Four Generations One Roof

My kitty had kittens

Thank you for your kind words about my fashion photoshoots :).  More to come on that soon. So my grandfather’s latest thing is that his cat Sophie, had kittens and some guy in a pickup truck left them outside our house. He told me a couple days ago that “my kitty had kittens.”

My grandfather and his new cat

I honestly did my best to not bust out laughing because while it’s a pure sign that his mind is going….it was pretty funny how serious he was.

He was so serious that he actually believed what he was saying.

You see, his cat didn’t have kittens. He just thinks she did.

My grandfather and his new cat

He spent 20 minutes trying to convince me that they were in his wooden wheelbarrow he made that sits on his kitchen table.

The wheelbarrow holds faux flowers and he thinks the kittens are underneath the flowers.

My 10 year old son was listening to this entire conversation and after my grandfather left the kitchen, my son said, “mom, big gramp is losing it.”

Grandfather's Lesson in Patience to my son {grandfather and great grandson

So the only way I could get him to relax about the kittens was to agree with him. I told him he better make sure he has extra food and kitty litter.

He said, “that’s right. I need to get more.”

I don’t understand how many times, he is completely with it and sharp as a tack and then the next day, he is talking craziness about his cat having kittens. It’s scary to think that he really believes these things and sees stuff that isn’t actually real. I can’t imagine thinking something happened or something or someone is right there but it’s not real. Do you know what I mean? Be sure to check out our dementia diaries series for more stories. Happy Sunday friends and don’t forget the sale ends today for our favorite things under $100. It’s a good one!

Comments

  1. Chris K says

    What a funny yet sad story. My Grandma and her 2 sisters had Alzheimer's. I was a care giver for a gentleman with Alzheimer's and have many stories similar to yours. I know you will cherish time with your Grandpa.
    Reply

    • Jessica Bruno says

      Thank you Chris! The stories and things that happen are sometimes so outrageous it's hard believe sometimes. I am happy though that I get to be with my grandparents and my parents as we all age :)
      Reply

  2. mickie says

    I so wanted this blog to be real. I am so sad for what you must go thru with your grandfather. I am dealing with my husband who has dementia, and yes, one time they are just like always, and then later, it is quite off. It's sad to see this decline, but you are right in dealing with the issue AS IF IT IS SO. HUGS for you and your family.
    Reply

    • Jessica Bruno says

      aww thanks Mickie! Sorry to hear about your husband :(. It's not easy but it is what it is right? We just do the best we can and take it all in stride. Good luck with your husband and thanks so much for your comment!
      Reply

  3. June says

    Ohhh that makes me cry :( I'm so sorry, it makes it so real that we don't live forever. My mother had dementia, get ready, I don't want to upset you but just prepare your family he will forget who you are an my mother stopped talking those were the big events that were heartbreaking.
    Reply

    • Jessica Bruno says

      Oh so sorry to hear that about your mom :(. That is definitely a worry that he will forget who we are. I guess I will just be his "new friend" if that happens. It's so strange to watch someone change before your very eyes.
      Reply

  4. Barbara Whitaker says

    My mom had Alzheimers and went thru a period of immaginary visions. We began the journey trying to prove she was imagining the issue at hand; but she became angry. My mother in law (who was older than my mom) said ..... just agree with her. What difference does it make if she sees something that isn't there; etc This approach was much better for everyone. My mom was sexually abused by a step father as a young girl, and we worried she would become sad/angry/etc as the illness overtook her mind. However, God had a plan (we didn't understand it); and although she no longer knew her daughters, or family, she never reexperienced her trauma caused by a very bad person. She was so sweet to us as we visited (we put her in assisted living); and knew us as the nice people who visit. It was sad for us...but she was no longer traumatized, or had bad visions that occurred earlier in her illness. God Bless...
    Reply

    • Jessica Bruno says

      Oh wow Barbara! Thank you so much for sharing your story about your mom. You are right, just agreeing works best, atleast in our case. It's crazy how they can just be fine one minute and the next be so far another way. I hope he always knows who we are but you are right, if he doesn't , we will just be his "new" friends. Thank you so much for your comment, it's always nice to hear how others deal/dealt with this kind of stuff.
      Reply

  5. LIsa Hankins says

    My grandfather also had dementia so I know what you're going through. Eventually, all he will have are the "not quite truths" as we called them... It's heartbreaking and cruel to see someone like this who was such a full of life, vibrant person to be reduced to not remembering and forgetting and seeing things. I know. I feel your pain and your struggle Jessica. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Reply

    • Jessica Bruno says

      Thanks Lisa! I hope it doesn't get to the point where he forgets us. That would be horrible. It's definitely a very strange thing to watch but I guess it just becomes our new normal. Some days are better than others. Thanks so much for your kind words and sorry to hear about your gramp :(.
      Reply

  6. brenda says

    has your grandfather had any urine checks lately ?? UTI will often be the root of transient episodes of what appears to be dementia. Unchecked it does cause a challenge that is difficult to cure. Just saying.
    Reply

    • Jessica Bruno says

      Hi Brenda, yep, he actually just had his 4 month checkup a couple weeks ago and all was good. You are right about the UTI issues. My other gram (who use to live with us too....my mom's mom) died 4 years ago at age 92 and she use to get UTI's and boy would it throw her for a loop. Crazy how that can happen. Thanks for the heads up , I appreciate it! :)
      Reply

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