Saturday, April 26, 2008

My Auntie has Alzheimers....




Ever notice the older we get the more we are like computers...We start out with lots of Memory and Drive.Then we become outdated, and eventually have to get our parts replaced...Well.....


I have a wonderful tiny Aunt Daisy....she is 86 year old.She has Alzheimer's Disease .... She is very afraid, and does not know what is happening to herShe has her good days, she is on meds to help fight....but the disease is winning..She is alone, not married, no children. 98 lbs soaking wet !I looked it up and this was the meaning of what is wrong with her....Alzheimer's Disease:Degenerative brain disorder of middle to late adult life that destroys neurons and connections in the cerebral cortex, resulting in significant loss of brain mass.The most common form of dementia, Alzheimer's disease progresses from short-term memory impairment to further memory loss; deterioration of language, perceptual, and motor skills; mood instability; and, in advanced stages, unresponsiveness, with loss of mobility and control of body functions; death typically ensues in 5-10 years. Originally described in 1906 by the German neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915) in a 55-year-old and regarded as a presenile dementia, Alzheimer's disease is now recognized as accounting for the senile dementia once thought normal with aging. The 10% of cases that begin before age 60 result from an inherited mutation. Neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain on autopsy are the primary features used for diagnosis. No cure has been found. Most treatment targets the depression, behavioral problems, and sleeplessness that often accompany the disease.This disease is taking away are family roots.....our memories, My Aunt was a chef, and now she cannot remember half of her recipes. Her past is leaving her.So sad !!But I will be there for her.....Oh yes I will !I love you Auntie!!

1 comment:

Blondie ~ Vintage Primitives said...

Good Morning, Sandra
Just finding your blog again and reading this. I am so glad that your Auntie has you! My paternal granny had Alzheimer's. It is a tragedy.
Warm regards
Blondie