Now and Then~~~
This weekend I learned that my neighbor’s condition has worsened. Her Alzheimer’s is rapidly progressing. Alzheimer’s savagely attacks short term memory, so while she can sometimes recall events in her past in great detail, her grasp of the present is swiftly slipping away. Because of this, she and her husband returned to their winter home in the mid-west to be closer to their family.
They are such a lovely couple who have been married for many years. They have shared a lifetime of experiences together. My heart wept as I suddenly realized that they will never be able to share present again in the ways that they have always known.
On the day that they left, I heard her ask her husband the same question at least 50 times within ten minutes. He never raised his voice. He never raised his voice. He always answered her question. He always called her “Dear.”
Love is patient, love is kind.
it does not envy; it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
Corinthians 13:4-8
Alzheimers is an insidious disease. Bless the husband for remaining gentle and kind with her, in spite of the frustration that surely arises. I could tell stories about my mother and her walk with Alzheimers that might curl your toes. Actually, it was her and my walk since I took her in to live with me and became her full time caregiver until her final breath. Nice tosee you here 🙂
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My brother died of this heartless killer Oct 1 06. For ten yrs-it finally took him at age 80.
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This is a very moving entry, including the recognition of the husband’s double loss- his wife as he knew her, and the present. Bless you.
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Wyeth Pharmaceuticals declared “war” on Alzheimers and has spent 500 million dollars working on a cure by making the body immune to it by removing the plaque between brain cells that’s unique to Alzheimer’s. Their Prevnar is in worldwide use now. It gives immunity to pneumonia with a simple injection. My son-in law had one and the Dr said: “You will never have pneumonia again”. Several other killers are in the works. A whole new world of curing disease by providing immunity to them is coming. The old ways will soon be dinosaur medicine.
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This truly is a “heartless killer” ! ! ! Prayers for her hubby and family.
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Corinthians 13:4-8 sums up the definition of love, huh. That hubby seems to have mirrored love. Is there a greater crime to be robbed of precious memories or to be robbed of Time~ Bri
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It is such a great tragedy! Hugs,
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