"My Dad is suffering from late-stage dementia (presumed to be Alzheimer's). Or, I guess I should say, my mom, brother, and I are suffering from it. Honestly, Dad seems content enough. He's almost entirely nonverbal - you might get the occasional 'yeah' or 'ok' out of him, but that's it - and he doesn't know us at all anymore. He's a shell of himself, and it hurts to see him that way. And I kept thinking of all the stories he told me when I was young, all the advice he gave me, and all the things I'd forgotten or never got the chance to hear. I would give almost anything to hear him say my name or see the light of recognition in his eyes. It's so hard to explain because you're grieving for someone who is still alive. It sounds so shitty, but it would almost be a relief for him to pass - not that I want him gone, but he's not himself, and I KNOW he wouldn't want to live this way..."
"...The worst part is the terrible irony. Getting Alzheimer's and losing all of his memories was his greatest fear. He used to say, 'Who am I without my memories?' and the answer is before me. It's an empty shell of my dad's face, his skin and hair, but his eyes and his smile are empty of everything that made him HIM."
"My Mom passed from dementia a little over a month ago. Each stage of these cognitive diseases is weird. That's the best way I can describe it."
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