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Moved into Stage 4

Maru
Maru Member Posts: 243
250 Care Reactions 100 Likes 100 Comments 25 Insightfuls Reactions
Member

DH still works Sudoku. I think he will forget my name before he fogets numbers. What has changed is the frequency of wrong word substitution, stopping mid sentance to remember what he was going to say, or stopping to try to remember what "that thing" is called. A month ago, he was having an occasional "bad day" and then 2 weeks go by without anything. Now, it is every day, although not every conversation. And, he is now starting to forget what I answered 5 minutes ago. By the questions he asks, I can tell that he is having more difficulty in keeping an accurate budget spreadsheet. (yes, I handle all the finances but the spreadsheet is his pride and joy). Furthermore, I was shocked to discover that he had thrown away several months of medical record payments. I guess I have to start checking his waste basket. Connecting the dots is becoming iffy. His recent history is mixed up.Now, I have to initiate hugs rather than he doing so. He is slipping away slowly.

Now, I can see where this is going. Perhaps I have been in some partial denial myself. In spite of making prepartions for future decline.

Comments

  • DavidPatterson1965
    DavidPatterson1965 Member Posts: 2
    5 Likes First Comment
    Member

    Thank you for sharing, Meru and Charley. Your posts help me.

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 2,596
    2500 Comments 1,000 Care Reactions 1,000 Likes 500 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    Denial is common in early stages. It’s a defense mechanism to protect us from the awful truth of this terrible disease. Each new behavior is like a gut punch. Hugs. 💜

  • Goodlife2025
    Goodlife2025 Member Posts: 143
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    Member

    I remember only two years ago with my wife at maybe stage 3 and us going through the steps of diagnosis; I didn't want this EOA to be the truth and my stage of denial while short lived was a much needed in order to really wrap my head around where my life was about to head.

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