His benign smile
04.17.08 (12:43 pm) [edit]
His benign smile
I went into Philip’s room this morning to see how he was doing. I guess Philip has been here the longest of anyone. I think he started living in this unit in the early 90’s; he needed to be supervised because of his angina. He was a very nervous man, introverted, cautious in most things that he did. At about the same time, he also had a pacemaker put in, which keeps his heart at an even 60 beats a minute, come rain or shine, his heart beats the same.Sally was with him as I walked in. She is a volunteer, a retired Nurse, who worked many years at St Joseph’s ER for many years. She comes in two times a week, most times, helps with the baths, bed changes, and also feeds Philip. She is a wonderful lady and it is always a joy to be around her. She is witty, intelligent, and a very devout Christian, a Catholic and proud of it.
Philip has Alzheimer’s; been stricken with it for many years. In fact he has outlived everyone who was here when he first entered. For him it is not too bad. He is peaceful, happy most days, easy to take care of, and looks upon the world with a sort of benign smile constantly on his face. Some days he can feed himself, but more often than not he has to be fed. So that was what Sally was doing. As is his wont, he does have good days and bad, thought the good far outweigh the bad; a blessing, both for him and also for those who take care of him. This morning he seemed a little glum, so I tried to cheer him up, this did not work however.
Phillip had a sister named Ada, with whom he was very close. However they were polar opposites when it came to personality types. He was a very intense, nervous introvert, while Ada on the other hand was a rollicking extrovert. Always laughing, joking, and playing around. We in fact became very close. When she would come for a visit, I would often pick her up at the airport, and she would insist on taking me to lunch. We always had a very good time. So I started talking to Phillip about his sister Ada. I always get a reaction when I do this. As we talked he started to smile, then tears fell, but the smile remained. We talked about how she would tire him out with her being so outgoing, and he laughed a little at that, for though he loved her she did get on his nerves at times. Ada knew this and so some times she would only stay for an hour or so in the morning and see him again in the afternoon; she understood him very well. Yet they did love each other very much. She died a few years ago of cancer, and Philip and I often talk about her, for I to miss her. So he got emotional about her as we talked. As I was leaving he grabbed my hand and whispered, “thank you”. Even though he has Alzheimer’s, his memory from the past is often still very good. It is the present that he gets confused about.
Philip is one of the quiet ones, been here for a long time. I get into the habit of thinking he will be here forever, but I know that one day, most likely soon, he will leaver us. I think it will take a bit of getting used to, not seeing his gently smile looking out benignly on the world, blessing us with his gentle presence.
posted by: Barnabus1 (reply)
post date: 04.17.08 (12:24 pm)
WOW!! You are a Class act!!!!
posted by: mitchdolittle (reply)
post date: 04.17.08 (2:37 pm)
Well Phillip is I think.
peace
Mark
posted by: mimi (reply)
post date: 04.17.08 (5:03 pm)
i second what barnabus said...you are a gentle soul, too! xoxox
posted by: mitchdolittle (reply)
post date: 04.18.08 (5:20 am)
Well thanks, but I have work at it LOL.
peace
mark