This blog is about life with my husband who was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's and Frontal Lobe Dementia in 2008. He was 64 at the time although now, knowing more about the disease, Alzheimer's was present many, many years ago, which is why early detection is so important. As you read the blog the character "Al" that I created in 2008, represents the way that Alzheimer's is invading our daily lives.
There is an archive tab further down the page that starts from the beginning of our journey.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sometimes if just happens it without warning. A wave of emotion that sneaks up on Sheri in a split second. Bob wanted to help Sheri, she was trying to loosen a board on a stand she uses for photography. She was using a hammer and Bob was sure he could do it. Sheri finally gave in and gave him the hammer. Bob was Mr. Fixit , the manager of a hardware store in his last career, surely he could loosen a board with a hammer. It was not that he could not hit the board, he just could not retain what he was suppose to do. Within seconds he was reaching for an area in a different place on the stand saying "should I do this ?" it had nothing to do with what needed to be done, Sheri tried several times to show him. She wanted to believe he could do it. Bob could fix and build anything. But "Al" can't retain a thought process for more than seconds. Sheri feels terrible that she snapped at Bob. Unfortunately, her bottled up emotions snapped too. Her anger, her fear, everything came tumbling out. As usual Bob and "Al" did not notice she was upset which of course was a blessing. Sheri knows none of this is his fault, but this particular task just made it so very clear how much "Al" has taken from Bob.
Sheri HATES this disease.

1 comment:

  1. Bless your heart, Sheri. I read; I relate; a tear falls down my cheek; I return to what I know/am learning about this disease. While our exact circumstances differ, our hearts share similar territory.

    ReplyDelete