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11-15-1937 to 8-16-2008
Bitter Sweet Memory - Our Story
My dad, Jesse Sandoval, was diagnosed with Dementia in 2002 at the age of 63. He lived with us for about four years prior to being diagnosed. At that time we lived a normal family life until his health took a turn for the worse. Slowly, we started noticing some changes in his behavior, but we knew the situation was far more serious when he started having seizures. We began taking him to several Doctors for a diagnosis of his condition; well over a period of three years of trying to find resources here in the Central Valley. We were finally referred by Madera/Fresno Agency on Aging to UCSF Fresno Alzheimer’s and Memory Center here in Fresno, CA.
So we took him for testing and that is how they determined he had full blown dementia that would soon turn into Alzheimer’s disease. The process at the Memory Center was given by 5 different Doctors, specializing in their exclusive testing. After that, the doctors and family came together, and I was prepared as much as possible as they told me what would happen over time. To aid in my own understanding, they gave me various resources I would need to care for my father through the course of the illness. They also gave me a book called The 36-Hour Day. This book educated me on the disease which helped my family understand the sickness. In turn I was able to keep my father at home and give him the proper care.
During this time Katrina and my dad became very close. They had their little inside jokes and went for long walks, leaving behind cherished memories never to be forgotten. I also became close to my dad during this time as we were pretty much attached at the hip. As time went on his condition got worse, however, and we were no longer able to care for him at home.
In search of a facility where he would find the utmost care, I went back to my resources and found Country View Alzheimer’s Center. As of October 17th 2003, this was his new home. We visited him at Country View Alzheimer’s Center, on a regular basis. It was a difficult to see him in that condition, but when he would smile or laugh or touch my face and call me or Katrina “mija,” we shared a bittersweet moment of the man we had known. There were times when he didn’t know our names, but he knew our voice. Sometimes we didn’t need to say anything we just communicated through our eyes or by holding hands or singing, which was his favorite pastime. We had to continue visiting him even though it was hard for us, but I can only imagine how hard it was for him as well.
I had always wanted to do something to give back or help to find a cure for this terrible disease. I had an opportunity to combine the work that I do, and my hobby of riding, together and came up with Ride to Remember. I started planning early in 2008. Through the course of my planning, I wanted my dad to go on this poker ride in a limo. I knew our time with him was coming to an end. As time progressed, I would ask him to please hang in there until September 20th when I would take him for the last ride of his life. Unfortunately, August 16, 2008 was the day my dad passed away. My dad had made his plans of being cremated so that’s we had done at his passing. It was one month before the 1st Annual Ride to Remember. I wanted to cancel because of my sadness, but my daughter would not let me so we pushed ourselves to keep planning. Well during the planning it hit me, “I can still take him I will just place his Urn in my saddle bags”. We were so excited we couldn’t wait for September 19th to come. Though we miss him, his passing just gives us more drive for our cause. Thank you again for being apart of Ride to Remember and learning about our reason. Feel free to tell us about yours.
Sandy & Katrina
Sandy Sandoval
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