PAGE
7
Feb.
10, 2003
The
Ins and Outs and Ups and Downs of being Alzheimerish
My
name is Carl. I celebrated my 75th birthday in August, 2002.
For many decades I served thousands of Mississauga residents
as their neighbourhood pharmacist at a small, independent
pharmacy I opened in May, 1952. Since my retirement, things
have changed to say the least. I
don't remember when it happened.
I
still play tennis and racquetball. I still watch the Maple
Leaf games with my family. I don't know who this "Alzheimer
guy" is, or was. He may have fabricated something to
terrorize fragile seniors. When you hear the word "Alzheimer's"
uttered by a friend, relative or doctor you become fearful.
The reason I am writing this is to tell you that you shouldn't
-- mustn't -- be afraid. You should not think that way.
You should not believe that you are "Alzheimerish"
-- fight it !
Thinking
that way is the worst thing to do -- think positively! Be
assertive. You are a strong "you" and you can
fight back. It is too easy to give in.
Remember
what you have done in the past and be proud. Think of the
good times and good friends. Don't feel sorry for yourself.
If you do, you will succumb to this disease.
I
see friends that I have known for many years. When they
approach me and shake my hand or hug me, I smile and then
say, "Sorry, I recognize and know you but I can't remember
your name." I then get their name and write it in my
book. Eventually, I will have all my friends' names in my
book.
I
don't think that I am "alzheimerish." I may have
to think about it in the very near future. Then again, if
I fight it and think positively maybe I can conquer this
Alzheimer fellow. It would be a pleasure to laugh at him
and say goodbye.
Think
of what you have achieved in the past years and these thoughts
will help. You have raised children, and they have loved
you and you are so fortunate. Appreciate what you have.
You have to be strong, I realize, but you can do it!
I
volunteer at two hospitals and enjoy taking people to their
destinations in the hospital. I sometimes (actually quite
often) joke with them. As I am leading patients upstairs,
I will humour them a bit by telling them "I am taking
you first to Las Vegas" and then we will go up in the
elevator. They always laugh and say, "Oh, please!"
It makes them feel good and I feel good also.
Another
casualty of the fiendish Mr. Alzheimer is the family. My
family takes good care of me but sometimes I feel they are
at fault because they are being overprotective. They mean
well but it makes me feel like a nothing. In my case, I
am on the borderline of Alzheimer's. I say this because
I am not that bad. I forget names, that is all! I was advised
not to drive but I still feel that I can drive better than
all the hot-shots on the road today.
I
have not seen the statistics of my condition and on my next
visit to my doctor I will ask him to show me the results
of my tests.
I
still play a great game of tennis, I bowl and do all the
normal other things that people do and yet I have this Alzheimer
stigma. Maybe if they (whoever they may be) could live with
me and see how I act daily I wouldn't be put in this category.
It is definitely a wrong thing to do to a normal, intelligent
pharmacist who can challenge anyone in driving, talking
and thinking rationally.
The
purpose of this writing is to help people who have Alzheimer's
and to make them feel better about things (some just and
some unjust). Let me know if I can help you in any way.
Love
and best wishes,
Carl
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