Well, i'm not sure whether this should go into any other area, so feel free to move if necessary. Well, my grandmother (who died sadly 8 years ago) was best friends with 4 sisters. Well, since i don't want my mother barking about how i let go of all the names (it is the internet, i don't want to be stalked) and blah blah blah. Anyways, she (my grandmother, that is) had childhood friends who were sisters. One of them, (i'm calling her R for the sake of privacy.) was eventually married to a man and they eventually started a clinic together. They had 3 children, the eldest became a doctor, the second one died, and the last one is still alive So now, they are 80-something years old. And the husband (H), has contracted Alzheimer disease. (for more information, go here). So, since Alzheimer makes the brain cells corrode, they also make the connections between the brain cells corrode as well, so they start to forget about things around him. The short term memory always goes first (short term is considered 1-5 years. Yes, i know. Loooooong for you or me.) and he only remembers the long term memory (eg. when he was a kid, and when he was 30-40). So now, he is stuck in his own world, reminicing about the past. Generally, he now can't remember anybody (even me :( and my mom ), except people from his past. So, when my grandfather went up to him, he Smiled!!!! and he greeted him. Then, gradually, he noticed my father and his sister, because they looked like my grandmother (sort of). Then, as fast as it came, his face lasped into a blank stare and was not aware of us any more. Gradually, he could not move, and his throat muscles were weak, so he could not swallow anything, apart from porridge which is mixed extremely finely. I hope i don't get Alzheimer. Luckly, it doesn't run in our family. Any comments?
One of the most terrible diseases humankind has ever faced. I'm sorry for your family, dude. But you probably won't get it, so that's good.
That's just scary... I so hope I won't get that disease in the future when I'm old. I want to keep my memories :D
I have, or rather had, a relative who had Alzheimers. He remembered me, but whenever he saw me he said "I haven't seen you since you were a baby!". It was really sad to see him not remember anything...
That happened to my grandmother. I walked in and she didn't remember who me, my dad, aunts/uncles etc were. I don't remember exactly how she died. I was little, and my dad said she forgot thow to breathe.. I still dont believe that. It was ages ago, but i feel for you. I had an easier time cos i didnt even understand what was going on. Id doesnt run in my family eather. Good luck is all I can say.
My great-grandmother has it now, and it's really sad to see her the way she is. She's a tiny little woman, and when I visited last year she thought I was my mom and kept calling me by my mom's name. This year my brother, my sister and I went to greet her, and she said, "I have great-grandchildren?" It was really depressing, and she's such a sweetheart, too. My great-grandfather, who really loves her, has been taking care of her, but now he's having health problems. It's hard to watch happen to somebody, and I only hope I don't get it. I'm really sorry about your troubles with Alzheimer's. :(
I'm sorry man. So many people B**ch about their stupid problems while people like you have to deal with stuff like that.
Also, the caregivers really shrink give or take a year or 2. It's really scary. 2 years ago, before he had Alzheimer, she and looked more unfrail (he stopped coming down to greet us 3(?) years ago) and she looked kinda plump. Now, she just looks really gaunt
