Only 10 Days 'till Memory Walk 2009

Only 10 days until Memory Walk 2009 on the National Mall here in DC. Eeeeek... I still haven't reached my fund raising goal yet. This is a great cause but I need your support. Check out my donation page here. Even a small donation would help out a great deal.

This is a noble cause. We are walking to help make a difference in the lives of those suffering from Alzheimer's and their families.

God is Love.

Very Sad

I just read this article about a 40 year old man who suffers from early onset Alzheimer's that went undiagnosed for four years. This story is so very sad and unfortunately becoming more and more common. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family.

Lipitor and Memory Loss

I attended my monthly elder care support group yesterday and the topic of adverse drug interactions was brought up. Another participant pointed out that there was an observational study written in the Wall Street Journal that suggests that Lipitor may contribute to memory loss. There is no concrete evidence to support this. Although participants in this study who switched from Lipitor to other statins were relieved of their cognitive symptoms.

Here is the link to the article... http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB120277403869360595.html

Here is another link that I found very useful. It tells you how the drugs you or your loved one may be taking interact with one another.
http://www.drugstore.com/pharmacy/drugchecker/

On the Move

I decided to participate in the Memory Walk for Alzheimer's on the National Mall. I am putting a team together and our name is Knowing is Half the Battle. Not very original I know. But that is how I felt when I found out that my dad has AD. I said to myself "well at least now I know". My goal is to recruit 10 people onto my team. I hope we raise a lot of money because this is a worthy cause.

Seems the National Spotlight is on Alzheimer's Disease

I was on my way home from work on the subway yesterday and I saw an advertisement that read What's the Cost of Alzheimer's to Today's Workforce?. Constant leave, job loss, poor work performance just to name a few. I was struck by this question and I would like to know statistically what is the cost? I haven't finished digging for facts yet, but there are many examples of the sacrifices caregivers have to make in the HBO series The Alzheimer's Project. During a quite emotional segment entitled The Fence, one daughter gave up her job in the city to move to her mother's farm. She works the land and spins yarn from the live stock just to make ends meat. Her sense of loneliness and desperation was palpable. I just wanted to reach into the TV and give her a big hug. What an amazing job HBO did by the way. In any given installment of the 5 part series I can cry or I can smile, often times both.

I think it's great that the national spotlight is being put on this terrible disease. Only then can we hope to fight it.

I Dropped the "A" Bomb

I came straight out and told my dad his diagnosis verbatim from the doctor's notes. He pretty much just nodded. I asked him "how do you feel about it?" and he said "I'm frustrated but I guess there is nothing I can do." He didn't seem worried. I think I am more worried then he is. I am more and more confident that he should move into an "Independent Living" facility (as opposed to assisted living). I found a fantastic one and we even dined there a week ago. I asked him when he would be ready to move. He told me that he had to get his books in order first. His house is a mini-library. He doesn't want me to rush him, but he does acknowledge that it is a necessary step (Thank God).

I am anxious to get him in because I also want to find a therapist in the vicinity of the retirement home. I don't think he is depressed, but I think he needs an outlet and it would be very beneficial to him. There are some things he holds back from me, and that is okay as long as he gets them out and shares them with somebody.

With love, God bless

All You Need is Love

My name is Cynthia. I am an only child and I am the primary caregiver for my father who suffers from early Alzheimer's disease. My father is 76 years old... I am 24. This is my story, my journal if you will. There will be a lot of tough love on this blog, but it is LOVE. Some people may not agree with my approach, and that is fine. I can accept the fact that I am imperfect, but I know that I am doing the best that I can do with the cards that I have been dealt. I also know that they were dealt to me for a reason, that of which I do not question for a second.

My father was diagnosed on April 14, 2009 with Alzheimer's dementia with component of micro-vascular dementia. An MRI from one year ago showed moderate cortical atrophy as well as changes common with micro-vascular disease. The doctors asked my father after his exam if he wanted to know the diagnosis. He said "No". I have told him that the doctors said he suffers from dementia. He does not know that it is most likely due to AD. I don't know how to tell him.

God help me.