JOAN’S WEEKEND BLOG – JUNE 27, 2009 –  JOAN’S MISHAP AND THE AD REACTION TO IT

After the extensive message board topic on Hilary Clinton’s fall, all of our members’ mishaps  of broken bones , and my pronouncement that my strength training has kept me on my feet – ! I managed to embarrass myself beyond my imagination on Friday, by tripping on a bump in the sidewalk, and ending up on the ground right in front of my bank’s glass door, ensuring that everyone inside would have a bird’s eye view of my humiliation.

My first instinct was to break the fall as best I could, so my face would not smash into the pavement. I managed to accomplish that feat by going down on my hands, one knee, and well, sometimes, shall we say, being well endowed in the upper chest area, comes in handy, and assists in softening a fall. I got up quickly, to spare myself further embarrassment. My knee and hand were scraped, very minor injuries, which was why I was surprised that I was so shaken up. I was experiencing head to toe body trembling, and had difficulty walking. I went into the bank, made my deposit, and left. (Not without the manager demonstrating utmost concern for my well being –and their liability – of course.)

Ten minutes later, I was home. (everything in our little village is no more than 10 minutes away), and faced with another surprise – My husband’s reaction to my hobbling into the house and shaking. This is a man, pre-AD, who has rushed home from work 25 miles away when I was hurting or sick. This is a man, pre-AD, who rubbed ice all over my body when I was attacked by a swarm of bees. This is a man, pre-AD, who wanted to take me to the emergency room for every ache and pain. On Friday, this was a man who looked at me with a frown of concern, asked if I was all right, and then admonished me for not looking where I was going. I cleaned up my hand and knee, applied an anti-biotic ointment, filled a bag with ice, and sat with my leg up, and ice on my knee, while he never once moved from his chair. I realize I was not seriously injured, but it was still odd behavior for my pre-AD husband. Not so odd for this husband, whose brain has been taken over by Alzheimer’s Disease.

It is also another oddity of AD that the only emotion that is outwardly displayed is rage. At least in his case. Since that has calmed down, there is mostly – nothing.. That is certainly better than rage, and I am accepting the trade off, but I wish it were not so.

In any case, he went with his friend to help him with his doggie treat business today (Saturday), and I am going to take the time to rest and then get a much needed hair perm.

MESSAGE BOARD TOPIC: My Embarrassing Fall

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