Burt seems less restless, even calm, despite the endless chatter. He’ll say he’s scared, but it isn’t urgent. In other words, the prediction that this declining state would be “easier” has come to fruition. His aides can give him water or juice. He’s amenable to eating if they feed him. Burt now entertains himself inContinue reading “Changes”
Tag Archives: #changes
Amazing
In Down down up, I made the case that there was no denying Burt’s impairments. He’s no longer tethered to his Wall Street past, except for his frequent talk of money and time. He doesn’t see the companion of his journey by his side but lives with lots of imagined company. (Let me clarify, althoughContinue reading “Amazing”
A timeline
Burt had a sudden downturn starting in October. Although I have documented Burt’s decline, I am still unsure of the actual events. His decline has been incremental and gradual. It has also come on suddenly, precipitously and unexpectedly. In October, things like confusion and hallucinations seemed more noticeable. Soon thereafter, one of his aides andContinue reading “A timeline”
The sign
It’s been at least two years since I first met this sign on a stretch of East End Avenue. I took it both at face value and as an indicator. Life, our life, had definitely hit a patch of the rough. In our case, we had not had or did not heed or were notContinue reading “The sign”
A weekend routine
We were going out on Saturdays and Sundays. We went to Karl Schurz Park or to watch the waters along the East River Esplanade. We stopped at an ice cream parlor on our route to or from. When the park outings proved too much, we still went out for an ice cream. We went out.Continue reading “A weekend routine”
Rapid
My sense is that Burt started his path in LBD at an advanced stage. From the get-go he went from a period of apathy to being fully confused in what felt like 60 seconds. Capgras was one major symptom; little people enhabited our home; he needed reassurance that he was home. Meds helped a lotContinue reading “Rapid”
Speaking of work
Burt was looking for a job. I know I mentioned that a few times. It’s hard to dissuade him, and this delusion that he needs to work is persistent. The other night, he was intent and preoccupied with some sort of project. He’s always managing and directing others at his job. Work kept him upContinue reading “Speaking of work”
I did it again
Oversharing, longer answers than the question called for is the hallmark of my current convos. A neighbor asked how I was doing. She was sincere, but I tried to be brief. Midway to just saying, “we’re ok, thanks.” I proceeded to add, “we just got him a hospital bed, so that’s a whole new levelContinue reading “I did it again”
Heartbreak
Lewy Body Dementia offers just reams of tales of heartbreak. They appear as unexpectedly as if we all didn’t know where our story was heading. Every decline has been a surprise to me as if there was a plot twist I hadn’t seen coming. I can’t justify this reaction. I know what this journey ofContinue reading “Heartbreak”
For better. Or worse.
BTW, I found the errant marriage certificate in an envelope in this bag today. A helpful neighbor who stopped by to move Burt into a better position in the bed said, “You might not notice, but I see a huge decline in the last 3 months.” I did. Notice that is. The route’s been downhill,Continue reading “For better. Or worse.”
this is our life 