2/6/05

Being caretaker for my uncle turned into something I had not bargained for when I first made the commitment. Since then he has become increasingly paranoid and irrational. One office visit with a neurologist suggests he has a particular type of dementia. We do not know to what extent. Without a brain scan it’s hard to tell, and he does not want to do that. In his mind, he most certainly is in full command of his faculties. He has fired his physician for suggesting he see a neurologist. He’s now “researching” to find a new doctor. Meanwhile back at the ranch, this is part of a disturbing phone conversation between the two of us last week:

Brenda, I tried calling Barb (nurse in the assisted living home he lived in for a year) and she won’t answer. I left a message for her to return my call and she won’t. Will you call her and explain to her that I’m not a sexual predator?!

(Deep breath – pause) No, I don’t want to call and disturb her at home.

But she won’t return my call. Will you call and talk to her for me?

I can’t do that. Besides . . . . maybe she’s just not home.

More insisting than questioningly he asks again if I will call, and again I say no. His response? He literally yelled, JUST FORGET IT THEN, and slammed the phone down. I’m left holding my phone, wondering what just happened. It’s the first time that I’ve said no to him.

This whole sexual predator thing is something he has conjured up in his mind and it’s getting out of control. He’s gone so far as to call the chief of police (at least 3 times that I know of) to have him take action against the person responsible for this alleged slander. Luckily, they know him well enough to basically go along with it. But this bothers me on a couple of different levels. What he is saying is just not true and there are no facts to back up his allegations. More worrisome to me is that he must be so upset by these thoughts and thus far I am unable to get him the help he needs. I’ve asked his doctor twice to prescribe something for his paranoia. He suggested seeing a neurologist, and I had to almost pull teeth to get him to the appointment in the first place. Both of them recognized the paranoia. Why did neither prescribe anything? What am I missing? I’m frustrated and am not sure how to proceed. I will have to find a time when I can talk with the doctor and find out what his thinking is. Well, I know what his thinking is. He wants my uncle to go back to assisted living. As long as I can help him, that’s not going to happen.

In other news, last night I finally ordered a new computer. I can’t wait for its arrival. I have a feeling I’m going to be busy when it gets here, adding all my programs and such. The transition won’t be fun, but the end result should be worth it.

It’s been quite a busy long weekend for me. Friday, Justin and I bummed around a good deal of the day. Saturday, Annie and I bummed around ALL day. I’m not complaining mind you. 🙂 Today I plan to stay in and rest up. This week I’m training someone at work, and the way it goes, training is usually harder on me than actually doing the job myself. However, I am up for the task. 🙂