What to say...

There has not been much change, if any, with Mike since I wrote over a month ago. The Depakote was restarted and there may have been a slight calming effect for a few days, but really not noticeable. He continues to rock back and forth and the left leg works up and down as Mr. Omm doesn't let up. 

Christmas day was mild and sunny and Mike was in the mood to walk. For the first time, we walked outside, turned left and walked to the end of the parking lot, up the hill to the sidewalk, turned right and walked parallel to the road and down to the other end of the parking lot. Thankfully we maneuvered the hills without incident both going up and coming down. We continued around the end of the parking lot and followed the sidewalk to the outside deck, sat for a while and then returned to the front door and back inside. It's the most I've walked with him since he came to AH&R. 

I brought him a few gifts, but he wouldn't open them. I opened them for him, but he had no interest. I had ordered him an OSU blanket. The wrapper said OSU, but when I took that off, it was an Aztec blanket - who are the Aztecs?! Oh well, I didn't want to bother trying to return it and the colors are almost the same as OSU. 

Several local churches or civic organizations had come by and given the residents gifts of socks, word search books, pens, toiletries, etc. I organized those and wandered down the hall to give away things Mike wouldn't use. 

Last week I was able to speak with the Nurse Practitioner who is affiliated with Mike's new insurance. I am pleased with this insurance because this NP will see Mike every week and be more accessible to me. She will work closely with the other doctors and NP's who are already involved in Mike's care and she will be able to contact them more quickly than I can. She saw how agitated (or in-motion) Mike was and we discussed medication again. Later that day she let me know that she had spoken with the Psych NP and they were going to try giving Mike Trazodone during the day to see if that would calm him. We discussed the brief time when Mike seemed better after starting the Namenda, and she thought it was possible that his body quickly became adapted to it and therefore the improvement didn't last.

I so appreciate your prayers. It is difficult to see Mike like this all the time. I'm asking God to be merciful and hoping that Mike is able to communicate with God through his spirit. I really believe Mike understands quite a bit, but cannot verbalize. While I cannot hear his spirit, God can. Meanwhile I pray that this injury, pain, agitation, darkness, confusion, suffering will be lifted from Mike. I cry out to God for him and I thank each of you who do as well. 

Dear God, please be merciful to Mike. Release him and heal him in Your time and way and help me to persevere in what You have called me to do.

Psalm 57:1-3

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

    for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,

    till the storms of destruction pass by.

I cry out to God Most High,

    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

He will send from heaven and save me;

    he will put to shame him who tramples on me.

God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!