The 8-Hour Gap: Facing the Unknown
I was working abroad when my mom was diagnosed with dementia. At the time, I was eight hours away by plane. I had my own life and a steady routine, but that news changed the priority of everything.
Like most people, my first reaction was to look for information. I researched the stages and the medications. I found plenty of facts online, but nothing answered the biggest question: How much time did we really have?
I learned that while it is a life-limiting disease, the progress is different for every person. There is no set timeline. No one can tell you exactly what will happen or when. It felt like the “it would never happen to us” phase was officially over, and we were facing a massive unknown.
During our phone calls, I was constantly listening to make sure she was managing okay. It’s hard to truly know the reality when you aren’t there in person. I realized that being prepared wasn’t about having more data or reading more articles. It was about realizing that I couldn’t manage this situation from another country forever.
It made me think about how we are taught to prepare for so many things in life, yet we are never taught how to handle our senior years or the end of life. I find myself wondering what will happen to me when I get older, and how I should be prepared.
We’re figuring it out as we go. I’ve realized that the most important preparation isn’t about a career or a plan. It’s about how you navigate the unknown as a family when life finally changes.
Let’s Talk
What was the biggest “unknown” you faced after a diagnosis? How did you start planning for the next step? Drop a comment below and let’s chat.