Living with Alzheimer's.

Four years ago I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. I was very fortunate to have been referred by my family physician, Doctor Pankaj J. Patel one of the best physicians I have ever known. He referred us to Doctor Bridglal Ramkissoon, a renowned Neurologist in Sebring, Florida, Thankfully, he caught the disease in time, which so far has resulted in minimum damage to my over all health.

About two years ago Doctor Ramkissoon increased the dosage of my medication, one of which is administered by a patch on my shoulder. I also take other medicine, which helps to control my anger and depression. I began to have crazy dreams, which Doctor Ramkissoon, attributed to my medications.

I often dream of being lost. In these dreams I wander through forest, which have no ending.  I encounter creatures of all kind, which do not threaten me but usually accept me as one of their own.
Another frequent dream involves water. I find myself floating or swimming in a large river. I pass houses floating in the water with people sitting on their front porch. I also receive crazy thoughts or sayings, which I would never think of when I am fully awake. For example, I had this crazy thought this morning: If the pawn shops have a better selection of expensive jewelry than does the jewelry store, you are in Las Vegas. Now, where did that come from and what significance to anyone. Your guess is as good as mine.

In other dreams I am presented with all kinds of crazy thoughts and memories. I remember things and events as far back as when I was too young to attend school. And, yet I cannot remember what I did yesterday or what I had for supper last night. Many of these are events, which I am sorry for having committed or omitted to do. I remember every person I have ever offended or events, which I wish I could do over or I could meet that person face to face and ask them for forgiveness. Seems like I am constantly asking God to forgive me of all my sins, both past, present, and future ones, which I will commit. I often ask, what sins have I committed that God will not grant his forgiveness. Of course, there are none.

By far, the biggest blessing God has ever granted me is my wife, Kathryn Neff Perry. God sent her to me because he knew before I was ever born that I would need her to care for me during the greatest challenge I will ever face. Kathy has a medical background sufficient for her to present my case to all of the medical people we encounter. On one occasion we had an appointment with a brash, young Physicians Assistant who acted as if she was actually a licensed physician. She refused to let Kathy enter the treatment room with her. She began asking me a series of questions about my meds, which I could not answer since only Kathy and my doctors know. I told her she would have to ask my wife. Angrily, she opened the door and reluctantly invited Kathy into the room. She has never been asked to wait outside the treatment room again.

I hope and pray that none of you who will read this will ever have to deal with this terrible disease, Alzheimer's. If you do, please be patient with the victim and pray that God will give you the strength to deal with it with compassion, love and understanding. If you can afford it and want to make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association you will be contributing to research, which may find a cure for this debilitating disease, which at this time is incurable.

Have a very blessed and safe day my friends.