Right now I am sitting here at my computer quietly crying as my boys and their friends are watching a movie in the same room. I have just finished reading a journal written by a man whose wife suffered and died from Picks disease several years ago. Under normal circumstances I would not be researching this disease, but my aunt was diagnosed with this same disease sometime last year. This disease is a form of dementia similar to Alzheimers except they do not live as long after diagnosis due to rapid decline in brain function. Yesterday was a very sad, but eye opening day for me.

I decided to visit my aunt and uncle on my way home from a dentist appt. since I had not visited since her diagnosis. My uncle was outside on his porch swing when I pulled up and my aunt was inside. I sat down with my uncle and we talked for a while about what I've been up to and just as I started to ask about my aunt, she came walking very timidly outside. One thing about my aunt is that she has never been timid in her life. But as she walked towards us she acted like she wanted to go back in. My uncle talked to her and persuaded her to come and sit on the swing with me. She sat down and looked at me and said "Hello, do you work here in town?" At this moment I knew that this once vivacious lady had no idea who I was.

This woman who has known me since the day I was born is meeting me for the first time in her mind. As we sat there and talked (my aunt just sat there and listened) I watched my uncle talk to her and love on her through his eyes and his words. It was as if she were a little child sitting there beside me. After a while she went back inside to watch the game show network which is what my uncle says she watches all day everyday. He now does all the cooking and cleaning and takes care of her. She can't remember how to do even the simplist of tasks anymore.

I asked him if she remembers anyone and he told me that he is the only one that she recognizes. They have 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren and she does not know any of them anymore.  Sadly there will be a time when she won't know who he is anymore. If any of you have seen the movie: The Notebook, this is a scene right out of the movie. The first time I saw the movie I cried, no...sobbed through the whole movie, because I could see my aunt in the movie.

I needed this time to vent and hopefully this will help anyone who may know someone with a similar situation. Let us remember to thank GOD for our precious memory that we take for granted everyday!

May the Lord Bless each of you who read this.

Sarah