What About Tomorrow?
Carla Miller, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:3 AMP
Alzheimer’s Disease is but one of many conditions that, as of today, has no medically documented cure, no treatment to arrest the forward-death march, or even apply the brakes on the appearance of disturbing symptoms. Medication is currently available for the limited managing of mid-to later-stage symptoms, such as depression, agitation, and paranoia that can creep into a patient’s personality. It is hard not to wonder, “What will tomorrow bring?”
At this point, the doctor’s simple prescription is: 1) follow a Mediterranean diet, 2) exercise regularly, and, 3) maintain social and cognitive engagement. Life expectancy from the time of diagnosis is given as 3 to 20 years. My translation: practice a healthy lifestyle and you will live as long as anyone else could expect! Such advice could be given to just about anyone. My conclusion: the best we can do to treat Alzheimer’s Disease is NOT to directly address the disease, but to focus on being as healthy as possible in order to manage it as an ongoing part of his life.
As I write, my husband, Gregg, is losing his short-term memory and ability to problem solve. He cannot follow or understand multi-step directions whether spoken, written, or visual. He is unable to read and retain or do simple math calculations like figuring a tip on a restaurant check. He is very distractible, yet has obsessive compulsions about cleanliness (which can be handy to a point). He cannot determine priorities or gauge the use of his time. He has lost motivation and confidence so does very little in a day of his own accord. He is very reluctant to act because he is afraid he will do something wrong. Although, overall, he is in good spirits and is able to depend on his faith, he has moments of sadness and is overly stirred by sad movies and music. He can no longer fulfill a simple grocery order or pump gas. When ordering at restaurants, he can never remember the name of his favorite drink, an “Arnold Palmer” (half lemonade/half ice tea). Life is difficult for me but much more difficult for him yet all within God’s sovereign plan for us. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 AMP
What ability will he lose next? How long will this downward spiral go on and at what speed? When will he have to stop driving? When will I be unable to leave him alone? How much care will I be able to provide and for how long? Will he forget our grandchildren’s names? Will he forget our children and me? So many questions for our tomorrows, and really no answers, it comes down to trusting God.
But He knows the way that I take and he pays attention to it...
Job 23:10a AMP
For today, I am living each day intentionally to include Gregg, letting go of unrealized dreams and goals, and enjoying a simplified but full and rich life.
Come now, and pay attention to this, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and carry on our business and make a profit.” Yet, you do not know the least thing about what may happen in your life tomorrow… Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and we will do this or that.”
James 4: 13, 14a, 15 AMP
It is fruitless to live in the “what if things were different” mode. Instead, I must be realistic and practical about where we can meaningfully participate. We serve together in the church nursery, attend weekly Bible study with our small group, load sacks of groceries in car trunks at the monthly food pantry, and babysit our grandchildren weekly. To remain healthy, we watch our diet, walk regularly, get good rest, socialize, and have fun watching movies and musical theater, listening to music, attending auctions (bargains galore), traveling, and eating out as a couple and with others.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Although we truly do “only have today”, this fact becomes more poignant when we see our loved one fading away before our eyes. Appreciate all that you have and relish the good, laying aside that which can no longer be.
PRAYER
Father of the Past, Present, and Future, Help me learn from yesterday’s lessons, praise You for today’s mercies, and leave tomorrow’s problems in Your hands. Amen.
Sharon W. Betters is author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness and co-author of Treasures of Faith. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a non profit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
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Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.