The Long-Term Effects

This blog is going to be a little different. It will be more about me and less about Alzheimer's. I would like to start off talking about Alzheimer's and how it has affected my life...

I have been taught that with God's grace, I am able to handle anything that the devil puts in my path. Preparing myself for Alzheimer's was something I needed to do one day at a time. It is a different disease and it breaks your heart everyday that you witness it. Since my paternal grandmother has passed away and my maternal grandmother is living with the earlier stages of Alzheimer's, I live with some sense of fear at all times. I fear that an accident will happen that will take my grandmother's life and the life of my grandfather due to her disease. I fear that any one of my family members, including myself will suddenly wake up without knowing who or where they are.

Ever aspect of my life has suffered since my grandmother passed away in October of 2011. My family went through a rough spat of grief for several months and I know we are still grieving, things just seem less intense. I personally have damaged a relationship that I hold very close to my heart. I lost my footing on my path to success and I am still trying to find it again. I have been unemployed and I really am missing everything that once brought me joy and a sense of accomplishment. My father, I know has experienced far worse grief than I have and I have done my best to be a support to him and my mother.

My mother and father have it rough because my mother has to work, so when my father needs to talk and my mother is at work, the poor guy is left with me (smile). I have worried tirelessly about him and I have prayed for him and argued with him, do not let this be the end of your life too. My grandfather needs him. I do not know how extensive his sorrow is but I hope that he knows that he can talk to us when things are bothering him. All in all, this experience has forced me to mature in the following ways:

1. I have to let people know how much I value them while I have them here, with me on earth
2. Life does not stop when an individual experiences a tragedy, "the show must go on"
3. Everyone will not be understanding of your situation, communication = understanding