Oof, what a hard decision. {{GC, gf, everyone}}
Death is your art. You make it with your hands day after day. That final gasp, that look of peace. And part of you is desperate to know: What's it like? Where does it lead you? And now you see, that's the secret. Not the punch you didn't throw or the kicks you didn't land. She really wanted it. Every Slayer has a death wish. Even you.
Spike ,'Conversations with Dead People'
Spike's Bitches 39: Cuppa Tea, Cuppa Tea, Almost Got Shagged, Cuppa Tea...
[NAFDA] Spike-centric discussion. Lusty, lewd (only occasionally crude), risqué (and frisqué), bawdy (Oh, lawdy!), flirty ('cuz we're purty), raunchy talk inside. Caveat lector.
-t - Jan 09, 2008 6:02:59 pm PST #1630 of 10001
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
sj - Jan 09, 2008 6:16:35 pm PST #1631 of 10001
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
{{{GC, GF, and family}}} What an awful choice. I'm so sorry for everyone involved.
sj, I feel you. I am still not sure what the difference between senile dementia and Alzheimer's is, but my grandma developed it, and it was awful to see what it did to her. It was what she didn't want to happen, and it tore my dad up to watch it. Now that he's getting older, it is his, and now my, worst fear. It's horrible.
From what I have read. Alzheimer's is one of possibly many causes of dementia, which is the larger category. You really can't tell for sure if someone had Alzheimer's unless you do an autopsy, so a diagnosis is really just a guess on the part of the doctor that he/she thinks best explains the symptoms. Of course I could be totally wrong about all of that.
My step-grandmother had Alzheimer's, and it was just so awful. It remains a big fear of my mother's and my stepfather's as a result. I can tell they think about it everytime they forget where their keys are, etc.
Trudy Booth - Jan 09, 2008 6:18:58 pm PST #1632 of 10001
Greece's financial crisis threatens to take down all of Western civilization - a civilization they themselves founded. A rather tragic irony - which is something they also invented. - Jon Stewart
Of course, my uncle who saw her last week told me she was doing really well. It never fails to amaze me just how much in denial my father's side of the family can be.
It really could be you saw a particularly bad day. If he sees one of those for every ten good ones "doing really well" could be reasonable
sj - Jan 09, 2008 6:23:24 pm PST #1633 of 10001
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
It really could be you saw a particularly bad day. If he sees one of those for every ten good ones "doing really well" could be reasonable
I kind of doubt it. She didn't remember that she had ever met TCG (which she has on at least 3 occasions), she couldn't remember that she had sent us a Christmas gift, etc. My father's family is very good at denying things they can't handle, for example the fact that my dad or my grandmother ever existed so that they don't have to deal with their deaths.
WindSparrow - Jan 09, 2008 6:23:38 pm PST #1634 of 10001
Love is stronger than death and harder than sorrow. Those who practice it are fierce like the light of stars traveling eons to pierce the night.
Lots of hugs and ~ma for sj's aunt and for GC's gf and her family.
-t - Jan 09, 2008 6:25:38 pm PST #1635 of 10001
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
My great-grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in her 90s, after years of the doctors saying, essentially, she's just old, forgetting stuff is natural. What the difference was, I don't know.
I was lucky. She rarely recognized me as such, but she always thought I was someone she knew and was happy to see me.
Cass - Jan 09, 2008 6:33:16 pm PST #1636 of 10001
Bob's learned to live with tragedy, but he knows that this tragedy is one that won't ever leave him or get better.
There are just no good options.There just aren't. I am so sorry, GC. For you and GF and your entire families. It's such a terrible thing to have to try and live though. I can't imagine how terrifying it must be for him.
beth b - Jan 09, 2008 7:02:32 pm PST #1637 of 10001
oh joy! Oh Rapture ! I have a brain!
{{GC, GF and family}}
sj, I have a friend whose father has dementia. She and her husband are now living with her father. It has been really, really hard. (She deals with her father with a sense of humor). Her definition of a good day, is very different than mine would be - because she sees him every day. J has been married to W for 45+ years - her dad doesn't always recognize W. I think it was hardest on everybody when J's dad knew he was losing it, but couldn't really completely understand what was happening. any way, sending ou lots of love, talk to other people and when I remember the title of the book J read that really helped - I email it to you.
Susan W. - Jan 09, 2008 7:11:23 pm PST #1638 of 10001
Good Trouble and Righteous Fights
{{{GC, GF, and family}}}
{{{sj}}} We went through watching the horrible advance of dementia with my maternal grandmother. Such a heart-rending place to be.
Susan W. - Jan 09, 2008 7:21:18 pm PST #1639 of 10001
Good Trouble and Righteous Fights
CHOIR REHEARSAL: A MORAL TALE IN ONE ACT
As our scene opens, SUSAN, an alto, is rehearsing "Down to the River to Pray" with the rest of her choir. The arrangement has two solos.
SUSAN (internal monologue/voiceover): I'd SO love to sing one of the solos. The altos don't ever get the melody, and it's just so gorgeous. Plus, this is Appalachian music, roots music, Southern gospel, and I'm the only one in this whole choir who actually grew up on this stuff. I know how to put just the right twist and twang on it. I'm Baptist. From Appalachia. This music is in my BLOOD. I want the solo. I can ROCK the solo. Sure it's a little high, if I could pick a key I'd want it about two keys lower, but it tops out at a B. I can hit a B easy.
GARY (the choir director): Well, we still haven't rehearsed the solos. Is anyone interested?
SUSAN: It may be too high for me, but I'd like to try it. Music of my childhood, you know.
GARY: Sure, go for it.
SUSAN: t remembers she hasn't sung a solo in 19 years t realizes everyone in the congregation will be thinking of Alison Krauss t gets stage fright
The music starts. Gary cues Susan
SUSAN (squeakily and not at all Alison Kraussily, but in tune enough to not get booted): "As I went down to the river to pray..."
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OMGWTF was I thinking!? There will be at least 200 people in each service on Sunday! I can't do this!