Alzheimer’s: A Poem
Under the blue starry sky
Comes a moment of silence
As I gaze on the horizon, thinking of my yesterdays
Yester years long gone
Through eyes so dim
Combatting loss of memories,
Places, families, and friends
Forgetting who I am
Worried I am adrift in a sea of forgetfulness
I feel like I live my life underwater
in silence and confusion
Did you know that June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month? Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. You can learn more facts at the Go Purple for Alzheimer’s Association page.
We all know someone who has suffered with this terrible disease. My Great Aunt Janie suffered. She did not know her own daughter when her system shut down and she died. My grandmother also suffered before she died.
She forgot my daughter. Every time I took my then toddler to see her, she asked several times for her name.
I gently reminded her, “KR.” (Telling her full name).
A few minutes later, she looked at her with glistening eyes. “She is so pretty. What’s her name?”
My answer as my heart ached, “KR.” I smiled. Only five minutes later, she’d ask again.
I sometimes fear this may be my future fate. My doctor says my memory issues are normal for my age and my pain-related conditions; so, I try not to worry.
But, can you imagine forgetting who you are? Living life in a fog of confusion? Forgetting those you love? Forgetting their faces?
I found these facts at the Alzheimer’s Associations website:
“In 2015, an estimated 700,000 people in the United States age 65 and older will die with Alzheimer’s.
As the population of the United States ages, Alzheimer’s is becoming a more common cause of death. Although deaths from other major causes have decreased significantly, official records indicate that deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased significantly. Between 2000 and 2013, deaths attributed to Alzheimer’s disease increased 71 percent, while those attributed to the number one cause of death—heart disease—decreased 14 percent.
The most startling fact: “Alzheimer’s is the only disease among the top 10 causes of death in America that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.”
What can we do? Have compassion. Volunteer and act together.
Contributing to the following linkup parties:
Alzheimer’s is so difficult for the loved ones of the person suffering. My maternal grandfather had Alzheimer’s and my grandfather-in-law is now deteriorating from it. The only saving grace of the disease is that the patients rarely suffer. I recently read Still Alice and felt that Lisa Genova did a really good job of depicting the realities of the disease.
Brandy Robertson recently posted…The Great Canadian Giving Challenge
Mary, I think all of us can agree that the silence of Alzheimer patients is a dreadful medical issue that is worth talking about. My own mother was plagued with dementia in her latter years and lived out the last 6 years of her life in a nursing home. Her smile would brighten most days when she saw her family but the sadness of those days at other times was heartwrenching. From vibrancy to silence is a passage of sorrow.
Carol Varsalona recently posted…Celebrating Being Connected
Such a sad silence. Thank you for bringing compassion, passion, and awareness to this terrible disease.
That must be a very difficult thing for families. Good luck with creating awareness and fighting this disease!
Salma recently posted…5 Netflix Original Series Worth Watching
Thank you for writing and sharing this post. My mother died of Alzheimer’s Disease on April 10th, just 7 weeks ago. She was 94 years old. She didn’t know any of her 7 children anymore. I went to see her one week before she died. She looked at me, smiled and said a really heart-felt “I love you” and then she was gone again. It lasted about 15 seconds. But it’s recorded. What a beautiful gift she gave me.
At one point during my visit (I was there for 2 weeks), she asked me (a stranger to her), “Do you have any memories?” It was at that moment that I realized that she had none. What an insight. I cannot imagine her confusion. It’s not fair. It’s just not fair. She deserved better.
Peace.
Jeanne Melanson recently posted…Endangered Saiga Antelope, 100,000+ Mysteriously Die
Wow, thanks for sharing this personal story with us. I hope you will join us.
Mary Hill recently posted…Joining the Alzheimer’s Association Longest Day
I am so moved by your post. I want to do something. I have a prayer shawl ministry group. Maybe that? I messaged my friend whose husband died this year from the terrible disease. It happens on Father’s Day. And it’s Sunday, so I’ll be hosting a DigiLit Sunday. How can we work all these things together?
Margaret Simon recently posted…Comforting Silence
This is certainly a different type of silence — the fear of being alone, adrift, unable to access what we hold closest. Thank you for sharing your vulnerability and reminder. It’s when we have empathy for others that we truly serve.