EXPLANATION TO ALL OUR DEAR FRIENDS

We are so saddened that you are going through this as well. Being with them during their struggles has its blessings (& pain), but being away from them also has its blessings (& pain), I'm sure. There just is no "easy" situation with this disease. We hope you will be able to visit your father soon, Ms Susan, & that you will find strength to walk this path. God bless you & yours ... Dawn & Nick

so sorry to hear about your mom ,sending you our prayers for you & your family to just help you get thru the hard times ,there will be many to come my uncle has Alzheimers so just enjoy her while you can & take lots of pics & show her pics of the family to help her memory that is what the dr told my aunt,God bless Becky if I can help in any way just let me know

Thank you Ms Becky. We truly appreciate your prayers ... You are always so sweet & caring & we do so value your friendship. Good idea as Momma seems to have longggggggggggg-term memory ... Like when she was a child & a teenager, but almost no short term memory. Maybe current pictures would help jog her memory. God bless you ... Dawn & Nick

Dawn, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. It's always painful, hurting your heart to see a parent you love so much get sick. Alzheimer's is such a hurtful disease on the family, having to watch a loved one slowly loose their memory. I do know from working in a nursing home years ago that people w/ this terrible diesease like to feel safe, keeping their possesions the same and their surroundings the same as much as possible while keeping them safe. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, nick and your parents during this time and in the future. I wish I lived closer to give you some help, now and in the future. Know that we, myself and the s.C. Oh community are here for you. God bless you, nick and your parents. Donna, sfy

THANK YOU FOR THE INFO, MS DONNA. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT BUT IT MAKES SENSE SINCE THEY ARE LOSING MEMORY, SEEING FAMILIAR THINGS WOULD BE COMFORTING. WE APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION. KEEP THOSE THOUGHTS & PRAYERS COMING. MY PRAYERS ARE KINDA WEAK RIGHT NOW ... LIKE "WHY?" & "HELP!" & A LOT OF CRYING. BUT, I KNOW THAT GOD'S PLAN IS PERFECT SO EVENTUALLY IT WILL ALL WORK FOR GOOD. I KEPT THIS TO MYSELF FOR AWHILE BUT IT HAS BEEN SUCH A RELIEF TO SHARE IT WITH SUCH CARING PEOPLE ... ON THIS BOARD & WITH MY LCBBuddies. I WAS SHOCKED TO READ HOW MANY LIVES & FAMILIES HAVE BEEN EFFECTED BY THIS HORRID DISEASE. THANKS AGAIN MY SFY SISTER ... GOD BLESS YOU ... DAWN & NICK

This is a great group that I belong to: http://groups.msn.com/AlzheimersSupport I have early onset Alzheimer's disease. One of the big reasons I am trying for the WLS as it will be easier for my care giver to take care of me when the time comes. And I want to be able to enjoy the time I have left without all the restrictions the excess wieght has placed on me.

Our hearts just break for you, GF. You have a heavy burden to carry & we keep you in our prayers. Thank you for the support group address; I've noted it in my Favorites. We have been shocked at how many people & their families are effected by this disease ... We had no idea. I've gotten tons of posts & e-mails all telling of someone who struggled with Alzheimer's. How are your efforts coming along to get your gastric bypass surgery approved? I can't begin to tell you how your health, energy, activities & lifestyle will improve after changing your diet & losing the excess weight. So, don't give up on getting the surgery ... It is soooo well worth whatever you have to go through! God bless you ... Dawn & Nick

Oh Dawn. I'm so sorry about your Mother. There are not many things in this life that are sadder or more horrible for the family to endure than Alzheimer's. Holding you all close to my heart, Dawn

Thank you Ms Dawn ... Yes, this one is soooo hard ... Not only am I watching my Momma struggle, but I'm watching this demamds of the disease overwhelm Daddy as well. We are blessed though in the fact that the 4 of us are very close so each of us supports the others whenever we can. God bless you ... Dawn & Nick

You and Nick have been through so much since you started this journey and I wish there was something I could do to help lighten your load. I will keep you both and your Mom and Dad in my thoughts and prayers. I lost my Dad in 2000 after a few years of dementia linked to Parkinsons. It was so hard seeing him struggle to find the right word (which he often got wrong) and not know things he always knew. We lost my Mom in 2005 - she gave up and wanted to go be with Daddy. After being married for 56 years she just didn't want to be alone. I miss her every day and wish she could see what I have done, I know she would be proud of me. She had such a hard time in the hospital because of her weight and her last illness was the catapult for me to have this surgery. I know that makes her happy. As hard as it is to handle all of this, enjoy every last minute you have with your parents. Losing them is one of the hardest things we endure in this life. We are all here for you if we can do ANYTHING. We love and miss both of you! Susann