Why Am I Losing So Much Weight? Alzheimer’s in the Family

We came back to Mom’s house yesterday after I finished with my appointments in Myrtle Beach. She had insisted on coming back the day before. We weighed mom yesterday and she had lost 3.6 pounds since last Tuesday.

She asked how can she lose so much weight since she was eating so much food. I explained to her that 500 to 700 calories a day really wasn’t eating a lot of food. She had an incredulous look on her face during that conversation. She has lost 22.6 pounds since June 1st.

After my last appointment yesterday, I loaded the car to come back to Mom’s. We had a “catastrophe” as we couldn’t find her purse. She told me it was in her suitcase so I went to the car and searched her suitcase to no avail. When I came back in the house she and Ilona were looking everywhere. Mom was in a panic, even though her ID and other important cards are in my purse as she takes them out often, along with her cash, to make sure she has them. She does it everywhere and it simply isn’t safe. She counts her money over and over because she can’t remember how much she has.

While she was Rollatoring around, I had an epiphany and lifted the seat to the device and there was her purse. Her face became a sunbeam with a large smile.

We had an uneventful trip home and today has been pretty good. I bought a few mini Baby Ruth bars and she will eat them. 50 calories at a time. Yay! Today she has eaten a little less than 700 calories and she’s been more alert but very confused. She was visited by her pastor, Corky, today and it was a good interchange.

She is facing her mortality head on and is sad about “leaving us.” She sits in “her chair ” all day and reads the paper over and over and works her word finds and puzzles. She seems content even though there is little interaction with us. Seems to me that she is just passing time until everything aligns and she can leave.

I have an appointment with her PCP next Thursday to talk and initiate end of life protocols. I’m at peace because we’re doing what is best for my wonderful mom. It is sad that this is happening to her and us but, you know, there are worse things in life.

I’m glad that I can be here for her. It is an honor to honor her during this transition. Please keep her in you thoughts and prayer, however you believe. We appreciate all of you.

More later. Thanks for reading.