Day 2 and I already went over

msarro

Went home for a family dinner, where my parents promptly dropped a bomb shell on me.
Turns out my dad... the guy who survived 3 heart attacks, a triple heart bypass, cancer (having half his intestines removed in the fight), anemia, lyme disease, and vietnam... has alzheimers.

Needless to say, I went over.

I feel so damn hollow right now I don't know how to describe it. Alzheimers is burnt into my mind... both of my grandparents had it... my grandmother chased me out of her house when I was 8, threatening to call the police. When she finally came back to clarity she cried for almost 2 days straight about her actions, and her inability to control herself...

my dad is too goddamned cool to go like this. I want to cry so bad

msarro

Went home for a family dinner, where my parents promptly dropped a bomb shell on me.
Turns out my dad... the guy who survived 3 heart attacks, a triple heart bypass, cancer (having half his intestines removed in the fight), anemia, lyme disease, and vietnam... has alzheimers.

Needless to say, I went over.

I feel so damn hollow right now I don't know how to describe it. Alzheimers is burnt into my mind... both of my grandparents had it... my grandmother chased me out of her house when I was 8, threatening to call the police. When she finally came back to clarity she cried for almost 2 days straight about her actions, and her inability to control herself...

my dad is too goddamned cool to go like this. I want to cry so bad

Eve23

Hang in there, it is an awful desiese and I know you don't need me to repeat it. Try to enjoy as much time togethor as you can and learn as much from him as you can. He must have a great deal to leave you in knowledge and life after being such a survivor.

I wonder, now this is just a thought that came to mind ignore it if you like, but see if he will keep just a notebook to jot things down as they come to him that he would like to leave with you and other family members. With this desiese unfortunately it is only a matter of time when those things are lost.

We are here for you. :flowerforyou:

Swolf

Dam man!!! I am not sure what to say man, other then try and learn from all things in your life good and bad. Take hard times as they come learn from them and build yourself into a solid dude. It is okay to cry and somtimes it is needed.

REB89

I'm so sorry, I can't imagine how you must be feeling, that's so much for one person to deal with. My grandfather had Alzheimers and the only advice I can give to you is to spend as much time as possible with him before the disease progresses. Once it gets worse you will be glad that you have lots of memories to remeber the kind of person he really is and not what the disease has caused him to become. We are always here if you need to talk. :flowerforyou:

ali106

hugs hugs hugs!

I feel for you! My mom's mom lived w/ us the last 6 years of her life w/ Alzheimers and I related to your story, its sooo hard to have a loved one go through this disease....it totally sucks....BUT BUT they have soooo much going on right now so things may be a lot different for your dad!

I'm going to see what I can find and if you like I'll post it for you....researches, diets etc....and I know it won't take away the sting and pain of it, but something may give you more hope...its important to keep up the hope!!! And I totally agree w/ the others to spend all the quality time you can w/ him...I'm sure you're already on that!

I worry a lot about it too for my mom, she's trying to be proactive, keeping your mind active and your body active, eating the right antioxidants etc....and omega 3 can really help....even to just prolong things....ugh...I wish I could say something to make you feel better but try to keep hopeful...that's what I do and it helps...alot....w/ all areas of my life...I wish you the best and I"m gonna look for those articles I have for you if you don't mind!
hugs!
Ali