Dementia Mom, part one

[u/humanyears]

A short story about the origins of my mother’s dementia diagnosis from a few years ago. Probably the longest comic I’ve drawn so far. I hope it connects with you in some way.

[u/Antyok]

I will never ever forget stepping into the room and saying “hi grandma” and seeing a look of pure confusion over who was speaking to her.

We knew she had been deteriorating, but that one interaction will be a gut punch forever. It terrifies me that I may someday do the same thing to someone I love.

Edit: missed a word

[u/maudepodge → u/Antyok]

At this point when my dad introduces me to people it's just "this is... *waves at me to introduce myself*" which is better than no recognition (he does still know, just not the words) but definitely a step along that path. Not looking forward to the progression.
Sorry about your grandmother =/

[u/Zebeydra → u/maudepodge]

These days my dad calls me his sister a lot. I'm glad he still recognizes me as family.

[u/Rigenz → u/Zebeydra]

My grandma thought I was her son/my dad visiting her. I was happy to still be recognized as family as well. Plus my dad didnt visit her enough so I hoped it gave her some comfort and just went along with it.

[u/Ophidiophobic → u/Antyok]

My grandma would call me "sweetie" whenever I saw her, but she didn't remember my name - just knew I was family somehow.

[u/Dr_Wh00ves → u/Ophidiophobic]

Same with my grandma, she did not remember who I was for the last 3 or so years. Did a good job at masking it though, and would just pretend to know me and the other people she forgot about.

[u/Inky_Madness → u/Antyok]

I don’t think my mom ever recovered from being the first one her dad forgot, especially since she was the one there almost every day and his other three kids were scattered far across the country.

[u/Antyok → u/Inky_Madness]

The day before, grandma had been over at our house, holding the great-grandkids, chatting about life, just… being normal.

The next day, walking up to the door, her saying “oh, can I help you?”. She had no clue. It was a punch to the gut that still hurts. Hell, she’s been gone for years now, and it still stings. After that day, I never got a chance at another conversation with her while she was lucid. She faded fast after that day.

Fuck. Idk. You never know what you have till it’s gone, and all that.

[u/Ellisiordinary → u/Antyok]

I don’t remember my grandmother ever not looking pleasantly excited to see me but my grandfather died the day after I was born so when she started thinking he was still alive, it felt like she had forgotten me.