New Milestone

lilacgirl

Today was the first time my mom denied that I was her daughter — she instead was quite convinced that I was her cousin (we have the same first name) and that I used to spend college summers living and working with her at the shore.

I know we are not supposed to correct their reality, but I couldn't help it. At one point she said, "Even though we were related, we were such good friends." I said, "You mean before you became my mother?" Luckily that made her laugh, in fact we both were laughing hysterically throughout this absurd conversation, but I kind of wanted to cry!

Anyway, just sharing; I know many of you have experienced this weird, kind of heartbreaking milestone.

JulietteBee

Hugs!🫂

I totally understand and can relate to the emotions you felt, in the moment.

When it first occured in my mother-daughter relationship, I silently hoped it would be a one-and-done occurrence. It proved not to be.

Mom continues to insist that I am not her daughter. She believes I just happen to have the same name as her daughter and she just met me since "moving into this facility."

The situation is so bad. Last week, mom called ME on the phone, while I was in the other room, to ask ME, if I could "come over." She wanted ME to let me know that I am her only daughter.🤔

This disease is the vilest.😡

Emily 123

It is a gut punch, no matter how you brace yourself for it. It's very hard at first to just ride along with it. On the 'Dementia with Grace' YouTube channel Vickie recommended just rolling with it and if there was an opportunity you could reinforce that you're someone who cares about them. That seemed to give my mom some comfort. YMMV.

notequipped

Ugh, I’m so sorry. That must be really difficult. I suspect we’re not too far off from that point. I also suspect that no matter how ‘prepared’ you think you are for it, it’s still quite a shock when it happens.