FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN / A
Pleasant Surprise
/
Editorial List
I received a call this week from a
gentleman from Philadelphia. I remember him from a previous
phone call a few years ago. He is a dedicated caregiver for
his wife who is living with Alzheimer’s disease and wanted
to talk with me about the clinical trial in which she had
been enrolled. I always say that if you want to find a real
expert about any particular disease or illness, find a
caregiver. In the few short years since we last spoke, he
had become as knowledgeable as anyone I had spoken with
about clinical trials and new Alzheimer’s medications. His
“education by fire” didn’t surprise me, he even told me of
times when he was able to share new information with his
wife’s physicians - also not surprising. What he did say
that caught me by surprise, was also truly motivating. When
I asked if he was caring for himself as he cared for his
wife, he said “Why, of course”. “In fact", he continued, "my
doctor tells me that he has never seen me in as good a shape
as I am in now.” When I told him I found his response
to be a pleasant surprise, he stated quite matter-of-factly,
“Well, if I don’t take care of myself, how can I be any help
to my wife?”
Now that’s music to my ears.
Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com
