Alzheimer's Disease

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Gang,

I just wanted to quickly post and let you all know that I haven't been on much lately due to 1. My trying to get my job up and running, and 2. It looks like my grandmother has Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's Disease.....Needless to say, this has REALLY UPSET ME AND MY FAMILY, and it's wearing out my father fast considering he needs a new heart. I am asking for your help in sending up prayers to the man upstairs and that he will help my father, my mother and my family get through this, and that he will help my grandmother by surrounding her with love and comfort.

I realize that she is 87 and life does progress, but still, this is a horrible, horrible disease that steals the dignity from the patient, and wrenches at the heart of the family coping with this. Could you all help me in praying for her and my dad and mom? I am absolutely heartbroken at this news...Thanks for listening. Harrybaby

 

[geebee]

Harry,

My heart goes out to you and your family. My mom passed from complications of Alzheimer's and this disease is indeed traumatic. It carries a lot of pain, guilt, anger, etc. If you know Kubler-Ross' list of dealing with death, you go through all those items dealing with Alzheimer's.

It has been almost 10 years since my mom became ill. My one sister (the one who joined me in helping my mom - my other 2 siblings kind of disappeared during this time) and I are just now beginning to look at the time with humor and love. Some of things my mom experienced were rather interesting in retrospect. We are actually considering writing a book about the highs and lows of dealing with Alzheimer's.

I will pray that your family finds strength and solidarity to make it through this time. Patience, love and just being with your Gram will make a huge difference.

God bless.

 

[Phyllis]

Sending you and your family prayers and best wishes. We've "been there, done that" with Dick's Mom and it truly is traumatic and very trying for the caregivers as well as the patient. Take care, Harry.

 

[Harrybaby666]

This would sure help things....

This would sure help things....

Harry,


We are actually considering writing a book about the highs and lows of dealing with Alzheimer's.

God bless.

After seeing one of our neighbors die from this, I think a book coming from one who has delt with the illness would be an incredibly helpful and super contribution to the cause. I do have to admit that I now do feel guilty for disagreeing with my grandmother on some issues, because I am wondering if it was the Alzheimer's that was causing her outbursts of opinion. Anything written from first hand experience would be terrific. I hope you do write the book....I would be most interested in reading it. Thanks again, Harrybaby

 

[Adrienne]

My mother died from complications of Alzheimer's Disease in 2001 at the age of 88. I understand.

 

[PegB]

Harry,

I am so sorry to hear of your latest news. Sounds like there are a lot of members here with the same experience. My Dad died of Alzheimers complications two years ago, (just one month short of 90), but we had some of the best times ever during his last years. Everyone progresses at different rates with this disease, so it's impossible to predict what the next day will bring. Luckily, Dad still knew me right until the end, even though my name would escape him.

The best advice I could give your family to deal with this is to get one of the books on communicating with the patient. I bought copies of "Talking to Alzheimers" and had the other family members read it. It made visits so much easier. If you just do a search on Amazon for Alzheimers, I see there are so many new books on the subject. Just as we have here for valves, I found that knowledge of what is happening is invaluable.

My prayers are with you as you take care of your Grandmother. Remember, that they say the patient is not suffering at all through this, only the family.
I pray that you all will have as easy of a journey as possible.

 

[Mary]

My prayers are with you all, Harry.

 

[hensylee]

I have been looking for you every day and wondrin where you are.

I am sorry for what your family is going through. It's so bad when a loved one has something go awry with the brain. Many of us know just what you are going through and our thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[twinmaker]

Harry, I too will be praying for you and your family. My mother is 86 and several years ago, she was diagnosed with Alzheimers. She has certainly had her ups and downs and the family experiences everything and sometimes more. Sometimes, I feel the patients are not as aware and therefore are spared some of the sadness of this disease. Anyway, a few months ago, the doctor said that her problem might not be Alzheimers but another type of dementia. It really doesn't matter if it's Alzheimers or not...the symptoms are the same. My dad is my mom's primary caretaker. Thank God he's in wonderful shape both physically and mentally although I know it takes a toll on him. I am about 8 hours from home (driving) and only a couple flying. My folks live in Kentucky. I get home as often as possible. My brother lives about 5 minutes from my parents, and he is a tremendous help. My sister lives in Florida and is therefore very far away, and she works full time. My mother is on Aricept and has been for several years, and the doc just put her on another drug in addition to the Aricept. She is doing so much better, and we are so thankful. I didn't mean to go on like this about my mom, but just wanted to let you know that I know how you feel and what you're going through. My prayers for you and your family are already going up and will continue. LINDA

 

[EireCara]

Hi.......

Hi.......

Hi Harry, I really feel for you and your family. My Grandmother raised me from 3 weeks old, so to me she was my 'Mother'. She sufferred with dementia for about 7 years and it was very difficult watching the one you love 'loose' themselves.
I would have to tell her who I was, and when I said my name she always said ''my Jacqui'' and I would say yes. I will definitely remember you all in my prayers . Bless you. Jacqui

 

[Kathy Canistro]

Prayers for you all

Prayers for you all

Our prayers are with you.
Kathy

 

[Guest]

Harry,

Thoughts/prayers coming your way....



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Never settle for the path of least resistance" ... Lee Ann Womack ... 'I Hope You Dance'

 

[BDMc]

Thoughts and Prayers...

Thoughts and Prayers...

coming your way Harry. My mother is suffering some sort of dementia, as yet undiagnosed. I live in a co-op where one of the members has Alzheimers. He is 90 and the other four of us all take care of him. Time wise it is like a second job, and leaves me almost no time for anything else. On the bright side, he is happy, healthy, and enjoying his limited life. He often thanks me for taking care of him, and I think I've learned a lot in the process. I hope your family will have as good luck! I wish I could say things were as easy with my mother. She is not nearly as physically healthy, is often deeply depressed, and is terribly stubborn. If you can spare a prayer send one up for her too. Sorry for your trials. Your valve bro, Brian

 

[WayneGM]

Sorry to hear the news. I haven't had any first hand experience with Alzheimer's, although a friend of mine did and I know it was a difficult time. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Best wishes,

 

[Karlynn]

Harry I will remember your Grandmother and family in my prayers.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Well Gang...it's now definite....My Grandmother has Alzheimers...

Well Gang...it's now definite....My Grandmother has Alzheimers...

I just got word from my parents that they have now officially diagnosed her as having Alzheimer's Disease and they have told my father and mother that she hasn't got long at all to live....Could you all keep her in your prayers that if she has to pass on, that she does so pain free and peacefully? This is also taking it's toll on my father's health and the whole family dynamics all together, and I know this is a bit much, but could you also pray that things get better in this area as well? 'Ole Harrybaby is truly heart broken on this one. Thank You All In Advance. Harry

 

[geebee]

You definitely have my prayers, Harry. I hope you do well through all this as well as your family. I truly believe, that in the later stages of Alzheimer's, the patient knows very little of what is going on. Hopefully this will make you and your family feel a little better.

Take care.

 

[Ross]

You asked, you got. Sorry Harry.

 

[hensylee]

Harry, you've had so much this last year or so. It's good you have your brother with you so you can support each other.

It's so hard when we see someone so dear to us suffer the indignities of mental deficiency. We suffer as much as we stand and can do nothing to help nor change it. I am so sorry for you and the family. I can definitely empathize and I have had you in my prayers all along.

 

[twinmaker]

Harry, I will be keeping you, your grandmother and your family in my prayers. Linda