Three steps forward two steps back

It has been a while since I posted. That is a good thing. My last post indicated that I thought I was having problems with Joyce during the third week. Remember that word patience?? I needed to be reminded this week. During this third week I have found Joyce more attentive and responsive than I have in prior like situations. I see her even doing things that she quit doing a year ago. To me a definite indicator that the injections are still helping her return to more normal actions. I don't hold a lot of hope for a full and complete recovery. I think her aphasia may be too much to overcome, however, my goal right now is to be able to keep her at home for the rest of her life and with these injections, I feel that it is a very good possibility. As I said I am constantly seeing snippets of improvement. maybe only two every three weeks but over a year that will become a lot. Joyce is as healthy as can be. she shows none of the classic wobble etc associated with Alzheimer's. She loves to walk our driveway, back and forth, back and forth. I am sure that all of you second guessers are horrified that I let her do that alone. Well I have been with her 24/7 for the last four years. Who better knows what she will do , ME, or some article in the New England Medical Journal. To me she is as predictable as the sun coming up in the morning. Certainly , there are times I restrict her but not because of some statistical warning of AD patients taking off. Joyce is very cognizant of her suroundings. She is also very attached to me. She will go where I go or if in the driveway keep coming to the back door to look for me then back out for another lap. She definitely enjoys her freedom and I no problem in many circumstances letting her have it. I believe it is helping her, you believe what you want but until I experience a problem I am not changing anything.
There is one area that has gotten worse. I have to keep "depends" on her 24/7. It is like she found out she doesn't have to go to the bathroom and quit trying not to wet them causing an occasional leak through problem, I still make her undress herself, dispose of the wet "depends", put on a new one and re-dress herself. At present I am going through about five per day. I feel as if we are taking three steps up and two steps back. At least I see progress. I know I will need help but I don't want strangers handling Joyce. I will use help when I feel they care for Joyce like I do. I won't just allow someone to come in and do "chores" on her. There are many people in the AD outreach programs who can and will help. I will find what I need there. We go back to Lake Charles for another injection this Thursday (8/20). Thanks for all the prayers and support.

PAL