THE OTHER DAY I WAS THINKING --over a perfectly fine set of adult beverages --about the Bay Area Media. You can do a lot of that when the sun sets and the overhead fans kick in and the jukebox was going my kinda way.
The topic was grim; my only aunt, Aunt Claire, is in deep trouble. Dementia is a cruel disease. So sad, so threatening, so scary and hell to ponder. I don't know what to do; how to react, Aunt Claire is fortunately out of the hospital but things are tough.
Tough to gather in other meaningless trivia about TV Stations and news product and the people that work there.
Puts everything in perspective.
I share this all now, publically, because in a way, it's comforting to let loose and worry about the more important things in life; right now, I'm a bit in a fog, forgive me friends, enemies too.
I share this all now, publically, because in a way, it's comforting to let loose and worry about the more important things in life; right now, I'm a bit in a fog, forgive me friends, enemies too.
I'll be back soon enough.
Hang in Rich.
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice picture.
Family first, Rich. The anuses in the local media are not going away.
ReplyDeleteFor sure, Family comes first and life is unfair. Will have your Aunt in my prayers. Rich, be strong.
DeleteMy dad died of Alzheimer's last September at 87 years old. While it was sad, his drop was fairly fast. I always wondered how people die of dementia, but now I know. Besides old age, they get to where they don't want to or forget to eat. He was also on some medication to stall the condition, but who knows what that does to other organs. I've had friends and associates who've last years with the condition and that's the real crime - there's an unbelievable emotional and financial toll put on families. I found also that family goes into denial about putting loved ones in care. My ex is an executive in a non-profit that serves seniors and families of seniors and she says it's typical that people wait too long to get services because they feel guilty that they're fobbing off family. As I wrote, we were lucky it only took 4-5 months for him to get really bad and die.
ReplyDeleteI ran into an old classmate at the AAA offices right after my dad died and he was running into the same problems with his father that we had gone through a year before. People are confused about getting services, and Alzheimer's patients can sometimes be very confrontational before they turn docile. It's tough.
God bless, Rich. I lost my grandfather to that ridiculous disease.
ReplyDeleteLooks like an Oakland bar.
You are right, Rich. Dementia IS a cruel disease. I was my mom's caretaker while she suffered from it during her last decade. The fact that you are putting things in the proper perspective indicates a great deal about your character and the love that you have for your Aunt.
ReplyDeleteI wish the very best to you both. Take care, and stay strong!
Best wishes to you and your family, Rich.
ReplyDeleteThe bars I hang out in will kick you out if you come in with a suit on.
Take all the time you need, Rich. Aunt Claire's far more important than any of this media garbage!
ReplyDeleteYou might try a support group for families with loved ones that have dementia.
Hang in there, man.
Sending positive thoughts your way.
I know that bar. And if I ever see you in there, the first round's on me. After a couple shots, I'll tell you about the closet under which the bodies are buried and the skeletons lay.
ReplyDeleteAll the best and happiest to you...hang in there
ReplyDeleteStay Strong!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Rich - I lost my aunt last year. We always met for lunch once a month then she unexpectedly cancelled saying she felt lousy. At 85 she did now and then so I said I'd call her back in a week or two. I got a call 10 days later she was in hospice and terminal so we never did.
ReplyDeleteYou fight a good fight for all of us and it is appreciated. In a better world you would be news director at a super station who valued the worth of a free and independent press in a democracy rather than the crap we are getting now days but at least you can be the conscience of this for the shallow souls who inherited our democracy and pissed on it.
I thank you for your hard work and tireless efforts to keep us strong by pointing out what needs to be addressed.
Please take time for your family and yourself - one can't meet other's needs until they have met their own needs...
Thank you, good luck and God Bless - we do appreciate all you do for us!
Rich, stepping up and taking responsibility for your loved ones can be a painful act of love, but defines you as a man. If you reflect on how much you care for her, you will find a never ending source of strength.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
ReplyDeleteRich,
ReplyDeleteI can throughly relate to your Aunt's dementia health issue as dementia struck down my brother, (who also had AIDS) in 1995 and my Mother In Law last year.(she had kidney disease as well)
In both cases, I had to come alongside each of them and care and comfort them until they both peacefully and quietly passed away and went to Heaven. I will say Prayers for you and your Family during this difficult time and will continue to read and enjoy your blog.