Tonight when the preposay finished getting Mac ready for bed, she said, "o.k. your wife is waiting for you'...that was the answer from mac, That's not my wife.' Stephane just laughed and said, "sure that's your wife, she is here'. I am used to Mac not knowing just who is who, and said, 'it's, o.k. he doesn't always recognize me, 'this bothers some of my friends who also have this problem, in fact most people with later alzheimers do not recognize people in the family - which of course at first is very sad and actually hurts - but as time goes on if the person continues to be with the Alzheimer's patient, he or she recognizes it is someone who is close, and feels very comfortable. Mac is very consistent in that he knows JANET, the person who is always with him, and in this he feels safe, comfortable and loved...therefore it's rather hard to part, but the good news is that yesterday, I was able to leave and the CLSC person that was with him didn't have any problem and neither did i, hallelujah...
So just what does he know and how does he manage? This is the question, of all people, the man at the Adaptative Transport, for the montreal Transport System, asked me today. I was calling to have the transport taxi for Monday, the question he was asking - does Gordon have a walker, or wheelchair, - i answered no, he just needs a companion as he has alzheimers and not able to go anywhere by himself...Well then he asked that question, apparently his own father has beginning Alzheimers. He seemed to think that Mac might call and get transport for himself, then what would happen...I told him at this point...Mac cannot dial the phone, cannot write,although he can read a little, knows numbers but is unable to function or use them, as far as knowing , money, addresses, phone numbers, even names of familiar places or people - but within these confines, he manages to enjoy his life, especially his family, his great grandchild in particular, and in fact loves to see children - and waves to little children when we walk at the lake or in the park.
He knows that he lived in St. Henri - and that is where he was born - he knows he had a large family, that he played hockey and lacrosse, that his mom was very loving and he still loves her, that he has this person - wife, friend whoever she is - that loves him...and tells him so every day...often when i say 'oh mac i love you, he answers 'why'...and tonight in fun, he said, 'no you don't', i answered, o.k, then you're right i don't, well he just cracked up laughing and so did I - as make no mistake, he is completely content with that fact, I love him, and he also says - 'i love you' So that's contentment for me too, as to love and be loved in return - is there anything better than that? Not really, so g'nite.
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