Mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in March of 2010, and it's been a very difficult, yet interesting year since. On Friday the 8th, she suffered a massive stroke while at breakfast at the facility, and chose to leave us yesterday morning.
I, my brother and sister are very relieved.
Known as the "Long Goodbye," Alzheimer's must be one of the hardest ways to go - the total loss of your memories, not able to recognize your children, completely dependent upon others for your activities of daily living. It's hard on the family as well - that person that used to be part of your life and who made incredible potato salad and yams at family gatherings goes away - and will never come back. You say your good byes, and then you wait, and you wait, and you wait.... until finally it ends. It's Finally, Finally, over.
It's been a sucky two years, to say the least.
One of the things that helps the family is knowledge. Understanding.
Questions are many and varied, and ramp themselves out of your consciousness at the most inopportune times. You're constantly surprised. Having answers available quells your anxiety, and helps to make the process almost tolerable. Almost. Just not quite.
There are many sources of information out there thanks to the internet - but understanding what it is and what it does is paramount to getting through it. PBS.org did a documentary on Alzheimer's in 2006 - and I've found it valuable in my education. The Forgetting - WATCH THIS!
I know that some, if not many of you out there in my virtual FJR family either have been affected, or will be affected by Alzheimer's. So please watch the PBS show.
Why am I posting this?
I'm not quite sure. Perhaps others can learn from my experience. I've done the gamut. My sister and I have done the Medicare-Medi-cal-Kaiser-incontinence supplies-filloutaform dance many, many times - and we've had to discover a lot of it on our own. I have wonderful friends that have been through this, and having them as a sounding board has been huge. And they always had a beer ready.
Maybe some of you out there that are facing what I've just gone through can call me - and maybe I can help. Or maybe I can just listen.
Just so you won't have to dance so hard.
Bernice Marie Turner
Nov 15, 1924 - Apr 17, 2011. Rest In Peace, Nana. We all miss you.
God Bless.
I, my brother and sister are very relieved.
Known as the "Long Goodbye," Alzheimer's must be one of the hardest ways to go - the total loss of your memories, not able to recognize your children, completely dependent upon others for your activities of daily living. It's hard on the family as well - that person that used to be part of your life and who made incredible potato salad and yams at family gatherings goes away - and will never come back. You say your good byes, and then you wait, and you wait, and you wait.... until finally it ends. It's Finally, Finally, over.
It's been a sucky two years, to say the least.
One of the things that helps the family is knowledge. Understanding.
Questions are many and varied, and ramp themselves out of your consciousness at the most inopportune times. You're constantly surprised. Having answers available quells your anxiety, and helps to make the process almost tolerable. Almost. Just not quite.
There are many sources of information out there thanks to the internet - but understanding what it is and what it does is paramount to getting through it. PBS.org did a documentary on Alzheimer's in 2006 - and I've found it valuable in my education. The Forgetting - WATCH THIS!
I know that some, if not many of you out there in my virtual FJR family either have been affected, or will be affected by Alzheimer's. So please watch the PBS show.
Why am I posting this?
I'm not quite sure. Perhaps others can learn from my experience. I've done the gamut. My sister and I have done the Medicare-Medi-cal-Kaiser-incontinence supplies-filloutaform dance many, many times - and we've had to discover a lot of it on our own. I have wonderful friends that have been through this, and having them as a sounding board has been huge. And they always had a beer ready.
Maybe some of you out there that are facing what I've just gone through can call me - and maybe I can help. Or maybe I can just listen.
Just so you won't have to dance so hard.
Bernice Marie Turner
Nov 15, 1924 - Apr 17, 2011. Rest In Peace, Nana. We all miss you.
God Bless.
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