it's really bad
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it's really bad
| Fri, 09-03-2004 - 9:46pm |
Guys...my mom's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's...she's always been a forgetful sort, but a couple of years ago it was getting to be something else. Last year they prescribed a medicine that she hasn't been taking because it hurt her tummy, but I only found out that they had gone from observing her to diagnosing and prescribing stuff to her a few days ago. She's been keeping me out of the loup, 'protecting me'. I've only been included now because my dad finally gave them my number.
It feels like she's gone...I've been assured that she's not in a crisis right now, but already she's acting very differently and sick. I hope and pray that she'll be good and take her stuff...and I'm sad about what those heavy drugs are going to do to her...I know that it must be better to be numbed or sedated or whatever it is that that stuff does to people than for her to continue at this anxious state she's in. No matter what, with the meds or whatever, it's hard to cope with the fact that she's not the same anymore and worse, she's going to get progressively sicker and become someone else in a sense. Another concern is that my children aren't going to remember her other self because they're so young and what will stick out more in their memories is this disease which can last for years. Aside from this, she's a strong and healthy as can be.
I wonder if anyone's seen that movie (Iris) about the brainiac English writer who got Alzheimer's with Judy Dench? When I saw that movie, I really loved it...who would have thought that I would now be linking those scenes to my own mother? To think of my own mother like that...it's like I'm going to lose my mom twice...to the disease and then when she's gone, gone.
This weekend is going to be hard because there's so much down time and that's the hardest, when you have time to think.
It feels like she's gone...I've been assured that she's not in a crisis right now, but already she's acting very differently and sick. I hope and pray that she'll be good and take her stuff...and I'm sad about what those heavy drugs are going to do to her...I know that it must be better to be numbed or sedated or whatever it is that that stuff does to people than for her to continue at this anxious state she's in. No matter what, with the meds or whatever, it's hard to cope with the fact that she's not the same anymore and worse, she's going to get progressively sicker and become someone else in a sense. Another concern is that my children aren't going to remember her other self because they're so young and what will stick out more in their memories is this disease which can last for years. Aside from this, she's a strong and healthy as can be.
I wonder if anyone's seen that movie (Iris) about the brainiac English writer who got Alzheimer's with Judy Dench? When I saw that movie, I really loved it...who would have thought that I would now be linking those scenes to my own mother? To think of my own mother like that...it's like I'm going to lose my mom twice...to the disease and then when she's gone, gone.
This weekend is going to be hard because there's so much down time and that's the hardest, when you have time to think.

(((((((((((((((((((((((Bay))))))))))))))))))))))
Sorry to hear the diagnosis.
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My dad always had a good summary of the situation - the person who has it always seems fine and happy, but it is really hard on their loved ones.
I hope you can find some good support groups and maybe even a board here on ivillage.
Hugs to you - keep us posted because we care.
Can you help your mom write down some of her favorite family memories or get her telling some family stories on video to share with your children at a later date...so they'll be able to see this side of her?
I pray that your mom will have lots of good time left to spend with you and your family. I pray for strength for all of you as you face this together, and for days of joy to carry you through the days of sorrow.
Big Hugs to you.
Sherry<with 3 kids, 2 beautiful granddaughters
Oh Wow!
Laura
Donna
((((Bay))))
I can't think what to say. I am so so sorry. That has to be the HARDEST disease that any family goes through. Cancer is hell, but you still have your loved one until they pass. J went through this with his grandmother and it was pretty difficult.
I pray that things go remarkably well and it doesn't follow the worst possible patterns. Hang in there. I'll be thinking of you and yours.