Skip to main content

Lewy Body Dementia

I heard the CRAZIEST thing ever on the news today. 
Scientists have developed an alcohol pill.
"What is that?" You might ask..
Here let me tell you

It's a pill you can take, you will get drunk, but then the next day you won't have a hangover. 
Wow! 
What an incredible breakthrough.

        On the same note, I met with my Grandpa Eric today who is living with Lewy Body Dementia. Every time I visit it's the same. I use a key card to open the locked door, and then I walk to his room where he is sitting in his wheelchair. Today he told me I was late. He is always happy to see me, or even anyone as he is forced to be separated from his wife of 62 years. We talk about our day, (because that's all he really knows is happening) Then I take him in a walk in his wheelchair because he can't walk. We look at the sunset. We talk some more as he stumbles over his words and struggles to get them out. 

      Then, promptly at 4:45 I take him to his seat at the table, where he waits. Even though food doesn't come till 5:30, he said sometimes he will get an extra cup of coffee or a salad. Today was salad. He couldn't get his hands to work to get the lettuce on the fork so I willingly fed my dear sweet Eric. Then I watched him struggle to get the cup up to his mouth because he still wants his independence. After salad we talk some more, and he told me how frustrated he was with his wheelchair.  But that he has learned to deal with it because there isn't a cure, or medication to help. It's his life.

      5:25 comes and I have to leave so they can have their supper. I get up, kiss him on the cheek and tell him I'll see him tomorrow. He is sad, and doesn't want to be alone. 
I go out the locked door, and make sure it locks behind me. 

This is the face of Lewy Body Dementia. But congratulations scientist! 
You've created the alcohol pill! 


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Summing it Up Through Songs

As always I like to sum up the year, month by month.. however that post comes the first day of January. Look for it.  Today, I will sum up the biggest part of my 2013 year through music lyrics of songs that I feel have touched me, inspired me, or reminded me.  Enjoy.  I heard the doctor, but what did he say, I knew I was fine about this time yesterday.- Ben Rector, When a Heart Breaks.  If you're lost and alone, or you're sinking like a stone, Carry on. - FUN, Carry On. It's time to defy gravity- Wicked, Defying Gravity  It's the way you do the things you do that make me fall in love with you- Rocket to the Moon, Dakota  It's okay not to be okay, sometimes it's hard to follow your heart. Tears don't mean you're losing, everybody's bruising, just be true to who you are- Jessie J, Who you are. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, what doesn't kill you makes you a fighter- Kelly Clarkson, Stronger You can't carry i...

Your "Thoughts and Prayers" Are Bullshit.

Yes. I said it. I also thoroughly agree with that statement. Here's why. As I've been going through pretty huge and life-changing medical problems, my family has been physically nowhere near me. Granted my intestine decided to swell up in Saskatoon, which isn't convenient for anyone. It's given me so much time to think, in some scary and painful moments. Let me preface this by saying I'm not a religious person,  However from what I know, God, helped those in need, he didn't just pray for the sick,  he visited them, and he served them. Let's imagine that when that blind guy came to he Jesus, Jesus said, "You're in my thoughts and prayers" and then left. That story would have turned out very differently. We all do and say things in our lives almost out of habit. Like think of how many times you've said "Hey how are you?" and not actually listened for the answer. Lots, I know. I do this ALL the time, and I'm working incr...

Smashed Windows

10 days ago I was changing locations on my travels through Utah. I packed up my mini cooper with my workout bag (this included 3 pairs of shoes, headphones, 5 pairs of yoga pants, 3 sports bras, 7 tank tops, my shower stuff, and deodorant) then I loaded up my 2 long boards, one being a Land Yatchz and the other my sector 9, finally I put my  Cannon camera bag, (It had my 7D a 50mm 1.4 lens, and a 35-118 1.8 lens in it. Along with a charger 4 batters, camera strap, and all my business cards). I thought to myself, I'm going to run across the street, grab a coffee then load my final bag into my car and take off to Roy. So that's what I did, however when I returned from across the street to my utter horror my window had been smashed, and everything from my car was gone. After I called the cops, and some friends to come and help I turned into a catatonic mess. I literally stood by my window and stared at my car for hours. Finally I decided I looked like a psychopath and therefore ...