On a good day, my wife still walks around, eats, and drinks. On a bad day, she tends to fall. If I constantly watch her, she keeps walking, she keeps eating, and remains hydrated, we then have good days. I want as many of those as I can help achieve. Even on good days, I must change her, keep her clean, and ensure she is well. She no longer has the use of or understands language, but might watch a colorful TV screen for a few moments. Apphasia prevents me from communicating with her, so I do not know if she knows who I am or even has a lucid few minutes.
I love her, but wonder if I am in love with the old her, and just imagine that she is the same inside. She will laugh a little if I offer something she finds amusing. She will rebel if she refuses to do something like eat or go to bed. In the worst case, she will hit or bite me. I have trained myself to ignore this, and when she dumps her food onto the floor, there probably isn't a reason for it.
She likes stuffed animals and dolls.
