The Fraying of a Brilliant Mind
Daria Summers
March 2021
Sunday – 10 Jan
I had always taken to cleaning my house every Saturday. It was a set routine that stopped my condition from getting out of control. I dusted and mopped and polished every corner, every nook I could find. I knew it was getting worse, taking over my brain, the reason why he left. No, I can't think about him now. I need to move that piece of china back into place or my head will start aching again. Yes, that is what I will do.
Tuesday – 12 Jan
Each day has been a struggle for me, I couldn't fully comprehend the problems I had written on my board anymore, nor could I make out any of the explanations I had once given my students. All the words that were once in a straight, neat line were now in a disarray. They danced across the page and made words that weren't making any sense to me. The once-simple task of reading from my shopping list for a few groceries became tedious and difficult. I was too proud to ask for help, not since my husband left when the effects of my condition too much for him to handle.
I sit alone each night, like today, trying to remember details of the previous day or the present day, just to keep my mind active, but it makes it harder to remember things when I try too hard. I look through scrapbooks and old newspapers and no longer recognize the well-known mathematician they write about. On some nights, like two days ago, I cannot even remember my own face. I tried reading the whole article today, but got stuck on simple words such as author and publisher.
Friday – 15 Jan
I cannot recognize my face in the mirror in the mirror anymore. I woke up and immediately threw my alarm clock at my mirror. The woman who looked back was haggard and old, her hair grey in places there shouldn't be any grey. I am only 24. I am unmarried in the prime of my life. Why would I look this? I saw a couple of entries before this. I should look over them to see what I can't remember.
Doctor's Log
23 January 2021, Saturday
Patient 312 – Mrs. Simone Xavier
Mrs. Simone Xavier was brought in by her neighbors early this morning when she attempted to stab her cleaning lady with a butter knife in an attempt to protect herself. According to the neighbors, the cleaning lady ran out screaming while Mrs. Xavier ran after her, flailing the knife. When prompted by her neighbors as to what she was doing, she asked them to call the police as the woman was unknown to her and was a thief. This came as a shock to the neighbors who knew this lady because she worked for Mrs. Xavier for 5 years. That is when she was brought in for testing. From MRI scans, we have concluded Mrs. Xavier is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia. She shall be kept isolated from others and treated in a special ward for her and others' safety.
Author's Note: This story is true and has been given aliases for the patient as well as fake dates.
Sunday – 10 Jan
I had always taken to cleaning my house every Saturday. It was a set routine that stopped my condition from getting out of control. I dusted and mopped and polished every corner, every nook I could find. I knew it was getting worse, taking over my brain, the reason why he left. No, I can't think about him now. I need to move that piece of china back into place or my head will start aching again. Yes, that is what I will do.
Tuesday – 12 Jan
Each day has been a struggle for me, I couldn't fully comprehend the problems I had written on my board anymore, nor could I make out any of the explanations I had once given my students. All the words that were once in a straight, neat line were now in a disarray. They danced across the page and made words that weren't making any sense to me. The once-simple task of reading from my shopping list for a few groceries became tedious and difficult. I was too proud to ask for help, not since my husband left when the effects of my condition too much for him to handle.
I sit alone each night, like today, trying to remember details of the previous day or the present day, just to keep my mind active, but it makes it harder to remember things when I try too hard. I look through scrapbooks and old newspapers and no longer recognize the well-known mathematician they write about. On some nights, like two days ago, I cannot even remember my own face. I tried reading the whole article today, but got stuck on simple words such as author and publisher.
Friday – 15 Jan
I cannot recognize my face in the mirror in the mirror anymore. I woke up and immediately threw my alarm clock at my mirror. The woman who looked back was haggard and old, her hair grey in places there shouldn't be any grey. I am only 24. I am unmarried in the prime of my life. Why would I look this? I saw a couple of entries before this. I should look over them to see what I can't remember.
Doctor's Log
23 January 2021, Saturday
Patient 312 – Mrs. Simone Xavier
Mrs. Simone Xavier was brought in by her neighbors early this morning when she attempted to stab her cleaning lady with a butter knife in an attempt to protect herself. According to the neighbors, the cleaning lady ran out screaming while Mrs. Xavier ran after her, flailing the knife. When prompted by her neighbors as to what she was doing, she asked them to call the police as the woman was unknown to her and was a thief. This came as a shock to the neighbors who knew this lady because she worked for Mrs. Xavier for 5 years. That is when she was brought in for testing. From MRI scans, we have concluded Mrs. Xavier is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia. She shall be kept isolated from others and treated in a special ward for her and others' safety.
Author's Note: This story is true and has been given aliases for the patient as well as fake dates.