Evening Zephyr

[William Hardy]

Evening Brothers and Sisters
All is well in the land of Davy Crockett...
No rain and sunny today...started to dry out.
Special prayers for Dave, Gary, and Lin & George
Prayers out to all
Sempher Fi
Bill

[mcvet57103]

Quote:

Originally Posted by linda1945 Good Evening Jarheads and Doc! Yep I am feeling reall good tonight!! I got outside of this and mowed part of our yard and even vented. Sure did feel good too! Got just part of it mowed and water is still standing in it at least 1" deep! Got George outside on the porch also and Robert came by and cut his hair. Hope all had to good day!! Take care and talk to ya'll to later. Everybody have a restful night. Prayers out to those that need it, especially to Dave and his family. God bless. Luv ya! Hugs, Semper Fi Lin

Funny, I vent all the time. But I blame it on the dog.

[mcvet57103]

I told the wifey I would run this up the flag pole and see who salutes.

My father-in-law retired (20 years 1954-1974) SSgt Robert Renton, whom I have immense respect for, is showing symptoms of Alsheimers. The wife is worried. Her Mother told her that the other day he got lost while driving locally here in Sioux Falls. (Sioux Falls is not a dificult town to negotiate). He's lived here for 7 years and not had much trouble in the past. He panicked, and it supposedly got ugly between them when she tried to tell him how to get home. He refused to turn where she told him, was driving way under the posted speed limit holding up traffic, and pizzing all the other drivers off. Last week he couldn't remember my wifes last name. He loses track of date, and time, can't get directions (North, South, East , and West) right. Stays in his room all day and only comes out to smoke on the back steps. Gets cold, turns up the heat, then gets hot and opens the windows. Then complains about it being cold, and turns up the heat even more. Then complains about the gas bill. He's 72, did two tours in Nam. Was wounded at the Citidel, and also at Hue. He smokes three packs of cigs a day, and has only 1/3 normal lung copacity. Uses a cane, and has trouble with balance. He refuses to go get tested for anything, and gets defensive if confronted. The Wife wants to form a united front with her Mom and only Sister, and demand he get tested, but her Mom is hedging on making an issue out of it. And her sister is a liberal wishy washy Daddy's girl who would rather be her Dad's favorite than risk making him mad. He won't get involved with the VFW, Marine Corps League, or any other organization. He has opened up to me (because I'm a Marine) and told me stories of his tours in Nam with, I believe, 1/5 or 3/5 can't remember which, but forgets everyday things he should remember easily. He's an 0311 and was an instructor at Pendleton, a D.I. at MCRDSD, and a Trumpet player for the Marine Corps Band at Camp Pendleton, and MCB Kaneohe Bay (sp) Hawaii. To name a few of his deployments. I think it may be a lack of oxygen due to his deminished lung copacity, but the stuborn old Jarhead refuses to get tested. What would you all suggest?

[William Hardy]

Tough isn't it? There's really no choice. Get him to a doctor by whatever means necessary before it is too late. If it is Alsheimers, the sooner medication is started, the better off he will be. Wait too long and there is no going back and he will be placed in a home for the rest of his life. Get treatment now and he may recover enough that he can stay home. Better to **** him off now than to make visits with him later that he will never acknowledge. That's one bad disease...takes the soul right out of a person...I saw too many cases at the facility my dad was staying at before he passed away. They are very sad cases indeed. Get him there even if you have to drag him kicking and screaming all the way. If you don't, he will be a zombie before you know it.

That's my 2 cents worth.
Semper Fi Brother
Bill

[mcvet57103]

Yeah it's tough Gunny. He's a hard headed old leatherneck. Love him like a father. Sad to see a tough Marine succumb to this. I'm with you, and told the wife also before even posting his condition here. He might get pizzed, but at least he'll know who he's pizzed at. SF

[Zulu 36]

Well, Bob, you can add me to the list of people he can be p*ssed at.

My mom has had dementia for many years now. It is a difficult process to deal with. The united front is essential.

As you indicated, it seems he has other health issues. I heartily agree with Gunny Hardy that he should been seen and all of those issues worked through in case it is something other than dementia or Alzheimer's.

The medication they have out for Alzheimer's doesn't always work, but the sooner it is started, the better chance there is for it to arrest or slow the process. My mom went on it many years ago, but probably too late. It's hard to tell.

BTW. Take his driver's license and car keys away from him ASAP.

[redman1]

Bob I'm sorry to hear that but I agree with Gunny and Zulu. Its never an easy decision and he may never get over being mad at you but its worth it. If he doesn't get help soon he will not remember who tried to help him anyway.
A big salute to a former Marine who has served his country well
Semper Fi Redman1

[DocGreek]

ROBERT....I agree with our Brothers. Sooner, the better. Watching an older , close member of the family go through this, is heartbreaking.
My prayers out to you, your wife, and a hand salute to your Pappa-inlaw. We're ALL gonna' pray for him....SEMPER FI, POP'S!!....Doc Greek....

[AlwaysWillBe]

Bob,
My .0001 cents worth....
As a last resort, get a court order of protection (or whatever they call it where you live) to force him to a Dr. That protects the people involved from forcing him to do something against his will.
Otherwise, I agree with what everyone else said.
My mom, at the end, didn't recognize me and tried to have my sister get security to remove me from the nursing home. She was 89.
Is sad....

[charm1110]

Bob, I agree with all our brothers here about forcing your Father-in-law into see a Dr. I know it's not easy to have to be firm with someone who is so strong-willed. Also I'm thinking you need to talk to your wife about getting a power of attorney and advance health care directive in place if there's not one already. Don't wait on your Mother-in-law, have you and your wife do it if possible. I will pray for all of you and especially him. Just try not to get angry with him for forgetting and being hostile at times it's not something he can help especially without the proper meds. Good luck Brother and let us know how it works out.

And give him a big SEMPER FI! from all of us.

[mcvet57103]

Thanks everyone. I will pass these sugestions on to my wife. If anyone can be firm she can. She's the in-your-face type who isn't afraid to lay down the law. Hell, sometimes she scares me. She always says her name is Denise, not De-nice. If it's for the good of her father, no matter how mad he gets, she will do her best to make sure he gets the help he needs. I told her, now might be the time to suggest Assisted Living. That way they still have their independence, but have a Nurse checking on them daily.

[Rhode Island]

Evening Brothers and Sisters.
Tough call Bob but you gotta do what you gotta do Brother.
BTW, I'm proud of you on the Alcohol issue and keep up the good work !!!
Nothing new to report except I missed Morning Formation .

Gunny Hardy, have you heard from Ray Merrell???
Haven't seen him posting in awhile and hope everything is ok with him.

Time to watch World News with Brian Williams.

Wishing everyone a Great Evening and Prayers out to All as Always.

Semper Fi,
Rocky

[mcvet57103]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhodeIsland Evening Brothers and Sisters. Tough call Bob but you gotta do what you gotta do Brother. BTW, I'm proud of you on the Alcohol issue and keep up the good work !!! Nothing new to report except I missed Morning Formation . Gunny Hardy, have you heard from Ray Merrell??? Haven't seen him posting in awhile and hope everything is ok with him. Time to watch World News with Brian Williams. Wishing everyone a Great Evening and Prayers out to All as Always. Semper Fi, Rocky

Thanks. But it's more my wife's problem than mine. I'm just the son-in-law. But I am supporting my wife through this.

It's been 32 days without a drink as of today. Problem is, now I am getting my libido back, and the wifey isn't interested....................... Now where did I put that magazine and the Kleenex??

[Phantom Blooper]

I would also have to agree with all.

You may need to override the MIL and SIL and get him help......this is whether he wants it or not.

There is also another aspect for consideration.....if nobody does nothing it might be considered a form of elder abuse. Especially if dementia or Alzheimer's is involved. I could be wrong.......but never hurts to check the law.

Anyone has a right to refuse treatment....but they have to be in the right frame of mind to make those decisions.

Living will and a Durable POA is a great idea.

Godspeed to him and the family!

[linda1945]

Good Evening Marines and Doc! All went well today, but didn't my yard mowed! Almost forgot I had that colon prep to take and that stuff tastes HORRIBLE!!!! George has been in a good mood also, which is a relief for me. Hope all had a good day. It was a beautiful day and was in the 60's. For the next 2 days suppose to be 75* and I thought this was winter. Rain is moving in though. Ok. enough of me carrying on. Ya'll take care and try to talk ya'll tomorrow. All have a restful and peaceful night. Prayers out to everybody that need them. God bless. Luv ya!
Hugs,
Semper Fi
Lin