Good morning @joey333 I hope this finds you as well as can be expected on this new day! We are having freezing rain here, so a good day to be by the computer early on!

In my wife's family there was no known dementia prior to my MIL. There is so much that has yet to be discovered when it comes to how the brain works, especially when the brain has been damaged. Good thing research is continuing!

All we could do was take life one day at a time. As the son of an alcoholic father this was a fairly comfortable mantra for us to follow since I had been doing it for years. That said, easy to say, not always easy to do! There were many periods of plateaus and times of tiny changes as well as times of significant degredation.

Many in my MIL's family were in denial over the disease for the early years and while this may have helped them feel better about their Mom's situation, it also resulted in much quality time being lost, discussions not being had, and opportunites gone. While the disease was different with my father, I was lucky enough to have made my peace with him before he died. My sisters never did and now have many things that will never be resolved for them.

We all just never know! One day a year ago I awoke having had a stroke. A month ago I was diagnosed with skin cancer on my nose and cheek. One day at a time for sure in our home! I take stock of my 'condition' only once a day during my morning walk with my new pup, then put it away to live the day, but also knowing in the back of my mind it is on my 'to do list' tomorrow..

Strength, courage, and peace!