For those of you who do not already know, my name is Lauren Dykovitz. I am currently a 29-year-old full-time Army Wife at Fort Rucker, Alabama. I am from Bear, Delaware, where my husband, Steve, and I own a home and my parents live about 2 miles away. We are living at Fort Rucker for the next year while my husband attends flight school for the Delaware Army National Guard. We have a 4 1/2-year-old black lab named Oakley, who is our child. I have been wanting to start a blog for a while now. Although I will write about my experiences as an Army Wife and Doggie Mom, as well as my ongoing daily struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (self-diagnosed), my main reason for this blog is something completely different. Her name is Jerie.
Jerie is my 66-year-old mom, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in July of 2010. Along with my sister, Melissa, and my dad, Jack, I have struggled significantly over the past 4 years to accept my mom’s condition. I have found it difficult to witness my mom struggle with this horrific disease on a daily basis. Making it all the more difficult, I have moved to Alabama temporarily, which means that I will not see my mom as often and am not available to help my dad take care of her. Writing has always been a passion of mine so I have decided to start this blog to fulfill two purposes: one, to give myself an outlet for all of the thoughts and emotions that go along with having a mom with Alzheimer’s, and two, to potentially help others who are affected by this disease, but may feel as though they are alone in their struggle.
Disclosure: I intend to write posts that are real and raw. Some of the material that I write may be upsetting to read. However, laughter is my drug of choice, so I will choose to keep the content light-hearted, at times. I can also be very sarcastic, so if you find that you are offended by something that I have said, you should realize that I am probably just kidding. I curse…a lot. I will make no apologies for my language on MY blog. Cursing was practically a job requirement at my previous job of 5+ years. If you do not like my language and find that you are not able to overlook it, then you should probably stop reading my blog 😉
For those of you who are still here with me, please read along about my experience with my mom’s illness, as well as Fort Rucker, Sweet Home Alabama, Oakley, OCD, and anything else I can think of to write about. I promise to make you laugh, make you cry, and always keep you coming back for more.
Lauren, I am very excited to read your blog! Just like you my family has been through the struggles of Alzhiemers as my Grandfather had this terrible disease. Many of my childhood memories have him in them as a healthy man who loved his family and life. Memories became not so good ones as alzhiemers took over, he reverted back to his military days, anger, foul launage, and taking the care for a ride, where he was going we don’t know, we are just thankful it ran out of gas and the police found him. No matter what the disease did to him, made him say, or his actions he was my grandfather, man I looked up to and loved very much. Alzhiemers sucks, but we must have patience with those who suffer from it and when a care giver needs help there should be no shame in asking. As family that’s what we do!! So if your mom needs something feel free to reach out to me and I’ll be more then happy to do my best in helping!!
Thank you for sharing your story! I know how much you and Steve care about my mom and dad. Thank you so much!
Growing up with your Mom as an older sister, and your Dad as a brother in law was like having another set of parents. I spent a lot of time with them, especially in the summer (down the beach) and worked for your Dad the summer before I went into the service. They always treated me great, and I remember those days like yesterday! Good times!
Love your mom and dad! Not only am I losing a sister, I’m losing my best friend! We would go shopping every black Friday, get together every week and do something, talk on the phone all the time! Can’t say enough about your dad, he’s a good guy ! This is a very sad disease!
Thank you Uncle Jeff and Aunt Diane for your comments. My mom and dad love you both very much! My mom always talks about her little brother and her sister, who is also her best friend. Your comments help remind me that I’m not the only one affected by my mom’s illness, making my blog that much more important to write. Love you all!
This is one of the hardest things you will ever encounter. It will take time to really get adjusted to this “new” mom. Under her confusion and memory lapses, she is still the same caring, loving person who raised you and Melissa to be fine young women. I have loved her for almost 50 years, since she first met Jack. Jerie has always been there for me and I will be there for all of you. You and Melissa and especially your Dad are always in my prayers. It’s a long, hard road but I have confidence you are up to it. Love You, Aunt Elaine
Thank you Aunt Elaine! I know how much you love me, Melissa, and my parents. Although you have enough on your plate taking care of Uncle John, you are always there for us and we love you so much! Muah!