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I was diagnosed with mild dementia earlier this year. Now after having a PET Scan I was told I have positive amyloid plaques inside my brain. My husband and I are in a research program under my Doctor's supervision, and one of the ladies in the program called me and told me the results of the PET Scan. From what she told me, it's in the middle of my brain. I have an appt. to go to my Dr. on Oct. 2nd and I have a couple of questions to ask them. I don't know if it will come from the inside out or what. I already have plaques on the outside of my brain and now the inside. My Moma and 5 or 6 of her siblings passed away of complications from Alzheimer's, so I know what to expect. I'm 62 years young. I know Alzheimer's doesn't care how old you are. It doesn't care about anything. I know God is with me all of the time, but the problem is, I've seen what it does, and I don't know if I'm strong enough to go through this, knowing my husband wants to take care of me. He told me the last thing that I would have to worry about was going into a Nursing Home because the only place I'm going to die is in his arms. As sweet as that is, and I would want that to happen, I don't think he knows how hard it is to take care of someone with Alzheimer's. I took care of my Moma full time for 1 year. Really 2 years but she would go to her sisters house on the weekends and then come back home during the week. Now that sister is in a nursing home with Alzheimer's. She just turned 96 this past July. She's the oldest sibling and it's just her and one other sister left out of 9 siblings. Seeing everything that I've seen, I'm scared to death of the unknown!!!

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Dear Babydoll62,

Thank you for sharing your story with us. Sending you love and hugs. I think its only natural to have these fears about the future. I wonder if it might help to speak with a counsellor or join a support group. Your husband sounds like a wonderful man and maybe he would join you. There is a lot to think about and hopefully with some planning it can alleviate some of your fears.
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Thank you so much for caring enough to respond cdnreader. Right now we are in the research program at my Doctor's office, but I understand what you mean. That's a wonderful idea. We have sold our house because my husbands job has moved (and he isn't ready to retire). He's been with them for 29 years and we're moving not far from where he will be working. I told him that I wanted to hurry and move so I can get use to my surroundings because I know what it's like for people with Alzheimer's, especially at night when they're sundowning. I remember it well from when my sweet Moma did it night after night looking for her parents that had died 40 years before. She thought they were in the other room. It broke my heart. But as soon as we get moved and settled, we will find a support group through my Neurology Doctor. Thank you for your advice it's very much appreciated.
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Baby doll, keep posting here! You have tremendous knowledge and insight into the path that dementia can take.

Might you consider write a very specific advance directive at this time, detailing what you do and don't want in therm ofvcsre?
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Babydoll: I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis of Alzheimer's but you seem to have a plan and that will help...and you are fortunate enough to have a spouse who is willing to take care of you...he sounds like a good guy.   Maybe joining a support group along with your husband would be a great idea.

I wish you the best in your journey...May God keep you in his care..   Just accept each day as it comes..do not fear......fear is only wasted time you will not get back...spend it doing something you enjoy!
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You are a very brave person. My heart goes out to you.

You are the source of knowledge to Alz because of your family history. You get it. But you're worried your husband won't. I know this reads a little scary: How about the two of you visit an Alz facility for your husband to see what he is potentially up against. Later, the two of you come up with a plan for best case, workable case and worst case scenarios.
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BarbBrooklyn, I will definitely keep posting here. Not everyday yet, as we have sold our house and we have got to move by Nov. 1st. So a lot of stress all the way around for just a little while. Yes I am going to write a very detailed specific directive about the things that I want as far as my health, my future, my funeral and my belongings. I've already spoken about these things verbally to my husband, but at the time of my Journey going Home, he won't be thinking about these things and I don't want him to have a lot of extra burdens on him. I want a DNR and when I told my husband this, he just looked at me like he wasn't sure he could go through with that. But I'm going to make sure through paper work that it will be taken care of before my mind gets bad. Thank you so very much for answering my comment. Like I said, I will definitely stay in touch with you and everybody else.
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KellyJ17, Thank you so very much for being so very concerned. You sound like a very sweet person. And you are so right, my husband is a good guy, one of the best. You have said one of the best things I have heard in a very long time about fear. Fear is only wasted time you will not get back....spent it doing something you enjoy! I hope that I never forget that sentence. I always tell people that are having problems "yagottahavefaith"! Now I have something else I can tell people---Thanks to you!!! Thank you so much for helping to lift me up. Have a very nice night.
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careisgiving: Thank you so very much. I have seen so much Alzheimer's in my life time, and it's been in the last 10 years. I don't know if I'm brave, I just do what I know I need to do. You hit the nail on the head about my husband. I am so afraid that he just doesn't understand it completely. He worked while I took care of Moma. Yes he came to visit her after he got off of work for a few hours, but he didn't see or hear everything. And I'm going to try my best to get him to go to a facility where there's Alzheimer's patients. It will be really hard for me to do because it will bring back memories of me and Moma, but if it will help give my husband a better idea of what the future holds, I'll do it for him. Thank you so much for your advice. My Moma always said that 2 heads are better than one and she was always right. Have a nice night.
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Babydoll62, I hate this for you, as I, too, have it in my family a lot, and have begun to wonder about my own forgetfulness lately.... So... heard about the "Bredesen Protocol", which claims to be a great new help (cure?) for Alz; and looked it up - very interesting..... God bless you and try not to worry - it doesn't help.
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Hi Babydoll62. So impressed by you and your frankness and sincerity. Wishing you and your husband the best . I know this has nothing to do with Alzheimer's but a very close friend of mine had 3 occurances  where his skull was fractured 2 minor, ( his mom dropped him as a baby and he fractured his skull, a few years later, he fell off of his bike and did it again. The third was in his 20's. Major head trauma , car accident. He some how survived and did well. My point ( sorry if I'm rambling). Is he does cross word puzzles and word games since the accident. Some thing to keep his brain challenged. Could this activity possibly slow the progression ? Wishing you the best
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Babydoll62, thanks for sharing your story. I can't imagine all of your emotions. It's great that you are seeking medical advice and reaching out. I know there are online support groups for people who have cognitive decline or have been diagnosed with various conditions that can cause it. They seem to be quite vital and offer tips and encouragement. I might explore that in addition to the live support group.

Have you looked into medications? I know that's controversial, but, I would explore it, as it is reported to provide time and benefits. Also, let us know, when you know more. Is there some chance there is another explanation for the MRI results? There might be more testing or other explanations?? Just questioning. I'll look forward to seeing how you are doing.
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Hello Mally1. Thank you for being so kind to answer my story and offer any advice that you have. I have never heard of the Bredesen Protocol, but I will read about it tomorrow. It's a little too late tonight to start reading anything. I wouldn't remember it anyway if I started reading it this late. :) I can take notes on it tomorrow while I'm reading it, and take it with me to my Doctor's appointment next month, so you gave me your great advice right on time. Thank you for that. You have a great night tonight and I'm sure we'll talk to each other at some point or another around this wonderful place. Nite nite!
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Hi Erinm60. Thank you for answering my story and offering your advice. I don't like to work puzzles, but I do like to read. I haven't had time lately because we have been so busy looking for a house. We have sold ours and needed to find one to move into. Well that happened today. Whew!!! Now I get back to reading my Bible, and I bought a new book: it's a Prayer Bible and I can't wait to get started with it. Aside from that, I love, love, love to crochet. My sweet Moma taught me how to crochet when I was around 11 or so. I've been crocheting ever since. Doilies, afghans, sweaters, scarfs, toboggans, little or big animals, it doesn't matter--I love to crochet them all. Right now I'm crocheting a shawl for myself. In different shades of blue. After I finish this one, I believe I'll crochet me one in white--I think. Thank you so much for caring and asking about the puzzles and keeping my mind busy. I do everything that I can to keep my mind as busy as I possibly can. Have a great night. Sleep Tight!
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Thank you. You too
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Hey Sunnygirl1. You are very sweet. I can read it in your words. Thank you. My emotions are running wild as a June bug on a hot summer day. When I get up, within 15 to 30 minutes I can tell what kind of day I'm going to have. I don't think menopause was this bad. :) But I'm handling it one day at a time. I have had every kind of test you can think of and all of them have been for my brain. As far as medications, they started me on Aricept in April but it made me have insomnia and I have Epilepsy. The last thing you want someone with Epilepsy to do is get sleep deprived. I haven't had a seizure in 5 years. Then they put me on Nemenda 5MG 2 times a day and I've been on that ever since. I don't know if they'll go up on it next month at my appt. or not but I'll see. Thank you so very much for being so concerned about my well being. I will be sure and let everyone know how I'm doing from time to time when we get settled in our new home.
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Oh Babydoll, how hard life can be. It's bad enough that you were diagnosed with dementia but, my heart sank when I read you have epilepsy too. :(      If I could take it all away I would.

I'm amazed at your positive attitude but I see you have faith in the Lord. I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. Keep reading your Bible and draw strength from Him.

It's great that you're getting prepared. The more you know, the better and smoother it will be. You have a lot of time to enjoy life, maybe travel with your husband, socialize with others and have as many wonderful experiences as possible. Get your church to pray for you, as I will every evening when we remember our friends and sick loved ones.

How great that you will be getting used to your new home early on. That way you can keep your routine the same. It will be comforting to have things where you put them.

May God make this transition for you and your family as easy as possible. May the medications and treatments be effective and prolong the progression greatly. May you have good health and your husband the fortitude to go the journey.
Keep the faith.
Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
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Like others, I am very sorry to learn that you will travel the path so many of your loved ones traveled. You are preparing well and have much knowledge with which to make plans.
I decided to get a baseline cognitive assessment for someone my age -70- and will have my review with my neurologist in a week or so.
I hope that one you have moved and are settled in your new home, you and your husband will purposefully take time for day trips, weekend getaways, maybe a vacation you two have always wanted to take....picnics...potlucks with friend and family...lots of time walking in nature together... breathing fresh air...feeling the sun...sitting under old trees. Do what you love and make happy memories and laughter together. Keep in touch.
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Thanks for the update Babydoll62. It sounds like you are working with doctors on medication options. I hope the epilepsy can be kept in check.

You do have a lot on your plate and I hope that you are able to keep such a wonderful attitude. And you are staying busy. I've heard that is a big plus. Bless you and I wish you all the best as you learn more about your condition. Please post and keep us updated, as you are able. Your writing is impeccable and inspiring, by the way.
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I'm late to this, just wanted to say thanks for sharing with us. You're truly walking where so many fear to be, and I wish you peace and blessing in the days ahead.
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