Oh Diane, that's great. I know you must cherish every little moment of 'the real mom' you remember. It must be so hard to live through/with this disease.
Leslie

Thats great! Stacy

Thank you for sharing. Many of us have been where you are and realize how wonderful it is to have those "break through" moments.

Very nice that you could visit with your mother.
We just buried my BIL yesterday. He had als. My sister has been gone now for 18 years. He hasn't known us for several years.

I am glad to hear that you were able to spend some real time with your mom. This disease is just heartbreaking and I feel so bad for all of you that must deal with it. I lost both of my parents at a young age and my grandmother while a bit senile at times was very lucid for a 100 year old woman. She did often confuse me with my mother, but she knew who my youngest was everytime. My prayers go out to you. I hope there are more moments like this in your future.

Trish

How wonderful to celebrate such a moment. I'm glad you had it.

What okwriter said. Those days are special.

Glad that you were able to share some time with her.

That must have made you feel especially blessed and I'm happy for you both!
Suzi

What a wonderful gift for you! You will always cherish the memory of that phone call.

Shirley

whenever i call my uncle i always have a lovely conversation with my aunt...(she on those meds) and it's a joy she remembers me and can still give advice about children...(she was a teacher, then special needs w/a masters) uncle does have "babysitters" now for the days he has to run chores, and does the cooking...i think it keeps him going as he's been battling cancer for over 25 years...(that is another amazing story)

my prayers for you and the family...

That is really special. You will always have those memories. I see my dad becoming more forgetful, he will tell me the same story a few times, but I always let him. I figure some day, that is what I will miss the most.

I'm so happy you spoke with her after such a long time.
Do you know if she is generally easier to communicate with in the morning, than in the afternoon or evening?
I agree with you, I bet she somehow senses that something was going on yesterday.

I can only imagine the happiness you must feel after a conversation like that with your Mom, Diane. How uplifting! I'm happy you had that.

Diane, that is incredible that this happened on the day of her brother's funeral. She was getting a "message" of some kind.

Would it be possible, if you have another chance to talk with her, to record the conversation? To be able to hear her voice again in the future would be a comfort.

I have a tape from many years ago that someone made at a party where a number of our friends were gathered and were playing a game and on that tape is my late DH's voice. I cherish that.

I haven't dealt with a family member with AL, but it must be difficult to watch them slowly disappear.

Prayers for you and your family.

Sue

How wonderful it must have been to have her for just a few minutes. I share your joy. I agree you will cherish that phone call always. I have a friend who's mother has Alzheimer's and a year ago they had her back for a week. It was as if she'd never had that evil desease, but at the end of the week she slipped away. So sad.

How special that must have been for you. I'm really glad you got to enjoy it, even for a short stretch. Hugs to you and mom.

thanks everyone, sorry I'm so slow to respond, the computer has been acting up.
I do think she knew something was happening on Tues (her brother's funneral) I usually have one "talking time" with her over the summer when I'm home usually she just answers questions I ask her but it's something. It used to be that we could plan on once a week, then once a month but now it's down to a few times a year. I can only hope her mind is busy thinking and that she doesn't realize she's just lying in a fetal position for hours on end. We cherish when she does talk. When she first started getting forgetful she made the comment to me that she didn't want to say or do anything to embarrass us girls and I think she just shut down with that fear in her head. She's such a proud woman and would hate the person she has become.
Thanks for all the comments.
Diane

How great that you were able to talk to her in that semi-lucid state.

And interesting that she remembers where you are, though that fact took place after her illness.

I hope that you can have some other good times, later, if she's here.

ole joyful

What a special time that must have been. It makes another happy memory for you.

Linda

How Wonderful!! You'll remember that conversation for the rest of your days!

Diane, I remember writing the same type of post quite a few years ago when my Mom "spoke" to me.

I could only get one or two words out of my Mom at night as I tucked her in but one night she reached up and stroked my face (which she never did befor) and said "I love you" I remember coming to the KT after I cried my eyes out after hearing those words because I don't remember my Mom ever telling me she loved me but she did that night.

I am so happy you were able to have a conversation with your Mom! You will remember that moment always.

Anne

Glad you got to experience this closeness with your MOther. Try to remember only the good times. I'll be praying for you,dear.

My mom had dementia for a few years before she passed away. She was very talkative still at times, but made no sense, but it was good just to hear her voice. It's funny because when I think of her, which I do everyday, the first thoughts are of her with the dementia, when I get out the videos of her it's like watching a whole other woman. I guess we got so used to the dementia and her confusion that it's the first thought we have of her. It's terrible how it takes over and robs everyone of the person they once were. Glad you got to talk to her again..that is a treasured moment for sure!