tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post4159325239075503669..comments2024-01-04T09:23:45.843-05:00Comments on Watching the Lights Go Out: A Delicate DanceDavid Hilfiker http://www.blogger.com/profile/00479949692410414480noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-50517627254265840902013-06-01T21:22:01.789-04:002013-06-01T21:22:01.789-04:00Thank you for writing this blog - it helps more pe...Thank you for writing this blog - it helps more people than you know. I introduced your posts to a good friend whose husband has early onset Alzheimer's. She reads your posts with hunger and appreciation - they help her understand her husband and what he's going through so much. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-41050056251451094382013-06-01T00:02:53.593-04:002013-06-01T00:02:53.593-04:00My daughter is 37 and found out in her early 30s t...My daughter is 37 and found out in her early 30s that she has some ADD. She is on medication for it and noticed for the first time in her life, she does not walk into a room and think, 'let's see what was I supposed to do here?" She was always walking into a room and realizing she forgot what she was supposed to remember. She doesn't do that on medication. So maybe that's just a normal part of life. =)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02560132598266108913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-37870020154928873232013-05-31T23:09:00.013-04:002013-05-31T23:09:00.013-04:00Yes, way less than 5%, not to be impertinent, but ...Yes, way less than 5%, not to be impertinent, but I looked it up. Here's the wiki mention of it. <br /><br />"The vast majority of cases of Alzheimer's disease are sporadic, meaning that they are not genetically inherited although some genes may act as risk factors. On the other hand, around 0.1% of the cases are familial forms of autosomal dominant (not sex-linked) inheritance, which usually have an onset before age 65.[75] This form of the disease is known as early onset familial Alzheimer's disease."<br /><br />Going to sleep now. Perhaps tomorrow will be an uneventful day. And for that I will be grateful. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-72589071805091458252013-05-31T22:53:09.118-04:002013-05-31T22:53:09.118-04:00Well, if I have this and I'm beginning to doub...Well, if I have this and I'm beginning to doubt it more and more, the forgetting what I forgot seems to be the most positive thing about it. Because I know there are dozens of things I've noticed immediately when I forget them that I've forgotten them. Later, I try to remember them, but I've forgotten most of them. So I can't be embarrassed about something I can't remember. On the other hand ....<br />for me its a strange mix. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-78293874856745807302013-05-31T20:59:47.288-04:002013-05-31T20:59:47.288-04:00Now there's a question I hadn't thought ab...Now there's a question I hadn't thought about before. Forgetting is annoying to me, whether its the primary forgetting or the forgetting what I forgot.David Hilfiker https://www.blogger.com/profile/00479949692410414480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-44215574965577451982013-05-31T20:58:27.374-04:002013-05-31T20:58:27.374-04:00There is a form of Alzheimer's that used to be...There is a form of Alzheimer's that used to be called "early-onset Alzheimer's" that is now called "autosomal dominant Alzheimer's" that is highly inheritable (half of the children of affected parents will get the disease). It's also fairly rare, (less than 5% of Alzheimer's disease). It starts usually in the late thirties or forties and progresses fairly rapidly.<br />The usual Alzheimer's starts later. Most places talk about it starting about age 65, but people seem to be getting more sensitive to symptoms, so the early form of the disease seems to be getting diagnosed earlier. It's course is more gradual and, although it's somewhat genetic, it's nowhere near 50%. I just wrote a post on distinguishing early Alzheimer's "Normal Aging or Alzheimer's?" last Friday, May 24, which you can check out.<br />I'm not sure why you would have trouble asking your doctor about problems with cognition. Doctors understand that many normal people are worried about their mental status as they age; part of the doctor's job is to reassure those who are well and support those who may have cognitive impairment of one sort or another. Young or old, any good doctor will be able to help. And the basic testing to see whether there's a problem is fairly simple. By all means, if you're worried get it checked out ... but be very specific with your doctor about what is bothering you. He or she will not be able to read your mind.David Hilfiker https://www.blogger.com/profile/00479949692410414480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-54701485801756029382013-05-31T20:32:15.136-04:002013-05-31T20:32:15.136-04:00Do you find it comforting that you often forget wh...Do you find it comforting that you often forget what you forgot. Or annoying. Or a strange mix of the two. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-8000825260506818362013-05-31T18:51:18.322-04:002013-05-31T18:51:18.322-04:00I have no idea if I have a problem or am just expe...I have no idea if I have a problem or am just experiencing normal aging. But I wonder if you could discuss early Alzheimers in a post. You're a fairly young bird yourself, and I remember a Federal Judge who I used to watch admiringly as she practiced law having to leave the Federal bench a few years ago. She was even named once as a potential Supreme Court nominee. She had to be about or close to my age now (56). But as much as I can chance letting a few of my friends know and ask to watch me for trouble, I have difficulty in imagining asking the doctor how to get tested. My old doctor quit at the practice I go to and I am going to have a new young doctor who has an excellent resume but I will feel odd asking about getting tested. I know that the younger doctors are usually well versed in the latest knowledge, having two doctors in my family, but how does one bluntly ask the doctor: Doctor, I'm losing my mind. It ain't funny when you're the one doing the asking. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-41807676822124607822013-05-31T18:43:13.541-04:002013-05-31T18:43:13.541-04:00My typing has been excellent. Then after I took my...My typing has been excellent. Then after I took my wife to the doctor she asked me about an incident at the gas pump yesterday. And I have forgotten where I got gas and only vaguely remember having the problem with a gas pump. Seeing the station brought part of it back, but I can't remember any details. <br /><br />Well, anyway, my physical is only a couple of weeks away. <br /><br />And I haven't touched it in decades, but what do you think about this? <br />http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-medical-marijuana-brain-damage-20130530,0,1781822.storyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-47869101600871893762013-05-31T17:51:17.826-04:002013-05-31T17:51:17.826-04:00The 10 min program that Mike mentions is worth loo...The 10 min program that Mike mentions is worth looking at. Just paste the following into your browser: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/jan-june13/healthcare_05-30.html David Hilfiker https://www.blogger.com/profile/00479949692410414480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-74339077437545842892013-05-31T17:37:07.839-04:002013-05-31T17:37:07.839-04:00I'm a nurse. Doctors are usually not very happ...I'm a nurse. Doctors are usually not very happy fellows, until they retire. LOL. I have a friend that at 75 went to work as an ER doc in Vail, so he could ski every day all winter long. But he's unusual for most of us, I think. <br /><br />However, I can see it now. The nurse brings your meds and (EVERY DAY), you want an explanation of what each pill is and what it does. I've had health care people in my care before and they can be frustrating. hahaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02560132598266108913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-9436350456695396992013-05-31T15:46:53.387-04:002013-05-31T15:46:53.387-04:00David,
It sounds like you have a wonderful faith ...David,<br /><br />It sounds like you have a wonderful faith community. <br /><br />Your willingness to "put yourself out there" as a spokesperson is a gift to readers (and not self indulgent!). You are a wonderful "dancer" - dipping into and twirling around so many difficult topics relating to Alzheimer's and life in general. You are sharing your experience while trying to live your "moments!" <br /><br />Thank you for highlighting the importance of understanding Alzheimer's disease as well as the<br />importance that we "forget" about it every now-and-than (or whatever disease or label we are attached to) so we are able to simply enjoy the moments. <br /><br />a.b.w.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-19582869374182695442013-05-31T15:46:41.828-04:002013-05-31T15:46:41.828-04:00What is a bit weird is that before my diagnosis I ...What is a bit weird is that before my diagnosis I wouldn't have identified as a "happy guy," and few of my friends would have disputed me.<br />But, yes, I am now a pretty happy guy.David Hilfiker https://www.blogger.com/profile/00479949692410414480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-53059630024464199042013-05-31T15:17:23.883-04:002013-05-31T15:17:23.883-04:00This post has a lighter feeling to it, almost happ...This post has a lighter feeling to it, almost happy, at least serene. Someday soon, I hope you will address how you're thinking about the issue of Long Term Care. Do you already have special insurance? If not, I would imagine that it would be almost impossible to obtain now. I know it was for my mother early in her diagnosis, and because of the family's limited financial resources, the uncertainty of her future and how we would deal with her long term care needs was always present. <br />BTW: PBS started a new series on LTC last evening -- the first case study was a remarkable, saintly daughter caring for her late-60s mom who had dementia.<br />Thanks again, David. You're doing great work with this blog. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15191195434008117009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426202096598051070.post-17965872391329102152013-05-31T14:07:37.619-04:002013-05-31T14:07:37.619-04:00Good post. I am sure you will have good times wit...Good post. I am sure you will have good times with these people for many years. Most people don't succumb for many years. <br /><br />My Dad had brain cancer and went from driving to paying bills in July, to total dementia to in a fetal position and dying in September. But that was a different case. <br /><br />You have years to enjoy. None of us knows how many years we have to enjoy, but for sure, you have years. Enjoy them. You seem like a pretty happy guy, I am willing to bet that if there is cognitive difficulties, you'll be okay about that too. Just as long as people are happy around you. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02560132598266108913noreply@blogger.com