"Two years ago, when my mother was 52, she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. She had been a dental hygienist for 30 years and loved her job, but she started forgetting how to do things she’d done thousands of times before. She’d forget to turn off the water in the sink, or she wouldn’t remember how to clean a person’s teeth. She knew something was wrong, but hearing the actual diagnosis was devastating. She moved from Florida to Memphis to live with me, and I switched into full caretaker mode. I took charge of her finances, medications, everything. It’s been a roller coaster ride. Some days she’s sharp; other days, it’s like she’s just stuck. Her speech has really declined. She knows what she wants to say, but she can’t find the words, and it really frustrates her. Yesterday, for example, she was sick but couldn’t tell us what was wrong. Also, her ability to understand directions is impaired. It might take five times of telling her how to do something before she finally comprehends. And there are simple things she can’t figure out. For instance, she can pull out the top rack of the dishwasher, but she can’t figure out how to pull out the bottom rack. She exercises daily, can still make simple meals, and stays by herself during the day, but we can tell that we’re close to the time when she won’t be able to do that anymore.
"I don’t look at the future. It’s too scary and sad. I just take it day by day and ask myself how I can love her, how I can take care of her, how I can help her to have a good day or a good weekend. There’s anger that this is happening to such a wonderful person and grief that we’re losing her. I feel so helpless, but I just push through. I don’t let myself get emotional, because if I did Mom would see the fear in me and it would scare her. She doesn’t need to feel that. I need to be her strength right now.
"I keep holding out hope for a cure, something that will reverse all this. One of the things the Alzheimer's Association does is raise money for research, but even with new discoveries, it’s years before new medicines or treatments are approved and available. For now, I’m just trying to be a voice for Mom because she no longer has one. I want my generation to know about Alzheimer’s. I want them to know that it can happen to young people, not just to those who are elderly.
"When she was diagnosed, the doctors said she might have 8 to 10 years left. I know she probably won’t be around for my children when they are born, but I try not to think about that too much. I’m just grateful she was able to come to my wedding in May. My husband is wonderful with her; I couldn’t do this without him. Mom’s going down more and more, so I just try to make the seconds count and cherish the present moments I have with her. It’s not easy to see your best friend, your mom, decline before your eyes. I know she wishes she could tell me what she wants to say. She used to jot down little notes to people when she sent them birthday cards, but she can’t do that anymore. She can barely write I love you."
"I don’t look at the future. It’s too scary and sad. I just take it day by day and ask myself how I can love her, how I can take care of her, how I can help her to have a good day or a good weekend. There’s anger that this is happening to such a wonderful person and grief that we’re losing her. I feel so helpless, but I just push through. I don’t let myself get emotional, because if I did Mom would see the fear in me and it would scare her. She doesn’t need to feel that. I need to be her strength right now.
"I keep holding out hope for a cure, something that will reverse all this. One of the things the Alzheimer's Association does is raise money for research, but even with new discoveries, it’s years before new medicines or treatments are approved and available. For now, I’m just trying to be a voice for Mom because she no longer has one. I want my generation to know about Alzheimer’s. I want them to know that it can happen to young people, not just to those who are elderly.
"When she was diagnosed, the doctors said she might have 8 to 10 years left. I know she probably won’t be around for my children when they are born, but I try not to think about that too much. I’m just grateful she was able to come to my wedding in May. My husband is wonderful with her; I couldn’t do this without him. Mom’s going down more and more, so I just try to make the seconds count and cherish the present moments I have with her. It’s not easy to see your best friend, your mom, decline before your eyes. I know she wishes she could tell me what she wants to say. She used to jot down little notes to people when she sent them birthday cards, but she can’t do that anymore. She can barely write I love you."
New York Times Bestseller about early onset Alzheimer's:
From the Alzheimer's Association WEBSITE:
Formed in 1980, the Alzheimer's Association advances research to end Alzheimer's and dementia while enhancing care for those living with the disease.
Formed in 1980, the Alzheimer's Association advances research to end Alzheimer's and dementia while enhancing care for those living with the disease.
Alzheimer's Association, 713 S. Mendenhall
Register for the Walk to End Alzheimer's HERE.
October 10, 2015 Alzheimer's Association Fundraiser: Walk to End Alz
Register for the Walk to End Alzheimer's HERE.
October 10, 2015 Alzheimer's Association Fundraiser: Walk to End Alz
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