"I'm not an expert on Alzheimer's disease, but I am an expert on loving someone who has it." – Lauren Dykovitz
They say to write what you know. I know the pain of losing a parent to Alzheimer’s. I know the pain of grieving the loss of someone you love before they even die. I know the pain of losing more and more of your mom every day. I know the pain of trying to learn … Continue reading I Know the Pain of Alzheimer’s, But I Also Know the Love
A few weeks ago, my husband and I went to the beach for a few days. It was a much needed mini-vacay to relax and unwind. I was sitting there on the beach one day, reading a mindless, light book, when it hit me. It had been hours since I thought about my mom and … Continue reading Don’t Let Alzheimer’s Steal All of Your Joy
My mom started hospice care about three weeks ago. Although I’ve known this was coming for quite some time, it was still upsetting to hear that her in-home healthcare nurse had suggested it to my dad. I knew she would be approved immediately upon an evaluation. During my visits over the last several months, I’ve … Continue reading How Can You Go on Living While Someone Is Dying?
I started writing my mom’s eulogy the other day. Not on paper, but in my head. Nothing has happened. Nothing has changed. In fact, things are pretty much the same as they have been for some time now. But we are coming up on the nine-year anniversary of her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. July 2010. And I’ve … Continue reading I Worry About My Mom’s Death Every Day
Do you ever stop to think about when was the last time your loved one did something? When was the last time you took your mom out to lunch or to go shopping? When was the last time your dad came over your house to fix something? When was the last time your wife cooked … Continue reading Here’s Why Losing a Loved One to Alzheimer’s Is so Hard
Guilt. Everyone feels it. Everyone talks about it. Everyone tries their best to avoid it by doing the right thing. But, no one ever tells you that there really is no way around it. Sometimes, no matter how many good things you do, you still find something to feel guilty about. This is especially true … Continue reading The Guilt Will Bury You Alive, If You Let It
I see you, Alzheimer’s Daughter, trying to smile through the pain. I know how much it hurts. You feel as if both of your parents have just disappeared, vanished into some other world. Alzheimer’s World. They are gone forever. Only they’re not really gone. They’re still alive and, maybe, they live just a few miles … Continue reading I See You, Alzheimer’s Daughter
The following is a guest post written and submitted by Jeannine O'Neil. One day, I was listening to music on YouTube and Lady Gaga’s song “The Cure” popped up. I stopped and listened to the words. “If I can't find the cure, I'll I'll fix you with my love No matter what you … Continue reading The Power of Love
My mom went all out for St. Patrick’s Day in 2009. She started planning it weeks ahead of time and invited all of us over to have ham and cabbage that night. I remember thinking how random it all seemed. Sure, we were a bunch of Mc’s, but no one had ever made a big … Continue reading A St. Patrick’s Day Lesson
I’ll never forget the first time my mom looked at me and didn’t know who I was. The mall was ridiculously crowded that day, the way it usually is around Christmas time. We navigated our way through the food court and my mom saved us a table in front of Saladworks. I could see her … Continue reading I’m Sorry That My Grief Makes You Uncomfortable
