I try to understand what my wife thinks. I know it is impossible and i can only guess, but I was browsing an American Alz. web site and they have a book to see / read / download, but there was a posting in the book from a patient extract from another book.
A man with Alzheimer's disease, quoted in the book The Loss of Self, seems to express the feelings of many people with dementia:
"No theory of medicine can explain what is happening to me. Every few months I sense that another piece of me is missing. My life . . .
my self . . . are falling apart. I can only think half thoughts now.
Someday I may wake up and not think at all . . . not know who I am.
Most people expect to die someday, but whoever expected to lose their
self first? I am hungry for the life that is being taken away from me. I
am a human being. I still exist. I have a family. I hunger for friendship,
happiness and the touch of a loved hand. What I ask for is that
what is left of my life shall have some meaning. Give me something to
die for! Help me to be strong and free until my self no longer exists."
I think the last few sentences is something that we as carers know instinctivly and it is that which gives us strength to do what we do.
cris
A man with Alzheimer's disease, quoted in the book The Loss of Self, seems to express the feelings of many people with dementia:
"No theory of medicine can explain what is happening to me. Every few months I sense that another piece of me is missing. My life . . .
my self . . . are falling apart. I can only think half thoughts now.
Someday I may wake up and not think at all . . . not know who I am.
Most people expect to die someday, but whoever expected to lose their
self first? I am hungry for the life that is being taken away from me. I
am a human being. I still exist. I have a family. I hunger for friendship,
happiness and the touch of a loved hand. What I ask for is that
what is left of my life shall have some meaning. Give me something to
die for! Help me to be strong and free until my self no longer exists."
I think the last few sentences is something that we as carers know instinctivly and it is that which gives us strength to do what we do.
cris