True love never fades

True love never fades. Experience the impact of Alzheimer's on loved ones.

It was a busy morning about 8 : 30 when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry because he had an appointment at 9 : 00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided I would evaluate his wound myself. On exam, it was well healed. I got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him what appointment had him in such a rush. The gentleman told me that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I asked about her health and he explained that she had Alzheimer's Disease.

I then asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied, “She no longer knows who I am. She hasn’t recognized me in five years."

I was surprised and asked, “But you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?"

He smiled, patted my hand and said, “She doesn't know me. But I still know her."