Still Alice

exempt Alice, October 15,2012, 14159336 Life is a precious gift. It is non ab erupt the gifts we are given in our lives, but how we use those gifts. Do we pee-pee for granted our lives and just how precious they are or does it outcome out a tragedy to reall(a)y find out? quiet down Alice is a moving novel describing the inevitable downward spiral Alzheimers infirmity causes and how we must appreciate all we have because at any age, our lives could adjustment drastically.It is unimaginable how Alzheimers illness changes a mortals full(a) heart, but with the support of family, fri end ups, and colleagues, it is possible for Alice to stay true to herself, live with the disease, and regard as she is not the disease, but rather still Alice (Genova). Dr. Alice Howland, a fifty-one stratum old woman, is a fantastic mother, married woman, and professor at Harvard University. After seek with simple everyday tasks involving her memory, Alice fixed to see a doctor to present appreciated to see if in that location was any liaison to be concerned about.Ruling out it was not menopausal symptoms or the stress of everyday life, she was sent home and told to continue to evaluate herself at home. About a month later, she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers disease (Genova). This diagnosis changed her life forever. bathroom, Alices husband, was closest to her and they had an incredible birth and marriage. Unfortunately for Alice, John never fully understood what she was going finished. When Alice offshoot breaks the news to him, he went into immediate denial. He took her to another doctor and had more than tests run.It was somehow impossible to believe the make do of his life, the perfect, intelligent woman he married would have to struggle and lose herself for the rest of their lives. After awhile of denial, he became aware of how oftentimes she really compulsioned him to be there for her. He set aside his true smell outings and began doing m ore affaires to help her feel happy and not trudge on through life. The best thing he did for her was go running every single night with her. not only was it peachy alone time for them, but he Still Alice, October 15,2012, 14159336 as helping her feel youthful and like herself again individually time they took a jog. Sometimes his undying love for his wife would take over and he would be there for her, especially the night she got muzzy in their own home and she broke down. He held her while she sobbed (Genova 150). overtime it was if the disease became too heavy(a) for John to handle and he disoriented who is wife used to be rather than loving her unconditionally. He bewildered his patience quickly which showed one night when Alice went to change, but could not foreshadow out how to get her bra on, but she did not realize she was prop underwear instead.She quickly laughed it off while John yelled at her telling her how it was not funny she was losing her mind (Genova 199) . In the end, Alzheimers was overtaking Johns life and rather than living with it, he misrepresent as if Alice would just tag along with him to a new pedigree promotion in New York. Alice and her children knew this would make her memory and mindset go downhill quickly, but John did not seem to care. Leaving her ground ply with a caretaker and their children in Cambridge, John went on to New York (Genova). Alices colleagues were a different story.Alice finished the semester and was hoping to teach another year at Harvard, but her student evaluations made her decision for her. It was evident she was not the same great professor she used to be and her ability to conduct class was declining speedy to the point where she would repeat the same lecture or show up on some days for a few minutes then just leave (Genova 180). She told her boss about her disease and together they decided it would be best for her to take the year off and then take a sabbatical. Her boss felt horrible, but Alice knew it was best and she never treasured to be known has a bad professor so this was best.Besides having to end her professional career, Alices role as a mother and wife were deeply impacted. At times she would not know who her children were, especially Lydia, the actress. She tried her best to be loving and caring for all three of her children and her husband, Still Alice, October 15,2012, 14159336 but sometimes it became overwhelming and she just needed alone time. matchless night Lydia, her daughter, was there to stay the night while John was out of town and Alice did her best to force her out and claim she didnt need her help. Lydia knew better and out of the love for her mother, she stayed with her all night.Alice continued loving John unconditionally unconstipated when it was hard and she felt a little depressed. With all of her heart, she never wanted to let her husband go. She constantly reminded her family she loved them even when eventually she wouldnt remember them (Genova). Alzheimers is never good, but it apprize give secret blessing. The biggest blessing she received as a head of her disease was the relationship with her daughter Lydia. All along Alice had a hard time supporting Lydia because she wanted her to go to college instead of aspiring to be an actress.Realizing it is more important to be a supportive mother, Alice went to Lydias performances and discussed acting with her daughter. They became closer than they ever and Alice was so proud at the end of the record hen Lydia was accepted and planned to attended Brandeis University in their hometown (Genova 258). After meter reading this novel, I thought very carefully on whether or not I would want to know if I will have Alzheimers or not like Alices children found out in the novel. I came to the conclusion I would not want to know. Living life to its absolute fullest is what I am all about.Knowing down the road in my later life I will be diagnosed with Alzheimers would fati gue me. I think I would stray away from the carefree, fun-loving individual I am and just become stressed for my own future and what was to come. I love living in the moment, and if the moment arrives where I am diagnosed with this disease, I will face the challenge, but until then, I am going to make love every minute of my life. Still Alice, October 15,2012, 14159336 I admire Alice for the person she was throughout the entire book and her daughter Lydias attitude.There is little time for macrocosm sad right when someone is diagnosed, but after that you have to be supportive and caring. Its not the disease caretakers live with, but the person and I feel that is very crucial to remember. As the presenter express in class, There are rules of engagement we must recognize. They live in their own earthly concern, have their own logic, and cannot reason, therefore we need to enter their reality (Ms. Byergo). Accepting them for who they are and who they will become with the disease i s the best thing I can think I would do.It would be an honor to work with elderly and individuals with Alzheimers or a form of dementia. With the typical person being older than I am now, they would have so much wisdom and things to teach me. I think telling stories and sharing memories is a great way to relive the great days before the disease really takes over. I am a great listener and love hearing stories from older, wiser people because they have more fully experienced life and shared in the beauty of it. They can relive their youth through me and I could learn how to become a fantastic adult through them.It would be a great experience. Still Alice surprised me by how hale written and real life it was. I felt like I was part of the Howland family and as if I was going through everything with them. It captured my attention and take my heart. I cant imagine going through such(prenominal) an experience, but if I ever do, I will be beaming I read this novel. Still Alice, October 15,2012, 14159336 Works Cited Byergo, Ms. Aging and Alzheimers. University of Missouri. Arts & accomplishment Building, Columbia, MO. 9 October 2012. Lecture. Genova, Lisa. Still Alice A Novel. New York Gallery, 2009. Print.