Yup it sucks big time
Tracey,
I'll just add my agreement, yes this disease is absolutely unfair. I can't count the number of nights I've sat in bed trying to think of a worse fate for the sufferer or the carers, i.e. something I could say 'Well at least we don't have to deal with....' about, or something I could think of so I could say to myself 'Quit your whining, its not as bad as .....' and I couldn't come up with anything except, both my parents having the disease!
It sucks it sucks it sucks.
Nevertheless I have tried to come up with some positives. The positives I have come up with are:
1. I have become an unbelievably stronger person;
2. I have learnt what true compassion is;
3. I have learnt to cherish the truly happy moments and take nothing for granted;
4. I have developed a bond so unbelieveably close with my father, despite his apparently disappearing (mentally) in front of me, a bond that transcends words and gestures;
5. I have learnt what makes a true friend;
6. I have learnt what is important in life and am beginning to be able to let the little stuff go;
7. I have learnt how to understand others in similar situations and as a result will hopefully be a better friend, a better person and be able to help others;
8. I have learnt to be more assertive, as I have had to stick up for not just my own welfare but my father's;
9. I have learnt to seize the day and not waste a second;
10. A weird one, but I was always afraid that if I had a disabled child I would reject it, but now I understand that love goes beyond all this and so I am no longer afraid of what I might do if this happens, and I now am comfortable with pretty much any person suffering a disability and value them as I see being 'able' does not make one better;
Of course I would trade all these new abilities in a second just to have my father back and without dementia, but some positive outcomes are better than none, I figure. Best of luck and please use this forum to release your stress, hurt, sadness, there are lots of people here who will understand.