On Saturday my cousin's wife, Eilish a woman I have known for almost 45 years lost her battle with Alzheimer's.
This is the most debilitating disease that I have ever seen ravage an individual of their personality, independence; and, most importantly their memories. This disease is affecting more women than men and is no longer a disease for just the aged. Eilish has had the disease for almost 10 years and she was only 62.
This disease not only affects the infirmed; but, also the family. You become a caretaker and watch an individual die before your eyes. It is very heartbreaking.
I was glad that both her son Gerard, her grandson Callum and I got to see her a little over a week ago. She was awake when we arrived and blinked when we kissed her and said "hello" - I like to think that she knew we were there.
A more wonderful and giving woman you will never meet - she was a caregiver having been a cardiac care nurse for almost 30 years.
May you never have to experience this disease and may you someday meet a woman with the heart and spirit that Eilish had.
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