It's hard to believe that one year has passed since my sons and I lost Tracy to EOAD. Yet in that year we have grown closer and give each other more support. My sons have been behind me in my advocacy efforts even when it ment traveling away from home. Not a day passes without a thought of her coming to mind but I know she would be happy knowing we are learning to move on with our lives each in a positive manner.
Oh, Tony, thank you for posting that. I have wanted to tell everyone how well you have managed to come through to the light at the end of the tunnel, but felt it was up to you to post when you felt you wanted to.
When I saw you last month (or was it in May), I could see the tension was gone from your face and body language. As I said when you finished your speech at the Lincoln Memorial - You did Tracy proud. You and the boys deserve to move on.
Now don't forget that story - everyone will love to read it.
Tony, thank you for the inspirational update. I have often thought of you and I am glad to hear the healing has begun. I can think of no greater tribute than to continue with your valiant advocacy efforts.
I am always grateful when one of our widowed members checks in. I understand why some want to stay here with us for a while. And I understand why some don't want to do that, or can't. But I'm always glad to hear from them one way or the other.
Tony, I too appreciate your checking back in. What you've done reaffirms my belief that, while we struggle through the tunnel of AD, getting our LO through, we eventually lose them, in our lives, to its ravages. But, they remain in our hearts and the strength we gain in getting them through gives us the ability to move into the light of a better tomorrow for us too. In the important ways we win!
My dear friends: I will never be able to forget those of you who are still on the journey of ALzheimers with your loved one. I now no longer need worry about being an alert advocate for my husband, no longer must travel 90 miles round trip to visit him , no longer anxious over each physical ailment or have to make a difficult decision as to the medication best for him etc.etc. But those ten years are very vivid in my memories and I so desparately want to comfort, console, and give any information from my experience that might benefit you and make your life more bearable.
My life now consists mainly of grieving now for the man I married and loved for so long, the memories now are mainly of that man. I now am trying very hard to make a life for myself as a single person and being content and reasonably happy. I suppose I want to assure you that this crucible that seems an eternity will eventually be over and you will survive. I urge you to take good care of yourself physically, as I really didn't and am having to try to get myself healthy once again.
I appreciate and have been helped many times during my caregiver days in this forum. I thank you dear JoAnn for this website especially for spouses . It is unique on the internet and sorely needed. If I can help anyone here I will gladly contribute although you all are so fortunate to have more qualified members than I here.
Tony, what a living testimonial you are to Tracy. God bless you and your boys. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. And Miss Joyful, you have always been an inspiriation. I am so glad that you continue to visit and share your experiences with us. They are so appreciated...maybe more than you know. God Bless you Joyful, and keep coming back. Thank you!
I look into their sad countenance and can sense The utter despair they allow to surface as they Greet each other at the nursing home.
These are the spouses, daughters, and other Caregivers. They have been appointed the sacred responsibility Of becoming their “brother’s keeper”. They have accepted their duty from love and Because no one else will sacrifice themselves.
As yet another of the afflicted succumbs to the ultimate death, The sad community of watchers experience empathy and communal sorrow. Knowing that their loved one could be next.
They visit, watch over, love, give comfort, ever mindful Of the pall of death that permeates the ward, They are the caregivers, erasing the sadness from their Faces and a smile emerges as they greet with a hug and Kiss With a cheerful,”Hello, dear one, how are you today?”
Thank you Tony and Joyful for giving us hope that we too can survive and go on with life. Not the life we may have chosen, but life just the same. Stay in touch.
Like Joan I was very touched by your testomony at the Lincon Memorial. My husband and I were in tears afterwards. It's funny how this disease changes our lives. It has made my adult children more compassionate and understanding towards their father.
Dear Tony and Joyful: thank you so much for sharing..Life does go on, not like before thats true, but we do have our Memories...and that is what keeps us going...Bless you Both...Rosalie