One down, two to go.

Gentle reader, can I share something that is very common with people with dementia. It cam from a friend of mine and gives "looks see" into what is going on with people who have dementia.

One down, two to go. That's how I felt about Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time, but it was indeed stressful.

When you have dementia, you just gotta figure this is going to happen. What you need to figure out is which patients are still able to handle a bit of stress.

Cause stress will be there. Anytime you have 10, 20, or more people in your house rather than the usual two, three, or four.

We had 11 people here. That's only nine more than are here every day. But what everyone takes for granted, the chit chat, and conversations going between everyone was like a buzz saw going off in my ears.

I have had three study nights night now of horrible nightmares. I have nightmares every night, but these have been above and beyond. I have woken up three, four, even five times a night in a state of panic.

Sweating profusely, not knowing where I am or what is going on. Scared out of my mind. Confused, even a dazed like feeling.

If I have gotten ten hours sleep since Wednesday, I would be surprised. That is how it effected me. Some patients it will the holidays will effect them during the actual get together.

Some a few hours later, and some the effects will last for days. I of course am in the latter.

Even though things went relatively smoothly, for whatever reason it triggered my nightmares to a new level.

That's the thing, you just never know how you are going to react to something with dementia. You can have a plan and have all your bases covered and something will still trigger stress for these people.

One down, two to go. If I am being completely honest with myself, the holiday is very difficult on me. They just are. And nothing nor no one is able to "fix" that.
 Once again I am not posting this for  comments, what I am doing is just explaining how the holidays are for me. I surely don't want any of your loved ones going through what I have been for the last few days.

Gentle reader, most will, sadly. Just because. it's all about the disease. What it does, the stress that triggers it, the repercussions, it is by far the hardest thing about this disease.

Dealing with a number of people. It's like planned chaos. I wouldn't change it for the world. But someday things will indeed have to change. I simply can't do this year after year.

Expect the best, gentle reader, prepare for the worse. It's simply all anyone can do...