Do you want something Val?

Do you want something Val?

Despite the fact that my wife Val now barely says anything intelligible most of the time, when I talk to her, I always try to understand how she is feeling and if there is anything she wants or needs. Doesn't always work as her speech now is well, it's a gibberish, almost Jabberwocky. But she does understand me most of the time, and there are moments where she does come out with a phrase that is understandable.

I ask myself, how much does Val have in the way of congnitive ability. What does she know? Is she really still in there or has this disease removed all traces of who she was.  Cogito ergo sum , "I think, therefore I am".  Does Descartes'  famous phrase still hold for Val??

I also try to determine how what she is feeling by observing her body language, I especially look at her eyes. But there are times...

It was this past Monday afternoon when I asked, "Val do you want something?" She said "yes". I asked "What you is it you want Val?"

She said with absolute clarity, "I want me!"