Daddy Is Still Here! is the back story to the author's first book of the Still Here series, Mama Is Still Here! This book is about a son in his forty's caregiving journey for three individuals with three very different diseases. His mother's Alzheimer's dementia, along with his father's diabetes and his father-in-law's heart disease, kidney disease, and gout. During Norris' twelve-year caregiving journey, Norris was a husband, son, and father of two teenagers soon to graduate from high school and on their way to college. In an instant, Norris was a member of the Sandwiched Generation. Sandwiched Generation is the population of middle-aged adults ages forty to fifty-nine providing care and financial support to a parent age sixty-five or older and providing care and financial support to their children. Norris shares his story using: inspirational quotes, song facts, flashbacks before the caregiving journey, and stories of his caregiving journey. Norris concludes each chapter with Bible scriptures and prayers from his heart.
This book is about the caregiving experiences Norris had with my mother's suffering from Alzheimer's disease. It is vital to acknowledge my father's health was also in decline because of his diabetes, and it became impossible for Daddy to take care of Mama. At this time, my father-in-law, Jesse, moved into my home shortly after my mother-in-law died, and he suffered from heart disease, which required significant support. During this period, Norris was their go-to caregiver. It is surprising how Norris survived being a husband, father, educator, and caregiver. This book outlined in detail the solutions Norris found to these life challenges.
Norris was the one person in the family Mama didn't fight, and Norris was the only family member who could calm her down when she was having an anxiety attack. Mama lost the ability to remember in the context of the here and now. The symptoms she experienced were disturbing and challenging. Norris was overwhelmed and distraught with Mama's loss of cherished memories and self-awareness for brief periods. Knowing this was happening to my dear mother caused me to feel anxious, powerless, and afraid.
Norris cried a lot and often wondered, Would this be his fate as he aged?
I was devastated to know for the rest of Mama's life, she would gradually lose her ability to remember. As the neuron paths slowly closed, Mama's failing capacity to connect experiences, learned facts, skills, relationships with others, and herself made life difficult for everyone around her.
Alzheimer's disease is the only form of dementia that takes away memories. The affliction creates a tremendous void for the sufferer and loved ones. My Daddy, Norris Sr., and Norris did our best to fill the empty space Alzheimer's disease left with unconditional love and hope.
