THE GIFT OF GETTING LOST
My husband George has Parkinson’s Disease. He was diagnosed at the age of 40, and was told it was slowly progressing. Well, we had 22 good years. The year 2023 was like a speeding train. He started using a walker and is now in a wheelchair.
His memory and his cognition have been greatly affected. He forgot his medications. The list is long and distinguished. I wrote them out and put them in a plastic sleeve. One side is daytime and the other side is bedtime. They are written to accommodate “mature vision.” He can read it without glasses. So, if he asks about his meds, I hand him the list.
What do you do when your mate doesn’t recognize you?
Sometimes I tell George, “I am your wife, Lidia. I am 60.”
Other times, I have 3 people I call.
#1 George’s brother Tim – any time, day or night.
#2 Paul, “Uncle Paul” We’ve known Paul over 20 years and live 10 minutes away from each other.
#3 Tami, George and Tami went to nursing school and we all worked at the Vet’s Home together.
These changes in George have helped me realize that I have friends and resources to help me out. I don’t have to do it all alone.
The phrase “It takes a village” doesn’t just apply to child raising.
Prayer: Dear God, please help me to remember that I have to pray as if it’s all up to you and work as if it’s all up to me. Amen
Lidia Bertalotto