Is Memory Everything?
“Another weekend visit with my dad’s parents is almost over and it is another weekend to remind me why having a sharp memory is so important! In fact, it is only important to still have a memory that works!!! I am reminded of these things every time I visit my dad’s parents because my grandmother has a severe cause of Alzheimer’s. Combine a severe case of Alzheimer’s with her propensity to try to do things her way and I am shocked the depth of my grandfather’s love for her (and hence his patience and commitment to her).”
I wrote that on the 9th of August after visiting my father’s parents. It is difficult, at best, to watch someone’s memory go so completely and still try to interact with them like I normally would. Ask me if I wish my grandmother weren’t suffering from a debilitating disease, I would say “OF COURSE!” I do not know if the lose of memory is something that CAN be easily handled. The only thing that I don’t understand when it comes to my grandmother is the fact that my grandfather refuses to tell her that she is suffering from Alzheimer’s. As a result, we cannot simply remind her about that when she asks us to repeat something for the umpteenth time, instead we have to retell the story again, or re-answer her question. You would think that this could turn into a bit of a game, give a different answer each time because you can and see how creative you can get with it, but instead you begin to simplify your answers so you do not have to give the full story again. It is sad, depressing, and terrifying, but it is also a relief that she still remembers our names and faces right now. It will be hardest when she starts thinking my father is her brother and I am a distant cousin. Hopefully that will be VERY far off in the future… sadly it will probably be all to soon.
