If you are still writing on this site, I would really like to connect with you. My father was involved in the RAF Bentwaters aircraft accident on 12-19-1963 with your husband. I would love to speak with you if you would ever feel like it. I see it has been some time since you last posted but I hope you are still watching.
Hi Marlis, I accidentally discovered your blog while frantically researching Dementia. My Dad (72) has just been diagnosed with Vascular Dementia. It literally happened (or perhaps as I now know it better - "became obvious" overnight. One day he was fine, the next he had no short term memory. I started reading and realised your posts ring a huge bell with me - I have a stepmother who adores my Dad, like Charlie my Dad too is (was) a gadget guru, like Charlie's daughter I too have two children and a partner to "look after" (boy did that make it hard reading your post about Charlie's daughter not being able to cope as Charlie's caregiver) and Dad, being an exceptionally intelligent engineer has almost been able to mislead nursing staff and doctors as to the stage of his condition. As I read further I chuckle over more and more similarities between yours and our situation.
When I read at the end of your "Dementia Patients Need An Advocate" the words "my betrayal" I printed it and three others of your posts for my stepmother as the word betrayal comes up in our conversations and how awful we feel about doing what we are doing - even if it is to keep Dad safe. She has loved reading them so I'll print out more for her. You have provided a real look at what it will be like for us on this journey.
Unfortunately my stepmother's best intentions of having my Dad home from hospital after his diagnosis three weeks ago isn't going to come to fruition but she has found him a Secure Care home near to both of us. We are both devastated as to us he still seems to be the same man, just unable to remember the events of the day. In hospital, eight visitors later and he thinks I'm the first person he's seen all day and that he only arrived there this morning. But then I can have a perfectly logical conversation with him about political correctness with him doing most of the talking and offering his own opinions without a glitch.
Thank you for sharing. God bless you. Everything you've written so far, we have experienced here. We are dealing not only with Alz. but Meningioma which makes for some major challenges some days. But we are managing great with the help of Hospice and will continue to care for my husband at home. Hospice is wonderful! Looking forward to your next story.
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Meet Charlie and Me
If you are still writing on this site, I would really like to connect with you. My father was involved in the RAF Bentwaters aircraft accident on 12-19-1963 with your husband. I would love to speak with you if you would ever feel like it. I see it has been some time since you last posted but I hope you are still watching.
Best wishes!!
When I read at the end of your "Dementia Patients Need An Advocate" the words "my betrayal" I printed it and three others of your posts for my stepmother as the word betrayal comes up in our conversations and how awful we feel about doing what we are doing - even if it is to keep Dad safe. She has loved reading them so I'll print out more for her. You have provided a real look at what it will be like for us on this journey.
Unfortunately my stepmother's best intentions of having my Dad home from hospital after his diagnosis three weeks ago isn't going to come to fruition but she has found him a Secure Care home near to both of us. We are both devastated as to us he still seems to be the same man, just unable to remember the events of the day. In hospital, eight visitors later and he thinks I'm the first person he's seen all day and that he only arrived there this morning. But then I can have a perfectly logical conversation with him about political correctness with him doing most of the talking and offering his own opinions without a glitch.
Thank you for writing your experiences here.