My Dad's in the mid to late stages of this disease. It is heartbreaking knowing he won't be with me anymore--we were best friends. He'd take me to work with him, in the air traffic control tower, where I'd sit and listen to the foreign language of the controllers and pilots. It was beautiful.
I miss it so much.
Now sometimes he doesn't know who I am, or he thinks we're back in Detroit in his high school. Throughout it all, he has remained the most gentle, caring, loving man he always was. It is a joy and an honor to take care of him, to feed him every meal everday. To give him baths with the same tenderness as I'm sure he bathed me when I was a baby. That's what Alzheimer's patients are really, just like babies. And that's how you care for them--he loves to be tucked in bed at night.
It is sad, but it is almost over now. They say one more stroke will most likely kill him. Then the pain and confusion will be over, and he can rejoin his loved ones in Heaven. His parents, his brother and sister. My son will finally meet his grandfather. There will be no more pain, or confusion, or worries. He will be young again and live with his brother he hasn't seen for 70 years, and his sister whom he hasn't seen in over 30 years. I love you so much, dad, and I will miss you more than I can say, but on that day, I will also be so happy just knowing that you're healthy and happy again. And then I will see you again, soon.
WOW!!that was very moving,and your Dad loves you even if he can't remember.you rock!!
