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Look in their eyes- seems to be vacant. A discussion of Alzheimer disease amongst Freepers.

Posted on 12/02/2007 7:31:53 PM PST by mojo114

A Party brought together the family. I have not seen my sister in two year's and I was shocked. My sister is 67 yrs old but was very busy and vibrant, travels the world with her husband.


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: aging; alzheimer; alzheimers; dementia; health; oldage; senile; senility
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Terribly upsetting to see a perfectly healthy, beautiful woman to fall under the disease of not really being there.
1 posted on 12/02/2007 7:31:57 PM PST by mojo114
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To: mojo114

It’s in my family. I don’t know if it’s an inherited thing or not but it scares me. I have witnessed two aunts die with this terrible disease, they were my mothers sister and my fathers sister. However, my mother is 87 years old and while forgetful on occasion, it’s not that bad.


2 posted on 12/02/2007 7:37:02 PM PST by Graybeard58 ( Remember and pray for SSgt. Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: mojo114

Huh? I have alzheimer’s in my family so I can relate. But I must say you may wish to write out your vanity in complete and clear sentences so people can understand what you’re trying to say.


3 posted on 12/02/2007 7:37:47 PM PST by plain talk
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To: mojo114

Yes, it is very sad mojo, I took care of my dad who had it for years.


4 posted on 12/02/2007 7:37:55 PM PST by SweetCaroline (***Your own healing is the Greatest Message of Hope to others!***)
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To: mojo114

Is it your sister with Alzheimer’s disease?


5 posted on 12/02/2007 7:40:34 PM PST by Graybeard58 ( Remember and pray for SSgt. Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: mojo114

My wonderful father, the kind of person who puts the “human” in humanitarian, is in assisted care because of Alzheimer’s. I talk to him daily and take him home with me often.

I know this probably sounds facile, but I think you have to be philosophical about it. He’s had a great life. He’s like George Bailey - no one could ask for more. So now he’s slowly fading away, but he has amazing hallucinations that he enjoys telling us about, and days when his memory is clear as a bell. When that happens, my siblings and I jump in to remind him of all the happiness he’s given us. We even try to see the humorous side of the incontinence issue, and laugh with him about it. It helps.

I sincerely hope your sister finds comfort in God and her family around her. I’m wishing all of you a wonderful Christmas.


6 posted on 12/02/2007 7:41:20 PM PST by CaliGirlGodHelpMe
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To: CaliGirlGodHelpMe

My aunt on my mother’s side was the most recent family member who had it. I watched her as she went through a very agressive and sometimes violent phase. The doctor changed her meds and it made a world of difference.


7 posted on 12/02/2007 7:44:20 PM PST by Graybeard58 ( Remember and pray for SSgt. Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: plain talk

My sister, who is 67, was at a party with family and friends. I met her after not seeing her for two year’s. She looked at me and her eyes looked vacant. There was not expression in her eyes or face. She was communicating slowly but seemed to be aware of her surroundings. She stood when her husband told her to and appeared to act fine throughout the evening however, her eyes were vacant.


8 posted on 12/02/2007 7:51:29 PM PST by mojo114
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To: mojo114

I believe Alzheimer’s is among the ugliest of diseases as it robs people...especially the elderly...of their most prized possessions...that being of of fond memories and their dignity.

I recall taking my Mother to get her hair “fixed” while she was in a nursing home. She had been a beautician for over 30 years and was picky about how her hair looked. I sat across the room from her and watched her sitting underneath the hair dryer...mostly nodding and barely able to keep her head up...and then she slightly looked up at me and smiled. I saw a slight spark in her eyes I hadn’t seen for over a year...and would never see again. She died from this terrible disease 3 years later. And my siblings and I had to make a gut-wrenching decision about whether we should put her on life support.

Alzheimer’s will be an epidemic in the years to come. And many families will be exposed to this terrible disease. I pray that there will be medical break-thoughs in diagnosis and treatment.


9 posted on 12/02/2007 7:53:03 PM PST by El Whino
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To: Graybeard58

Yes, my FRiend. It is my sister who seemed OK three year’s ago. The look in her eyes I just can’t get over- I am using the word vacant- perhaps I am not using the correct word.


10 posted on 12/02/2007 7:53:53 PM PST by mojo114
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To: mojo114

Do you actaully know that a neurologist has given an evaluation and labeled that the diagnosis?


11 posted on 12/02/2007 7:57:30 PM PST by KC Burke (Men of intemperate minds can never be free...their passions forge their fetters.)
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To: mojo114

Very important to take daily vitamin supplements of B6, B12 and folic acid.


12 posted on 12/02/2007 7:57:52 PM PST by Zuben Elgenubi
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To: mojo114; All

Yes.

It is dreary, distressing . . .

especially given that the disease tends to take their best traits and leave their worst.

But, it can also give us lessons in loving strong and strong willed people who were fiercely independent almost to a fault, as well.

Sometimes changing diapers is not just a cuddly baby goo goo geechi gah gah loving sweetness. But, it can still be a full of sacrificial servant hearted love time.

If we aren’t here to learn to love REGARDLESS, then I think I may have missunderstood the script.


13 posted on 12/02/2007 7:59:00 PM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Zuben Elgenubi

And vitimin D

and exercise and exercise one’s brain.


14 posted on 12/02/2007 8:01:41 PM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Quix

I will never forget Ronald Reagan’s fond and friendly letter to America when he announced he had Alzheimer disease.

Nor will I ever be able to express my admiration to Nancy for her courage and sacrifice in making the twilight of his life as comfortable and dignified as possible.


15 posted on 12/02/2007 8:02:20 PM PST by Ronin (Bushed out!!! Another tragic victim of BDS.)
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To: mojo114
mojo, my father was one of the most intelligent men I have known, with a near photographic memory.

While he could fight off diabetes and a resulting heart condition, he could not fight Alzheimer’s Disease. I remember those last several months with great sadness. He wasn’t the man that inspired our family for so long.

As a result I started a FReeper team for Folding@home, a group project dedicated to finding a cure for many diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s. We use our computers when idle to search for a cure.

Most old timers have seen the threads that we start for Folding@home, but if anyone has a computer or a PS3 that can donate time on the system we would love to have you join our merry band of brothers.

The latest two threads are here, with instructions on the second thread. As always, FReepmail me with any questions.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1929553/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1906532/posts

Thanks for the time. Remember, the research that you contribute could lead to a healing for someone you love.

16 posted on 12/02/2007 8:02:45 PM PST by texas booster (Join FreeRepublic's Folding@Home team (Team # 36120) Cure Alzheimer's!)
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To: Ronin

Right. Good points.


17 posted on 12/02/2007 8:04:23 PM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Quix

Quix,

I agree...though I admit I was fortunate enough not to have to change my Mother’s diapers. Others (family, nursing home staff, or hospice staff) were always there to spare me that gut check.

Mother never complained about changing my dirty stuff...and I’m a bit ashamed that I’m glad I didn’t have to do hers.


18 posted on 12/02/2007 8:05:41 PM PST by El Whino
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To: El Whino

My FIL had this disease. A life-long picky eater, he forgot about the things he disliked. IN his last years, he ate things he never had before. It’s one of the happy memories we keep from those painful years of gradual loss.

When he finally passed away, we had long before said goodbye to the man we knew and loved.

Our kids called it Old Timer’s Disease.


19 posted on 12/02/2007 8:11:23 PM PST by trimom
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To: mojo114
My sister, who is 67, was at a party with family and friends. I met her after not seeing her for two year’s. She looked at me and her eyes looked vacant. There was not expression in her eyes or face. She was communicating slowly but seemed to be aware of her surroundings. She stood when her husband told her to and appeared to act fine throughout the evening however, her eyes were vacant.

I think you're saying your sister has Alzheimer's but that was not made clear. Assumg that's the case - how long has she had it and is she taking medication?

20 posted on 12/02/2007 8:13:02 PM PST by plain talk
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