waiting out the storm (virus)

[MossRoad]

Years ago my Dad died of complications from Alzheimer's. Last 18 months of his life he had no mental capacity and wore a diaper. I thought that was a horrible way to go.

Four or five years later an elderly good friend of mine died of Cancer. I visited him daily the last week of his life. Evening before he died I was sitting at his bedside. Mostly silent. Broken conversation between us. I was just spending time with him. Out of the blue he said "Richard I think I know what He!! is". I said "Voris I would love to hear your views". He said "It's when your body quits and your mind still works". We were silent for several minutes after that. It was a very profound statement that lives with me every day. Having recently experienced what I thought was pure He!! in my Dad's case.

Now, 25 years later, I agree with Voris. Losing one's body first is way worse. Voris lived every minute knowing he was dying and there was nothing he or anyone else could do about it. My Dad on the other hand wasn't aware of his condition.

My father had cancer. Multiple myeloma, complicated by amyloidosis. Once that kicked in, he was gone in 5 weeks. But his brain was right there to the last minute. About 3 weeks into it I told him if he was my dog I'd have put him down last week. He told me that's ok. It wasn't that bad. The last night, he said he'd had enough. He was gone the next morning. 76 years old.

His mom, on the other hand... Her brain worked right up to the end as well. At 97 she said she'd had enough and was ready to go, but the Dr told her she had the heart of a 70 year old so she'd just have to wait.

She went a year and a half later at 98. Pretty peaceful, happy, and quiet. That's the way I'd like to go. That's the way my dad thought he'd go. You never know.

 

[MossRoad]

Tastes have certainly changed... growing up Mom was never for sweets of any kind and only cake/desert would be birthday/Christmas/Easter. Now a carton of Ice Cream or muffins from work vanishes and if asked knows nothing about it.

Some of the previous comments have hit home... such as drapes and curtains... locking up everything or hiding things so they don't disappear...

Best thing ever is tracking key fobs for locating items... even put one on the hair brush!

More recent is wanting to get home before dark even when standing in her home of 51 years.

It is more of a job then I could have ever expected... all is good as long as I am within eyesight but taking out the garbage or going to the garden will get me locked out Everytime.

The little memory joggers don't work like they use to...

If that were me and I was 30, I'd think my mom was trying to tell me something.... get a life, young man! :laughing:

My FIL likes to check the doors often as well.

 

[Diggin It]

Out of the blue he said "Richard I think I know what He!! is". I said "Voris I would love to hear your views". He said "It's when your body quits and your mind still works".

I've always said the very worst possible thing that could happen to a person was complete and total paralysis (no matter the cause) to the point you can't speak or even blink, but you can see, hear and your mind is fully aware of surroundings.

 

[ovrszd]

Richard... thank you for sharing your insight.... never thought of it this way as just about everyone I know was sharp to the end... even when bedridden.

You're Welcome. There's much worse things than death. You know that very well.

 

[ultrarunner]

If that were me and I was 30, I'd think my mom was trying to tell me something.... get a life, young man! :laughing:

My FIL likes to check the doors often as well.

It's strange only going to my home to pick up mail and to water... even more strange sleeping in the same I slept in at age 9... it is like reverse Rip Van Winkle..

 

[drssg]

It's strange only going to my home to pick up mail and to water... even more strange sleeping in the same I slept in at age 9... it is like reverse Rip Van Winkle..

On the flip side, I think it's a rare privilege to be able to go "home" to that extent. Before my father passed away six years ago, my childhood room still had my Tonka toys stored away in the closet.

We have kept his house, but we rented it out, so it has other people's stuff in it now. I haven't been inside since everything was moved out. It wouldn't be home anymore.

 

[/pine]

You know why they call it the novel Coronavirus?

It's a long story...!

 

[Jstpssng]

You know why they call it the novel Coronavirus?

It's a long story...!

Don't give up your day job.

 

[ultrarunner]

On the flip side, I think it's a rare privilege to be able to go "home" to that extent. Before my father passed away six years ago, my childhood room still had my Tonka toys stored away in the closet.

We have kept his house, but we rented it out, so it has other people's stuff in it now. I haven't been inside since everything was moved out. It wouldn't be home anymore.

Yep there still is a there there...

 

[dragoneggs]

Been spending a lot of time in my home office... grounded from all my business travel. Lots of video conferencing. And I am sure many of us wonder what we all look like behind our computers, etc. so I am taking this opportunity to give you a glimpse of me.