Dementia of any kind is just plain awful. The Alzheimers journey Adam and I have been on with his mom for the past 7 months has taught me a whole lot in a very short time. Not taking things for granted comes much easier for me now. Relationships are much more precious. Forgiving others and myself isnt nearly as difficult as it once was. I continue to struggle with immediately giving every situation to God but, I can definitely feel his presence more profoundly. Watching her slowly slip away is one of the most awful things I have ever experienced in my life. In those moments I ask God to please help me remember she is still who she used to be, just in a different way. Saying she just isnt who she once was seems so cold and I try not to even have the thought. It seems to insinuate she is less than who she was before Alzheimers and thats just not true. I understand the sentiment behind the statement but I dislike it just the same. More than anything I want her to know and feel our love daily, feel safe and cared for daily, and help her maintain the dignity and respect she deserves. The diagnosis of Alzheimers dementia is a death sentence that has no execution date. Without a hint of compassion, It slowly kills the brain. Some may take issue with that statement but regardless of whether we wrap it in a pretty package or state it bluntly, it is indeed a death sentence. There is no cure.... yet. The meds used to treat the symptoms and/or slow the progression of the disease are little use to many patients and some have awful side effects. I try to choose my battles carefully and let slide those things that are not a risk to her health and safety or ours. I know this journey holds many many more difficulties. I know it will get harder and harder to watch as the disease progresses. I know there is absolutely nothing I can do to change the reality of the whole horrible mess. I do know God has a plan and I try not to ask why but, in my humanness, I do occassionally ask. I sometimes find myself begging God to help me understand why this has to happen to people. In the grand scheme of things, knowing why serves no purpose.....other than to zap the emotional energy right outta me. I pray for others who are on their own dementia journey. I pray those never affected by dementia will continue to be blessed to not be touched by it, yet will have a sensitivity and understanding for the benefit of those that are affected. I pray for a cure for this horrible disease. More personally, I pray God will continue to strengthen Adam and I for the task weve been given. I pray we are able to provide everything Mum needs to have a good quality of life and we continue to make wonderful memories with her now, while she still knows. Alzheimers touches nearly everyone. Whether you know someone personally or not, your life is probably touched by it. It could be that man in front of you at the grocery store that just cant remember his debit card pin number or the lady thats just standing in the middle of the aisle at Wal-Mart because she cant find the person she came with. Maybe its your friend whom you havent heard from in weeks. She can no longer go to dinner or come over like she once did because she is caring for a loved one with dementia. Country music singer Glen Campbell is in the final stage of Alzheimers. He allowed a camera crew to document his final 151 event tour which ended about 2 years ago. He had already gotten the diagnosis of Alzheimers. From what Ive seen and read, it is a very real look at Alzheimers as it progresses. Im looking forward to seeing it when it is released later this month (sometime around the 25th I believe). Im grateful Glen has allowed his diagnosis to be used to help others see what this disease has done to him as well as those around him. I hope you will watch it as well. Heres a small snippet .... nbcnews/nightly-news/glen-campbells-battle-alzheimers-last-recorded-song-n220031
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 12:07:02 +0000
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