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Life, Love, and Alzheimer's

"I'm not an expert on Alzheimer's disease, but I am an expert on loving someone who has it." – Lauren Dykovitz

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Mom and me April 2019

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My mom slept through most of her birthday party. She didn’t even wake up when my niece was screaming “wake up, wake up” right next to her. That makes me sad, but also happy that my nieces treat their Nana like anyone else. They don’t think she’s any different and they’re not afraid to be around her. . My mom finally woke up when we were listening to birthday music and talking about getting her cake ready. She even smiled and laughed a little bit. We took advantage of this time by taking a bunch of beautiful photos and singing “Happy Birthday” to her, which you saw in the video I posted yesterday. . Making the most of these days and cherishing every gift along the way. It’s not easy. Joy and love mixed with sadness and grief. Life is a beautiful mess. 💜 . #lifeloveandalzheimers #alzheimers #alzheimersawareness #alzsucks #endalz #dementia #dementiaawareness #dementiasucks #caregiver #motherdaughter #mom #love #grief #birthday

Happy 72nd Birthday, Mom! You deserve all the love and happiness in the world. I’m so grateful I got to spend the day with you. And even more grateful for this video. I love you more than words! 💜 . #lifeloveandalzheimers #alzheimers #alzheimersawareness #alzsucks #endalz #dementia #dementiaawareness #dementiasucks #caregiver #motherdaughter #mom #birthday #grief #death #hospice

I went to the grocery store earlier today to get a cake, candles, balloons, and a card for my mom’s birthday tomorrow. . I selected everything carefully. I even had a woman in the bakery write “Happy Birthday, Mom” on the cake. . As I was checking out, the cashier happily said, “It looks like it’s somebody’s birthday!” . I said, “Oh yeah, my mom’s.” . She jokingly said, “That’s nice. Then I guess it’s 72 and not 27,” referring to the numbered candles I had picked out. . I laughed politely and said, “Yeah, although I’m sure she wishes it was the other way around.” . My next thought was that my mom was young and healthy when she turned 27. She could walk and talk and feed herself. She could take a shower and dress herself. She could make decisions and have conversations. She would have been celebrating her next birthday, not her last one. . My mom wasn’t even my mom yet when she turned 27. . I wanted so badly to tell the cashier, “This is going to be her last one. 72 will be her last birthday.” . But, I didn’t. I held it in. . And then I realized, it doesn’t matter if it’s her last one. I can make it her best one. It doesn’t have to be sad and awful. It can still be happy and fun. . We are celebrating 72 years of her life. There are a lot of people who don’t make it that far. We are lucky to still have her. I am lucky to be here to celebrate with her. . I don’t have to do this. I GET to do this. . I don’t have to be here. I GET to be here. . Today I was just a normal daughter buying a cake and candles and balloons for her mom’s birthday. . Tomorrow I will be just a normal daughter singing “Happy Birthday” to her mom. . Make no mistake, this will be her last birthday. But it is still her birthday. . Next year will probably look much different. So instead of trudging through the day all sad and mopey tomorrow, I’ll try to cherish every moment. . I’ll be a normal daughter celebrating her mom’s birthday just this one last time. . #lifeloveandalzheimers #alzheimers #alzsucks #endalz #motherdaughter #mom #death #grief #hospice

“Grateful because even in this darkness, my mom shines a bright light. And that light will be with me and in me to guide me through all the days of my life. It will never leave me. And neither will she.” . Link in bio. 💜 . #lifeloveandalzheimers #alzheimers #alzheimersawareness #alzsucks #endalz #dementia #dementiaawareness #dementiasucks #caregiver #motherdaughter #mom #death #dying #grief #grieving #gratitude #hospice

The Life, Love, and Alzheimer's Podcast

My podcast is here to let you know that you are not alone on your journey of caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease. I hope to normalize the thoughts and feelings of Alzheimer's caregivers. I'm not an expert on Alzheimer's disease, but I am an expert on loving someone who has it.

Lauren Dykovitz 2018

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