I Saw An Old Woman
An Alzheimer story.22 total reviews
Comment from Mustang Patty
Hi, Sally,
Thank you for sharing this story in a poem. I think it would be difficult to care for a person with dementia. My mother passed over twenty years ago, and both of Dave's parents are gone, too. Luckily, no one suffered from any form of dementia, though I wish my mother had. Maybe the pain of her cancer wouldn't have been so bad.
God bless you for being there for your mother-in-law,
~patty~
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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Hi, Sally,
Thank you for sharing this story in a poem. I think it would be difficult to care for a person with dementia. My mother passed over twenty years ago, and both of Dave's parents are gone, too. Luckily, no one suffered from any form of dementia, though I wish my mother had. Maybe the pain of her cancer wouldn't have been so bad.
God bless you for being there for your mother-in-law,
~patty~
Comment Written 10-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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Thanks so much for the kind review and comments. I appreciate them and sharing your own story, as well. My parents have been gone for sometime. My mother-in-law had a long, difficult illness. I am glad she was left alone in a home.
All my best,
Sally :+)
Comment from Debra White
Hi Sal :)
This is so moving.
Written from experience and with love.
My Grandad had dementia in the last years of his life and your poem brought back to me some of the times I would visit him and he wouldn't know who I was, he would mistake me for someone else. Little things would change his demeanour - bring back old memories but all muddled. His expression could change from fear, to sorrow to joy in a matter of moments. Like the jello in your poem.
Music was the thing that brought Grandad peace and joy in his muddled and frightening moments. Brass band music in particular.
Grandad is the reason I started to write...it helped me to deal with what was happening to him - write the hurt and anger out of my system if you will.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Much love, Debra x
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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Hi Sal :)
This is so moving.
Written from experience and with love.
My Grandad had dementia in the last years of his life and your poem brought back to me some of the times I would visit him and he wouldn't know who I was, he would mistake me for someone else. Little things would change his demeanour - bring back old memories but all muddled. His expression could change from fear, to sorrow to joy in a matter of moments. Like the jello in your poem.
Music was the thing that brought Grandad peace and joy in his muddled and frightening moments. Brass band music in particular.
Grandad is the reason I started to write...it helped me to deal with what was happening to him - write the hurt and anger out of my system if you will.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Much love, Debra x
Comment Written 10-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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Thank you, dear Sevra. I appreciate your kind and tender comments. Yes, Alzheimer?s is so difficult and does radically effect the mods, not just the memory. I played soft music on her Echo after supper to sooth her. She would go to sleep listening to her favorites.
All my best,
Sal xo
Comment from Kathleen Washnis
God bless you for taking care of her in her time of need. This hits home as I too was there for my own mother for many, many years before she died of this same dreadful disease. Alzheimers is a word I've come to despise! It was like losing her twice but one thing she never forgot is that I loved her and that never died. I like the picture you chose. Sorry for your recent loss and God bless her soul.
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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God bless you for taking care of her in her time of need. This hits home as I too was there for my own mother for many, many years before she died of this same dreadful disease. Alzheimers is a word I've come to despise! It was like losing her twice but one thing she never forgot is that I loved her and that never died. I like the picture you chose. Sorry for your recent loss and God bless her soul.
Comment Written 10-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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Thank you my tender friend and reviewer. I appreciate the comforting words. It is so difficult. I am very sorry to hear of your mom. Please accept my condolences for your loss. Hospice was a great help to us for the last three months. They helped me as much as her.
All my best,
Sal xoxo
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Thank you Sal, I miss her so as she was my best friend and confidant. She had this disease for many years so it was a long journey. My condolences to you and your family as well.
Comment from Sugarray77
Sally, my condolences on your loss. My own mom passed away last August and so many of the descriptions you chose to share were evident in her life too. You have done a very good job on creating a verse that a lot of us can relate to and appreciate. Thank you.
Melissa
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2019
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Sally, my condolences on your loss. My own mom passed away last August and so many of the descriptions you chose to share were evident in her life too. You have done a very good job on creating a verse that a lot of us can relate to and appreciate. Thank you.
Melissa
Comment Written 09-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2019
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Thank you, dear Melissa. I appreciate your kind words. I offer the same to you. I know just how you feel. It hard being without parents. My dad died in 1976 and my mom in 2002. It?s nice you had a close relationship to be near and help with your mom. So sweet.
All my best,
Sal xo
Comment from l.raven
Hi Sally, it's my sweet friend when they get to this point in life...and worse is when they can't remember...I used to wonder how lonely it must be for my mom when she seems so far away...but then it came to me...she wasn't alone...God was in there with her...I am so sorry for the loss of your mom...just some whip cream and jell-o...made her so happy...and your company....sigh...mine will be 90 this year...your poem and your story told are very well written...and I love this stunning picture...love you...Linda xxoo
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2019
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Hi Sally, it's my sweet friend when they get to this point in life...and worse is when they can't remember...I used to wonder how lonely it must be for my mom when she seems so far away...but then it came to me...she wasn't alone...God was in there with her...I am so sorry for the loss of your mom...just some whip cream and jell-o...made her so happy...and your company....sigh...mine will be 90 this year...your poem and your story told are very well written...and I love this stunning picture...love you...Linda xxoo
Comment Written 09-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2019
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Thank you so much for the outstanding review and encouraging comments, dear Linda. She would get me mixed up with her many caregivers, nurses, Hospice attendees. Most of the time, she did remember both my husband and me. Everyday was different. I don?t regret it though. We spared her dying in a nursing home surrounded by strangers. She did much better here with us.
All my best,
Sal xoxo
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we made a pack in our family years ago...no goes to a nursing home...my father was in a hospice bed three or four days...and he passed...God Bless them both...and you sweet girl are always so welcome...all my best to you as well...much love xxoo
Comment from damommy
I had the same situation with my mother who passed away last May. It's so heartbreaking to see 'someone else' in that body we know so well. Bless your hearts for taking care of her. I know how hard it can be.
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2019
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I had the same situation with my mother who passed away last May. It's so heartbreaking to see 'someone else' in that body we know so well. Bless your hearts for taking care of her. I know how hard it can be.
Comment Written 09-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2019
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Thank you so much for the excellent and kind review. I am deeply sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences. It is so hard to lose a parent like this. My parents have been gone for a long time and I called my mother-in-law Mom. She loved that I called her that.
All my best to you and yours,
Sally xo
Comment from nancy_e_davis
It is a difficult disease. I live in fear of it. My sister had it. She died last year at 92. They say she was sweet and amiable to the end. She lived in Illinois and I live in Nevada so I was not able to be there for her. Every time I forget something or can't remember a name I have fear. Fear it is the onset of that disease. God Bless you for her care Sally. I know it wasn't easy. Good story in a poem. Nancy:)
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2019
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It is a difficult disease. I live in fear of it. My sister had it. She died last year at 92. They say she was sweet and amiable to the end. She lived in Illinois and I live in Nevada so I was not able to be there for her. Every time I forget something or can't remember a name I have fear. Fear it is the onset of that disease. God Bless you for her care Sally. I know it wasn't easy. Good story in a poem. Nancy:)
Comment Written 09-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2019
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Thank you so much for the excellent review and kind comments. I am most sorry for the loss of your sister. They do have medication for Alzheimer?s, but she advanced so quickly towards the end her doctor said no. It started with a condition called, Sundowning. It is early evening dementia brought on by the lack of sun. Her mood would change dramatically around that time of day. If we forgot to give her her pills, it was like looking at another person. If you suspect you have a tendency towards this, see a doctor to get on the med I referred to. It is said to slow down the progression of Alzheimer?s.
All my best to you, Nancy dear.
Sal xo
Comment from Ben Colder
Fresh out of six but it deserves one. I applaud you for keeping the mother and loving her through it all. My prayer is for the Lord to take me home before being a burden to myself or others. My blessings to you.
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2019
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Fresh out of six but it deserves one. I applaud you for keeping the mother and loving her through it all. My prayer is for the Lord to take me home before being a burden to myself or others. My blessings to you.
Comment Written 09-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2019
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Thank you so much for the excellent review and a virtual six is always appreciated, too. Let the loving hands around you care for you! I have already been taught the deep lesson from these things. I have more to learn, but I don?t fear them like I used to.
All my best,
Sal :+)
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Losing a relative in this way is hard and when my husband died he had a short illness and never noticed him looking in any way ill, his personality and who he was shone through and I was blind to the illness, I just saw him, it was other people who noticed how he looked. It's funny the things you remember and this is such a personal poem Sally and I am sorry for your loss, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2019
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Losing a relative in this way is hard and when my husband died he had a short illness and never noticed him looking in any way ill, his personality and who he was shone through and I was blind to the illness, I just saw him, it was other people who noticed how he looked. It's funny the things you remember and this is such a personal poem Sally and I am sorry for your loss, love Dolly x
Comment Written 09-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2019
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Such a sweet and tender review. Thank you for your kind words, they mean so much. A loss of beloved family is hard, please accept my condolences. This was a rough disease towards the end. I am glad she was here with us and under Hospice care.
All my best,
Sal xo
Comment from meeshu
this story beautifully woven in free verse. this disease is not easy on anyone. at once frustrating and pathetic. and always asking why. a very solid write, Sal...................meeshu
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2019
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this story beautifully woven in free verse. this disease is not easy on anyone. at once frustrating and pathetic. and always asking why. a very solid write, Sal...................meeshu
Comment Written 09-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2019
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Thank you for the excellent review and coming from a fine poet, it means so much. I sorta dabble in poetry as you know. I am still learning but having fun. This was based on her last year with us; her memory would come and go as the day wore on. It was worse in the evening hours.
All my best,
Sal :+)