tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857146028824456342.post9015491286441965323..comments2023-10-18T04:25:38.183-04:00Comments on An Anglo in Québec: Thoughts for today...Donna@anangloinquébechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03074337849133414753noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857146028824456342.post-33617722587568143012016-05-09T22:50:51.734-04:002016-05-09T22:50:51.734-04:00Beautiful and earnest. My perspective is probably...Beautiful and earnest. My perspective is probably not so common....I had a significant head injury a few years ago, and the prognosis was early onset dementia. Not great at 48 yrs. to hear....but I chose not to let that settle in. I am still healing and my memory is gathering remarkable strength. My meditation practice keeps me grounded and safe with where I am....right now. xo<br />brenda murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18248254731321020314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857146028824456342.post-19557960716852410652016-04-26T11:40:12.223-04:002016-04-26T11:40:12.223-04:00Donna I am so floored by the beauty and sadness of...Donna I am so floored by the beauty and sadness of your words. My Dad's mother--whom I didn't really know--slowly descended into the world of Alzheimer's and your vivid description of your MIL reminds me of my Dad's experience. When I look at the pictures you shared of the young, vivacious woman your MIL once was, I imagine how hard it must be some days...to reconcile this confused, fragile, sweet woman of today. You are so incredibly empathic and you have such warm eyes for her failings. Seeing the 'little things' in her behaviors. And you raise such powerful questions about the world we live in today. So youth obsessed and so distracted by the virtual realities of social media. It's the opposite of being fully in the present moment which is where sensitive caretakers must function. <br />I have my own fears about dementia knowing that my paternal grandmother developed it late in life--I think of Alzheimers as the condition that must not be named, lest I draw it to me-and so I seldom say that word but I think about it. I have those moments when I'm telling a story and can't remember the name of someone and I worry. Could this be some sign? <br />Thank you so much for writing this. I wish everyone would read it--young and old--because it's about real life and real love. <br />xo<br />Leslie<br />ps been in and out of the blogging world and I've missed you!Leslie Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06367872267145012395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857146028824456342.post-13098865450389213992016-03-10T16:14:57.258-05:002016-03-10T16:14:57.258-05:00Thank you Donna for a beautifully written and impo...Thank you Donna for a beautifully written and important post. Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791018174075586241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857146028824456342.post-518746593260601142016-03-06T15:47:22.865-05:002016-03-06T15:47:22.865-05:00Thinking of the future terrifies me, so I really r...Thinking of the future terrifies me, so I really relate to what you wrote in that post. My grand-mother is slowly loosing touch with reality and it's sometimes very difficult to know what to do. She isn't aware of it, so she says she can perfeclty live on her own, but we can sometimes feel that she isn't perfeclty herself anymore.Magali@TheLittleWhiteHousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13787605249681670341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857146028824456342.post-8435172328008043372016-03-06T12:58:45.261-05:002016-03-06T12:58:45.261-05:00I think it is very important that dementia is an o...I think it is very important that dementia is an ongoing topic of discussion. If my mother had told us her views and wishes should she fall victim to it, I would have been better able to care for her. My indecision and guilt was heart wrenching for both of us. I'm 64 and it is time for me to open the discussion with my daughters. This is a beautifully written piece.Maureen Wyatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03717877610585066150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857146028824456342.post-61322554662284883482016-03-04T21:39:16.378-05:002016-03-04T21:39:16.378-05:00My grandmother will turn 96 March 18. Fortunately...My grandmother will turn 96 March 18. Fortunately she's as sharp as a tack. Her only issue is she sometimes gets her days and nights confused: she lost most of her sight due to a stroke several years ago. We're so fortunate.<br /><br />This is the most well-written and touching post. God bless you for the care you're giving your MIL. I'd write more, but my youngest had a devastating day today and was humiliated publicly. She just came downstairs for comfort.<br /><br />xo,RJRicki Treleavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363865916909018452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857146028824456342.post-85368667220340369642016-03-04T17:16:29.225-05:002016-03-04T17:16:29.225-05:00Until someone has to deal with it themselves they ...Until someone has to deal with it themselves they have no idea what it's like. A caregiver can be just as confused and in need of help, support, a break, but we are so overwhelmed by a health care system that is ready to collapse there is no timely response. Often left to deal with amongst a few like minded souls, sometimes with long distances etc to care facilities or rehoming programs, so few spaces. As readers we offer you our support, we are here to listen anytime. Hugs and love to you and your family. Patty/NSPier21cdnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15888871222871223089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857146028824456342.post-8494771668380982642016-03-04T11:01:58.752-05:002016-03-04T11:01:58.752-05:00Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Dementia in...Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Dementia in this post Donna. Your story made me sad and brought tears to my eyes. It is a fear of mine to get it as it runs in my family. My older sister now has Alzheimer's and she is very non communicative/non verbal, which is so difficult. One can't carry one a conversation with her as she cannot find the words so will simply say "yes" or "no" and laugh. Sometimes we'll get a short sentence from her. Her husband is caring for her at home and they are in their early 70's. I too have those moments where I wonder if my lack of remembering something or finding a 'lost' word is a hint of what may come to me eventually. It is a scary thought! I try to keep my mind active but I know this disease just sneaks up on a person with subtle changes. I hope my children understand this disease as they saw both their grandmothers with it and some day they may be caring for me or my husband. This is a very special post and I really appreciate your honesty. Take care. Hugs. Pamela Gordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18071092617682650349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857146028824456342.post-91724464635640746672016-03-04T10:48:02.750-05:002016-03-04T10:48:02.750-05:00Donna, your post today is heart wrenching and thou...Donna, your post today is heart wrenching and thought provoking. I think about this subject a lot, as Dennis and I are in our golden years. We recently read Dr. David Perlmutter's book "Brain Grain" where he addresses brain function from a dietary standpoint. Very interesting, and we're following his nutritional advice. I'm sorry this is happening in your family, and I understand your frustration with the lack of quality home care. I had a neighbor once whose husband had Alzheimers. She kept him at home as long as possible. I felt so sorry for her. She had family and friends who came occasionally to give her a break, but he was so angry whenever she left that it was very difficult for substitute caregivers to handle him. He became so regularly violent that they finally had to put him in a care center. You're right. . .the future is unknown. We're doing all we can to stay healthy and hopefully not be a burden to our children. Beyond that it's out of our hands. We pray and trust God with the rest. Love to you sweet friend. ~ NancyA Joyful Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604235087317891071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857146028824456342.post-36446249319887190142016-03-03T17:51:40.665-05:002016-03-03T17:51:40.665-05:00Su, I worry about the number of individuals strugg...Su, I worry about the number of individuals struggling to care for a loved one. There are not a lot of services that provide quality home care. It seems that the numbers will make it appear worse before better. <br />Donna@anangloinquébechttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03074337849133414753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6857146028824456342.post-66770261614446314362016-03-03T17:46:56.514-05:002016-03-03T17:46:56.514-05:00It is sad, Donna, and I know it. My grandmother ha...It is sad, Donna, and I know it. My grandmother has it, and I use to work in that population as a social worker. The other day, I read they are not so far off from a cure, but then I thought that would depend on what type. There are so many types. The manageable diseases that can lead to it... diabetes II and high blood pressure... then the genetic causes... xoxo SuButterfly 8)(8 Bungalow https://www.blogger.com/profile/12407401010841427366noreply@blogger.com