Remembering a Father Who Can't: Ch 7

    Even in the darkest shadow, there is light by which to see, and although there was little to do but “hurry up and wait,” as my mother so often declared, we all pushed forward. I continued to study at college, Mom persevered as chauffer and care-taker with little to do show up with an open ear, Sam dove into work, and William took to church like a scholar.
    I cannot tell how the doctor’s viewed his progression even though I was told, for the experience is still too fresh in my heart to be clearly held in my mind. However, few things seemed to alarm them as the disease’s progression was slowed and other mysterious ailments such as his “flaming swords” complaint about his were seen to.
    We have now officially become a pioneering family because few people have ever been diagnosed with this disease so early in life. He could live far longer than dementia has ever been survived before, and his stubbornness and pride could support a somewhat lucid mind for many years to come. However, he could live long enough with a disease that attacks the brain which may start shutting down his the functions of his rather healthy body directly from the source.
    In elderly people diagnosed with dementia, the disease is mostly a memory problem. It causing them to forget where they are or what they are doing, but, if healthy, their bodies can properly function. Most dementia patients die of other diseases because they do not live long enough for the dementia to shut their bodies down. I sincerely hope that the prescribed medication significantly slows the disease’s progression enough that he can live to an old age, but I prepare for the possibility that his brain may shut down his body before he can reach it.
    However, there is hope through all of this. I’ve never felt the saying, “if we can get through this, we can get through anything,” more acutely than I do at this stage in my life. As we have grown closer as a family through the diagnosis and treatment and changes in routines the disease has inflicted on me and my family, I am sure that we can survive anything life will hand us. We may not win the physical battle, but we will persevere and thrive for the rest of our lives remembering to live each day to the fullest and be glad of it.