We were guaranteed that our LBD spouse wouldn’t forget who we are, but that’s a little complicated. Burt has such extreme Capgras that he asks me who I am many times each day. Also, he complains about the “other one” who forces him to eat. The syndrome is one in which your person with dementiaContinue reading “Who?”
Category Archives: Lewy Body
His job search
Burt has obsessed about working for a while now. I was encouraged this morning when he seemed ready to relinquish his dream of a job. Like everything in our lives these days that didn’t last long. He developed a new interest in taking in laundry after that and conflated his cousin with the guy whoContinue reading “His job search”
Hallucinations
Well, yes, it is a good thing that they’re not scary. Burt’s hallucinations are mostly benign. A group of pals and co- workers he’s gathered into our home. They make him feel connected, I think, and less alone. His dreams and delusions seem, on the other hand, to be frightening. He is always lost withoutContinue reading “Hallucinations”
Saints and sinners
The things that annoyed you when he was well will still be maddening when he’s ill. You are not a saint, and your spouse’s diagnosis does not make you supra- human. Leave the saints to religion and on tapestries at the Cloisters. Cheerful caregiving is an art and an act. You can do it. YouContinue reading “Saints and sinners”
A deep dive
Burt’s dementia started with explosive symptoms from the get-go. He was listless for a while but quickly proceeded to mimic schizophrenia. [This in no way excuses the doctor who offered this up as a diagnosis. As the neurologist’s team said 80 year olds don’t suddenly become schizophrenic.] These next phases included delusions and Capgras Syndrome.Continue reading “A deep dive”
Lewy is unlike other dementias
Alzheimer’s is an orderly dementia. It progresses in stages. There is a pattern as its awful symptoms afflict your loved one over time. No dementia is easy. They are each unique. Lewy Body is unpredictable. Symptoms come and go. You and your person can be plunged into troubling situations one day, only to have aContinue reading “Lewy is unlike other dementias”
Literary illusions/alusions
In the beginning, just before we got his diagnosis, I would describe our life in view of literature. The comparison to Ionesco fed my worldly aspirations. Rhinoceros also kind of described where Capgras was leading us. Of course, Groundhog Day also fit the bill when repetition was a regimen. An attempt at absurdist wit wasContinue reading “Literary illusions/alusions”
All the to-dos
Write about your approach to budgeting. There are so many things that can overwhelm the caregiver in this journey. It’s not just the responsibility – both financial and physical – and our loved one’s urgent and ongoing needs, but the long lists of what-to-dos. There are supplies we have to keep on hand. Burt justContinue reading “All the to-dos”
The confusion
It’s hard to resist the urge to say “really? Really, you don’t know that your first wife was named Susan?” Just one of a series of “really’s” that his infliction brings to the fore. As we’re on a high of successes, his confusion is more unwelcome. I feel it like the contradiction pulling me downContinue reading “The confusion”
Confused
Confusion comes and goes 🎢 with “Benny Blue.” 🎢 For instance, Burt’s level had seemingly hit a high water (or maybe I should say low water) mark. Then today, the word-scramble went back to his normal. Yesterday, he didn’t recognize the term he had been using to describe his dementia; he had called it “BennyContinue reading “Confused”
this is our life 