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The Cruel Face of Alzheimer's

“Dear Stan - 

Thank you for the beautiful card. Sorry this is all I had –  

Think of you often and what you went though. 

I know how hard it is to “Let Go and Let God” – 

I have had M---- in clinical trials the last 2 winters but as you know it does no good. 

M---- is at least 5 years into this terrible disease and unless you have lived it you don’t know how terrible it is.  

I don’t know if we will go back to Arizona. 

I keep looking for a miracle in these clinical trials but I guess I know there is none. 

M---- is still happy but doesn’t even know the children and grandchildren’s names.  

If you’re ever in the area please stop. 

V---“ 

(June 14th 2009 - The above is a candid and poignant letter – card received from my cousin who has a wife in mid stages of Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately the worst is yet to come. (she will gradually lose the ability to walk, talk, eat or use the bathroom without help, there may be difficulty swallowing and the list goes on until life becomes little more than a mere existence) There are no medical or miracle cures for Alzheimer's. No one who has ever traveled into the shadows of Alzheimer's has ever returned. The average time from diagnosis to death is 8 years. (President Reagan survived for 10 years, Charlton Heston for 5.3 years.) The result is always death. Over the years I have kept my cousin updated on June through my writings and published tributes on June. He remembered the almost 11 year's journey for June as she gradually disappeared into the shadows of Alzheimer's. We both have birthdays on the same day in June so we always exchange birthday cards.)  

Comments (1)
Thank you
1Monday, 21 June 2010 16:19
Lorie Erskine
I found your website from a link on the Alz.org message board,

I believe we should all be so lucky as to have someone that loves and cares for us as you did for your beloved June.

I deeply respect your unselfish and devoted care of her.
It is comforting to know you had such a happy and loving life with her for so many good years.

My Mother has Alzheimers and I have learned much by reading your posts.

Love truly does transcend all.

Thank you for all the time and effort in maintaining and updating this website.

I will check back often.

Best Wishes,
Lorie Erskine
Atlanta,Georgia

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