I am writing this about my mother and brother because it opened my eyes in a different way about this disease and how much we limit those affected by it because of our own beliefs in their limits. I am not saying that my mother can be miraculously cured if I push her to do things or that I can make her understand who I am. No not at all! What I am trying to convey is that up until now I found it easy to just believe that my mother no longer understood who her family was because of her lack of expression or acknowledgement when I show her photos. That is the last thing from true, because in her moments when she is feeling something in her heart she remembers every emotion she has felt in her heart.

Early this year, 2022, my brother Bobby was diagnosed with cancer. He has gone through chemotherapy, radiation and finally needed a surgey to remover the cancer. It was a very serious surgery where they had to collapse his lung to cut out a part of his esophagus, then reattach the tube by raising his stomach next to his heart.

The surgey was done in November, he was recovering for two weeks and feeling good however, there were complications and he had to have an emergency second surgey. At the time I wrote this he was in stable but critical condition.

Elda, without me saying anything, sensed how her son was and was communicating with him. She has called out his name often during the last several months and speaks to him often outloud from feelings in her heart.

During the time when Bobby was heavily sedated, especially prior to his second surgery, Elda was telling me how her son was doing. She had 100% lucidity in regards to him. She was feeling his pain and expressed that she knows he wanted to die, and that he was suffering. This story I will express in my blog (Dark moments and unpredictable situations), however what I want to share here is the strength of love.

When it comes to love and motherly instinct Elda’s Alzheimer’s does not exist. The love of a mother transcends any disease. Elda began to pray her rosary, something she had not done for a few years while Bobby was struggling for his life. She prayed them completely and did not want to be disturbed while doing so: because I was unsure if she was actually praying While she was praying, I was unsure if in fact that is what she was doing, I interupted her and she looked at me with sweet but sad eyes and said “I am not finished give me a few minutes.” I let her go and let her do and feel what she needed too. The day my brother had his third surgery to help him breath, she woke up happy, she sensed he was better and since then, overall, has remained in good spirits, although she still senses the moments when my brother is having difficulties. She is a testament to me of faith, love and patience.

In loving memory of Bobby who passed away January 20, 2023.