It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman, probably in his 80s,
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 to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, that 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 for 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 me, but I still know who she is.”
This should be a lesson to all that such as debilitating and cruel illness cannot get in the way of a bond between two people. With such good care for those with Alzheimer’s now, as I’m sure this gentleman’s wife was receiving, it’s easier for those living with the illness and family members to cherish the final days with each other. Memory Care San Diego is an example of above and beyond quality care for those diagnosed with such a sensitive illness. Either way, this man was determined not to let the love die for his wife despite the Alzheimer’s.
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought,
“That is the kind of love I want in my life.”
True love is neither physical, nor romantic.
True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.
With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message. This one I thought I could share with you.
The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the best of everything they have.
“Life isn’t about how to survive the storm…
But how to dance in the rain.”
