The Abysss

By Frank Knittel

The Abyss is a novel depicting a prominent attorney whose story begins when he is diagnosed with the dreaded Alzheimers disease, which afflicts so many today.
It takes the reader through the agonies, the sometimes good days, and the forever hopes of the patients family that the patient will be cured before their loved one succumbs to that heartbreaking end.
It gives us all a motivation to help physicians and researchers find the cause and cure of a disease that causes so many families and patients heartache and distress.
At the least, if it should happen to someone you love, it will help family and friends have more understanding and sympathy for the patient.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 13, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524617363

Frank Knittel

Frank Knittel was a man with an indomitable spirit and viewed life with optimism and confidence. No one, not even his wife, knows his reason for writing about this particular topic. He did much research on the subject and spent two or three years writing this book while, at the same time, writing the humorous book With Malice Toward Few about his life and teaching experiences. I want to thank Dr. Ben Wygal, a dear friend of Frank’s, for writing the following words: “Frank earned a PhD in Middle English from the University of Colorado in 1960. Throughout his active career, he served two or more of the following positions at three different universities: professor of English, vice president of Student Affairs, vice president for Academic Affairs, and president. He was a popular lecturer and speaker, a business owner, and even a temporary pastor for a year in Riverside, California. He was a writer who contributed numerous articles to both secular and Christian publications. In 1951 he was inducted into the armed services as a first lieutenant and served as an operation technician in the Brook Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas.” Throughout his life, Frank was involved in his community. He held memberships in the Kiwanis, Lions, and Rotary clubs at various times. After retirement, he even served a two-year term as mayor of a small town in Alvord, Texas. Frank was a man of faith and commitment. His personal life was one of daily Bible study and prayer, and he exemplified the command of Christ, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

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© 2016 Frank Knittel. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/12/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-1737-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-1736-3 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1

Tidings Of Great Joy?

Chapter 2

Wrong Turns

Chapter 3

Chains Of Truth

Chapter 4

Binding Ties

Chapter 5

Never Walk Alone

Chapter 6

Espousal Guidance

Chapter 7

House And Home

Chapter 8

None-Lingering Memories

Chapter 9

Forgetting To Remember

Chapter 10

Shopping Mishaps

Chapter 11

Bewildering Days

Chapter 12

Gone And Forgotten

Chapter 13

Child Play

Chapter 14

Cold Facts

Chapter 15

Thankless Thanksgiving

Chapter 16

What’s A Wife For?

Chapter 17

Watch Your Tongue

Chapter 18

Supermarket Travail

Chapter 19

Public Shows

Chapter 20

Dress For The Occasion

Chapter 21

Chilling Portents

Chapter 22

You’re Not Going

Chapter 23

Plotting

Chapter 24

Exuberation And Despair

Chapter 25

The Razor’s Edge

Chapter 26

Omens

Chapter 27

Contortions

Chapter 28

Amnesia

Chapter 29

Reflections

Chapter 30

More Amnesia

Chapter 31

Joy Ride

Chapter 32

Ups And Downs

Chapter 33

Gerald’s Decision

Chapter 34

Blessed Relief

Chapter 35

Reba Speaks

CHAPTER 1

November 18, 2002

Tidings of Great Joy?

The responses on your tests indicate the possibility you are facing a problem.

The physician’s carefully modulated professional medical voice did not betray his emotional surging as he spoke to his best friend of more than twenty years who now sat before him as a patient.

A problem? What kind of a problem? The patient, Gerald Freeman, spoke a bit sharply, and the physician was very careful in response.

I … I can’t really say for sure. We will . . well . . we’ll have to do more testing and evaluating.

Dr. Earnest Matson knew he was fumbling with his pronouncements, but how could a doctor kindly tell a best friend and patient that a recent yearly medical examination together with reports from family and acquaintances clearly suggested this friend reflected the beginning of Alzheimer’s Disease?

But you must have some idea what’s wrong! Are there problems with my heart or liver … or my lungs? Why haven’t I noticed something? I’ve always felt great. Are you sure about all this? Are you sure those reports are about me?

Well . . yes . . but as I said, we want to do some more testing, and I want you to see Dr. Sorenson, a specialist, who will be able to help us … you … I mean … help all of us.

Dr. Matson clearly was again clearly groping for words.

Who is this Dr. Sorenson?

He’s a specialist in nerve and brain functions. I’ve known him for years and trust his judgment.

Nerve and brain functions! Gerald’s voice suddenly rose to treble clef.

Are you saying that’s what’s wrong with me is my brain?!

Not exactly, but … well, your brain is the organ which houses a possible problem.

The doctor’s carefully chosen but floundering words suddenly hit his patient with stark reality. Gerald looked sharply into Earnest Matson’s eyes as he again spoke to his physician, this time slowly, in measured tones of stiff deliberation.

What are you trying to tell me? What’s this ‘possible problem’ you just tossed to me?

We’re not sure enough to make a guess until we do further testing–take a cranial scan perhaps.

Cranial scan! What you’re trying to tell me is that … is that I’m coming down with some deadly ailment like a brain tumor or even something worse!

Dr. Earnest Matson drew a long breath. He could not evade the issue further. His careful study of Gerald’s tests left him no alternative to forthright honesty. The hour he dreaded all morning menacingly stared at him.

The problems you are encountering may reflect a number of possibilities.

"Can you give me … well … at least some idea of what may be wrong?"

We can’t jump ahead of ourselves. We don’t have all the information we need for making a specific and accurate diagnosis. I repeat–we have to be sure, and we want you to take a few more tests in order to get a precise picture of what ails you. That’s the only way we can help you. We don’t want to make any mistakes.

Dr. Matson realized, of course, that his we constituted a personal obligation which he as a close friend would never relinquish. On the other hand, he sorely shrank from blurting out the truth and thus he momentarily allowed Gerald to continue.

What’s the name of that ailment which makes good people turn crazy and causes them to act like zombies? Is that where I’m headed? Tell me! I’m a lawyer! I’ve heard everything in my office and in court. Nothing shocks me anymore!

Dr. Earnest Matson drew a long breath. He could wait no longer, knowing very well that the man seated before him would accept no shuffling words, no small talk. He looked starkly into Gerald’s eyes.

The preliminary results of the tests in my hand indicate you may be facing the early indications of the problem you just alluded to—Alzheimer’s Disease.

Gerald Freeman’s life suddenly blew up–no warning, no retreat!

Alzheimer’s disease–how pervasive might that be? How susceptible to remediation? How could three measly hours of testing so glibly detroy his life?Gerald Freeman sat aghast by his own silent questions.

Christmas bells ringing joyously since Thanksgiving abruptly became omens of a death knell. All suggestions of yuletide merriment instantly translated into a dirge. Gerald Freeman, Attorney at Law–voted his city’s most recent Citizen of the Year–sat rigidly mute while staring agape at the physician.

His doctor’s words echoed in his mind.

You may be facing the early indications of the problem you just alluded to --Alzheimer’s Disease, he repeated for the second time.

You … . Alzheimer’s … Disease.

Gerald tried to speak, but no words formed–only monosyllables swirling in nonsensical disorder. With a shuddering jerk of his face as if frightened awake by a horrible dream, he instantly felt enmeshed by the gravity of merciless truth.

You … uh … you mean, he finally choked out, you mean I’m going insane!!? Is that what you mean?

Then with shrill emphasis he added, Are you telling me I’m going to be as crazy as a loon?! Is the next step some kind of a loony farm?!

Dr. Matson’s shoulders sagged perceptively as as he responded. Your test results suggest a problem more than mere forgetfulness once in a while. What lies ahead of you is uncertain, even though perhaps future issues may continue to arise.

Gerald angrily shrugged off the doctor’s comment with a curse. No doctor–personal friend at that–had the right to suggest … but his thoughts trailed back into mumbling followed by a denouncement targeting the medical profession as a whole. Abruptly Matson faced Gerald squarely.

Stop! he demanded. During the ensuing moment of startled silence Dr. Matson clasped both of Gerald’s shoulders and gently pulled his best friend toward him until they were almost nose to nose.

Then the physician, eyes brimming, spoke distinctly, slowly, and softly. "You came to see me for your annual physical examination. During that examination you told me you thought you had a hearing problem, a problem which caused you inconvenience because it seemed to you that many things simply slipped by you. You felt constantly short-changed in conversation. That’s why you came to my office three weeks ago with what you thought was a hearing problem.

"I’ve checked all that out with four professional tests. It’s not your ears. It’s … well, it’s more like your eyes–your eyes to the mind.

Gerald … His voice broke suddenly–he was quite unsure he could continue. Swallowing hard, then relaxing his hold on his friend-turned medical patient, he strove to continue his agonizing opinion. Momentarily he said no more, dabbed at his eyes, then turned and took from his desk the support for his assertions–results of blood, hearing, and cranial tests which Gerald had undergone two weeks earlier. He held these out for Gerald to see.

I’ve gone over these test and lab results with Dr. Glenn Shuman, a physician who is a specialist in these kinds of problems. His evaluation is the same as what I’ve told you. After your appointment with Dr. Sorenson, Dr. Shuman will see you as quickly as you wish. Dr. Shuman is one of the nation’s foremost physicians dealing with these matters.

Compassionate but professionally straightforward, Dr. Matson finished with Some time in the future you will likely have days of physical and mental upheaval. Some day you may even move to a special care facility. But, and after a long pause, not yet. He stressed his last words, and with slight emphasis repeated, In time, perhaps, but not yet!

While listening to Matson’s realistic Alzheimer’s Disease’s future for a dear friend, Gerald’s mind shifted from stark horror back to anger whiplashed by the lab tests he had cheerfully agreed upon–tests now destroying him. He knew the test results confirmed his unexpected problem, but sudden and unanticipated antagonism raged against his doctor as a close friend. And it all began because of a fancied hearing problem which led him to Earnest for professional evaluation.

Now furious with the outcome, he hoarsely cried out in desperation, You are saying, In time, but not yet!’ When does that ‘yet’ ax fall? What happens between now and then?!"

Gerald knew he was getting raspy–even sounded to himself as if he were hissing. Impulsively he grabbed the offensive and accusing lab reports from the startled doctor and with a bitter Thanks a lot! bolted out of the examining room, bounded through the waiting room, and stalked to the parking lot. Raging with fury he threw himself into his car and roared out of the parking lot.

Wild questions whirled madly through Gerald’s mind followed by other questions which had no answers. Questions! More questions.