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The Long and Winding Road…

~ An Alzheimer's Journey and Beyond

The Long and Winding Road…

Author Archives: Ann Napoletan

You Will Never Be the Same Again

09 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Uncategorized

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This post by Sandra Ross really spoke to me; I felt it was worth sharing…

Going Gentle Into That Good Night's avatarGoing Gentle Into That Good Night

Caring for a loved one with dementias and Alzheimer’s Disease changes us. This, I believe, is one of the most unrecognized aspects of going through the journey of these diseases with loved ones.

I know with my mom, who had vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease as well as suffering from congestive heart failure, I changed throughout the course of our journey together, perhaps as much or more, in different ways, as she did. 

And now that she’s gone, it’s difficult for me to imagine that person that I was before all this started. That person in that configuration is gone. In some ways, that’s good, because that previous iteration of me had some flaws that needed mending, ideas that needed changing, and attitudes that needed correction.

In other ways, though, it’s challenging. Caregiving is a 24/7 job, especially as the diseases progress and the changes become more…

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Call to Action

09 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Advocacy and Awareness, Research, USAgainstAlzheimer's, Washington

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Alzheimers advocacy, alzheimers funding, alzheimers research, government shutdown, sequestration

usa2_logo_email_headerThe government shutdown has officially halted new federal investment in
Alzheimer’s research. But we can’t afford to waste a moment more
finding a cure for Alzheimer’s.

Please don’t delay!
Ask your members of Congress to end the shutdown now.

It takes less than 30 seconds…click HERE.

And when you’re done, share this link and ask your friends to do the same!

http://actions.usagainstalzheimers.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=12187

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Missing Mom…

05 Saturday Oct 2013

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Books, Giveaways, Grieving, Life After Caregiving, Mom, Ruminations

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alzheimers, dementia, grief, grieving

photoIt made me happy to put two copies of Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator, by Max Wallack & Carolyn Given, in the mail this evening. I hope my winners, Becky and Cyndy, enjoy their books. Thanks to Max for sending me a second copy for the giveaway!

I’ll be honest, I’m struggling a bit at the moment and I can’t entirely put my finger on it. I think some of it has to do with dissatisfaction/frustration in one particular area of my life, but it’s more than that.

I’ve been disenchanted, uninspired, and on the verge of (and in) tears all week. I owe articles and responses and reviews to people, and I just haven’t had the emotional or creative wherewithal to do any of it. Even the things that usually excite and inspire me are leaving me feeling flat right now.

Tomorrow is my birthday; next Saturday is my mom’s. The first without her. Although she really hadn’t been “here” for quite a long time, just being able to sit with her, see her smile, hold her hand – I realize now what a priceless gift that was… I would trade all of my worldly possessions for just five minutes with her, although I can’t imagine having to say goodbye again when that time came.

Sometimes I don’t think I’ve come that far at all in the almost 10 months since her passing. Right now, it feels so fresh; I feel as though I could cry enough tears to fill the ocean. I know she wouldn’t want me to be sad, so for her, I try… but it’s hard as hell sometimes. I #%!$ing hate Alzheimer’s with every fiber of my being…

 

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Marilyn, BA (before Alzheimer's)

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