There’s a lyric from a song I like by Dua Lipa that has absolutely nothing to do with Alzheimer’s, but it makes me think of it nonetheless. “Though it took some time to survive you, I’m better on the other side.” That’s exactly how I feel about my Alzheimer’s journey. It took a long time … Continue reading I’m Better On the Other Side of My Alzheimer’s Journey
Tag: Alzheimer’s
Take the Trip
I’m back! My husband and I had a beautiful (and much-needed) vacation visiting the Grand Canyon and Sedona. We did a lot and saw a lot of amazing views along the way. While I fully enjoyed myself and didn’t feel guilty about anything, I thought about my mom a lot. Many times as I was … Continue reading Take the Trip
It Feels Good to Be Excited For a Vacation Again
My husband and I are getting ready to go on a vacation for our ten-year wedding anniversary. As we’ve been preparing things and planning what to do on our trip, I noticed that something feels different this time. I wasn’t quite sure what it was at first, but I was finally able to put my … Continue reading It Feels Good to Be Excited For a Vacation Again
Don’t Give Up On Your Own Life
I did not allow myself to enjoy my own life when my mom was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. I did not allow myself to enjoy spending time with my husband and friends. I did not allow myself to enjoy going away on a vacation. I did not allow myself to have fun in any sense … Continue reading Don’t Give Up On Your Own Life
To the Bride Whose Parent Has Alzheimer’s…
My husband and I are approaching our tenth wedding anniversary on September 24th. The other night we were sitting on the couch and I said to him, “You know what sucks? I hate thinking back to when we got married because it was such a painful time in my life. I love you so much … Continue reading To the Bride Whose Parent Has Alzheimer’s…
Changing Your Perspective Won’t Change Your Circumstances, But It Will Change You
When I was in the thick of my mom’s Alzheimer’s, I often felt down, depressed, and hopeless. I mostly focused on all that I had lost and would continue to lose as my mom declined. I would read things about being positive, finding joy, and hunting the good stuff and I would scoff. How could … Continue reading Changing Your Perspective Won’t Change Your Circumstances, But It Will Change You
Don’t Further Isolate Yourself—Alone Is Not the Way
When I was helping to care for my mom with Alzheimer’s, I often distanced myself from my friends because I felt like they couldn’t possibly understand what I was going through. They probably couldn’t because they had never been through it themselves, but I also never bothered trying to explain it to them. Instead, I … Continue reading Don’t Further Isolate Yourself—Alone Is Not the Way
Sometimes Grief Just Sucks
The other day I went to Target to get some face moisturizer because I was running out. As I was walking through the store, I saw an older woman looking at a cute crop top in the girls’ section. She pulled it off the rack and held it up, examining it. I’m sure she was … Continue reading Sometimes Grief Just Sucks
Let Go of the Guilt—There Is No Such Thing as Enough
Of all the emotions I dealt with during my mom’s battle with Alzheimer’s—anger, resentment, sadness, grief—I have to say that guilt was probably the most prevalent. It was the one thing I felt every single day of her ten-year journey. No matter how much I did. No matter how much I didn’t do. Whether it … Continue reading Let Go of the Guilt—There Is No Such Thing as Enough
Introducing My Mentoring Services for Alzheimer’s Daughters
My mom was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s in 2010 when I was just 25 years old. I didn’t know anyone my age who understood what I was going through. I didn’t know anyone who had ever dealt with a parent having Alzheimer’s disease. None of my friends, co-workers, or other peers could relate to … Continue reading Introducing My Mentoring Services for Alzheimer’s Daughters