Something to think about

[BobSch]

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's 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 re-dress 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 who I am, but I still know who she is."

[OpaDC]

The 21st century. Okay for guys to cry now right?

[DUD]

Thanks Bob

I visited My Mother for a Year and 3 months in a Nursing Home. I visited every day, She

had a Brain Tumor. The only thing to do, Bill

[Ed62]

The 21st century. Okay for guys to cry now right?

My exact thoughts.

Ed

[ironhat]

There are more than just a few good men still walking the earth.

[eccentrictinkerer]

I try to visit my Mom every day. She's in the last stages of Alzheimers.

My brother and sister asked me why so often, seeing as how she doesn't know me from Adam ('though she does smile when she sees me).

I told them that I do for me not for her.

A couple of years ago she apologized for all the running I did for her. I told her that she took care of me for 18 years. Now it's my turn to take care of her.

[BobSch]

The 21st century. Okay for guys to cry now right?

God, I hope so, because I had a real hard time when I first read it. My mother -in-law didn't have Alzheimer's, but dementia had taken most of her memory. It was really hard to talk with her and see that she didn't even know her own daughter.

Sometimes I wonder if our extended lifespan is such a good thing.

[Pappy]

My mother was 300 mailes away but, in her last 3 months, I burned the highway every weekend to spend as much time with her as I could.

For those whose parents still have their health, don't wait. Spend as much time with them as you can now!

[Uncle Cracker]

Sometimes I wonder if our extended lifespan is such a good thing.

Doesn't do much good to extend the life of the body, but not the mind.

[Richard in Smithville]

Thanks for the post Bob. Nine years ago I was coaching my daughters b-bal team. We got rained out one night so loml suggested we stop at my parents and see Dad( he had been sick for a while). The next day I was really in love with her for getting me there as Dad went the next morning.

Hug your loved ones every chance you get because you don't know which hug will be the last.

[ironhat]

Hug your loved ones every chance you get because you don't know which hug will be the last.

Boy, do you have that right, Rich. I had observed over the years that my father-in-law always said, "Thanks for coming", when we would make the 2 hour drive to see them on a Sunday. That taught me something so now, although my grandkids only live 4 miles away, I thank them for coming to see us every time they come. And, every time we go there I thank them for letting us come over. Oh yea, I tell my daughter and son-in-law the same thing.