The Other Husband

I heard from a friend that her 85 year old mother was diagnosed with a fatal brain disease. Her mother is hallucinating that there is another man in the house with her and her current husband, Darrin. The mother now sets the table for 3 people since this other man is there at meals.

Last weekend the other man (also named Darrin) started being affectionate with mother. This was upsetting her because she was telling us that she is already married to the real Darrin and that this is not right to have this other man wanting to kiss her and hug her. She was so disturbed that she would not settle down to go to sleep.

Finally, the real husband, Darrin, tried to change the subject and asked her what her plans were tomorrow. She answered that she was going to watch her cooking shows. The real Darrin joked with her by telling her that she does that everyday. She turned to him in a very serious face and told him the other Darrin would have never joked with her about that.

The real Darrin reported that the other Darrin woke up with them in the morning and that usually he is only there for dinner. Now, the other Darrin is spending the night with them.

I wish I could see with mother's eyes and experience what she is seeing and hearing. What is really going on in her mind?