Carol has had (AD), Alzheimer’s disease, since about 1996. First symptoms were loss of short term memory. Her Drs. finally ruled out other possibilities in 2003 and we were ready to accept Alzheimer’s as the cause of her dementia and loss of cognitive ability. Carol stopped driving (reluctantly) 3-4 years ago and it was very hard for her to accept. Her ability to cook, and do more than minor items around the house ended about that time. Alzheimer’s Assoc. list 7 stages AD and Carol progressed through most of them. Many patients skip around or even skip a stage altogether. Carol is now in stage #6 and moving into stage #7. You can go to the Alz.org below and read about the 7 stages.
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp#stage5
Carol does not remember any of your names but usually recognizes your face and will try to talk to you. Unfortunately you probably won’t understand her. Conversation with her is almost impossible but she still enjoys it. She still handles eating OK and does not seem to have any physical failures like continence. I am dreading stage #7. She does like to “talk” to you and likes a hug. She loves to drive around and eat out. Church and ABF is the highlight of her week. I will try to post her “Christian testimony” soon. She wrote it as about the last thing she was able to do on the computer herself. Quit playing bridge and solitaire on computer at about the same time.She received a pacemaker in 2005 and no longer has any of the episodes of nausea, vomiting, passing out that she had experienced every month or so. Her heart was simply pausing and causing the problems. Nothing to do with Alzheimer’s apparently. I’ll be posting on frequent occasions and hope you will appreciate what Carol and I are going through. I also hope you will be able to understand the horrible results on all patients and their caregivers. It is a horrible way to die and so far that is the only outcome. I look forward to hearing from you.
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp#stage5
Carol does not remember any of your names but usually recognizes your face and will try to talk to you. Unfortunately you probably won’t understand her. Conversation with her is almost impossible but she still enjoys it. She still handles eating OK and does not seem to have any physical failures like continence. I am dreading stage #7. She does like to “talk” to you and likes a hug. She loves to drive around and eat out. Church and ABF is the highlight of her week. I will try to post her “Christian testimony” soon. She wrote it as about the last thing she was able to do on the computer herself. Quit playing bridge and solitaire on computer at about the same time.She received a pacemaker in 2005 and no longer has any of the episodes of nausea, vomiting, passing out that she had experienced every month or so. Her heart was simply pausing and causing the problems. Nothing to do with Alzheimer’s apparently. I’ll be posting on frequent occasions and hope you will appreciate what Carol and I are going through. I also hope you will be able to understand the horrible results on all patients and their caregivers. It is a horrible way to die and so far that is the only outcome. I look forward to hearing from you.
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Bill & Carol
Bill & Carol
My Dad is an Angel! We are blessed to have him in our lives! I hope you get as much out of this site as he gets posting it. It helps to share the things he lives with daily as he watches his bride of almost 50 years go through this terrible disease! I plan on sharing funny stories, and hope you don't feel they are insensitive, but at times you just have to laugh! We love my Mom VERY much, and know she would HATE how things are, but our faith in God allows us to lean on HIM and believe HE is still in control. Thanks for Loving my Mom and continuing to support my Dad!
ReplyDeletebill,
ReplyDeleteMy wife has been afflicted with Alzheimer's since she was first diagnosed in 2000. This is the progress that the disease has followed. 1. She began to forget things like the grandchildren's birthdays...then her car keys...and progressed (very slowly) to things like becoming lost in the city and then losing her way in the house. At this time, she began to lose the power of speech.
We moved to Ropckwall and after one week, she could not be aroused from sleep. We took her to the hospital and she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. 2. She became incontinent and had to enter a nursing home in 2006.
3. She was still able to walk (in a PVC cage with wheels and a seat) and continued to walk for 3 years, but slowly lost this capability. Now, she is in the "later stages" and spends all day in a wheelchair.
She still recognizes me, but has forgotten my name (our daughter, also) She talks constantly, but is completely unintellagable.We visit her often and pray for her as well. Only God can help her. Our son (a M.D.) said that usually AD victims will go to sleep and not wake up. The whole progress of AD is so heartbreaking. I will never fail her or stop visiting. May will be our 55th anniversary.
I hope this gives some idea of the progress of this horrible disease
Ray