And You Appear To Be Normal
I think one of the more challenging things about having a loved one with dementia ( trust me there are a host of them) is their appearance. We are so arrogant in what we deem to be basic knowledge; when a condition or disease or situation presents itself to you and when you are personally involved, the logic flies out the window. You reach for anything that will help you feel better, because you are hurting. You are hurting when you don’t even know it. One day you will , and chances are it will come crashing down on you.
I was scanning through some very recent pictures of my mom, and while she did not look great she did not look like the person she is now. She has help with personal things like dressing and hygiene. Little things like combing her once beautiful hair, has to be assisted or she will INSIST, her hair looks fine.
I am not dealing with it realistically, I can escape reality because I am not right there. However, when I am there physically, I am still not where I should be. I am putting on a strong face, because when I think about what is happening, when I allow myself to accept my mom is not going to get better, it makes me so very sad and I weep. I cannot allow myself to sink into that place, because the business of life must go on. I am grateful she is not deathly ill in a hospital. I do question quality of life matters. She is able to stay in her home with the help of my younger brother. You must understand there is so much more going on though.
Therefore, fair warning and a reminder “Things are not always what they appear to be.”
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