Monday 19 March 2012

Photographic Memory

The woman in the picture below was 70 years old when it was taken. She still worked and walked 7 or 8 miles a day, every day, whatever the weather. She'd travelled over 50 miles (2 buses) to arrive at the appointed place and time, dressed for the occasion.


That was 3 and a half years ago. Now she has no memory of that day or indeed many other days. Almost every scrap of her independence is gone. Alzheimer's is a proper cunt of a disease.

Update:

Bless you all for your kind words. I think the worst part of it is that she is occasionally aware of what's happening. Physically, she's hale and hearty but her short-term memory is almost non-existent. Day to day stuff that we take for granted is impossible for her. She literally couldn't boil an egg and this is a woman once famed for her home-baking. That's how we knew she was going downhill; the Tablet and Caramel Shortbread, once highly prized, started to be discretely binned. Tea and toast is about all she can manage these days.

In a way, I'm kind of lucky. I've never been terribly close to my mum so I'm able to step back a wee bit and be a bit more pragmatic about things. It's still hard work but the support we've had from East Lothian Council and the local NHS folk has been astounding.  Thank fuck for the professionals. And my Mrs, who is, as always, my rock.

7 comments:

Chris said...

It is indeed. I spent the weekend with my Dad who is in hospital with dementia. It is all so sad.

Alan Sloman said...

I'm sorry to hear that, Kev. My own Mum drifts in & out of reality (mostly she's out) and it's quite heartbreaking.

Perhaps the only thing that can be said is that perhaps she doesn't realise her own misfortune?

Martin Rye said...

No easy words to say Kev. Sorry to hear your news.

scott said...

I can't begin to imagine what it's like to be in that position Kev. Dreadfully vexing altogether.

Big Kev said...

Thanks lads. I've added a wee update rather than try and type into this tiny box :o)

Mark said...

Kevin, found your blog via Facebook. Been friends with your brother John since we were boys. Obviously I've known your mum and seen her many times over the last 35 years or so. She was always very good to me and it's a shame to hear from my conversations with John how rapidly Alzheimers is taking it's toll on her. A really lovely woman.

Big Kev said...

Thanks for that, Mark. Chances are she would still recognise you. She couldn't tell you what she did five minutes ago but she can put names to faces from decades in the past.