Shopping for a stranger

 

I have started shopping for someone I am about to become. Wow that is asentence that I never thought I would say but it's truly true.

 

I have found myself putting together some lovely outfits that would workoutside of bed as well as inside. Today I finally found the perfect top to gowith my favourite pyjama bottoms. Last week I found a bargain in a local second-handshop and got a $300 dressing gown for $10 and it’s like wearing a fuzzy pinkhug.

 

I just had to stop writing for about five minutes while I made my brainremember the word dressing gown (OK I know its two words, sue me). Lots of theliterature I have read about how to care for those with dementia encouragespatients to keep searching. It's like yoga for the brain and I swear it feelslike a workout.

 

I am finding more and more that the thought of what I have ahead of me isn'tactually as scary as I thought it would be. In the booklets I have read theyoften mention that patients become like young children again. I think thatsounds like heaven!

 

My family however are probably shaking in their boots. My Mum believes thatmy two feet never actually met the ground for most of my childhood. I was alsoloud, and I mean LOUD. I had nodules on my vocal cords which were removed whenI was 8 years old.

 

This is what Elton John and Adele have had surgery for i.e., people who singreally loud for a profession! I think my philosophy was that if I shouted loudenough maybe someone would listen.

 

The final thing noted in those booklets has already started ... its SUGAR. Ihave always had a sweet tooth, but this is so much more than that. It's asymptom of early onset Alzheimer’s and it's the only one I like thus far. Itturns things that are sweet into small mouthfuls of heaven.

 

So best of luck with a sugared up, LOUD Rachel who loves to explore :-)