I’m losing my dad to dementia. Its so hard watching a once strong man become weak and feeble. This man was a pro rodeo bull rider, Now he can barely walk. He broke cutting horses, now dementia has broke him. He cant remember what he ate an hour ago, but can tell you about the time he fell off his bike at 6 years old. He cant remember that I hugged his neck and kissed his forehead yesterday, but he can remember throwing the baseball with me when I was in little league 37 years ago. His eyes are sunken and sometimes hollow, but they follow my mom and his wife of 50 years where ever she goes. I try to keep it together but sometimes I cant, I am only a mere human with all my goods and all my bads.
I have no idea why I am even writing this here on the forums. I just felt for some reason I needed to.
You sound like a great son. Your dad is fortunate to have raised a good person that genuinely cares about their family, and your dad sounds like a solid individual that lived a worthwhile life.
I’m sorry your feeling this way. I hope you’re able to talk about this with any other family members you have, too.
So, so sorry to hear this. To you and everyone else out there going through their own personal trials, I send my very best wishes.
Most folks just blithely meander through life unaware, and generally uncaring, of the pain and suffering all around them.
Take care and try and stay strong.
It breaks my heart to read stories like these, it is a hardship no one should ever have to endure. I’m sorry you and your family are going through such troubles.
This is why we must be kind to the elderly. They have so much stories to share with us and give us motivation for the future. Your memories of your dad will be with you for a long time.
Sorry to hear about this. Its really hard to deal with and it doesnt get any easier.
Ex wifes mother had dementia and Alzheimers. She was my friend before I ever married her daughter. Used to sit up all night talking, just the two of us, when I was younger before I got married. Very interesting woman. Intelligent and observant, but a tad too emotional at times. But a good friend. What the dementia did to her was an abomination.
I feel your pain, to a certain extent, I had to remind my grandfather on a daily basis that his wife was no longer alive because she passed away while he was dealing with dementia.
I’m sorry. I’ve been down this place twice, and now again to someone younger than he should be …there’s no easy way, the long goodbye. You’ll keep loving him, that’s what we do. And sharing with strangers is safe somehow.
That’s a hard, hard road, man, and I’m mighty sorry you have to walk it. I wish I could say it gets better. The best I can say is that there’s an end to it.
