Stories from Caregivers: Patricia from ARIZONA
AZ
Patricia
FROM ARIZONA
As I write this, we are about to celebrate our 64th wedding anniversary. We were from Michigan and were high school sweethearts on and off. We married on July 30th. My husband and I had 4 sons. My husband Gene worked at a bank and then for General Motors. He loved working on cars and still owns a 63 Turbo Corvair that still needs a little more restoration. We both had a dream to move to Arizona and did so in 1976. We became self employed and enjoyed a fun life. Gene hunted and has a bear he shot taxidermy mounted, and he greets all who visits. We enjoyed entertaining, our pool and boating. About six years ago he started showing signs if a tremor in his left hand. Within a few months he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. That was disappointing but even before that hit he had torn the rotator cuff in his left arm. He had 4 surgeries and he never regained use of it. Then he damaged his right shoulder and has limited use of that arm also. For the past 4 years, I have bathed him, dressed him and help with his grooming. I handle all our family decisions about our home, car, and finances. I must do all the driving. He can feed himself as long as meat is cut up. The past year dementia takes more of his memory, and he is very tired. We take our wedding vows very seriously. We promised to love honor and cherish each other through better and worse which we have dealt with. Richer and Poorer. Yes, we have dealt with that also. Richer is much more fun. We are living through sickness and health at this time in our lives, and I will be his caregiver until death do us part. As long as I get an occasional smile, a hug and an "I love you" it makes it easier. Being a caregiver is not fun but I know it is better than that final day of our union. There is so much more I could share, like our 8 grandchildren and a dozen great grandchildren. After all, they help make life worth living for. As you can see our lives started out in black and white and are now in full living color!
