Thank you Margaret,I am glad that my piece from the blog was helpful.Best wishes to you and your husband.
Gringo, I should probably add obsessive and driven to my Alzheimer's Pilgrim CV.
My Alzheimer's - as time goes by.
- Thread starter Sandpiper
- Start date
Thank you Margaret,I am glad that my piece from the blog was helpful.Best wishes to you and your husband.
Gringo, I should probably add obsessive and driven to my Alzheimer's Pilgrim CV.
In creative mode today,just posted this on my website decided to try another poem based on garden inspiration.
I have had some magic times sitting out in the recent sunshine,most enjoyable.
Please be gentle,it is only poem number 2.It keeps me occupied. I hope you all enjoy it.
"The Garden"
In the beginning Eden was the first,
born of contrived partnership with nature,
to be eternally nursed,
bringing seem-less order from chaos,
man and nature combine to emboss,
from a floral palette making less duller
bringing a kaleidoscope of colour,
painful thoughts and worries absorbed by beauty,
quiet contemplation gives birth to peace and tranquility,
birdsong enhancing the ambient choir of insect sound,
defies the impression of being here earthbound,
so easy to see this sanctuary of natural and sensory delights,
compelling the Pilgrim to memorise a feast of reflective insights.
decided to try another poem based on garden inspiration.I have had some magic times sitting out in the recent sunshine,most enjoyable.
Please be gentle,it is only poem number 2.It keeps me occupied. I hope you all enjoy it.
"The Garden"
In the beginning Eden was the first,
born of contrived partnership with nature,
to be eternally nursed,
bringing seem-less order from chaos,
man and nature combine to emboss,
from a floral palette making less duller
bringing a kaleidoscope of colour,
painful thoughts and worries absorbed by beauty,
quiet contemplation gives birth to peace and tranquility,
birdsong enhancing the ambient choir of insect sound,
defies the impression of being here earthbound,
so easy to see this sanctuary of natural and sensory delights,
compelling the Pilgrim to memorise a feast of reflective insights.
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Came across this beautiful surrealist painting and was inspired to turn my hand to writing some more verse.Hope you all like it.
"Down Memory Lane"
This dreaded malady robbing precious glimpses of times and things past,
my prognosis of Alzheimer's dictating what the fates cast,
the clinging to ghostly reflections and experiences of the cerebral process,
inspires me to wage war on my new enemies time and aimlessness,
thoughts pervade the eroding cognitive operation to seek sanctuary,
by walking the path down memory lane to times more happy.
nostalgia swells within my being offering backward glimpses worth seeing,
safer times offer comfort to the Pilgrim entering this wondrous place of healing,
memories coming thick and fast will they stay will they last,
anxieties,irritation and stress momentarily exorcised in this oasis of the past,
to stay and take refuge from the crafty evil MrAlzheimer,
to keep walking the path down memory lane to times more happier.
"Down Memory Lane"
This dreaded malady robbing precious glimpses of times and things past,
my prognosis of Alzheimer's dictating what the fates cast,
the clinging to ghostly reflections and experiences of the cerebral process,
inspires me to wage war on my new enemies time and aimlessness,
thoughts pervade the eroding cognitive operation to seek sanctuary,
by walking the path down memory lane to times more happy.
nostalgia swells within my being offering backward glimpses worth seeing,
safer times offer comfort to the Pilgrim entering this wondrous place of healing,
memories coming thick and fast will they stay will they last,
anxieties,irritation and stress momentarily exorcised in this oasis of the past,
to stay and take refuge from the crafty evil MrAlzheimer,
to keep walking the path down memory lane to times more happier.
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The picture is wonderful, and your verse is so right for it.
Gill
Thank you Gill.I thought the verse would be complimentary to that wonderful picture.
I just posted this on my web site,I hope you all enjoy it.
Even though I am terminally ill, I consider myself very fortunate to have my wife caring for me.
Her selfless dedication moved up a gear immediately following my Alzheimer diagnosis. Not once has she been overwhelmed or shown any self pity for inheriting the awful sentence of ongoing self sacrifice and drudgery brought about through my illness. Nether does she have any illusions of what lies ahead for both of us, as I continue my journey.
There are many other Alzheimer Pilgrims in similar situations throughout the world, all reliant on personal care from guardian angels. All striving to give love, support, comfort and solace to their charges. Without these men, women,carers and family members, our quality of life would be completely intolerable. We the victims of this dreaded disease salute you all.
I dedicate this humble verse to all of the guardian angels.
'Someone to watch over me.'
'Reality ceased when told my brain was dying,
fear and dread joined in partnership to replace hope and optimism,
all thoughts of future happiness came crashing,
the foggy curtain of mixed emotions denies the scale most awesome,
selfish thoughts do conspire to survive these events most daunting,
I look to gather armour and support from within the caring familial sanctum,
the all encompassing and reassuring comfort of having,
Someone to watch over me.'
Even though I am terminally ill, I consider myself very fortunate to have my wife caring for me.
Her selfless dedication moved up a gear immediately following my Alzheimer diagnosis. Not once has she been overwhelmed or shown any self pity for inheriting the awful sentence of ongoing self sacrifice and drudgery brought about through my illness. Nether does she have any illusions of what lies ahead for both of us, as I continue my journey.
There are many other Alzheimer Pilgrims in similar situations throughout the world, all reliant on personal care from guardian angels. All striving to give love, support, comfort and solace to their charges. Without these men, women,carers and family members, our quality of life would be completely intolerable. We the victims of this dreaded disease salute you all.
I dedicate this humble verse to all of the guardian angels.
'Someone to watch over me.'
'Reality ceased when told my brain was dying,
fear and dread joined in partnership to replace hope and optimism,
all thoughts of future happiness came crashing,
the foggy curtain of mixed emotions denies the scale most awesome,
selfish thoughts do conspire to survive these events most daunting,
I look to gather armour and support from within the caring familial sanctum,
the all encompassing and reassuring comfort of having,
Someone to watch over me.'
Hello Sandpiper!
I just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed reading through your posts; it's a great help to hear about dealing with AD/dementia from a sufferers point of view.
My Mum is 91 and although she was only diagnosed six months ago she's deteriorated rapidly since, poor love. She has no conversation and struggles both to make herself understood and to understand others. It's so frustrating but as you say, she's kept her sense of humour and still enjoys a good laug every day. To get out into the garden to listen to the birds and feel the warmth of the sun is something I hope this dreadful illness will never take from her.
Wishing you and your good lady many more long and happy summer days.
I just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed reading through your posts; it's a great help to hear about dealing with AD/dementia from a sufferers point of view.
My Mum is 91 and although she was only diagnosed six months ago she's deteriorated rapidly since, poor love. She has no conversation and struggles both to make herself understood and to understand others. It's so frustrating but as you say, she's kept her sense of humour and still enjoys a good laug every day. To get out into the garden to listen to the birds and feel the warmth of the sun is something I hope this dreadful illness will never take from her.
Wishing you and your good lady many more long and happy summer days.
Thank you sandpiper
Enjoyed Reading your posts and seeing your pictures, made me think not twice but several times at the emotions my MIL must be facing, trying so hard to understand these feeling's you as AD pilgrims (as you describe yourself ) are experiencing and hoping to have the compassion and strength to see it through to the very end with what it brings ...xx
Lynn
Enjoyed Reading your posts and seeing your pictures, made me think not twice but several times at the emotions my MIL must be facing, trying so hard to understand these feeling's you as AD pilgrims (as you describe yourself ) are experiencing and hoping to have the compassion and strength to see it through to the very end with what it brings ...xx
Lynn
Enjoyed Reading your posts and seeing your pictures, made me think not twice but several times at the emotions my MIL must be facing, trying so hard to understand these feeling's you as AD pilgrims (as you describe yourself ) are experiencing and hoping to have the compassion and strength to see it through to the very end with what it brings ...xx
Lynn
Hi Lynn,thank you for your kind comments.
As one of the Pilgrims to which you refer,it brings a great deal of personal satisfaction to know that my personal reflections and experiences expressed through my posts, helps others understand the vagaries of this horrible disease.I am fortunate that I have not been engulfed totally and that I am still able to express my feelings to those who may be interested.
Best wishes to you and MIL.
"How are you".
My good lady tries to ensure that I still socialise and converse with others, needless to say this goes against the grain of an old curmudgeon like me! Bless her,I really do try. I am usually joined /partnered with an old family friend who also requires care. We have a weekly outing in the car come rain hail or snow, which we now refer to as my 'care in the community' outings. We have a fixed circuit of garden centres ,pubs and cafes which we alternate with,culminating in a food and drink session( juice!). I secretly look forward to these weekly outings,even allowing for being driven by a budding race driver!
On one of these outings recently I was reminded when meeting people, that even the simple questions like, “how are you?” or “how do you feel” are hard to answer. I could say “pretty good,” or “not bad,” or “okay,” but none of those are true, because I don’t really know how to tell them how I really am. I can usually tell my wife if I feel tired or if I have some pain, but there’s so much more that I can’t put into words to others when greeting and meeting. Specific questions might help, but to leave me to figure it out on my own is confusing and frustrating. My wife suggested that I just be honest and say “I don’t know.” And she’s right; that tells it how it is!
My good lady tries to ensure that I still socialise and converse with others, needless to say this goes against the grain of an old curmudgeon like me!
Bless her,I really do try. I am usually joined /partnered with an old family friend who also requires care. We have a weekly outing in the car come rain hail or snow, which we now refer to as my 'care in the community' outings. We have a fixed circuit of garden centres ,pubs and cafes which we alternate with,culminating in a food and drink session( juice!). I secretly look forward to these weekly outings,even allowing for being driven by a budding race driver!On one of these outings recently I was reminded when meeting people, that even the simple questions like, “how are you?” or “how do you feel” are hard to answer. I could say “pretty good,” or “not bad,” or “okay,” but none of those are true, because I don’t really know how to tell them how I really am. I can usually tell my wife if I feel tired or if I have some pain, but there’s so much more that I can’t put into words to others when greeting and meeting. Specific questions might help, but to leave me to figure it out on my own is confusing and frustrating. My wife suggested that I just be honest and say “I don’t know.” And she’s right; that tells it how it is!
As stated in previous posts I have been unlucky with medicinal compounds prescribed by health professionals following my Alzheimer's diagnosis .
My Aricept prescription was a complete disaster,with me having a very bad reaction to it.I was offered alternative modern concoctions, but declined these.
Recently I came across a 19th century compound which potentially could replace the Aricept An ancient elixir from a well known purveyor of uplifting concoctions.
Given the recent Summer temperatures,it may not do what it was originally designed to,but will most certainly slake my thirst.
My Aricept prescription was a complete disaster,with me having a very bad reaction to it.I was offered alternative modern concoctions, but declined these.
Recently I came across a 19th century compound which potentially could replace the Aricept
An ancient elixir from a well known purveyor of uplifting concoctions.Given the recent Summer temperatures,it may not do what it was originally designed to,but will most certainly slake my thirst.
What a beautiful advert Sandpiper, they don't make them like that anymore !
Pity I don't like Coca Cola.
Are you enjoying this weather? Very unusual for Scotland !
Take care,
Margaret x
Pity I don't like Coca Cola.
Are you enjoying this weather? Very unusual for Scotland !
Take care,
Margaret x
Hi Sandpiper, love your thread. I hope that beverage understands truth in advertising, I shall get right on to that product if it does as it says.
Regarding ways of communicating, it really is something we learn as we go. I always greet my dad with, "Hi Daddy, it's your Stephanie." He always answers with a beaming smile and a loving, "Hi Mum!" He calls Mum, my sister, and me, Mum. We are the women he loves and who care for him, and our names are unnecessary. But some people who have never spoken to someone with dementia can really put you on the spot, can't they? I'm so glad your dear wife is so practical and straightforward. Good for her.
Stephanie, xxx
Regarding ways of communicating, it really is something we learn as we go. I always greet my dad with, "Hi Daddy, it's your Stephanie." He always answers with a beaming smile and a loving, "Hi Mum!" He calls Mum, my sister, and me, Mum. We are the women he loves and who care for him, and our names are unnecessary. But some people who have never spoken to someone with dementia can really put you on the spot, can't they? I'm so glad your dear wife is so practical and straightforward. Good for her.
Stephanie, xxx
I agree about the advert Margaret,you just do not get that quality these days.
The weather here today is very warm and sunny,they are forecasting it to be around 28-29 c.A very welcome change to the norm.
Good to hear from you.
