I took care of my sweet father-in-law for 12 years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. I left a corporate job I loved, because I was offered a promotion which would have required a move to Chicago.

This man was a psychiatrist, mental health director for the state of Kentucky and was credited with early work in psychotropic drugs used to control violent patients.

Even when he couldn't stand or talk, he would roll his wheelchair up to the nurses station at the VA he lived in his last two years and review the charts hanging on a hook.

Like Ga Ga, I cried a lot when he was not watching.

When the barriers are down you see the real person. Bad guys get worse. Sweethearts like Doc become more trusting.

I'm still not over the fact that his own children just didn't have the time to help. Of course, they were right in line when the will was probated.

Being with him daily and making sure that he had the best care I could provide was life affirming.

Here's hoping for a cure as soon as possible.

I was so fortunate to have been able to share his life.


Russ