The Portal. That is what my husband and I call the inoperative digital photo frame in Mom's room. She spends hours staring at it every day, and hates to be interrupted. She sees things in it that no one else can see. They are real, to her. More real than any of her "real" surroundings.
The frame used to have photos in it. Not now. She took the memory card out (it was a dead battery, she says) and threw it away. Or hid it. She has repeatedly taken the battery out and replaced it - backwards. Or she hides it. We have a lot of treasure hunts.
So, though the rest of us see nothing on the blank glass, it is fascinating to her. She has created a whole world of new relatives and friends in the frame. She has shut out all of her "real" friends -- the ones who are alive and well, and concerned about her well being. The imaginary ones are more real to her, more deserving of her attention and affection. It is sad, and hard for her friends to understand.
These portal friends are becoming worrisome, though, because they seem to be luring her out to share their adventures and she is starting to talk about going places to meet with them. Places outside the house. And she is becoming more and more secretive. I'm afraid that she will begin to wander.
I know that this is a phase, and she will eventually go beyond this stage of the disease, just as she has progressed beyond the seemingly endless repetition of stories and questions.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring?
Lois, (your Mom) has always been a dear friend to us. It is difficult to hear that she is in this stage of Alzheimer's. She did call me back on the day we spoke and I could hear the confusion in her voice. I will try to call again and see how she does on her next phone call. Our prayers are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteLove, Lynn&Jabe
My husband actually placed the call and handed the phone to her that day. I don't think she can dial anymore.
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