She never really liked me, although she loved me. I was her oldest daughter, and we argued over everything. The l960s were tumultuous. Then during one of my twice-a-year visits, she and I had a good time. She had forgotten she didn't like me. Then...she was diagnosed with dementia, and we had a window of opportunity to share some time and make some memories. I had known for several years, but the family wasn't seeing it in the same way. When you visit twice a year, you notice small changes, but when you live with it 24/7, ...
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She never really liked me, although she loved me. I was her oldest daughter, and we argued over everything. The l960s were tumultuous. Then during one of my twice-a-year visits, she and I had a good time. She had forgotten she didn't like me. Then...she was diagnosed with dementia, and we had a window of opportunity to share some time and make some memories. I had known for several years, but the family wasn't seeing it in the same way. When you visit twice a year, you notice small changes, but when you live with it 24/7, those changes don't seem so obvious. We did make memories in the time we were given---some bad, but most good. Come let me tell you Mother's story and our family's journey through dementia. Patsy Barnes has been a nurse for forty years, thirty-four in emergency medicine and six in hospice. She is the past president of the statewide ethics organization, Colorado Healthcare Ethics Forum, and has taught ethics classes for the University of Colorado Healthcare Sciences and Naropa University in Boulder. In addition to her nursing degree, she has a BA in religious studies from Regis University and an advanced practice certificate in palliative nursing from Colorado University School of Nursing. Her first book, Discussions, A Guide to Navigating Healthcare Choices was published by Tate Publishing in 2014
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