5 things I wish I knew when my wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

5 things I wish I knew when my wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
My Elaine remained a wonderful person after she got Alzheimer’s, but she was not the same person
I met my First Elaine in 1953, when we were both freshmen at what is now called Milwaukee Lutheran High School in southeastern Wisconsin. She helped me achieve each one of my successes, including becoming governor of Wisconsin, and stood by me in every one of my losses and illnesses. Elaine was as intelligent, kind, gracious, loving, understanding, self-sacrificing and forgiving as any wife, mother, or grandmother could ever be. If it weren’t for her, there wouldn’t be me.

It was about 2005, when she was in her mid-sixties, that Elaine began to slip away from me. Her daily skills declined, and her interest in long-held hobbies withered. Gradually, my constant helpmate became dependent on me for everything and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Eventually she forgot her family, including me.

Even with Alzheimer’s, Elaine remained as kind, gracious, loving, and self-sacrificing as any person could be. But she was not the same person. My First Elaine gave way to my Second Elaine.