'I hate Alzheimer's...'

(The person who posted this powerful and moving statement online is happy for it to be copied.)

I hate Alzheimer's because, many years ago, it barged its way into my dear wife's life and began the ruthless, agonisingly slow process of squeezing the life force out of her.

I hate Alzheimer's because, not only did it take away the pen with which she could write new memories but, with cold-blooded efficiency, it also began the process of erasing the memories she had already written.

I hate Alzheimer's because, even as our two sons and I hugged each other, sobbing at Brenda's bedside after she had passed away, it brazenly stood there, hands held aloft saying "Don't blame me! It wasn't me that killed her - it was the pneumonia or heart problems or loss of swallow-reflex" and yet it was the Alzheimer's as surely as any drug-pusher or illegal gun-supplier is responsible. It may not have pulled the trigger but it certainly provided the weapon.

I hate Alzheimer's because, if I had bought a punchbag on which to take out my frustration over the many years of Brenda's decline and even if I had knocked seven bells out of it at regular intervals and even if I had kicked and clawed and battered it again and again and again, today it would still look as unscathed and unbothered as the day I bought it. Alzheimer's would have simply shrugged it off with a cocky "Is that all you've got?"

But, you know, Alzheimer's, we are going to get you. Every penny we raise, every test we do, every trial we endure, every hopeful lead we see falter and fail takes us one day nearer to making you a hideous nightmare of the past and you will no longer cast that awful shadow over mankind. I truly believe that with all my heart and we will get you.

I promise.

Treasure your moments

I came across these words online:

Love will get you through

I say enjoy what time you have left together..... I was diagnosed 2 weeks before christmas gone with vascular im 53, met the love of my life at 51 we have had just 2 sweet years together but no in our hearts we have many more and without having to say a single word to each other we know our love will get us through. Its not all doom and gloom I realise now its not the years that count but the moments. 

We should all try to treasure our moments.

40,000 page views

This blog has just notched up page view number 40,000.

Many thanks, and greetings, to all readers (and to the 39 members).

Although over 50% of the pages were viewed in the UK or the USA, the blog has also been visited by people from many other nations around the world.

We're all in this together,

No more 'stages'?

I've posted before about the alleged 'stages of dementia' and how dubious they are:

http://adventureswithdementia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-stages-of-dementia.html

I've just read online a carer's report that when she asked a medic what stage her mum had reached he told her that they didn't do stages anymore 'because everyone's different'.

Perhaps the message is finally getting through.  Not before time.