These are the final chapters from 2019. Future entries will be in the present as KC and Sumi cope with isolation and COVID's dangers. The video above and the entry that follows are from June 2.
by KC Mehta
Friendship rekindled!
Many times people ask me if your wife (Sumi) remembers who you are. Invariably, my pet answer is “I am not sure. And it does not matter, as I know that she is my wife.” I also add examples that when Sumi is in a good mood, she differentiates in showing her affection by knowing whom to kiss where . . . me on the lips, Peggy on the cheeks and male visitors (a friend comes to mind) on the forehead.
Peggy, Sumi’s morning caregiver, stopped by this afternoon to say Hi. Due to Covid-19, this was the first time, after an absence of 71 days, that Peggy and Sumi met. When Peggy came, wearing the mask, Sumi was sitting in the den chair and looked at Peggy for few seconds to process who she was looking at. As soon as Peggy extended her hand to Sumi, she got up from the chair.
It was remarkable to see the interaction between Sumi and Peggy. Somewhere along, Peggy’s mask came down, as they were hugging and reconnecting with each other. There were more emotional moments, which I could not capture as I was observing them and soaking in the moment when Sumi was actually crying (sobbing) as if she had found a long lost friend!
I have read that the part of the brain that perceives, receives and gives love stays mostly intact, even at the advanced stage of the disease. I witnessed that today with emotions on full display.
Now, when asked if Sumi remembers me, I can cite today’s re-bonding between Sumi and Peggy.
Sumi was diagnosed with younger onset Alzheimer’s at age 59. She and husband KC had been happily married for more than 40 years. KC shares his journey in Caregiver Connection to increase awareness of Alzheimer's disease and help others find solace.
