Our 1st day
Comments
-
First I am so sorry. This is all new for you. There are resources both here and perhaps locally that can support you through this. There are support groups, both in person and online. AD Association hotline 800.272.3900. It is available to you 24/7.
It sounds like your DW is in early stage. My DH was recently diagnosed and will be starting on the lecanemab infusion next month. Receiving an early diagnosis has given us an opportunity others did not have. We are so grateful. Our hope is that we have more time in the early stages of AD.
I would recommend the book, The 36 hour day. It has so much good information. It is my bible.
💜 You are not alone.
4 -
Your wife is in early stage, and the progression of Alzheimer’s is usually slow. Now is the time to do fun things on your bucket list like traveling to places you’ve always wanted to see. You and your wife can both feel better by eating healthy and exercising your minds and bodies. It sounds like your wife qualifies for some of the new Alzheimer’s treatments. Work with her doctors, but don’t dwell on the diagnosis. Live in the moment. None of us can predict what will happen tomorrow. I wish both of you comfort on this journey.
5 -
Thank you. I will get the book.
0 -
Thank you. The next step seems to be getting a pet scan our insurance requires before they will approve an iv treatment.
0 -
welcome. So sorry about your wife’s diagnosis. This is the place for info and support. Learn all you can about the disease. First thing to get done if you haven’t done so is meet with an Elder Care Attorney and get DPOA, Medical POA, wills and HIPPA forms for each doctor. Just tell her that you’re doing yours because you’re getting older. I wouldn’t bring up the diagnosis in that conversation. Ditto on getting the book “The 36 Hour Day” it really helped me after my husband’s diagnosis.
2 -
All you can do is promise you will support and love her to the very end. She will be thankful in the early stages but do not expect her to recognize your efforts as the disease progresses. Eventually, the disease will take over and will occupy you, your wife, and your marriage. Sorry to sound so negative, but this has been my experience. For help, read everything you can find about dementia, especially books about being a caregiver.
4 -
My wife is now in stage 6. The hardest and saddest thing that hit me was her not knowing that I was her husband and knowing my name. At that point I accepted the reality that I was no longer her loving husband and partner but now her caregiver for life. She may not know me as her life partner but I know she looks at me as the person that is taking care and watching over her. I’ve accepted the challenge and will do my best to fulfill it.
8 -
I am so sorry for you and your wife. This news is devastating. The blessings of this early diagnosis is that you have time to talk with your wife and discuss what she wants or does not want as far as medical treatment, funeral, etc. You have time to live every day to its fullest and spend as much time together doing the things you love to do together. You are there for her and will do whatever it takes to care and protect her when she no longer can. For my husband, this was a comfort. He was able to discuss with me what he wanted as far as facility placement when the time comes. We had those difficult conversations, met with an attorney to prepare the necessary legal documents, shared account log in and passwords for when I need to take over all finances, preplanned both of our funerals, and toured memory care facilities together and got on a waitlist. My husband was scared and frustrated when he started losing his memory. I was too. Just love her, hold her, and let her know you are going to walk this walk together.
2 -
As others here have said, I too am sorry you and your LO have to walk this road with all of us here. You might want to check out Natali Edmonds Careblazers videos and Teepa Snow as well.
The hardest part of my DH’s journey thus far has been anosognosia. It can make planning more difficult if your LO has this condition.
1 -
Welcome to the club no one wants to be a member of. I've learned SO much from this discussion board for the 2 years I've been here.
Another excellent resource is (https://survalz.com/)
It was started by Ken Cardita whose wife developed Alzheimer's at a similar age to yours. It is a very high quality podcast that has helped me immensely on this journey with my mom. It is informative yet uplifting. He doesn't do many episodes, but each one is gold.
3
Commonly Used Abbreviations
DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more
Categories
- All Categories
- 592 Living With Alzheimer's or Dementia
- 318 I Am Living With Alzheimer's or Other Dementia
- 274 I Am Living With Younger Onset Alzheimer's
- 16.9K Supporting Someone Living with Dementia
- 5.6K I Am a Caregiver (General Topics)
- 8.2K Caring For a Spouse or Partner
- 2.7K Caring for a Parent
- 225 Caring Long Distance
- 156 Supporting Those Who Have Lost Someone
- 17 Discusiones en Español
- 5 Vivir con Alzheimer u Otra Demencia
- 4 Vivo con Alzheimer u Otra Demencia
- 1 Vivo con Alzheimer de Inicio Más Joven
- 12 Prestación de Cuidado
- 3 Soy Cuidador (Temas Generales)
- 8 Cuidar de un Padre
- 23 ALZConnected Resources
- View Discussions For People Living with Dementia
- View Discussions for Caregivers
- Discusiones en Español
- Browse All Discussions
- Dementia Resources
- 8 Account Assistance
- 15 Help