Alzheimer's

[Bushido1]

Ok so today all I could think of is how my grandfather has alzheimer's, I'm just curiouse if anyon else out there has a family member with the horrable disease. Because I'll be honest, my grandfather having it, and forgetting not just who I am, but who his own wife(my grandmother) is, just breaks my heart and destroys it. And it is VERY hard for me personaly to deal with, and I'm just wondering, if anyone else has or is going through these problems also.


-Bushido

 

[johnttickle]

Alzheimer's runs heavy in my gene pool. My mother just died in Jan., and for the last ten years she didn't even know who I was. Her mother and father had it. I am sure to have it too when I reach my late 60's. All of my late family got real bad in thier late 60's. So I feel your pain. It is a horrable disease.
My only hope is that there will be a be a big break through soon. I am in my mid forties now, which means I will have just over twenty years left of my memories.
Good luck to ya bra.

Aloha, John

 

[Bushido1]

Yea I know what yea mean, I found out that the Alzheimer's gene comes from the mother, so if your mother's side has a history of Alzheimer's then you may have a chance of catching it, which, since my grandfather is on my moms side, it makes me worry about myself, and like you said it was on your moms side, it is something to think of, me myself, the thought of loosing my mind scares the hell out of me

 

[Camel26]

I lost my paternal grandfather to Alzheimer's disease...watching the most brilliant man I'd ever met, a Holocaust survivor who spoke 6 languages, slowly drift away...to the point where, the last time I saw him, about 6 months before he passed, he thought my grandmother was his maid, and that I was the mechanic there to fix the machines in the factory he ran 40 years ago. AD is the cruelest disease, in my humble opinion, as it robs your mind before your body...

I worked for 12 weeks of school, as an internship/residency, at a Nursing home with a unit exclusively for patients with Alzheimer's...that was the most physically, and emotionally challenging experience I've had...it gave me a new level of respect for my grandmother for caring for my grandfather...

It's not an easy road...but know that you have support here if you want it...my deepest sympathies to you and yours...

 

[Bushido1]

Very true Camel26, it is one of the cruelest disease out there, and untill someone has a family member with it, then they just cant understand the hurt it puts on familys.

 

[Budweiserbob!]

I'm lucky enough not to have a family member with Alzheimers, but I can just imagine (to the smallest extent) what it's like. My wife, a while back, was in car accident and received several broken bones, but the worst of it was that she got a concusion. The airbag didn't deploy meaning she hit the steering wheel with so much force that he suffered severe brain damage, and as a result suffered from Amnesia.

At this point we had been married for 3 year, and been going out for 6. It hurt so much that the woman who I loved, and whom loved me back, couldn't even remember who I am or what our past was. Treasured memories. Gone.

Fortunately, with Amnesia cases, their memory can come back. And it did for her.

But I'm sorry to hear about your current issues. And offer this advise. Although your Grandfather can't remember the great times you've spent together, then remember them for the both of you. The memories I had with my wife was the main thing keeping me going when helping her out.

 

[Jeebusaurus]

yeah, my grandmother has it pretty bad. she was diagnosed back in 2002 and currently, she has lost most of her motor functions. she cannot feed, bath, dress herself. she hasn't talked in atleast a year that we know of.

it was a sad day when we finally had to put her in a home. i didnt want to, but my mother couldnt take care of her finantially and my aunts and uncles wouldnt.

i dont like seeing her that way, so i dont visit often. i feel horrible about it. i really hope she understands deep down. i mean i do love her, i jsut want to remember the woman she was. not the one she is.

i dont know, its sounds terrible . . . . i swear im not a bad person . . .

~Jeebs

 

[Camel26]

You're not a bad person, Jeebusaurus...she isn't the woman you knew as your grandmother anymore...and, as such, it's easier to detach from the state she is currently in...

Deep down, I know she understands...and loves you...and knows it's mutual...

I'm so sorry...I know exactly where you are...(see above entry)...*hugs*

My heart goes out to you and your family...

 

[Sorcerer Lance]

my grandmother had it as well, just like with Ronald Reagan, she slowly forgot who everyone was, regardless she was surrounded by her children as she slowly reverted into a child and slept more often than usual.
She's gone now and already I notice my father being forgetful more often than usual...and I'm scared to death it might've been passed onto me, I don't want to forget the people I love.

 

[Breygon]

Been there.... My Grandmother passed away from it last march, with the symptoms Jeebusaurus spoke of (don't wanna be a prophet of doom or anything...). I hope to god that neither I nor anyone I know (family or not) ever get it.

This brings up another question, (to me, anyway); who was/is "Alzheimer", i.e. the disease's namesake?

 

[QueenBeeBeeMari]

Ok so today all I could think of is how my grandfather has alzheimer's, I'm just curiouse if anyon else out there has a family member with the horrable disease. Because I'll be honest, my grandfather having it, and forgetting not just who I am, but who his own wife(my grandmother) is, just breaks my heart and destroys it. And it is VERY hard for me personaly to deal with, and I'm just wondering, if anyone else has or is going through these problems also.


-Bushido

Yes my great grandmother had the disease and it is very hard to deal with I am sorry that you must go throught this with your Grandfather. I do believe they have medication to help though.

 

[3xPIN]

My heart goes out to you. my aunt had a brain tumor and had to get chemo for it. it was pretty horrible, of course I doubt your grand father needs chemo for it. but yeah i kind of know how you feel
for those who don't know: if you play video games it can help fight alzheimer's disease.

 

[QueenBeeBeeMari]

No Chemo will not help Alzheimers

 

[Jeebusaurus]

You're not a bad person, Jeebusaurus...she isn't the woman you knew as your grandmother anymore...and, as such, it's easier to detach from the state she is currently in...

Deep down, I know she understands...and loves you...and knows it's mutual...

I'm so sorry...I know exactly where you are...(see above entry)...*hugs*

My heart goes out to you and your family...

Thank you love, i appreciate it.