It’s easy to find little annoyances that “ruin” our day but honestly it’s just as easy to find gratitude. I am heading to meet some fellow caregivers at a party. Alzheimer’s Association 6th Annual Caregiver Appreciation Event will be our first in person meet-up. Those of us who’ve been answering writer prompts will also shareContinue reading “Grateful”
Tag Archives: #frightening
Fears
Paranoia is a frequent visitor as we age. I think it’s because the old know they [ok we] are vulnerable. For those with dementia there’s a greater feeling of susceptibility. Your p.w.d. may seem unaware of having a malady, but s/he senses that there is something off. Paranoia seems like a way to protect ourselvesContinue reading “Fears”
Sadness, no Sorrow
We need to grieve our sorrow. So do our sweethearts who are afflicted. I specifically said “sorrow” rather than sadness. It’s a deeper and more encompassing emotion. It seems that as his disease progresses, Burt grieves less. He appears to be less aware of his situation; if that is so, I am glad for him.Continue reading “Sadness, no Sorrow”
Argumentative
Early on, I lamented not being able to argue with my husband. Now, when I scream at him out of exasperation from another room, he thinks there are two crazy women in his life. That’s not fair to him and must be a tad terrifying. His demonstrations of anger seem to be a way ofContinue reading “Argumentative”
At the start
When Burt first presented with his array of bizarre and unexpected symptoms, I simultaneously felt [that] “I couldn’t” and “I got this.” My current state of mind is very similarly disposed to having it both ways. Often, it looks like he’s also on the same page. “Got it” and “I just can’t.” After a recentContinue reading “At the start”
Why, indeed
Atilla My Hon after his exertions (aka tantrums and unpleasantness) on an outing this afternoon. My struggles this Friday afternoon, facing a weekend alone with my cranky love, focus on figuring out why going out into a beautiful sunny day causes so much agitation. The agitation makes me fear for his safety and my abilityContinue reading “Why, indeed”
In his shoes
It was a purely serendipitous occurrence. I got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I leave the lights off, not to disturb Burt. My hand accidentally brushed against the switch. I turned it off again, and the sudden darkness blinded me. I reached for what I thought was theContinue reading “In his shoes”
All of a sudden
It’s counterintuitive that someone with a degenerative brain disease should routinely hold conflicting thoughts simultaneously. Apparently, this is exactly what happens here. Burt easily entertains opposing and disparate thoughts. It has surprised me before. The other day, after weeks of looking at his birthday balloons and saying how nice it was of each of theContinue reading “All of a sudden”