A Deadly Combination
Dementia and Diabetes are not a good match.40 total reviews
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Must be hard watching his mind go slowly. A sense of humor surely helps, but when he fails to see the humor in PRICK, it has to make you sad. I think this is one of the saddest terminal diseases there is, since it kills the mind and leaves the body behind long before the release of death. You have a hard road ahead, Shari. My heart goes out to you.
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2014
  |
Must be hard watching his mind go slowly. A sense of humor surely helps, but when he fails to see the humor in PRICK, it has to make you sad. I think this is one of the saddest terminal diseases there is, since it kills the mind and leaves the body behind long before the release of death. You have a hard road ahead, Shari. My heart goes out to you.
Comment Written 04-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2014
-
The worst thing is there's no cure. What's out there is only good for so long and only delays the inevitable. At least, he has a bad foot so I don't have to worry he'll wander. After five minutes, he's exhausted.
Comment from gypsycaravan
The double-entendre "prick" is priceless. Your story, as always, is perfectly written, engaging and easy to follow. I do hate it that your entry is biographical non-fiction meaning you are dealing with this sad event daily. Keep your sense of humor. Thanks for posting. Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2014
|
The double-entendre "prick" is priceless. Your story, as always, is perfectly written, engaging and easy to follow. I do hate it that your entry is biographical non-fiction meaning you are dealing with this sad event daily. Keep your sense of humor. Thanks for posting. Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 04-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2014
-
Thanks gypsy, for the wonderful comments on my writing style and for the good wishes.
Comment from granny goes viral
OMG...5 stars not so much for the writing, which is quite good, but for your ability to still laugh, knowing this is going to get worse. As he loses his cognition, he doesn't lose the awareness that he is losing his cognition. Anger erupts. Very sad.
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2014
|
OMG...5 stars not so much for the writing, which is quite good, but for your ability to still laugh, knowing this is going to get worse. As he loses his cognition, he doesn't lose the awareness that he is losing his cognition. Anger erupts. Very sad.
Comment Written 04-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2014
-
You said it in a nutshell, granny.
-
Know when you've had enough.
Comment from Donya Quijote
I feel for your hubby. But truth be told you made me laugh. Spitz humor is the best. I always enjoy your in-the-moment tales. They seem to tug on two emotions, the desire to laugh and the desire to cry. And you get me every time, laughter and tears. This memory problem has got to be tough on the both you. Very good job inserting a very plausible and brief conversation into the setting. Not only can I imagine this but I can truly visualize it. My mother was diabetic. She had juvenile diabetes. She was diagnosed at age four or five. I remember her highs and the special cocktail she would take, orange juice and sugar. Good luck in the contest...
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2014
|
I feel for your hubby. But truth be told you made me laugh. Spitz humor is the best. I always enjoy your in-the-moment tales. They seem to tug on two emotions, the desire to laugh and the desire to cry. And you get me every time, laughter and tears. This memory problem has got to be tough on the both you. Very good job inserting a very plausible and brief conversation into the setting. Not only can I imagine this but I can truly visualize it. My mother was diabetic. She had juvenile diabetes. She was diagnosed at age four or five. I remember her highs and the special cocktail she would take, orange juice and sugar. Good luck in the contest...
Comment Written 03-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2014
-
Imagine having such a serious disease so young. It does make you count your blessings. Thanks for the warm-hearted sensitive review.
Comment from Erik McGinley
Lots of things I know about you are not so happy .. or just plain sad.
But you always write with humour, Spitfire.
Being very honest, sometimes I was Not suicidal because my doctor helped me. It was just her job though.
Sometimes I just really wanted to be dead.
You have a worse 'problem', I think.
Not wanting to be dead, I guess noone is sure how to be alive.
Sometimes the people that help you are the only reason you want to be alive. Think about that.
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
|
Lots of things I know about you are not so happy .. or just plain sad.
But you always write with humour, Spitfire.
Being very honest, sometimes I was Not suicidal because my doctor helped me. It was just her job though.
Sometimes I just really wanted to be dead.
You have a worse 'problem', I think.
Not wanting to be dead, I guess noone is sure how to be alive.
Sometimes the people that help you are the only reason you want to be alive. Think about that.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
-
You're right, Erik. Many days Frank gets out of bed and says he feels like he's dying. He's not afraid of death. Sometimes he says it looks like a pretty good option, but he doesn't want to leave me alone. Anyway, many times his body plagues him because of arthritis and he doesn't think to take pain pills and rub special cream where he aches. I remind him and he feels better fifteen minutes later. My biggest worry is that he gets no joy out of life anymore and is not interested in going anywhere.
Thank goodness, I love to write! Wish he had a hobby.
-
Spitfire.
The only reason I am Not dead
Is that I have people I care about.
-
That's the best reason I can think of!
Suicide is the selfish way out and leaves so many feeling bereft themselves.
One suggestion if it fits. Don't wear black clothes, or if you have to, put color somewhere even if it's paint spatter.
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
I'm sorry you have to go through this and I can't imagine how hard it is for him. I hate asking for help, I've actually been avoiding it for a time period now when I shouldn't be, but I get why he didn't want you to write on his blood thing. By you writing that on it, well it's a reminder to him of how much help he needs. I donate plasma and they have to prick your finger to test your blood before you donate and the finger prick is the worse. The needle is fine but the little finger prick...I hate it. I like what you wrote on it and I hope tomorrow he laughs when he looks at it.
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
 |
I'm sorry you have to go through this and I can't imagine how hard it is for him. I hate asking for help, I've actually been avoiding it for a time period now when I shouldn't be, but I get why he didn't want you to write on his blood thing. By you writing that on it, well it's a reminder to him of how much help he needs. I donate plasma and they have to prick your finger to test your blood before you donate and the finger prick is the worse. The needle is fine but the little finger prick...I hate it. I like what you wrote on it and I hope tomorrow he laughs when he looks at it.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
-
Meghan, I never thought of that. But you're right. It is a cruel reminder. I'll ask if he wants me to take it off. Thanks so much for your POV and the six which I know you rarely use. I'm honored.
-
You deserve it. :)
Comment from Charlene0513
This can be a disabling disease that can leave you lifeless and depending on needles for your survival for life. It leaves even those that are healthy at risk for catching other diseases and makes life sometimes hard to bare when the other person is in denial.
Very informative but so often true of our lives.
Charlene
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
|
This can be a disabling disease that can leave you lifeless and depending on needles for your survival for life. It leaves even those that are healthy at risk for catching other diseases and makes life sometimes hard to bare when the other person is in denial.
Very informative but so often true of our lives.
Charlene
Comment Written 03-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
-
Thanks, b1. He is in denial, but less than a month ago.
Comment from dejohnsrld (Debbie)
A well told and so very sad story. I worked on a dementia unit for 10 years and saw how difficult it was for the familis. I wish you the best,my friend~Debbie
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
|
A well told and so very sad story. I worked on a dementia unit for 10 years and saw how difficult it was for the familis. I wish you the best,my friend~Debbie
Comment Written 03-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
-
Thanks, Debbie. I can't imagine dealing full time with patients. God bless you.
Comment from Pyrrho
Whew. I am sensing in me a tendency to dementia and such is the reason I returned to this site to stimulate my mind. Took up duplicate bridge again also. Your post scares the stercus out of me.
Stercus=>shit in Latin.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
|
Whew. I am sensing in me a tendency to dementia and such is the reason I returned to this site to stimulate my mind. Took up duplicate bridge again also. Your post scares the stercus out of me.
Stercus=>shit in Latin.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
-
I know writing helps me. You may simple have age-related memory loss. I'm 72 and have occasional moments. A good clue would be family history. Frank's mother had dementia too.
Comment from Set in Stone
My heart goes out to you and your husband. It must be very difficult to cope and keep your sense of humour during these trying times. You tell your story well, explaining terms and procedures your readers might not be familiar with. The ending is hilarious. It just lifts the whole little story up from a tale of frustration to a high point of humour. You must be a very special lady. Thanks for sharing this personal episode.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
|
My heart goes out to you and your husband. It must be very difficult to cope and keep your sense of humour during these trying times. You tell your story well, explaining terms and procedures your readers might not be familiar with. The ending is hilarious. It just lifts the whole little story up from a tale of frustration to a high point of humour. You must be a very special lady. Thanks for sharing this personal episode.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
-
Phew! Glad to find one reader who saw the humor in it. He normally has a great sense of humor and it still sparkles some days.
