There is a farewell gathering for Marilynn, surrounded by our Israeli family and working friends. We are preparing to return to the US, as I have decided that I can no longer be Marilynn's caretaker. It is time to put her in care, and it was decided that the US was the best place, close to her children and grandchildren. It took me several years to come to this decision, and represented a reality that I could no longer deny. She was loving and compliant, but no longer knew where she was, no longer able to initiate ...
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There is a farewell gathering for Marilynn, surrounded by our Israeli family and working friends. We are preparing to return to the US, as I have decided that I can no longer be Marilynn's caretaker. It is time to put her in care, and it was decided that the US was the best place, close to her children and grandchildren. It took me several years to come to this decision, and represented a reality that I could no longer deny. She was loving and compliant, but no longer knew where she was, no longer able to initiate conversations and was starting to be resistant to my care giving. I felt myself losing patience and on the verge of acting contrary to my sense of myself, and becoming angry and responsive to her emotional outbursts by saying or doing things that made me ashamed of my reactions and conAirming my sense that I could no longer be her primary caregiver. When the evening ended, we drove the 30 minutes back to our apartment. As usual, she was sitting in the back of the car as I drove. After a few minutes of her usual silence, she said in a loud and clear voice "Thank you." I asked what she was thanking me for she responded, "Thank you for giving me an interesting life. I like my life. I am important. People love me!" That was it! Silent for the rest of the drive. Not responding to my questions that might have drawn her out and helped her to elaborate what she was feeling. And the next morning, it was gone.
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Add this copy of Thank You For Giving Me An Interesting Life: A Memoir to cart. $5.66, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2022 by Professor Louis H. Falik.
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Marilynn is the love of Louis� life. Unfortunately, Marilynn also suffers from a form of dementia, and grows farther and farther away from her husband, her family, and her friends as she spirals into decline. Thank You for Giving Me an Interesting Life, by Dr. Louis H. Falik, recounts the struggles, along with the touching moments, that come along with slowly losing a spouse to dementia. The book follows the entire course of Marilynn and Louis� relationship, beginning with their first few dates at college and ending with her passing. No matter what point they are in their relationship, Falik strives to provide an accurate account of their relationship dynamics and how they help each other to grow, both emotionally and professionally.
In writing this book, Falik isn�t afraid to describe all the thoughts and emotions that come with being a caregiver to a person suffering through dementia. From moments of joy when Marilynn has a sudden recollection to moments of unfounded anger at her inability to do what she used to be capable of doing, Falik refuses to sugarcoat anything. As someone who has had a family member pass from Alzheimer�s and therefore saw much of the caretaking process, I can understand these feelings. Falik�s personal account is validating, as many of these feelings can seem shameful and alienating when you first experience them. Additionally, I appreciate that Falik begins his story before Marilynn had dementia since I feel that society tends to just see the disability or disease before they acknowledge the individual. By describing her life before dementia, Falik humanizes her.
The author�s style of writing is science and reason-based and comes off a little bit like you�re in a classroom setting, but I also felt educated on dementia and how it affects someone. As Falik himself mentions, he is very science and reason-based, and his writing reflects that mentality. The author does emphasize his feelings and connection with Marilynn making you fall in love with their relationship.
Thank You for Giving Me an Interesting Life, by Dr. Louis H. Falik, is a great book for those who want to have a better understanding of dementia and how it affects others and their loved ones.
