Cody Updates by Mom

I have had a few people ask about an update on my mom.  Unfortunately, the disease is progressing very fast.  My mothers current memories continue to fade as the older memories become muddled.  Evening are the hardest time as the “sundowning syndrome” starts.  This is something that impacts most people that are living with this disease.  This is also called late-day confusion.  Doctors believe that it is tied to the loss of sunlight.  Obviously, living in the north where we get a whole 6 hours of sun during the winter can impact this greatly.  In the end, evenings are the hardest.

My sister Linda (the one on the end next to me) is my mom’s caregiver along with her kids and grandkids. Due to the sundowning Linda has given up sleeping in her own bed and room to ensure that my mom can find her when she wakes up at night.  There are not too many full nights of sleep, if any.

My mom has also started to lash out a bit more.  Mostly toward my sister.  As with kids, the parent is typically the focus of their frustration because they set the rules and have to enforce them.  My sister has taken this role and in the end is in the unfortunate spot of taking this on.  My biggest hope is that Linda will always remember that it isn’t mom saying those things but the disease.

I know that many of you have been keeping my mom in your thoughts and prayers and we are so very grateful for that.  I ask you to also keep the caregivers in your thoughts and prayers as well.  They are ensuring that mom is taken care of and is never alone. Thank you for keeping our family in your prayers.