A Coca-Cola party in Austria
We've lived with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's for 3 years and 5 months, and I'm still amazed that on a day to day basis, our life is still so good. Life isn't perfect for anyone, and there will always be hiccups along the way......
I know, with Alzheimer's ... these hiccups will change and increase as time progresses, but for now ...... there are days when I feel like David doesn't have this disease at all. Then out of the blue there will be a disappointing reminder..........
There have been times (not often) when David sees something, and it isn't visible to me. The first time this happened, he was upset with me because I couldn't see 'a small airplane' flying in and out of our neighbors roof top. After that incidence, I made the decision that I will agree with him, and this has made it easier for him and me (but it is a painful reminder).
The first year after the diagnosis, oh how I wanted our normal life back again!!! As time has gone by, I've almost forgotten what our 'previous normal life' was like (so, what is normal?)....our life now is our new normal.....Time is such a great healer!
I no longer expect or ask David to do things around the house or in the yard like I did in the past, and I'm thankful that it feels NORMAL to help him get dressed. It feels like 'another life ago,' when he would get dressed and put on his white shirt and tie and go to work. The pictures in this post from our Coke trips also feel like another life...........
I'm so thankful for the old normal and the new normal ...and for time....the mystery and healing of time. Our life is good, and I say, "thank you God."
*********************************************
Here's a photo of us getting into a helicopter in New Zealand
It was cold and snowing outside the old hotel on a mountaintop in Switzerland
Cold again.... on a mountain top (the Parthenon) in Athens, Greece.
We've lived with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's for 3 years and 5 months, and I'm still amazed that on a day to day basis, our life is still so good. Life isn't perfect for anyone, and there will always be hiccups along the way......I know, with Alzheimer's ... these hiccups will change and increase as time progresses, but for now ...... there are days when I feel like David doesn't have this disease at all. Then out of the blue there will be a disappointing reminder..........
There have been times (not often) when David sees something, and it isn't visible to me. The first time this happened, he was upset with me because I couldn't see 'a small airplane' flying in and out of our neighbors roof top. After that incidence, I made the decision that I will agree with him, and this has made it easier for him and me (but it is a painful reminder).
The first year after the diagnosis, oh how I wanted our normal life back again!!! As time has gone by, I've almost forgotten what our 'previous normal life' was like (so, what is normal?)....our life now is our new normal.....Time is such a great healer!
I no longer expect or ask David to do things around the house or in the yard like I did in the past, and I'm thankful that it feels NORMAL to help him get dressed. It feels like 'another life ago,' when he would get dressed and put on his white shirt and tie and go to work. The pictures in this post from our Coke trips also feel like another life...........
I'm so thankful for the old normal and the new normal ...and for time....the mystery and healing of time. Our life is good, and I say, "thank you God."
*********************************************
Here's a photo of us getting into a helicopter in New Zealand
It was cold and snowing outside the old hotel on a mountaintop in Switzerland Cold again.... on a mountain top (the Parthenon) in Athens, Greece. 
4 comments:
I love your honestly in this post!
It's great that you can be accepting of the changes.. the new normal. I know there must be moments that you wish for the way it once was and that's ok too.
Happy Saturday Dolores! I thought of you yesterday afternoon during my volunteer time .... there are several men living in Memory Care but, sadly, are far beyond David's stage of Alzheimer's. As I've shared in the past, you are living the most honest, courageous way possible ~ and I admire you tremendously.
I also began to agree with Mother's visions of 'little dogs' and 'precious kittens.' It seemed to calm her when I did ... and then I would move on to another topic. These hallucinations continued throughout most of her illness. (They also inspired a poem or two from me.) I encourage you to never stop writing your blog, to keep a journal and to tape record conversations between David and family members ~ now.
I loved this post..because it's also a lesson for all of us. Life changes and we have to be ready to embrace those changes instead of mourning for the past. You've certainly inspired me to do that more with this post! Love the pics...man y'all went to some really cool places!! :-)
I'm FINALLY out on spring break! Heading out to do some camping on Monday! Love ya! L~
Hi Dolores,
You and David have always lived life to the fullest, always done your best, and always been there for others. You were sensible and loyal, and fun-loving at the same time. You laughed a lot, and David had a wonderful wry sense of humor. What a blessing your life has been!
Love, Nancy
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