(For you) Alzheimer’s is…

Arrowhead

I posted this on Caregivers Forum on Monday and it was suggested to me that I post it on this forum also. 

In September of 2020, a post asked us to complete the sentence, “Alzheimer’s is…” At the time, my response was, “knowing that, if I can’t find it, it’s probably in her purse.” What a difference 2 years have made. She no longer has a purse. At the time, I had a 5 foot tall 5-year-old; now I have a 5 foot tall 3-year old, in diapers even. There’s nothing constructive that she can do on her own anymore. Her communication skills are gone. She’s lost 75 pounds, even though she eats more than I do. When I put my arms around her, it no longer feels like her. She looks so much older than she really is. I decided to see if I could get this started again. Please add your thoughts; funny or sad. 

Alzheimer’s is…missing my wife, even though she’s lying in bed next to me.

Kenzie56

Alzheimer's is white water rafting with large and small waterfalls when you least expect them.

Last Dance

Alzheimer's is like floundering in the ocean and you ask someone to throw you a life line but instead they throw you a ANCHOR. while the sharks can smell blood and  are circling closer, and closer. Its also like a knife that stabs you in the heart, and then gets twisted to cause you more pain.

Nowhere

Moving into an AirBB garage apartment for a month,  so I can visit him three times a day and help care for him. It’s not working for either of us with my living 3 hour round trip away. He’s facility “wife” passed, and he’s lost, lonely, and neglected.

Just Bill

For me dementia has meant taking a detour into the "Twilight Zone and Outer Limits". All I need is the theme music and I am there.

F&E

Like riding a bronco bull it’s in control and you do your best deal with it

Joydean

Thank you Arrowhead. 

For me Alzheimer is something evil that crawled in and stole our dreams, our worked for plans and our lives. This evil took a hammer and started smashing and smashing to destroy not just one of us but both. That’s Alzheimer’s! Turning a man into a child and wife into a caregiver. 

Marta

For me, Alzheimer’s continues to dominate my thoughts. My husband died four years ago from EOAD. 

In the interim my family has started an Adult Family Home where we care for dementia patients. We do this to honor our loved one. 

toolbeltexpert

Alzheimers is "I love you" washing feet, wiping butts, putting clothes on, just one more bite, it's OK I forget sometimes too. I love you two and three and four and a millions times more.

Davegrant

For me dementia is constant confusion about my wife and self-confinement for me in the house.

Josie in Podunk

…being a lifeguard at Bondi Beach (Australia)…you know the rocks and the rip tides are out there…you just don’t know when they’re gonna getcha.

Sadderthanever

Feeling depressed? Hopeless. DH has forgotten the names of things and every time he can’t remember the name of a common object it feels like a kick in the gut.

Sadderthanever

Depressed anyone?

CStrope

Isolating.  For all involved.

Another Day

________ is frustration, finely tuned. Just when you think you figure out how to make something work, it changes. Then it changes again. From one moment to the next you're dealing with the unknown, He's fine for the moment, then he's not. The isolation can be the worst at times. I'm so thankful to have a good relationship with God, I often find myself asking, OK Father, what do I do now? A-N-D thank you Father when something works.

Just Bill

Yes. Isolating. And depressing. Depression just sits there every morning mocking me. Do I give in and let it win or do I get up early and workout and meditate and beat it one more day ? So far every day I beat it, but it is there still every morning mocking me.

ImMaggieMae

Sadness. Isolation. And having someone who needs me more than anyone has ever needed me before.

Crushed

Alzheimer's is   the words of Auguste Deter Dr. Alzheimer's original patient

  Ich habe mich verloren 

"I have lost my self"    I find the German even more expressive than the English

 

 

jfkoc

Alzheimers is a thief.....

John1965

Here's the original post:

https://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?g=posts&t=2147554025&boardid=77

Alzheimer's is cruel.

wants out

My husband is disappearing a little each day. Sometimes I don't even know who he is

danapuppy

Alzhiemer's is learning who your family and friends really are.

MaryCarla

Alzheimer's means finding a new normal every day and remembering that I am the one that must change because he can't.

Denise1847

your response resonates with me.   It feels like friends fear they will catch your misfortunate.  No one calls, no one visits, no one asks if they can help.   My family I hear from but no one really gets it and offers to give me a break so I can get out.

Sandy1956

Alzheimer’s is a punch in the gut that rips both our lives away.

Ed1937

After yesterday, I have my answer. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are the things that don't go away quickly when your job finally comes to an end. It hangs around to ravage you more.

Ecal

... living with Dr. Jekyll most of the time, but never knowing when Mr. Hyde will appear.

... answering the same question over... and over... and over...

Norm 22

... a long and winding dark road during a nightmare