DEMENTIA, WORRY AND BLESSINGS

After ten years of fading memory and declining cognitive abilities I realised that I must get some tablets from the doctor. Sadly, there are no tablets that will reverse dementia. Omega 3 supposedly helps and I have discovered that coconut oil has helped a great deal to slow down the advance of my dementia. After the doctor's diagnosis I was plunged into despair and depression and viewed my future life as empty and embarassing as my faculties eventually left me and Alzheimer's took me over. Over the ten years of dementia I had been several times for Alzheimer's tests. These I always passed with flying colours as they were so ludicrously easy. 'What day is it?' 'What month is it?' 'Who is the president?' Etc. Etc. The various doctor's were very pleased to re-assure me that I didn't have Alzheimer's. However, none talked about the possibility of dementia. None talked about how lifestyle changes might reduce the progress of dementia. None talked of how damaging stress and worry can be to all aspects of health. After the initial shock I studied my new subject and like all other dementia people I discovered that despite the vast numbers of books on the subject there seemed a lot of gaps and certainly there was no cure and no great efforts had been made in the past to discover what all the causes of Alzheimer's are and of course a cure. As time went on I came to realize that actually now much more was being done about our illness. In particular the way that Alzheimer's patients are no longer treated in a confrontational way. Nowdays if you want to go and see your mother, you won't be told bluntly and factually that in fact she has been dead for forty years and have to grieve again. Rather your attention will be diverted to things and events that you remember in a happy way. For myself the path of discovery was very beneficial as it enabled me to totally come to terms with my dementia and to be very grateful for my many blessings every day. I am convinced that worry and stress do contribute to to the acceleration of dementia. Dementia has actually made me happier because I value so much more what I have. As a writer I find that although I occassionaly struggle with the odd word, my thinking and creative abilities have for the moment at least improved. My intuition is also greater and I know of other dementia people who say the same. As to worry, well my financial situation takes a bit of balancing now, but I have learned to put my trust in the Lord and it's amazing how something always turns. My dementia does not worry me at all as with planning and some help from others one can manage rather well. When and if the time comes that I no longer remember who I am I will not have anything to worry about, so I don't worry now. Of course having a good caregiver helps tremendously, so I musn't be too smug about myself. God has truly smiled on me by sending my beloved Julian into my life. We've had a good week. Wonderful Summer like weather. Everyone well apart from Charlie who has a chest infection, but we have a wonderful doctor, so he is getting better. My current writing project is a book of poems of love, hope,sadness and of joy. The book goes very well and I hope to publish by the end of September. Dogs lazing in the sun and Bobby the parrot whistling happily away. David Barnato. Paarl. South Africa