It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb.
He said he was in a hurry, as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him.
I saw him looking at his watch, and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.
On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.
The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I inquired as to her health; he told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.
As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are'?
He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'
I had to hold back tears as he left. I had goose bumps on my arms and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life'.
True love is neither physical nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.
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My friend sent this to me in an email. Thank you Iggy. I have seen it before and it touches my heart every time I see it again.
There are times when I sigh and think, "what's the point" as I spend each day with my mother. My mind always goes to the most important words anyone who is dealing with a loved one with Alzheimers needs to remember: "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."
5 comments:
As hard as it may be sometimes, treasure your moments with your mom, Punkn. From what I've read in your blogs, I think you do. *hugs*
This one's arrived in my inbox several times too. It's hard for stories like this to not touch a person's heart.
*Hugs Punkn tightly*
The words resonated with me because my Grandmother, after her last stroke, didn't know who any of her visitors were and the trips to go see her were hard because of that - looking back at it now, those trips were for myself as well as for her - we shared something that was far underneath the outwardly visible level.
And something special between two people doesn't need words or rememberance or even familarity to take place. - Thank you, Punkn.
What a beautiful story....*hugs* My next door neighbor has that and she's starting to get where she can't remember some things..(where the dishes are, what she ate this morning, etc)...Treat every moment you have with your mom as a blessing....
A very heart warming story. I am sure I have seen it before to. It all so true though as I have gone through it to. Just treasure all the times you are with her. She may not know your name but she does know at the time that someone is there visiting her.
Hugs
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