ordinary people

Fred is an ordinary guy. He grew up in the burbs with his siblings in the 50s and 60s. They all went to Catholic schools. When he was in high school, Fred met Ann, who lived right around the corner from Fred. They got married while Fred was in college. 

After Fred graduated from college, Fred and Ann had their first child. Soon thereafter, Fred got his draft notice and spent two years in the Army. Soon after the Army, Fred and Ann's second child was born. Seven years later, their third child. Two years after that, their fourth. Fred and Ann's family was complete.

Fred worked. Ann worked hard as a stay-at-home Mom, and worked part-time outside the home. The years rolled by.

Fred retired after 40 years and Fred and Ann moved to SC with Ann's Mom. Ann took care of her Mom until her Mom died seven years later. Fred and Ann then moved back close to the area where they grew up, and where their children and grandchildren live.

Fred and Ann are ordinary retirees--until Ann became concerned with her short-term memory problems. It was during the Covid years. Ann's PCP referred her to a neurologist. It took a year to get the appointment. Ann was assigned to a nurse practitioner who didn't answer Fred's and Ann's questions. She prescribed medicine that made Ann sick. 

Ann was referred to another neurologist, and another nurse practitioner. Blood and cognitive tests were prescribed, but results and a diagnosis were not provided. Also, the nurse practitioner didn't answer Fred and Ann's questions.

On their own Fred and Ann contacted Johns Hopkins Memory Care Unit. Ann met with the neurologist once. Blood and cognitive tests were prescribed and a future appointment with the neurologist was scheduled. Then the neurologist left the country permanently.

After some time Fred and Ann saw a television commercial for Sunday Health. Ann is currently a patient with Sunday Health.

Fred and Ann live comfortably in their home in a small rural town. Ann's neurologist has prescribed a transdermal patch. The purpose of the patch is to slow the progression of her dementia.

Fred is Ann's caregiver. He's had to learn how to cook, clean, pay bills, and do many of the chores that Ann did over their almost 60 years' of marriage. This is in addition to caring for Ann. This has proven to be a daunting task for Fred.

Many of Fred's and Ann's questions still haven't been answered. For example, what happens next when Fred is unable to handle caring for Ann? The short answer to that question is that they don't know.