A Visit with Nana

As many of you know, my grandmother, Nana, is suffering from either alzheimer's or dimentia. Over the past few years her memory has significantly deteriorated and within the last 2 years she has become very paranoid that people are coming into her house and moving stuff around or taking it. My aunts have taken her to numerous doctor appointments, where they have performed a number of memory tests and the like, and they have all agreed that she needs round the clock care. If any of you know anything about my grandmother, you know that she has been on her own for many years and is a very strong-willed and prideful woman! She has done everything for herself for years and is not very accepting of any kind of help. She is one tough cookie really, and very stubborn! Needless to say, she has not taken this news very well. In fact she flat out said she would not go. Things really escalated last week and on Wednesday she was moved into an assisted living facility. Thanks to many of your prayers the transition has been much smoother than any of us anticipated. She is on an anti-depressant, which is helping her accept things, but she just seems so out of it so to speak. We can't tell if she's just depressed or it's the Lorazapam keeping her sedated. She actually fell in her room her second night there and isn't sure how she did it. And the employees are having to come and get her for lunch and dinner as she is not wanting to eat in the dining room with the other tenants. However, the director said this is completely normal for some of their patients and to give her a couple of weeks before we get concerned. So really, all in all, we are thankful!

With all of this going on we thought it would be nice to have the family over to her new digs to welcome her! A house warming party! :)

It was Nana's first time to meet Jack. It was so sad though, she kept forgetting his name. But even with her swollen hand she was able to hold and comfort him as naturally as ever!

Jack getting some love from La-La
Olivia was quite content watching Dora Super Babies with Aunt Sandy
My cousin Bradley and his girlfriend stopped by too!

Despite the circumstances it was great having us all together. I know Nana appreciated it more than anyone! It is still hard to think that she will never be in her house again. And my aunt and I were talking today about how much older she suddenly looks. I know it is the course of life, and she has led a long one, but it is still sad to see someone you love so much, grow old and fade away. It is a good reminder about how fragile life is, and how we should truly embrace each and every day!