My Support Forums - View Single Post - Any People Deal w/Loved Ones w/Alzheimer's Disease?

WishingOnAStar · 08:50 PM

Hi Grec23 - My name is Jeanne and I am saddened by your wife's diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease (or other dementia). It is a terrible illness and I can only pray that a cure will come about in the very near future. It is wonderful that your wife is not letting it take over her life...it is so important to her well-being that is doesn't. Staying active and keeping the mbrain stimulated is vital...so glad it has not overwhelmed her. How about yourself? Are you handling things okay? I will glad to chat with you if you need a friend.

My Mom has been going through this about 4 years now...maybe a little more. It started slow, but continued to advance. Today she is very close, if not in, the severe category. It is so sad, so very, very sad. She has been given different meds for her anxiety, but nothing seems to help to any degree. All she wants is to go home, to see her mother, to not be afraid or scared. For the most part, that is the entire conversation when my Dad or I go visit. I moved into their home when both of them got sick, about 3-1/2 years ago. My Dad is 80 and is in the late stages of lung disease, he's fractured his back twice and has many, many other health ailments. Over all, he is not in good shape and he is heartbroken over his wife's condition. I am going to give him the website you gave to me. I looked at it and found it quite interesting, as will he.

From all of the research I've done, you are quite correct in saying that the Alzheimer's patient does suffer directly from the physical brain's deterioration. I have found a number of articles and pictures of how the differnet stages act and where the brain mass "make-up" is at that particular time. It bothered me so much, to see how much of the brain mass was lost over time, that I stopped researching for the most part....it is saddening.

Please hold on to hope, and most importantly, hold on to each other, and enjoy every day and everything around you to the fullest. Life is precious... I thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I am sad, but hopeful for Jacky, as they continue to find new things to help dementia patients. She's on some of the newest meds, and I know they have worked well for many people. My Mom was on them, but they said she was actually to advanced for them to be really effective. Try your best to stay strong and don't beat yourself up if you have a bad day---it's okay. I'll be around the forums, so contact me anytime and if I find something I think you'd find interesting, I'll pass it your way. You take care....Jacky too! Best Wishes & God's Blessings ~ Jeanne

Blessings ~