The Threat Of Alzheimer’s Disease Resides Inside Me

Summary

The author reflects on the personal impact of Alzheimer's disease, considering its hereditary nature in their family and the emotional toll it takes while actively engaging in preventive measures.

Abstract

The author is haunted by the specter of Alzheimer's disease, a condition that has tragically claimed the lives of their father and aunt, and likely their grandmother before the disease was named. The constant worry manifests as the metaphorical ticking of a pendulum, a reminder of the potential onset with every lapse in memory. The family copes with dark humor, ever vigilant for signs of the disease among themselves. The author recalls the pain of watching their father's decline and the strain it placed on their mother. Despite the difficulty in conveying the emotional turmoil to those who haven't experienced it, the author remains proactive in staving off the disease through mental and physical care, including a plant-based diet and daily reading, with a particular emphasis on research and articles on Medium. The author also promotes an AI service, ZAI.chat, as a cost-effective alternative to ChatGPT Plus (GPT-4).

Opinions

The author perceives Alzheimer's as a looming threat due to its strong presence in their family history.
There is a sense of inevitability and fear about the onset of Alzheimer's, with everyday forgetfulness potentially signaling its arrival.
The family uses humor to deal with the anxiety surrounding Alzheimer's, while also being acutely aware of its symptoms.
The author has a deep understanding of the emotional impact of Alzheimer's on

Is it conquering my brain?

Photo by Alexander Dummer @pexels

The pendulum swings back and forth, always making that clicking sound reminding me. On what day will the pendulum spin round and round, broken and out of control?

My Dad died from Alzheimer's, and so did his sister. We are fairly confident their mother, my grandmother, did as well. So long ago before the disease was given its name. All the symptoms were there — the forgetfulness, the confusion, using the wrong words.

The threat is always there, floating around me. Every time I forget something, I wonder, is this the start?

My family makes jokes about it sometimes, and we listen for the signs when we talk to one another. Will they be the victim, will it be me, or will each of us succumb?

I remember how it was for our family when my Dad suffered, and we suffered with him — watching and listening. We saw my Mom struggle with his care and her health diminishing as a result.

Anyone who has experienced this debilitating disease with a friend or family member will understand this feeling.

There is not an effective way to describe it. Sure, you can read all the descriptive details, but how can you understand what it feels like when your parent does not recognize you?

What do you do when your father does not recognize his wife, your mother, and he tells her, “you are a very nice woman, but my wife would be angry; you have to leave.”

How do you talk to your Dad and tell him it is okay for her to stay? Will he understand? Does he even know who you are?

Will my children have to watch and listen as the plagues and tangles destroy my brain?

Each day I follow the recommendations — I feed my mind and body. I exercise, and I eat a healthy plant-based diet. I read every day, spending hours on the internet; much of that time I spend doing research and reading articles on Medium. Am I doing enough?

I wait and wonder and listen to the clicking of the pendulum.