HOME | DD
o-rlyization β What doesn't kill you...
Published: 2012-01-24 10:22:27 +0000 UTC; Views: 4769; Favourites: 50; Downloads: 14
Redirect to original
Description
....might make you an axe murder some day.I'm honestly of the opinion that it's better to laugh about shit--even shit like my father's terminal disease.
Why?
Because the alternative is stewing in the depressing thought that my father's body will eventually shut down on him on way or another. That the man who was once highly intelligent and caring has been reduced to a petulant 5 year old trapped in a stiff and bumbling body.
But you know what we do when he falls and puts his head through a dry wall? When he starts shaking while holding a spoon at the dinner table? When he calls my brother our half brother's name and forgets mine?
We laugh. We joke. We carry on.
Because that's what we do to survive.
Just a stress comic before bed based on an rl conversation. Don't mind me. Just... getting something off my chest.
Related content
Comments: 53
laughter is the best kind of drug ever, no side effects, no pain, no swallowing, no nothing! lol i would rather turn into an axe murderer than cry but i do anyway XD im sorry about your dad i hope he remember's that he's loved
π: 0 β©: 0
laughter relieves tension, but inappropriate laughter can be an effect of anxiety. I'm sorry to say that I'm a rather apathetic person sometimes, but I seem to function better when I don't worry excessively. Sorry to hear about your father, it must be hard on your family. I can't possibly say anything that will make it better, but I hope... I wish the best to you.
π: 0 β©: 1
You can't be that apathetic since you started with 'I'm sorry' and expressed your condolences about my dad.
But I agree. There i s a time for worry, but then there's always time to simply laugh and get it out. It's sometimes hard since this is an everyday part of my life, but like anything else it has it's ups and downs.
π: 0 β©: 1
Yeah, maybe you're right.
I can't imagine what it's like. I wish you and your kin the best.
π: 0 β©: 0
I can't say I've had to experience this, but trying to keep your head up is indeed better than burying it underground. In any case, I send you a *strong hug*
π: 0 β©: 1
I apprecaite it. 
π: 0 β©: 1
π: 0 β©: 1
Me. Positive.
ROFLMAO
π: 0 β©: 1
Well, do your best.
π: 0 β©: 0
I can understand you on that since my grandfather has Dementia and I try to laugh it off when he forgets little things. But I am glad that I have this time with him and are able to hear his stories about his childhood of growing up in Kentucky and going to the Naval Academy.
And I can understand the name part when my mom and her cousin were over at my grandparents he forgot both of their names but he said they were Jones's. We all joked about it and it does help.
π: 0 β©: 1
Sad to say, but my grandmother we visited this Christmas Break has dementia and I think I prefer it--or at least prefer it to an extent. She popped in an out of being lucid (and good lord was it hilarious the one time my uncle started egging her on when she thought my uncle had abandoned my supposed 7-year-old mom off in a ditch somewhere) and while she still needed a lot of help, she's nowhere near as bad off as my dad. Whereas they both need help getting around, she can still feed herself and talk. We're usually stuck guessing at the one or two words my dad can get out.
But I guess all diseases affect people differently. I actually think the closest interpretation I've seen to my dad's case is the dad in Rise of the Planet of the Apes--whereas most media seems to just portray them as forgetful.
π: 0 β©: 1
Yes, it seems better of the two and I am glad he doesn't have Alzheimer like some distant relatives of mine. Though I can say we are at that point with my grandfather; one moment he's happy the next he's snapping at us.
Oh that was a great movie and it reminded me of my grandfather; I couldn't help but cry a little when he died. And yes that is true; they should be more aware of the differences that happen with both of the diseases.
π: 0 β©: 1
I think that's the hardest part: when things just get worse after they've been better for a while. I know there are weeks that'll start out great but as time goes it becomes so much harder to deal with my dad and his demanding. But I do wish you and your family the best, BG.
I went and saw it with my brother and dad. I was trying really hard to not burst into dramatic bawling in the middle of the theater and hug my dad. Though part of me wonders if he even really registered that part of the movie or how he felt about it. He has his lucid moments, but those extremely rare moments aside, he never talks about his disease--though it's not like I'd want to bring it up to him, y'know?
I find some of them funny (like the old man in the movie "Waiting") but we spent an entire hour in Psychology last term over the disease and just about EVERYONE in there knew NOTHING about the disease. I'd like to think I have a stiffer upper lip, but I could only handle so many answers as to how the disease slowly kills you before I had to leave class that day.
π: 0 β©: 1
Oh I know that all too well; some days my grandfather will walk around with a smile and know where he is the next he is lost and asking why I'm not in school when it is the weekend.Thank you and I wish you and your family the best as well Zombie 
I was with my Uncle when I saw it so I hugged his arm and sniffled quietly; my grandfather can't go to the movies since he can't hear but I agree with you I would like to show him that scene and ask him about it.
That sucks man; in my Psych class everyone knew about it and had someone in the family that had some form of it. And I understand that man; it;s hard to hear those things after a certain point. Luckily we moved off of it after thirty minutes and talked about the joys of being elderly.
π: 0 β©: 1
Some parts are funny and other's not so much. But, again, so long as you can laugh about it and vent where you need to, I think it becomes more manageable. And thank you! I really appreciate the offered shoulder, BG.
I've heard people say they're not unhappy--which, I dunno if it's always true and they're saying it for the family's benefit, but I know my dad's happy when we feed him at least.
Lucky. I don't blame anyone for not knowing about the disease--hell I didn't know anything until I found out about my dad's and then researched it--but it is hard to hear. Glad you have an awesome Psych class, though. Sounds like y'all have fun. XD
π: 0 β©: 1
Oh I definitely agree with you and you're welcome! I like helping people especially when it comes to their feelings.
I think they are in their own little world and sometimes things connect while others tend to slip away. But with my grandfather, he's not unhappy but he does have moments where we wonder what is going on with his head.
I learned about it young because Papa got his from playing football but I don't blame them either. Oh it was an AMAZING class; you would have had a ball in there Zombie since the professor is really good at blending humor with learning.
π: 0 β©: 1
Awww, well thanks. I do appreciate it. 
It's really hard to tell with my dad. Or he just has a hard time expressing anything anymore. I remember when we told him about grandpa's passing... which didn't garner much of a reaction. I really couldn't tell if it registered or not.
Your dad got it from football? I thought it was more of a chemical problem than trauma. I'm so sorry!
π: 0 β©: 1
Daw you need Bill then! D: And you're welcome Zombie. ^^
You know it's the same thing with my grandfather we tried telling him his mom died but it didn't seem to set it.
Oh no it's my grandfather XD we call him Papa since he is Italian but yes research is showing that damage that football players are taking it leading to late in life Dementia.
π: 0 β©: 0
...The best thing to do is laugh. I have a mother in a similar predicament. She has trouble remembering things for a long time or so, but se try not to get upset about it. We joke about it, and we continue on.
...I must say, this piece is really something. Thank you for posting it.
π: 0 β©: 1
Welcome. I'm glad other folks can glean something out of what little insight I have to offer.
π: 0 β©: 0
Better words have never been spoken! Life is too short to live it in depression and misery. Just gotta look on the bright side of everything, because it can't have a dark side without a bright side C:
This made my day
π: 0 β©: 1
Silver linings are certainly something I try to look out for. Some part of me is bitter this is cutting into my college life. I could be a typical college student drinking like a fish and giving homework the middle finger, but the plus side of all this is that I'd like to think it's matured me a bit. At least a little. Maaaaaaybe.
π: 0 β©: 0
Shovel is more blunt force. Axe is less work for more damage.
π: 0 β©: 1
I like shovel because of the wider spread. I feel like I could miss too much with an axe.
π: 0 β©: 1
That's cuz you're a clutz. lol
π: 0 β©: 1
But at least I'm not a clutz with an axe. You can hurt yourself if you miss with an axe.
π: 0 β©: 1
Yep never let it wallow or stagnate in you. It's tough and very hard throughout watching someone you love deteriorate with Alzheimers, but the jokes and laughter alongside remembering the good times beforehand always pulls you through it.
π: 0 β©: 1
I try to keep in the now. I can reflect all I want later, but for now I'm trying to appreciate what I already have.
π: 0 β©: 0
*HUGS* I know what you're going through. My grandfather went through Alzheimer's. All we could do, to keep from being completely depressed about it, is to smile and laugh at the good times, and help them as much as we can through the rough times.
π: 0 β©: 1
Your grandparents were extremely lucky than. I know Alzheimer's tends to vary in how it affects people, but its nice to have the support of family.
π: 0 β©: 1
It was real hard towards the end, but with the support of family, friends, and the staff at the retirement/nursing home that my grandmother had settled them into. It was rough. But if you need to rant to an ear who understand, please feel free to PM me. It's a rough road to walk, but you have any support I can give you.
π: 0 β©: 1
I'll admit, I'm jealous. I feel like we have little family support these days. The family's split since grandpa passed away and with my mother's, brother's, and my busy schedule, we've come to just not care if they're mad at us for some reason or other if they're unwilling to step forward and tell us just what we did. Our plates are full enough as is. IDK, it bugs me, but I don't have the spare nerves to work up to really care, y'know?
But thanks. I appreciate the offer of an ear and it means a lot, even from a somewhat-stranger. <8)
π: 0 β©: 1
Don't be too jealous. Reason being is that there is at least one person you know (acquainted with, really) who knows what you're going through. And friends are the family you choose.
As for family pulling the stupid Family Politics card to play ... leave 'em be. When a family member is suffering, when it's a wedding, funeral, birth or a house being bought, those situations will always bring out the best and the worst out in folks. Ignore the superficial stuff, just like what you've already been doing, and keep plugging through with doing what you need to do to survive and make it through another day with sanity (relatively) intact.
You'll make it through this. You might be a bit damaged by the time everything has run its course, but you'll make it. Humor and laughing about something, even if it's twisted and you've got tears in your eyes that you refuse to acknowledge, helps keep your soul knit together. I'll be keeping you and your family in my prayers, if it's all right by you.
π: 0 β©: 1
(Sorry for the uber late reply. I kinda forgot this was in my inbox.)
I guess every family has it's drama. And you were right. We had a recent incident come up that caused a lot of grief on our end, but after a while, one of my uncles stepped forward to voice that he understood. At first he really didn't--was viewing it in a rather oh-woe-is-him sense--but he turned out to be an unlikely ally in it all.
I myself am not particularly religious, but I appreciate you taking the time to think about me and my family briefly. Thank you very much.
π: 0 β©: 1
Late replies happen when you have life going on. I've got such a backed-up inbox for both DA and FFnet that it's not even funny. The only place where it's easy for me to whip replies off without having to think too hard or go through a couple hoops is FB.
I'm glad that you have more support starting to show up. I mean, I've had enough deaths in the family that I can tell where someone is in the stages of grief just by watching their actions. The hardest part about Alzheimer's is that you're watching them and grieving over losing them while they're still alive. As a result, our own minds are even more confused and frustrated because we're experiencing contradictory mindsets. They're gone, but they're still here. It's like you go through the rollercoaster of grief only to hit brick walls at heights and halfway through a drop.
Keep pluggin' through.
π: 0 β©: 0
Huh....that's kind've inspirational and kind've mildly depressing...
π: 0 β©: 1
I guess I'm grateful you can call it inspirational, but I'd really just say it's how I stay sane these days.
π: 0 β©: 1
Yeah...I really haven't figured out how laugh at the bad times yet...
π: 0 β©: 1
Hopefully you'll learn. It took me and my mother a while, but as we've both decided, with some things you just get tired of crying.
π: 0 β©: 1
Nah, it's understand...I kind feel like that about my brother...
π: 0 β©: 2
*taking care of
Dammit. I'm SO good at Englrish. :I
π: 0 β©: 1
Not to be a Douchey McNitpick, but ya spelled English/Engrish wrong there, Mac...
π: 0 β©: 1
It was intentional. LOL
π: 0 β©: 1
I kinda figured so, just wasn't sure.
π: 0 β©: 0
I'm sorry to hear. I won't pry, but I hope you and your family are strong for the experience taking your brother has provided.
π: 0 β©: 1
Well, I certianly know I am, same for my parents, as well.
π: 0 β©: 0
Hm. I definitely agree; often enough, the best - and perhaps only - way to get through something is with a somewhat twisted sense of humor.
π: 0 β©: 1
I'd prefer it. I mean, I wasn't laughing when my grandpa died, but after a while we joked that he was now playing golf with famous people.
I don't think it's healthy to be happy all the time, but I think it's even unhealthier to sit around moping over something you can't change.
π: 0 β©: 1
| Next =>