The confusion is increasing

The confusion is increasing.   Joe is struggling to get thoughts out.   He can’t find words.   He watched the news for hours and wants to talk about a story.   Yet, he can’t get the name of who it was about.   He can’t find the details.  The words just won’t come out.   

I try to guess as he gives vague clues.   Fortunately he is not angry or anything.    He is just frustrated.    I start with the common people in the news and the common story.   This time it was none of them.   I tell him I’ll watch the news while I cook dinner and we will figure it out from there.    As I cook he yells out a Senator’s name.   It is no one near who has recently been in the news.    But as we watch sure enough that Senator made a statement that day.    

I feel bad for him but I am also frustrated.    It is hard to come home from work and play twenty questions.    It is hard to figure out from the gestures and clues what he is talking about.   Last night was “I now have two”.   Then he started touching his forehead and then gesturing.     Turns out Meals on Wheels brought him a mask to wear if he is outside.  

I wonder if this disease is like the growth of a child.   They have a sprint where they learn a new skill and then a plateau.    Is this that in reverse?    Do we have a sudden drop in ability and then a plateau?   It’s been three years.    But I still don’t know.   The vagueness of this beast is another challenge to have to live with.