Hoy, 21 de septiembre, día mundial del Alzheimer, quería dedicar una ilustración a las personas que padecen esta enfermedad.
Me inspiré en el siguiente relato que ví por internet, iba acompañado de una fotografía que me pareció tan apropiada para el texto que simplemente he versionado la foto a mi estilo.
Ahí va…
Sobre las 8,30 de la mañana llegó un señor mayor, como de unos 80 años, a Urgencias para que le suturaran una pequeña herida que se había hecho en uno de sus dedos. Estaba un poco nervioso y pidió por favor que le atendieran lo antes posible, ya que tenía una cita a las 9,30. Una de las enfermeras, viéndole mirar al reloj con cierta ansiedad avisó al médico de guardia para que le echase un vistazo. Al llegar éste y al verle tan apurado le dijo:
– “Qué pasa, hombre, la herida no tiene mucha importancia, no se preocupe. ¿Tiene usted otra consulta?”
– “No,” -le respondió el anciano- “pero tengo que ir al geriátrico para desayunar con mi mujer.”
– “¿Y qué le pasa, está enferma? – preguntó el doctor.
– “No más de lo habitual.” -contestó el anciano- “Hace tiempo que está allí porque padece de Alzheimer. Fíjese que desde hace dos años no me conoce ya; ni siquiera sabe quien soy.”
– “¿Y usted sigue yendo cada mañana, aunque ni siquiera le conozca, y ni sepa que es su marido?”
El anciano sonrió y contestó:
-«Ella no sabe quién soy, es verdad, pero yo sí sé quien es ella.»
English traslation:
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb.
He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him.
I saw him looking at his watch, and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I inquired as to her health; he told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, ‘And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are’? He smiled as he patted my hand and said, ‘She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is’
BERTA SUESCUN ilustración 