Tags
Alzheimer's, bagel, behavioral variant, Bodo's, butt, dementia, FLD, frontal lobe dementia, frontotemporal dementia, FTD, thank you
To the gentlemen who were at the table next to ours at Bodo’s Bagels today:
Thank you for not being offended when, while trying to steer my reindeer-antlered dad into the tiny gap between the tables and into the seat next to yours, he turned with his butt toward you and stopped cold. Thank you for not being offended when I practically climbed over you to try getting at him from a different angle to get him to sit down. Thank you for not being offended when I collapsed in a fit of hysterical giggles on the table after 3 solid minutes of my mom, my husband and myself trying everything we could think of, from tempting him with kisses, to pushing and pulling, to telling him jokes, to getting him to say the words, “sit down.” Thank you for not being offended when we gave up for a moment and just said, “Uh oh, we’re stuck,” when he would move neither forward nor backward. And, when we finally did manage to get him to back up and sit in a different seat, thank you for saying, “You handled that quite well.”
To my father:
Thank you for not realizing my worst fear at that moment by farting in those gentlemen’s faces.
Does your father have dementia? My hubby has a TBI similar to dementia and it’s always a challenge taking him out to a restaurant. We never know what he might do or say.
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Yes, he’s got frontotemporal dementia. Taking him out is getting harder and harder and is definitely at least a two person job these days. Still, the experience was pretty funny and we rolled with it. As I’m sure you understand, if you don’t laugh it’ll make you cry.
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Yes, laughter is what gets us through a lot of the insanity of TBI. People are usually very understanding although it can get a bit dicey now and then.
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Yes, people respond in equally odd and kind ways. My fear of their reaction is almost always worse than their actual reaction. Good for you for continuing to bring out when possible.
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Pingback: Bagels and Butts | The Perks of Being an Artist
Awww! Your poor dad! My grandma had dementia before she passed. Humor is what got us through that time. I totally get it!
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Really? You like to laugh? I never would have guessed…lol.
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HAHAHA!!
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Laughter makes you stronger!
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Your profile pic with the mustache makes me laugh every time. I guess that means you’re strengthening me?
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Dementia can be devastating, especially for you as a family member caring for and watching. I love that you were able to keep laughing and have such wonderful times together!! Thank you for sharing these memories!!
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Laughter is the ONLY way to survive the whole mess!
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Haha oh my goodness… having your dad farting in a stranger’s face would be so emvarrassing!! I’m glad you avoided that lol
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Worst thing he ever did to a stranger post-dementia diagnosis was kiss a random lady on the head as he walked past. Luckily, she was totally cool about it.
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That definitely is mild compared to what some dementia patients can do!
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Oh, he definitely did worse in other moments, but not around total strangers, lol.
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I did giggle out loud at the last sentence. Just imagining the whole thing, plus a loud fart is enough to make the situation even funnier.
I am glad you have some good giggle-filled memories of what must have been a difficult time.
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