4/04/2011

This is true love

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly
gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat,
knowing it would be over an hour before someone 
would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the
doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of
his wound, I asked him if he 
had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.

The gentleman told me no, that he 
needed to go to 
the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. 

He told me that
 she had been there for a while and that she 
was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we 
talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. 

He replied that she no longer knew 
who he was, that she had not recognized him in  five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, 
'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?' 

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.' 

7 comments:

Susie - Walking Butterfly said...

Oh man, that is simply beautiful! Thanx for posting it!

Belle said...

How wonderful!

Yvonne said...

That is a little sad, but so sweet.

Things Sent My Way said...

Oh wow. That's so sweet.

I'm following from the blog hop! Come visit me back!

Michelle @ Things Sent My Way

And now to be distracted by shiny objects . . .

KB said...

Aww, that is indeed true love.

southseaislandhome said...

That is really sweet. My own grandfather was like this with my grandmother when she got alzheimers. He would look so sad when she didn't recognize any of us, but still he went to visit her everyday on his little scooter.
Thanks for sharing.

Desiree said...

What a sweet story! What a loving, faithful, attentive husband...in sickness & health, till death us do part...he took his marriage vows seriously.