Have any questions about how to use the community? Check out the Help Discussion.

How I see my life

My life is like Peggy's life, she is the sister of Gothic Gremlin.  My life is somewhat like her life, although I do not have the depth of her verbal difficulties.  My life has definitely become smaller.  I call this my bubble.  I don't see this as sad, because I have had a great life.  I see this as the next step in my life.  I see myself as a Pioneer, not as a victim.  When I am in my bubble, I feel comfortable.  Unfortunately for me, I still have to interact with the outside world too much because I have to do everything myself.  But I am working on this part, meaning, I am working on limiting the outside world.  

I posted over here because I did not want to hijack Gothic Gremlin's thread.  I have come to realize that patients and family members look at our situations so differently.  I'm not saying that having dementia is good, no, not at all.  It's more like, I was handed these lemons (memory deficits and my many medical issues), so I'm going to make lemonade.  I'm going to make the best out of a bad situation.  And believe me, it's been bad, very bad.  But with whatever I have at my disposal, I am determined to make the remainder of my life be not bad.  To be as good as I can make it, on my own.

I must add that I did go through a deep depression phase that lasted about eleven months.  I only came through the deep depression by changing my perspective and by becoming a Pioneer in my mind.  I absorbed everything I read on these message board pages and came up with a new philosophy of life to enable me to go on.  It's the only thing that helps me.

Iris

Comments

  • ladyzetta
    ladyzetta Member Posts: 1,028
    Seventh Anniversary 1000 Comments 25 Likes 5 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    Iris.

    You are an amazing pioneer. You have helped so many people. I joined this group when I had to place my DH in MC and you along others helped me more then you will ever know. I hope in some way we can help you, through this journey. We are here form you. Hugs Zetta 

  • EllisA
    EllisA Member Posts: 34
    10 Comments Second Anniversary
    Member

    Iris you are an exceptionally Brave Pioneer,  I can't imagine the issues you have and constantly deal with. Mine seem so trivial.  I do my best to keep my positive bubble.  Thanks for that phrase.  it seems that it gets deflated more and more recently, however I pump it back up with positive thoughts and prayers.  After all you might remember I promised my 9 year old Granddaughter that I will beat her High School Graduation.  That is only 5 years away.  I am and want to continue to everything possible to attend her graduation.  We have 5 other Grand Children, so I need to work really hard to work towards that hast one's diploma which will be in 2033.  Holy Molly,  I will not say how ancient I will be then,but that is my next target.

    MY PCP and his partner are optomistic, (sp) sorry,  hopefully they are on track and realistic.  At any rate, I am ready for when He calls me home.  I simply Pray, and do my best DAILY to keep myself in shape and in contact with reality.  Sometimes it is really hard, jet I do want to keep pushing so I am not a burden on anyone.

    Thank you for your positive approach.  I know it is helpful to me, hopefully to many others.  I can't remember the name of the new person to this string,  However, Welcome.  I will pray for your support too.  May God Bless each of you.  Have a great day!!!!!  EllisA

  • GothicGremlin
    GothicGremlin Member Posts: 865
    Fifth Anniversary 250 Likes 250 Care Reactions 500 Comments
    Member
    Oh, Iris. (((((Iris))))) That's me hugging you.

    About a year after Peggy was diagnosed she told me she cried and cried about it. Then she decided that that was it, she wasn't going give up, that she was going to do whatever she could to make sure that her life was a happy one for as long as possible. She would make lemonade out of lemons. I swear to you she said those very words to me.

    And you know what? She's doing that, to this day, just like you.

    Iris, you are a Pioneer, strong and determined.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more