I have to begin by saying that my sister in law is one amazing woman. To step up and take such great, great care of the monster in law my mother has been to her for forty years is nothing short of a miracle for me. I could not get through this without her. I don't know that I will ever be able to repay her kindness, but I would absolutely jump at the chance to do so.

Now on to Mom. I visited Mom today for the first time since we moved her 8 days ago. Wow, such a change I witnessed after just 6 days. All she talked about was her childhood. Most of this visit she thought I was Claire-her twin sister, who has had Alzhiemers disease for 5 years. At one point she thought I was Jean-one of her older sisters. She is just all over the place but focusing mostly on her childhood days. She talks incessantly, rambling on and on about the house she grew up in, the fact that she hated the boarding school she went to:(she compares her new home to the boarding school she attended as a privledged child.) I try to emphasize the positive aspects. She agrees but still falls back into the negative at every turn.

My concern for Mom grows. During my visit, she decided to put her nightgown and robe on. When I saw that she had put one leg into the robe and the other leg into the sleeve of the robe, I had to sit her down and fix this mistake before she fell down and hurt herself. She kind of blew this off and asked me not to tell Teresa. This is the kind of thing that scares me.

We try desperately to understand but there is just no understanding dementia.

I feel bad that it will be another week until I see her again but am comforted by the fact that I know Teresa will be there for her.