Diana Al-Alawneh
Jordan
ESOL 400
Spring 2008
This interview is with an old family friend that I adore. His name is Basel. He was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and I thought that he might be the right person for my interview.
It was the afternoon of March 1, 2008 when I saw Basel and his wife getting closer to my the door of my house. I was very nervous and excited at the same time. I hadn’tseen him for long a time; I think the last time I saw him was three months ago when I had my baby. At that time, Basel was not diagnosed with the disease yet, but his wife was complaining about him forgetting too much and becoming very nervous, and that was causing them many problems with relatives and friends, and she mentioned something about him seeing a doctor. Two months later, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
I opened the door; he didn’t seem much different; he was smiling as usual. “Hi, Diana,you look great,” Basel said. “Please come in; I’m so happy to see you.” I said. They sat on their favorite couch, and he took the glass of water that was on the table near some cookies and the tea that I had prepared for them. His wife apologized and said that she had some work to do in the office, and she would be back after one hour. I closed the door behind her and went to the living room, where Basel was smiling. “She thinks that I have forgotten how to drive. She is watching me as if I were her child; that is really frustrating,” he complained. “Please, have some cookies. You know how much she loves you; she doesn’t want anything bad to happen to you. You must not underestimate your disease.” I said.
“So, what is Alzheimer’s disease?” I asked. He took a cookie and had a bite “At first, I didn’t know much about it, but then the doctors explained it to me. Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease where brain cells are destroyed, causing problems with memory and behavior,” he answered. “What causes this disease? Is it a virus or what?” I wondered.“They don’t know exactly, but part of it is inherited genetically,” he answered.
I poured some tea in his cup; he took the cup; at that moment I felt very sorry for him. He is a very smart guy; he has a doctoral degree in petroleum engineering and has a very good career, which he loves very much; he got married four years ago and has two boys. I can’t believe that he is going to lose all that. I can’t imagine that one day he might not recognize his own son. I’m sure that is what he thinks of all the time. “Do you feel depressed?” I asked in a sad way. “Yes, when I realize that my memory and ability to function is getting worse, I feel very depressed; I’m going to lose my identity. I will not be able to remember my wife, my children, my knowledge.” He said that and the tone of his voice changed; it was more like he was choking with words.
It was the afternoon of March 1, 2008 when I saw Basel and his wife getting closer to my the door of my house. I was very nervous and excited at the same time. I hadn’tseen him for long a time; I think the last time I saw him was three months ago when I had my baby. At that time, Basel was not diagnosed with the disease yet, but his wife was complaining about him forgetting too much and becoming very nervous, and that was causing them many problems with relatives and friends, and she mentioned something about him seeing a doctor. Two months later, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
I opened the door; he didn’t seem much different; he was smiling as usual. “Hi, Diana,you look great,” Basel said. “Please come in; I’m so happy to see you.” I said. They sat on their favorite couch, and he took the glass of water that was on the table near some cookies and the tea that I had prepared for them. His wife apologized and said that she had some work to do in the office, and she would be back after one hour. I closed the door behind her and went to the living room, where Basel was smiling. “She thinks that I have forgotten how to drive. She is watching me as if I were her child; that is really frustrating,” he complained. “Please, have some cookies. You know how much she loves you; she doesn’t want anything bad to happen to you. You must not underestimate your disease.” I said.
“So, what is Alzheimer’s disease?” I asked. He took a cookie and had a bite “At first, I didn’t know much about it, but then the doctors explained it to me. Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease where brain cells are destroyed, causing problems with memory and behavior,” he answered. “What causes this disease? Is it a virus or what?” I wondered.“They don’t know exactly, but part of it is inherited genetically,” he answered.
I poured some tea in his cup; he took the cup; at that moment I felt very sorry for him. He is a very smart guy; he has a doctoral degree in petroleum engineering and has a very good career, which he loves very much; he got married four years ago and has two boys. I can’t believe that he is going to lose all that. I can’t imagine that one day he might not recognize his own son. I’m sure that is what he thinks of all the time. “Do you feel depressed?” I asked in a sad way. “Yes, when I realize that my memory and ability to function is getting worse, I feel very depressed; I’m going to lose my identity. I will not be able to remember my wife, my children, my knowledge.” He said that and the tone of his voice changed; it was more like he was choking with words.
Suddenly a strange silence was in the room; I couldn’t say anything. I was very close to crying. He looked at me and said, “Don’t you want to know more, or is the interview over?” “Oh, two more questions,” I said, and I felt very embarrassed. “It’s okay, ask whatever you want,” he said. “Is there any treatment? And what are the symptoms of this disease?” I asked. “No treatment has been proven to stop Alzheimer’s disease, but there are some drugs that help prevent some symptoms from becoming worse. There are many signs of this disease and they become more difficult with time,” he answered.
Basel is in his 30s; he is a handsome and a very kind person; it’s really a tragedy to lose such great personality. “How did you know that something was wrong?” I wondered. “At first, I started to forget a lot; in the beginning, it was forgetting simple things, like locking the door or calling someone back, but then it became worse, like forgetting the time or the place. I’m afraid of what is next. The doctors said that I’m going to have problems with the language, and misplacing things. Now I have started to write my memoirs so my children will know the real me, not the sick me.”
He stood up and begged me not to hate him if one day he didn't remember my name. I looked at him and hugged him; he was, is, and always will be that great wonderful guy.
He stood up and begged me not to hate him if one day he didn't remember my name. I looked at him and hugged him; he was, is, and always will be that great wonderful guy.
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