Although unanswered questions are the norm for those who serve as primary caregivers to Alzheimer’s patients, in recent years, on three occasions, I have found myself repeating a disturbing question: “What Happened?” In today’s blog, I will address that question and conclude with “A Satisfying Answer!”
What Happened?
October 16, 2017 — Linda was transported from the hospital to what I thought would be her new home. Throughout the afternoon, I was troubled in my spirit and later learned that my daughters were also. In the early evening, I felt an overwhelming prompting from the Holy Spirit to go check on her. When I arrived, a nurse met me in the lobby and said, “I was just about to call you. Linda is experiencing shortness of breath and not responding.” When I saw her, she was sitting erect with her eyes closed and unable to respond in any way. I carried her back to the emergency room at the hospital she had left that morning. Her lab work, CT scan and EEG revealed nothing abnormal. She awakened in about twenty minutes, recognized me, and after further evaluation was dismissed. I went back to the facility, picked up medicine for two days, clothes for the night, and told them I was taking her home and would let them know the next day what my intentions were. My mind was pretty well made up that she would not return. Looking back, I marvel at the timing of God. The love of my life was able to stay at home with me for another year!
April 10, 2022 — A nurse at Legacy Village informed me that Linda had fallen and was being transported to Erlanger Medical Center; a possible stroke and dislocated leg were suspected. Arriving at her side, I was impressed by the fact that on three separate occasions, she pointed upward and pleasantly smiled. No evidence of a stroke or dislocated leg was found and she was dismissed. During the drive back to Cleveland, suddenly, her demeanor changed, she began talking in complete sentences, told me how much she loved me, and on two occasions reached over and kissed me. After getting her settled back in at Legacy Village, still in pain from my recent knee surgery, I went home to rest. Later, my daughter Stephanie and Linda’s sister Cheri visited her and were shocked to find that she was still happily interacting. When asked about her day, she responded, “It has been a different day!” A few minutes later, she told them, “I have seen three angels three different times.” For the most part, her newly found exuberance continued throughout the next day, and then the fog of confusion and inability to communicate once again descended.
April 18, 2022 — In the early afternoon, I received a call informing me that although Linda’s vital signs were good, she could not stay awake. When I arrived, despite repeated efforts, I could not awaken her. Shortly thereafter, a nurse from Hearth Hospice arrived, and after a thorough evaluation, determined that it could be several things including a stroke or mini-stroke. In order to prevent aspiration, a decision was made to stop all food, water, and medicine and see what happened in the next two days. Several hours later, while most family members were out of the room, she opened her eyes, looked at me, and smiled. I said, “Hello Beautiful” and sang, “You are my Sunshine.” Quickly returning to her bedside, the family sang several old hymns and Linda attempted to sing with them. Returning to a deep sleep, she breathed rhythmically and did not respond to my requests for her to squeeze my hand. Around 5:30 am, she awakened me and said, “I need to go to the bathroom.” When the caregivers arrived, she, with their assistance, walked to the bathroom. Then, upon completion of her morning bath, I walked with her to the main area and waited for the nurse from Hearth Hospice to arrive. Needless to say, he was amazed at the change which had taken place. Therefore, instructions were given for her normal regimen of food, water, and medicine to resume.
A Satisfying Answer!
The medical community, even though desirous of providing a satisfactory answer to my disturbing question, is limited by human wisdom. Therefore, I find myself comforted by the cry and resolve of the psalmist:
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God (Psalm 43:5 NLT)!
Reflecting on this great truth, George Mueller stated: “There is never a time when we cannot hope in God, whatever our need or however great our difficulty may be. Even when our situation appears to be impossible, our work is to hope in God.”
Ron Harvard Ministries 