...but this Blogathon contest I entered made me post more than once a year, and that's huge. And I've heard from colleagues, as well as folks I don't know who have read the blog.
This past weekend, my husband and I watched The Iron Lady, the movie about Margaret Thatcher. I expected the movie to be chronological -- going through her career first, then getting into her battle with Alzheimer's.
Wrong! It started with Alzheimer's and flashed back on her life. It also dealt with hallucinations she had -- such as her husband still being alive, or she believed she was still prime minister.
It reminded me of times with my mom -- she would hallucinate that she was a little girl and would get up in the middle of the night and ask where her mom was. Thank God I was alerted to this by my sister and was able to figure out something that calmed her down.
My grandmother was a registered nurse and worked in the emergency room -- probably some nights. So I would tell Mom (pretending to be her sister) that her mom was working the night shift in the ER. Amazingly, that worked and she went back to bed.
I wish things were that easy with caregiving, or everyone dealing with a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer's. Unfortunately, as we all well know, it's never easy.
All your posts noting the reality of Alzheimer's have been very educational for me, Anne. Also, they help me feel the depth of pain and loss for those of you remaining, who can see the body, but can't reach the mind, of those we hold so dear through memories.
ReplyDeleteWhenever you write -- I will read and value it. THANKS. Bonney O.