So, I was going to write about how my grandparents drive me crazy with all their questions, and it was going to be funny, too. But then my grandma has been really disoriented and sick the past two days, and it just didn't seem very funny anymore.
She asked if my uncle Brad, who lives in California, was going to sing at her sister's funeral.
She kept looking around the room for Jersey, who wasn't even at the house.
She couldn't find the bathroom this morning, then couldn't remember which way to get back to her bedroom afterwards.
I can't imagine a worse ending to a life, losing one's memory. Every precious moment you've held dear, lost in blankness and confusion.
Acquiring a Nemesis
3 years ago
7 comments:
Oh dear. Has your grandmother been diagnosed with Alzheimer's? I am so sorry. And I agree--a situation like that is heartbreaking for everyone.
If it's any comfort, I imagine it's worse for her loved ones at this stage than it is for her. I mean, she knows she's having trouble getting where she needs to go and finding people she wants to find, but once you get to a certain level of forgetfulness, I'd imagine you stop realizing that the problem is your memory. I hope so, anyway.
My grandpa had Alzheimers and lived with us for awhile. It was really stressful and sad at the time, but after he was gone we were able to look back on it with a touch of humor. I still smile when I open a book at my parents' house and see his named signed at the back (when he went senile he would sign his name at the back of books he'd read, so he wouldn't forget he'd already read them and accidentally read them again :)
Nem, My grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 5 years ago or so. She has taken pills ever since to slow the progression down, but time has definitely taken its toll.
Maria, I can imagine doing the same thing when I'm older, writing my name in all the books I've read. It's a really good sign when people with Alzheimer's continue reading. My gram tries to, but I know she forgets what she's just read and then puts down the book.
I'm so sorry--it's really hard to watch that happen to somebody you love. My grandma suffered from dementia for five years before she finally passed away. I would go visit her and she would ask me the same questions over and over. "How's work? Do you have any trips planned? How's work? Do you have any trips planned?" She couldn't remember if she'd eaten lunch yet or not...
The worst thing was that she used to be so spunky and motivated, but toward the end she couldn't even walk on her own because she was so depressed and unmotivated that she just sat in her chair all day. I really do feel for you. But like Marie said, now that she's been gone awhile, we do look back and chuckle at some of the funny stuff--because she would have chuckled too.
I'm here for you.
I can't really add to any of the other nice comments, so I'll just give into the emoticon.
:(
Take care.
Aw April I'm so sorry to hear your family is going through this. My boyfriend's grandfather doesn't have Alzheimers but he is having health problems at the moment and his minds gone a bit wonky, he keep saying there is a mouse in the room and trying to stamp on it, or that there is somebody in the house, and it's awful to see such a lovely man decline like that so suddenly.
It is a heartbreaking situation. Thinking of you x
Poor lady. :(
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