This is seriously one of the most frightening things I could possibly think about. Everything that makes you a person simply fades away. Alzheimers runs in my family too.
Very sorry for you indeed, OP. I know what it feels like. Hope you're coping ok.
Thank you, everyone for the kind words and comments. I shared this on Facebook some time ago and was really surprised with the reaction it received, and my bf suggested I post it up on reddit, too. I've often explained watching my mom succumb to this illness as watching her unravel. When I came across the crocheting she did in the early stages of Alz, it made me realize how fitting that actually was.
These squares represent her progression over the course of a year or two fairly early on in the disease (she suffers from early onset and was diagnosed at age 54; I was 22). I don't remember exactly when she stopped being able to crochet for good--she made squares for a while, then the circles, then the little pieces of crochet, until she got to the point where she just carried around the needles and yarn in her purse (which was otherwise empty since she couldn't really hold on to valuables anymore).
To the amazement of many, including her doctors, she has now lived 12 years since her initial diagnosis (they credit the level of at-home care she's been receiving by my family--especially her caretaker and my dad, who is truly a saint).
At this point she is completely non-verbal and unable to care for herself in any way (eating, bathing, dressing, walking unsupervised, etc.), but physically she is still relatively healthy, beyond issues resulting from her mental deterioration -- e.g., she grinds her teeth incessantly, which has caused significant dental issues). She has been on hospice since the summer, but the doctors say that it could be months or even years before she passes. It has been a few years since she was able to speak and several since she was able to identify who I am.
I know this is a lot of information, and I apologize for the book, but I appreciate all the comments and am I'm happy to answer any question about Alz/what it's like to care for someone who has it/our experience with the disease. This really does affect so many, but I've learned that, like many things, it's not really something you can understand unless you've experienced it.
Thank you again for the kindness in your messages.
My grandfather had Alzheimer’s. It started a few years ago. He only got to the point where he started forgetting people’s names, and was fairly unhappy in unfamiliar settings. The day before thanksgiving last week we had an early thanksgiving and he was so happy. He saw his great grandson for the second time, and sang to him for a long time. He was happy and singing about how much he loved my grandmother, and sang the star spangled banner twice. It was the happiest the family has seen him in over a year. He passed away yesterday morning. His heart gave out before his mind fully did, which everyone is grateful for. He was a strong man, and I’m really going to miss him. I count my blessings now that he didn’t progress to the point of others I’ve seen. That would have made all of this much harder.
FatGreek on November 29th, 2017 at 03:22 UTC »
This is seriously one of the most frightening things I could possibly think about. Everything that makes you a person simply fades away. Alzheimers runs in my family too.
Very sorry for you indeed, OP. I know what it feels like. Hope you're coping ok.
wuillermania on November 29th, 2017 at 04:16 UTC »
Thank you, everyone for the kind words and comments. I shared this on Facebook some time ago and was really surprised with the reaction it received, and my bf suggested I post it up on reddit, too. I've often explained watching my mom succumb to this illness as watching her unravel. When I came across the crocheting she did in the early stages of Alz, it made me realize how fitting that actually was.
These squares represent her progression over the course of a year or two fairly early on in the disease (she suffers from early onset and was diagnosed at age 54; I was 22). I don't remember exactly when she stopped being able to crochet for good--she made squares for a while, then the circles, then the little pieces of crochet, until she got to the point where she just carried around the needles and yarn in her purse (which was otherwise empty since she couldn't really hold on to valuables anymore).
To the amazement of many, including her doctors, she has now lived 12 years since her initial diagnosis (they credit the level of at-home care she's been receiving by my family--especially her caretaker and my dad, who is truly a saint).
At this point she is completely non-verbal and unable to care for herself in any way (eating, bathing, dressing, walking unsupervised, etc.), but physically she is still relatively healthy, beyond issues resulting from her mental deterioration -- e.g., she grinds her teeth incessantly, which has caused significant dental issues). She has been on hospice since the summer, but the doctors say that it could be months or even years before she passes. It has been a few years since she was able to speak and several since she was able to identify who I am.
I know this is a lot of information, and I apologize for the book, but I appreciate all the comments and am I'm happy to answer any question about Alz/what it's like to care for someone who has it/our experience with the disease. This really does affect so many, but I've learned that, like many things, it's not really something you can understand unless you've experienced it.
Thank you again for the kindness in your messages.
ratajewie on November 29th, 2017 at 04:19 UTC »
My grandfather had Alzheimer’s. It started a few years ago. He only got to the point where he started forgetting people’s names, and was fairly unhappy in unfamiliar settings. The day before thanksgiving last week we had an early thanksgiving and he was so happy. He saw his great grandson for the second time, and sang to him for a long time. He was happy and singing about how much he loved my grandmother, and sang the star spangled banner twice. It was the happiest the family has seen him in over a year. He passed away yesterday morning. His heart gave out before his mind fully did, which everyone is grateful for. He was a strong man, and I’m really going to miss him. I count my blessings now that he didn’t progress to the point of others I’ve seen. That would have made all of this much harder.