Alheimers and Me

This is personal. Very personal. Although my coping skills are very good, I felt it necessary to

write about this journey.


This journey is not mine, per say. This journey, is of my parents.

Preface: Mom and dad are in their 70's, with Mom being 2 years older than Dad. Several years

ago, I noticed, much to my great sadness, that my parents were drifting slowly into

dementia, or as known today, Alzheimers. In life, sometimes our choices are painful. In this

case, my choices are agonizing ones.


The choices I speak of are, when it comes time, do my parents be confined to a nursing home

(this makes me want to vomit) or to live in an assisted care facility (this makes me want to

vomit as well). Dad and I have spoken in depth, about his and moms wishes. It was a

difficult discussion. Dad thinks he can take care of mom. I know he will be able to, up to a

point. See I've been down this fork in the road before, with my grandmother.

That was over 10 years ago. And the pain in my dads eyes, I'll never forget. There were

times when I visited my grandmother, that she didn't know who I was.


The doctors have said there is nothing they can do. I say, "I don't think so!", and told Dad

that wasn't an acceptable answer. So, there were a battery of tests on Mom. She's had

trouble with her thyroid for years, and has taken medication for it. That's the first thing

the doctor said could be the culprit. So meds were increased, and blood tests were done

every two weeks. Then the meds were decreased. The doctor said the adjustment of meds

seems to have helped. Mom is also on a med that targets Alheimers directly. I'm not sure of

what its called. But it seems to be helping a little at least.


This is so hard; knowing what is to come in the future. Am I ready? Well, that's debatable. I

don't think any of us are ready to watch our parents fade into oblivion. I know I'm not.