ALZHEIMER'S
By Andy Weddington
Sunday, 06 August 2023
Caring for an Alzheimer's patient is a situation that can utterly consume the lives and well-being of the people giving care, just as the disorder consumes its victims. - Leeza Gibbons
Today is the birthday of Alexander Fleming.
He'd be 142 (1881-1955).
Who is Fleming?
His hallmark achievement and incredible contribution to mankind?
He discovered penicillin.
And for that TIME magazine included him on their 100 Most Important People list of the 20th Century.
Penicillin, a miracle of sorts, cannot prevent, delay, nor cure any form of dementia including Alzheimer's Disease.
In fact, there is nothing akin to penicillin for Alzheimer's.
There are medicines - some off the shelf - hawked as delaying disease progression but there is not proof.
And with some of the medicines the side effects worse than the disease.
So why?
Actor/comedian Robin Williams was diagnosed with dementia - Lewy Body.
He committed suicide - hanging.
Sad?
No.
He understood cruel fate and opted, while able, to exit on his terms; sparing self and family, and friends hell.
I get it.
I see to the needs of an Alzheimer's patient (just shy four years).
And visit, regularly, others - including a couple of Marines - dealing with the disease.
Obligated and happy to help however possible.
Last week I asked one of the Marines - retired lieutenant colonel jet guy - now restricted to wheel chair and with advanced disease, "Sir, how's it going?"
He looked at me, sheepishly smiled, and managed, "Andy, this is as good as it gets." [He remembers my name because his oldest son is Andy.]
The guy fights every day with remarkable spirit - as expected by a Marine. Though struggles must at times be frustrating.
I'm just home from visiting and tending to sundry simple routine chores beyond my charge's ability.
Today's question - which is practically monthly ...
"When will you be bringing my eyeglasses?"
"Well, I saw you with your glasses Friday. Where are they?"
"I don't know. I thought you took them for adjustments."
"No I did not. They were fine and you were using them."
After exhaustive search of room, premises, and grounds - no eyeglasses.
I've lost count the number of broken and lost.
But I learned to always have a backup pair on hand. Problem solved.
Some problems are not so easily resolved; particularly when not knowing of a problem until it randomly comes out in conversation.
In some ways, it's like a crying infant and trying to figure out what's wrong.
Ernest Hemingway, amongst other epic work, is noted for his powerful six-words short stories.
One I recall: For sale. Baby Shoes. Never worn.
A couple years ago, using Hemingway's six-words boilerplate, I wrote: Mother diagnosed Alzheimer's. Family suffers disease.
Later in life Hemingway, a known heavy drinker, suffered mental and physical deterioration.
Though not able to find the word dementia noted in his biographical data, possibly.
He committed suicide - gunshot.
There was family history so who knows - perhaps he understood fate and opted out; the same way other family had.
We learned from covid big pharm's focus is cash not public health.
Those drugs pushed to delay Alzheimer's?
Well, my opinion ...
Cash - and delay the incurable inevitable for as long as possible.
And like the hasty covid "vaccines" what is really known about the short and long term unintended consequences of the drugs that neither prevent nor cure Alzheimer's?
I've many observations about Alzheimer's Disease.
A couple of the more sobering ...
The disease does not bother the diagnosed. And the caregiver's best intentions are not always in the diagnosed's best interest.
Reality to maintain sanity. And calm.
The cruelty of Alzheimer's (any dementia) is it strips the diagnosed of their personality; eventually gone.
Memories comfort; somewhat.
Too, today is the date (1945) the Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima; the ultimate counterpunch for attacking Pearl Harbor.
Now a bomb I'd like to see dropped on mankind is a prevention or cure for Alzheimer's Disease - by way of a brilliant mind as Alexander Fleming's.
If, anymore, in this world of greed, such a release is permissible.
Cure for patient. Cashflow for pharm. Greater friction than that required to make diamonds.
And ...
Yes, a backup to the backup pair of eyeglasses on hand.
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3 comments:
The long goodbye. Each day is more difficult. Love will get you through it but it will leave marks for years. “Keep the faith”.
Barrow sends.
Years ago while visiting my mom in the nursing home almost daily, I did then what your doing now. And, I would push my mom in her wheelchair all around the grounds inside and out. My six words to her which always brought a smile on her face was
"Lets see what we can see".
This is a very special time to be with your mom, Andy. Treasure each day.
Ed
Colonel,
As I read this, my own dear Mother, aged 88 years, is now in a nursing home descending deeper into the grips of dementia.
I went through this 10 years ago with my partner from the civilian police department who eventually succumbed to the devastating effects of Parkinson's', Alzheimer's, and dementia in his 60s. Shortly after, I was the first to see, and the one who could best handle, my then girlfriend's mother who fell into the grasp of Alzheimer's and dementia. Her family didn't believe me until I showed them that she was bouncing checks.
My Mom has been showing signs of "slipping" for years since Dad passed. About a month ago, she woke one morning unable to stand and totally confused. Thinking stroke, she was whisked to the hospital. Tests revealed nothing to explain the neurologic impairment but she did regain most of her mobility.
After weeks of rehab, several falls, and another hospitalization, she is now in a nursing home and we, her children, are making her final arrangements as it is only a matter of time. We are fortunate, so far. She does still recognize us. She just doesn't know where or when we are interacting. We could be in her high school before we were born. Other people, living and dead, could be in the room. We can't see them, but she can.
And while we are certain she would not want to live this way, we are taking this time to treasure these final minutes with our beloved mother, because they will be our last.
Bless you, for your loving patience with your Mom and your friends, Colonel. Further proof that Marines aren't just killers. But Semper Fidelis includes a deep and everlasting love for those dear to us.
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