The End of Heroes?

September ... What a beautiful time of year as fall begins. The sky get bluer, the clouds more white and fluffier, and the air has that clean crispness it. Even the grass has that certain crunch to it as you step upon the greenish blades heralding the change of seasons.

Did you know that September also is Alzheimer's month? 

That's right - Alzheimer's month. Alzheimer's a word that strikes heart wrenching, knot in the stomach type of fear. A death-sentence type of fear because that's exactly what it is: A death sentence. No appeal, no retrial.

Another change of the seasons.

You hear the words from the doc in the white coat: "I'm sorry to tell you this, but you have Alzheimer's." You sit there numb at first, until you finally are able to croak out the words, "Are you sure?"

You're thinking — no hoping — a mistake has been made. But that bubble is burst as doc utters the words, "No, there's no mistake, the tests are conclusive. I'm so sorry. I wish I could have better news."

This is the doc who took care of all the aches and pains of the past, the one who discovered your cancer, your pnenoeminia, your chronic asthma and yes, brought you through it all, restoring you to good health stamped in red CURED! But not this time.

You could sense it, you could hear it, you could see it etched in the lines of his face (hopelessness) as he thrusts pieces of paper into your hand with that scribble doc writing called prescriptions.

Suddenly it's over, done, finished, the first step of many all leading to...

That, my friend, is the start of Alzheimer's.

More than 35,000,000 people have and are living with this dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent, cure or even slow it's progression, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

As the numbness starts to wear off and reality sets in you start to feel a number of varied emotions, like denial, then anger almost a rage like feeling of abandonment.

Why, why me God? How could you? I trusted you, God. I worked hard to obey your will my life. I put my life in your hands. Why did you let this happen?

Silence, only your hollow words. And those feelings, rattling around inside your head, your brain, soon, in a few years to be turned to mush.

It starts slowly, you don't even notice it. But others do and the word spreads. "Did you hear about what happened to ... ?"

Soon — way to soon — you recognize the subtle changes taking place. You gobble your pills hoping that maybe, just maybe those rainbow colored pills that cost hundreds of dollars will turn it all around.

But the reality is, your on a death march right to the grave.

You start to lose memory, what day is it, time? Name, people, places ... everyday things so common before to recall. But not now, each day more and more of you memory starts to fade. Yet you still can recall in in great detail the distant past in great clarity. But that too shall pass.

Then there is the one that wanders. Who suddenly gets up and wanders aimlessly. First around the house, but then out the door. No notice, nothing said. Family members are beside themselves seeking help,direction from different agencies, only to find that the progress of horrific illness will get only worse as Alzheimer's tentacles reach out further enveloping others drawing them in, placing all kinds fear, doubt, as well as guilt as they watch helplessly their love one slowly, every so slowly die before their eyes.

Toward the end, your body starts to stop function. Slowly at first,ever so slowly, yet ever so deadly. Balance, picking up things like a fork, a knife, or even a spoon. Trying to get that morsel of food into a mouth whose muscles start to become atrophied. Bowels that begin to lose muscle control...going, going gone.

Now you find yourself virtually paralyzed totally depend and embarrassed on others.

They're called caregivers. Your spouse, son, daughter, grandchild, brother or sister. Working 7/24 trying to nurse you, to comfort you, to clean up after your bowels soiled your bed linen. Again and again. It gets old in a hurry and it hurts deeply.

As a caregiver your life is no longer yours. Everything revolves around the dying love one. Day and night, night and day. All becomes a blur. Tired ... yes, oh so tired. The life of a caregiver done behind the closed doors. Love, obligation, then even hate hoping that maybe, just maybe death will come quickly. But it doesn't.

And the beat goes on ...

Caregivers: they are like you wanting to help the love one. But they desperately need help. A couple of hours off, time to get hair done. Time to just get AWAY! To relax. Think about that. You could, yes you could. If not you, perhaps you and a friend. Give that caregiver some well deserved rest. You seen the TV ads, caregivers in action. "The end of Alzheimer's starts with me. And you." (Alzheimer's Association.)

September is the month which is set aside to honor the unsung heroes across our land and around the world that care who walks the walk with their love one, trying to make the journey just maybe a little more bearable ... hopefully.

Go do what you can do, a little time, perhaps a donation to the Alzheimer's Chapter near you. Raise awareness ... it can't hurt. Thank you. From the grateful heart of a pastor, who now is looking down the lonesome road of Alzheimer's.

"God is good ALL the time."