You and your spouse have a dynamic. It is likely, nay certain, that that dynamic will change as dementia takes hold. If you are like me, reluctant to let go, wishing it weren’t so, you will try to keep the rhythm of your relationship. It isn’t there. Sadly. They tell me acceptance will make itContinue reading “Rhythms”
Category Archives: Symptoms & signs
Communication
Some of our conversations feel like this “Challenge Game.”
In appreciation
Burt is still a difficult man. The diagnosis didn’t change that. He had quirks that irked when he was healthy. Let’s be honest, if you’re married, then your spouse has an annoying habit or two. His illness had me step back a little. It put my annoyance in perspective. The anxiety he’d lived with allContinue reading “In appreciation”
Understanding
It’s nice when Burt gets the gist of my writing about him. When it contains the promise of my love as in the poem I created for him the other night, he’s a happy audience. So much of what I say is distorted on its way to meet him that it can be a frustrationContinue reading “Understanding”
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”
Promptly
Do you need a break? From what? In my context, the context of this blog, the answer is sadly obvious. Do I need a break from caregiving? Yes, I am sure I do. I am sure any of us in these circumstances does. What’s more, I am sure we all wish we didn’t. Wouldn’t itContinue reading “Promptly”
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”
Prompted
So much that is too Much yet, I can’t fixThat. Why me, Burt Cries? I concur whyIndeed. I want to, I Do. I want to make itAll better, go away.I want to fix it. All Of it. I want to fixThat. I want our lifeBack. So very much.The elders would say”If wishes were horsesThen beggarsContinue reading “Prompted”
Calm down
When I am unable to accomplish something with Burt, I don’t stay calm. Burt, sounding reasonable, tells me to calm down. This guidance is wise. My panicking and consequently screaming louder at him tends to have the unwelcome opposite effect. He has done nothing wrong as he is quick to point out. For the mostContinue reading “Calm down”
Early signs, or what did I miss?
Listlessness, which was unlike the active guy I knew, was a warning. One day, out of the blue, he forgot how to work the remote. He had been making and planning our TV selections for a long time. He took pleasure in following the guide on the set to decide what we’d watch. This inContinue reading “Early signs, or what did I miss?”
this is our life 