How Alzheimer’s Become My Enemy
This is what I wrote in my journal so many years ago. This is the same year my father was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He was only 72 years old. We were all devastated. A piece of my heart broke that day. Because Alzheimer’s was encroaching on my father’s livelihood I was determined to fight against it. Alzheimer’s was now my enemy.
As you start this journey, you will see how your life changes immediately. For me at the time, I was a stay-at-home mother who was homeschooling two daughters. And I was already in the mindset of looking forward in the future, wondering and getting excited to finally begin a new chapter in my life. But soon after, I decided the girls had to go back to public school in order for me to care for my father. My mother was not able to be the sole caregiver. With no real direction, I had to figure out where to start this journey of Alzheimer’s. And time was not on our side. It was not easy. I soon made it my mission to combat this enemy in what ever way. Though there is no cure for this disease, I soon became aware how important it is to be an advocate for my father. To be his eyes, ears, and most importantly his voice. Another role I took on was an attitude of a “foot soldier” in pushing back (slowing down the progression of ) the disease. I found ways to fight this disease and meet my father’s needs. Such as cognitive activities. In the coming years of caring for my father there were many a day that I felt like I was in the figurative trenches.
After the first five years of battling this disease I suddenly had a massive stroke. It was September 2018. This incident definitely put a kink in my role as a caregiver. But thank God for TPA (blood buster). And the fact that I live so close to a hospital helped. Despite having some small deficits, and after my recovery I was able to resume my responsibilities of caregiving, but with fewer hours of helping. God is good. The last years on this journey of Alzheimer’s would be the hardest for me and my mother. We persevered, cried a lot, and surprisingly found beautiful moments with my father.
My hope and wish is that in writing this blog I can be of some help to you. I would love to give you some direction, tips, how-to’s and most importantly encouragement through your journey with your loved one.
Thanks for reading my story. It was such a big part of my life. It impacted me so much.
