There are lots of topics which I teach my students that have little to no bearing on my personal life. Once in awhile something smacks you in the heart and you take a look at the subject from a personal view instead of a clinical one. This week's lesson is on cognition. Alzheimer's, dementia, etc. While I have no (known at least to me) familial history of any of these diseases I am moved by the way they change people's lives. Part of my lesson this week I am going to talk about early-onset and genetic Alzheimer's.
Prior to this week's lesson I had very little understanding of either of these types of Alzheimer's. Let me say, unequivocally, these are devastating to the entire family unit. Alzheimer's is never easy. Never. However learning, in your 40's, watching your husband, wife, mom, dad, etc quickly lose their independence, personality, and with it, your partner/kids become your caregiver, that is something on another level. I've watched quite a few videos but that does not do justice to what these families and the patients go through.
Inevitably it makes you think about, "what if this happens to me/us?" What I know for sure, if I am the one diagnosed, without fail, the VIT would move heaven and earth to take care of me. He would bath, dress, feed, sleep, and watch over me with intensity that would give ICU nurses a run for their money. I hope he knows that if the situation were reversed, I would do exactly the same for him. After almost 8 years of marriage, almost 10 years together, I know that I will not be alone. Marriages are not made on cake, ceremonies, or flowers. Marriages are built on so much more. They are built on the everyday. And if you're really lucky, you get to still be picking up one another's socks after 50+ years. I love you B, to the moon, around the stars, and back again.
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