Life

photo courtesy of morguefile.com/archive

"When you think things are bad,

when you feel sour and blue, 

when you start to get mad...

you should do what I do...

Just tell yourself, Duckie, 

you're really quite lucky! 

Some people are much more...

oh, ever so much more...

oh, muchly much-much more

unlucky than you!" - Dr. Seuss

I sat last night at a dining room table, centered between Bill and his sweet co-resident, Betty. Betty, a woman I am guessing in her mid 70's although the years had not been kind to her, sat on my left and Bill sat on my right. Both share in advanced onset of Alzheimer's despite the years differentiating between the two.

I pick up Bill's fork and begin introducing him to his supper. He is resistant to eating and drinking now, for the past few weeks.

 "Oh, no, no," he says. He looks at me suspiciously saying, "I can't eat this." He looked at his food as if it were the cause of his disorientation. I turned to Betty, who smiles momentarily and asks, "What's going on?" I gently lift her spoon to her mouth. She opens widely, accepting the food. I turned to Bill, noting how delicious this food looks. "Just take a little bite, honey." He frowns, but allows a spoon full of salad to enter his mouth. "Delicious! Look at this! This is a southern meal just like your mama would make you! Scalloped potatoes with ham, fried apples, yum!"

He looks at his plate and smiles. I turn to Betty. She has all ready forgotten what we are here to do. "What's going on?" she asks me. "We are here to enjoy this wonderful meal, I smile." I scoop a bit of her food, and she graciously opens and receives. This scenario continues through out the meal as I coax and encourage the two to eat. I cannot help but laugh and smile as I try to carry on conversation between the two, Betty asking me continuously "what's going on" and Bill asking about his dog and his son.

The two laugh as we talk, and others around the room join in with laughter and comments. Tonight we found success for both as we finalized their meals and celebrated fluid intake. I move momentarily from the table and return to help the two finish. Betty is seeing me again for the very first time. "Well, honey! How are you?" Blessed, Betty. Blessed. 

10 Requests from an Alzheimer's Patient

Please be patient with me.

I am the helpless victim of a brain disease.

Talk to me.

Even though I cannot always answer.

Be kind to me.

Each day of my life is a desperate struggle.

Consider my feelings.

They are still very much alive within me.

Treat me with dignity and respect.

As I would have gladly treated you.

Remember my past.

For I was once a healthy vibrant person.

Remember my present.

For I am still living.

Remember my future.

Though it may seem bleak to you.

Pray for me.

For I am a person who lingers in the mists of time and eternity.

Love me.

And the gifts of love you give will be a blessing forever.....

~Anonymous

In memory of my sweet cousin and my number one encouragement to continue to put into words the things in my life that can help others. I will miss you, Patsy (Patricia Keller Nelson) I will keep writing.