this melody is ingrained in her memory.
Posted by Unknown at 2:21 PM 0 comments
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Janet’s new hobby, repetitive napkin folding
Always thorough and precise, Mom smooths and folds the napkins after dinner. It is her important work now. She is always smiling, this woman with advanced degrees in education. She does not recall her professional career and accomplishments at all at this point. I would say we are 12 years into this disease, since official diagnosis.
Posted by Unknown at 9:06 AM 0 comments
Friday, September 21, 2012
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
2002
Ziggy
Stardust, aka David Bowie was obviously not referring to Alzheimer's disease with the lyrics to his 1970's hit song. However, as I look at my Mom now and look at photos of her from the year 2000 to the present,
the title of Bowie's song echoes in my mind.
I am going to start posting photos from each year since we officially found out that my Mom had Alzheimer's disease. We first started seeing some of the basic symptoms in 2000, but it was easy to explain those away. In 2001, I believe we received the diagnosis. My Dad was able to care for Mom at home until early 2011 (with the help of daily caregivers). In January, 2011, my brother and I convinced Dad that we had to move Mom to an assisted living facility that could better meet her needs. The second half of that decision was to preserve and protect my Dad, who was jumping through hoops to keep everything perfect.
I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
So the days float through my eyes
But stil the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're going through
Time may change me
But you can't trace time
Strange fascination, fascinating me
Ah changes are taking the pace Im going through
Ch-ch-changes
Oh, look out you rock n rollers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
(turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-changes
Pretty soon now you're gonna get a little older
Time may change me
But I can't trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can't trace time
(David Bowie Changes Lyrics
Songwriters: DEL BARRIO,
SEEMAN, JONES, KAPLAN
2004
Enough blah blah, here are some then and now photos...
Posted by Unknown at 5:39 PM 0 comments