Remember me dad...I'm your daughter: Not done yet

Thursday, 29 November 2018

Not done yet

Hey folks. I'm in hospital right now with a heart beat that isn't playing the game.

Bear with me and I'll be back soon.

Lots of love

John

xxx

1 comment:

Cakes by Bert29 November 2018 at 12:31
Prayers to you and your dad. Take care of yourself.
Roberta
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My father is John Bowie (no relation to the iconic music hero) Duffy. He was born on January 15th, 1929. He lives in Whitburn, West Lothian, Scotland and was diagnosed with Early Onset Dementia just a couple of years ago although the signs were there probably two years prior. It just wasn't so obvious. It never is, and at that age, it gets put down to senility. So where do I come in? Let me explain...

I have been a Carer for many years. I have no written qualification, no certificates or awards. All I have to show for what I have done previously...is me. I took a break from Caring when I discovered I had a talent for all things sweet. Those of you who already know me can vouch for this, but for those of you who don't then let me tell you that I have been on the most fantastic journey through the art of cake decorating. But all good things must come to an end...or do they. We can't always control what we do. Life just happens and it's how you deal with it that makes the difference. I returned to Caring in 2014.

In his lifetime, my father has had cancer. He has no stomach and he also has Diverticular Disease which is well controlled with diet...which include copious amounts of crisps! (He's almost 90. How can I say no?) My mother, Anne, had breast cancer many years ago and in 2016 was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. She had an operation to remove it but one year on was given the news that it hadn't been successful. She returned to hospital on the 4th of July 2018 and never came home. She passed away on 31st July and was buried on 10th August 2018...the day before her 84th birthday. I moved in with my father on the day my mother went in to hospital, thinking that I would be returning to work soon and that I would have Carers visit regularly to keep him on track. It didn't take very long to realise that this was never going to happen. I made a choice. I left my job, notified my Landlord that I would be moving out...fast, moved in with my father and am now his full-time Carer.

My father has never mentioned my mother since her funeral and no longer recognises her in photographs. He knows I am related to him but doesn't always get the relationship correct. He can't tell you my name...or my dog's...who is Poppy by the way but at times during this blog will be referred to as "dug"!

My intention through this blog is to enlighten you with the day to day (survival) routine which is living with Dementia or someone who suffers. I don't have fancy words to tell you, I don't know medical terms or technical jargon. What I do have is a sense of humour and a real life situation. I hope that my words will give strength to some and hope to others.

Thank you for taking the time to read!