General Chat

so sad for you jude enjoy the time you have with your friend xxxx

At such a young age-this is devestating at any age but in somebody in her fifties-well there are no words. Bless your friend Jude and all her family-what a strong lady knowing what she knows and wanting to see her friends while she can remember them-she must have a great big heart, I would be honoured to be her friend.

So sorry to hear about your friend Jude.
My heart goes out to all this is a cruel desease.
Take Care
Germaine
x

Morning everyone:o))

Bless you all for the lovely messages and information. l will take a look at the websites.

Kitty bless you and thanks, might need that!!

My friend is on medication, she said 'l take a pill everyday and its wonnderrrful' - she has a way with making everything sound very exciting and that ability is still there, thank goodness!! She's a writer as well as a teacher, a fantastic mother of 2. Their lst grandchild is due in March:o)))) something special for her to look forward to:o))

Yes l realised yesterday that l had to talk to her as l always have, she was getting mixed up and frustrated with words, her OH had to take over the conversation once - but she is taking this head on and not letting it stop her doing things.

Her first signs were about 3 yrs ago when she realised she had difficulties at work with teaching, she kept forgetting and just felt she could'nt do it. The diagnoses then was The Change!! Thats all l know at the moment. l will wait a while before l ring them - they have alot of phone calls to make, they want to make sure everyone knows that should know - how brave!!!!
Sadly we had'nt had contact for about a year to 18 months, always thinking of her and wondering how they all were - just goes to show 'you should'nt just wonder, you should make contact'.
Thanks again everyone:o))

jude sarf wales xxxx

I am so very sorry to hear this Jude. What a shock and how young she is! Big hug for you. BC XX

Jude,

I am so very sorry to hear about your friend.

(((((( Hugs))))))

Lindyxx

That's so sad Jude
my thoughts with your friend and all her family
catherine
xx

Hi Jude, sorry to hear that.
(((((((hugs))))))))))))

Mags
xx

Jude so sorry my luv
Lesley in Spain xx

Sorry to hear about your friend

Linda

So sorry to hear this news Jude................my Mum has been suffering from it for about 8 years now and she is 76.

If I can ever help, just ask.

There are drugs out there to slow down the progress, but most are only available when the middle to late stages are reached.............a very cruel decision by NICE.

The best advice I can give is to treat her in the same way you always have and give her husband all the support he needs.

It is one of the most cruel diseases and in some ways much harder on the family than the sufferer.

You know where I am if you need me.

xx

My husband was diagnosed last year with cerebral atrophy. The doc does not like the term Alzheimers. Several years ago he noticed he could no longer smell or taste things and he heard or read somewhere that it was an early sign of Alzheimers. The doc at the time poo poohed the idea.
I find his short-term memory is very bad, but otherwise he is not too bad yet, even though he is quite a bit older than your friend (77).
We each have a cell phone so if we go shopping and he wants to go one way and I want to go another and he gets lost he can ring me up and tell me what shop he is outside. I can then go to get him. It leaves him with some independence still, dont know for how long, but I dont want to squash it too soon. I have told him it is not safe to drive now as his brain might not react fast enough in an emergency. He has accepted that. Our sons mother in law who is not yet 70 was still driving, but her daughter finally sold her car, and a neighbour said how relieved she was as the mother was driving on the wrong side of the road, among other things. Not to mention forgetting where she had parked the car when she went out.
Best of luck to your friend.

Jude

I really feel for your friend...and you. I'm SO sorry.

My Mother had this and I am paranoid that I will get it too.

Can you tell us the 1st symtoms your friend had?
My Mums were forgetfulness (like forgetting to eat!)

I could do with losing a few million pounds..... but....

Gerri x

Jude so sorry to hear this and all I can say is be as normal as possible why she is not fully there , and hopefully thank god the new treatments will be there for her ;;;


Babs x

Jude, how sad for your friend, and her family and friends, and how brave of her and her husband to deal with the news this way. I do hope she will be able to hold her own for a long time yet and can get the best medication possible to help her too.
Every moment now will be very special, I hope you have a lovely time in the new year with her.
Lizx

I am so sorry to hear about your friend.

I believe it won't be long before there are really effective treatments for this disease but maybe not in time. These might be helpful.
http://www.alzheimersnews.com/

http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/treatment.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070827161227.htm

I know from when my husband was very ill with cancer that learning as much as possible about a condition is vital if you want to receive the latest treatments.

I was part of a recent European citizens' deliberation on brain science and Alzheimers was one of the conditions we discussed for nearly two years. As a result of our report the EU has allocated a huge amount more funding for research into various brain conditions. I do know that a large number of scientists are working very hard on finding treatments and hopefully a cure.

Thinking of your friend and all who love her.

Sue
x

Hi Jude,I am so very sorry for your friend and most of all for her family and friends,as it is they whoi will suffer the most,my friends family went through all sorts when her aunt was diagnosed.
Hope you enjoy the visit and it will be a long time before she "pops" as you put it,Hugs Brenda

So sorry to hear about that Jude. Was also going to mention that I thought there was a new drug that delays the full onset, so hope she is able to get it. Surely it is much cheaper to suply the drug than to have to provide the care later on.

Rosalind

Sorry to hear that Jude. is she in a part of the country where she can get the drug that hold it back for a while. Not sure when it can be given now, there was some controversy over cost (isn't there always)?

I hope you can have a pleasant time with her making memories for you and her husband. Horrid disease, so cruel and it often seems to attack the very active bright people. In the 70s one of my son's ex teachers had it, she too was in her 50s.

(((hugs)))

Ann
Glos

Jude that is such tragic news,

Prayers and thoughts are with your friend and her family, and with you, too.

Love

Daff xxx