Throughout Jan's illness I have kept copious records, in the hope that they may help in some way. I think I thought that I might record some key nugget of information that would miraculously transform her condition. Doesn't happen that way!
The main help has been that they have enabled me to remember developments in her illness, day by day. Otherwise things tend just to merge into one long nightmare, and one can't remember when this or that started to happen.
In 2001 I volunteered to keep more detailed records for the Alzheimer's Awareness Day that year. Some information I recorded was kept on the web pages for a while.
I happened to look at them again recently, and wondered if they might be of use to anyone using TalkingPoint - I found reading other diaries in 2001 to be helpful, if only in that I could compare our experiences.
I'm attaching one here. Just one day's worth. I tried to show what I was observing happening, but also my feelings and interpretations as well.
As I look back now I have dual feelings. Firstly, though I thought her condition bad at the time, I'd give my eye teeth to see Jan again being even that well [though I wouldn't put her through the confusion again for anything]. Secondly, I don't know how I managed to do what I did, day after day, month after month.
The main help has been that they have enabled me to remember developments in her illness, day by day. Otherwise things tend just to merge into one long nightmare, and one can't remember when this or that started to happen.
In 2001 I volunteered to keep more detailed records for the Alzheimer's Awareness Day that year. Some information I recorded was kept on the web pages for a while.
I happened to look at them again recently, and wondered if they might be of use to anyone using TalkingPoint - I found reading other diaries in 2001 to be helpful, if only in that I could compare our experiences.
I'm attaching one here. Just one day's worth. I tried to show what I was observing happening, but also my feelings and interpretations as well.
As I look back now I have dual feelings. Firstly, though I thought her condition bad at the time, I'd give my eye teeth to see Jan again being even that well [though I wouldn't put her through the confusion again for anything]. Secondly, I don't know how I managed to do what I did, day after day, month after month.