Alzheimers: Our Journey Will Not Be In Vain

After the News

We went to lunch right after the news. We then started to discuss how to handle telling other people the diagnosis. That warrior lady I had first noticed in the doctor's office was still at lunch with us, and I was in awe of her.

Mom is 76 years young, very active in her church, loves bowling, golfing, traveling, and just plain socializing with everyone. She was a caregiver for my father during his last 10 years of life after he had multiple heart attacks and strokes, so she already has a picture of what may happen in her future. She knows that her friends will rally around her and keep her as active as possible, but as she wears out so will they.

"As for me...depression became my best friend"

This wonderful woman opened her heart wide to love me, unconditionally, for my entire life. Now I will make sure she knows that she made the right decision.

As for me, after the diagnosis, depression became my best friend. I was the general manager of two retail stores that kept me at work 80+ hours a week. I was a workaholic and proud of it, too! For the next 20 days I went through all the motions: Call the Alzheimer's Association, tell the rest of the family, go to work, keep your 30 employees happy, and don't bring your problems to work! Because that's what I had been telling my staff to do for the past nine years.

On the 20th day I resigned from my job. Big decision, because I am the major breadwinner in my family. Who needs money? I was going to be the one to take care of Mom. My decision. That's final. After all, isn't that why I was adopted? Yes, I need to "pay it forward." This wonderful woman opened her heart wide to love me, unconditionally, for my entire life. Now, 43 years later, I will make sure she knows that she made the right decision.

And of course, she will live with me, never in a nursing home. I promised her that.

Previous Page  [1] [2] [3] [4] Next Page