Today is the first anniversary of the day I admitted my husband to a dementia care facility. Lots of dates & stats have popped up in my head.
Nine years since he was diagnosed with vascular dementia.
Six years since his stroke.
The average life expectancy after a diagnosis of vascular dementia is five years.
It has been one year since I have not been an on-site primary caregiver.
Today I can describe my stress level as below 5 (on a scale of one to ten).
I am grateful that he is thriving at the facility and is well cared for. I am grateful that he doesn’t know if I visited yesterday or five days ago.
I have accepted the term “progressive and irreversible.” That’s a term used to describe his prognosis. I am grateful to be able to enjoy our time together even if he isn’t quite sure who I am.
And yes, I am grateful that I am able to see family and friends more frequently, that I can travel to new places by myself and that I can paint my front door purple if I want to.
With love & hope,
Jane
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