Someone forgot to tell Keith - Long

I was trying to think of a title for this and that is the only think I could come up with. You see, earlier today Keith had been asleep and I had just checked on him. I walked back to my office (at the other end of the hall) and not 5 minutes later I heard him. I turned around to go to our room to see what he needed, but he was standing right outside the door. He had gotten out of the bed and walked to my office. I asked him what he was doing up and he said matter of fact I wanted some orange juice. Thank God, he didn't get to the stairs. Then later today, he did it again with Christine sitting right outside our door. He got up to go to the bathroom. He is settled down right now and hopefully for the night. When I think about it it is kind of funny, but not. He was very proud of himself. He didn't understand what evertyone was so upset about.

I also think I have finally gotten his Green Card straighten out. It took alot of phone calls but I finally found out that there is only 1 place in Atlanta that can do a background check. It is in Chamblee. It is about 25 miles from here, so when he got up the 2nd time today, I was gone to get that. I got all the information mailed to Senator Isakson's office this afternoon, so I hope it is all taken care of. We will see.

Keith has had his ups and downs. Last night, he was standing by his bed with his walker and totally lost his balance and fell. Thank goodness, he wasn't hurt. It really scared me. He fell right between his bed and our bed. He could have hit his head on our nightstand but missed it. I think it was because I was grabbing for him as he went down. I managed to get him up and settled back down. After the fall, he was very confused and didn't know who I was. This seems to be happening more and more. He will tell me he knows I am his wife, but can't remember my name. He never forgets any of the kids though. The biggest thing right now is trying to control both the pain and the throwing up. Everytime he gets up, he starts throwing up. Most of the time he has the dry heaves, but it happens about 3 to 4 times a day now. The Haldol works but the hardest part is getting it down him. The long acting med is working as far as the pain and the break though meds help also. I have had to call hospice to come out a few times. I have decided that everyone is right about hospice. The nurses and care givers are truly angels on earth.

Everyone has asked how I am. I think I am on autopilot right now. I am not getting much sleep. I hear every little move that Keith makes. I am so thankful that Christine is here. She has extended her trip again and will not return to England until the 6th. She and I trade off nights and we both get some sleep. Even then, I don't get much sleep. I don't want to be away from Keith. I want to hold every moment we have left. It doesn't much matter if he doesn't know my name. He knows I love him and he still has a smile for me. I am taking it minute by minute.

To everyone that has prayed for us, called, been there for us, thank you. This past year has been one of the hardest Keith and I have ever experienced. I will speak for Keith also now when I tell you that the love we have felt has gotten us though this and will carry us both into whatever the future holds for us.

P.S. - He did it again about 8:30 last night. He decided he wanted some bacon and eggs. We settled on eggs, but unfortunately they didn't stay down.