Today’s blog will complete year one. My continuing mission is to present an accurate picture of the devastating impact of Alzheimer’s, while sharing how God has used this horrible disease to bring Linda and me to a better understanding of the truly important issues of life. When viewing the picture accompanying today’s edition, taken several weeks ago by an observant caregiver, I invite you to consider how it illustrates our story.
Reflecting on the Past
What a year! We have lived through a toxic political atmosphere that shows no signs of letting up, a pandemic that has shaken the world, and unprecedented upheavals in nature. On a personal note, I am using summaries from previous blogs to illustrate some of our most trying moments:
March 2020: During Linda’s long journey with dementia, she remained physically healthy. That changed when her left foot inexplicably started swelling. After extensive lab work, X-rays and an echocardiogram, it was determined that she is developing mild heart failure. On top of that, due to an increase in Covid-19 cases in Bradley County and out of an abundance of caution, Legacy Village instituted a total lockdown.
January and February 2021: Linda tested positive for Covid 19. The wonderful staff, nurses and caregivers made every effort to see that her needs were met, and her symptoms were mild. Nevertheless, to say the least, this was an unnerving turn of events. With the exception of reports of tiredness and observable sporadic lethargy, she came through surprisingly well; and I unrealistically expected a lull in the storm. Big mistake!
During a scheduled doctor’s visit, it was determined that she had an Ileus in her colon and would have to be on a liquid diet for five days. An additional X-Ray revealed that the Ileus is chronic. Therefore, I was presented with two choices: set up an appointment with a gastroenterologist; or put her on a soft diet for one week and repeat the X-Ray to determine if a change had taken place. Knowing that the Ileus probably signaled the progression of Alzheimer’s, I chose the latter. I did not want to subject her to any further discomfort that would invariably result from additional medical procedures. Thankfully, the third X-Ray revealed that even though some gas was left in the colon, the Ileus had resolved.
Throughout our long journey through a series of unknowns, Linda’s doctors have stressed the brain controls everything. Just as evidence of the progression of Alzheimer’s is evident in her speech and memory, ultimately all systems will be affected. I chose not to allow that reality to diminish the impact of the momentary good news at hand. I focused on the fact that God loves her even more than I do; and for the moment, she would once again be able to eat nutritious and delicious food.
Looking to the Future
The thoughts expressed in my January 17, 2021, blog deserve revisiting: Some of the conflicting messages floating on social media depict the church as irrelevant and lacking in power. The narrative in “The Church Triumphant,” written decades ago, demonstrates that possibility is not a new phenomenon:
“There have been times of affluence and prosperity when the church’s message has been nearly deluded into oblivion by those who sought to make it socially attractive, neatly organized, financially profitable, but God has always had a people.”
Acknowledging the possibility does not negate a wonderful truth that is powerfully set forth in the lyrics:
Let the Church be the Church
Let the people rejoice
For we’ve settled the question
We’ve made our choice
Let the anthems ring out, songs of victory swell
For the church triumphant, is alive and well
You know, this ship’s been through battles before
The storms and the tempests and all the rocks on the shore
Though the hull may be battered
Inside it’s safe and dry
It’s gonna carry its cargo to the port in the sky
Some readers of this particular blog, as well as previous editions, may question my strong emphasis upon the work of Christ in the whole of society. That is a very legitimate question; and I will attempt to answer it in this way: The pain and suffering found among dementia patients and their families serve as a microcosm of the pain and suffering in the whole of society. After many years of trying to bless my precious Linda, while searching for ways to minister to fellow travelers on the same journey; I unequivocally maintain that apart from Christ there are no permanent solutions to be found! Furthermore, the most powerful force on earth is the energy of Christ’s life being released through His body, the Church!
Ron Harvard Ministries 