Vascular Dementia
Hmmm, a big scientific word isn’t it?
Vascular Dementia is caused by a stoppage of blood flow to the brain causing memory loss, personality changes, and several other challenges. It is usually caused through a stroke in older individuals. But low and behold they now believe that numerous concussions can alter the blood flow to the brain as well. Symptoms of this ailment are lack of sleep, no interest in eating, personality changes, and memory loss.
If you ever saw the movie with Harrison Ford titled, “Regarding Henry” it would define the challenge. Harrison Ford was shot. It severed an artery and cut off the blood flow to his brain. Hence after a year of recovery he was a completely different person with limited memory of the past.
So . . . . . I know this guy . . . .
He had his eighth concussion last year and his ninth earlier this year. After the eighth concussion he was tested. The result . . . .
By Christmas of 2011 he could have no memory of anyone that has been in his life. He would have emotional highs and lows because his past (which dictated who he is today) would be gone. He would appear as an idiot because he couldn’t remember the simple things even though his brain was still fully functional.
Yup, all of his friends and everything they have shared over the years would vanish from his memory. He wouldn’t know them, remember them, or remember any times that they once shared.
That alone is enough to drive a man insane. So while he still had a brain he devised a plan.
1. Beg his friends to write him about their lives so he can read and know.
2. Beg his friends to send updated pictures so he could see them and hopefully remember.
3. Beg his friends to stay in touch with him, and visit as often as possible.
4. Write down his thoughts so his friends could remember who he is, even if he no longer is that person, and hopefully remind him.
His part was easy. Convincing others to help him out while knowing that based on his definition of deceit he was lying to them daily was a complete and total failure. His friends ignored his requests for many varied reasons. Several of his friends had already commented that he was forgetting about things. He was trying very hard. Yet he was not one to be “coddled” so sharing what he was going through was NEVER going to happen.
Well, today he has a bit of good news. Presumably because of his regular and intense exercise regiment, his excellent health, and his “never say die” attitude; the blood flow to his brain has increased. Basically he is exercising himself back to living.
I guess god made him an athlete for a reason, huh? And all along I thought it was just to get laid.
Things are improving and his memory is good. He does have a few blanks in the past year or so, but they should return in time. The lack of sleep and lack of eating will probably continue, but he is sort of used to it now anyway. And yes, he will remember all of his friends this Christmas . . . supposedly.
I wonder if they would consider that good news or not though.
He mentioned that he was so sad to have kept this from his friends. He did hint at it a few times, but no one seemed to be paying attention. Everyone was so busy with their lives that his hints went unnoticed. Anyway, his mom always said he was too mean to die. Hell was afraid of him and Heaven wouldn’t accept him. So fortunately he will be around and alert for a while.
I learned a valuable lesson through this, which is obviously the only reason I am sharing this story. If you have someone that you consider a friend then pay attention to them. If they ask for something, even if it seems a bit odd, either ask why or just do it. But don’t just ignore their requests. They actually could be desperately trying to help you while helping themselves at the same time.
And they may care for you so much that they wouldn’t want to lose you or even forget you.
Treat your friends every day like it’s their last day. Tell them how you feel, what you think, and what you need. If they know they have a limit on their time they may be able to find what you need sooner. And don’t avoid friends or put things off until later.
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