Monday, September 10, 2012 I really Can't Believe that...

A good question was asked by our friend this past weekend.  When a person with Alzheimers does not believe something should one argue about it and try to set the record straight.  While he and his wife were here Mac said, "I'm looking for other McConnells"  - I reminded him that when we were at his son Leslie's home today, he is a McConnell, he is your son.

Well Mac said, "no I really can't believe that"   ...we reinforced it again, later in the day, but as I said to Bruce, our friend.  I think Mac is stuck in the days of his Lacrosse days, when he was a teenager...and we talked about other things.  Today he asked me again, did I know of other McConnells as he'd like to meet other McConnells.  I said, well there was your brother John in Buffalo, of course all your family are dead now, and so is John, but Sandy is his daughter - she is a McConnell and so is her brother Ray...he is a McConnell...well I know that  but I mean older McConnells.  I said o.k. we'll phone your cousin Mabel, she is an old McConnell although it was her mom who was a McConnell,so her last name is not McConnell.  Well that perked him up, so I will call her and they can discuss their family...but interestingly....

I brought up his son Leslie again, he said, really I can't believe I have a son, - yes you do, and you saw him yesterday...and you have 4 other children.  NO  I don't have children, well I didn't want to argue...just pointed out that he can see all the children's pictures all over on the piano, on the wall etc.  You do have children, but I added, it is hard to believe as they have all grown up to adults, no longer children.  I felt that he would be depressed as he was starting to look very sad...then he said, Well I have a big gap in my memory, BUT, I"M very HAPPY  now...as i'm back in the game...

So i don't think we should argue, but just let it rest...if he is happy, then so am I...and when he said, wait a minute, am I married to you..yes I said that is part of the game, he laughed and said, well good...now you better behave,,  and so i will, as I want him  happy in the game.