Dementia diagnosis

Posted by rosy54 @rosy54, Jul 21, 2023

I’ve just been told I have moderate Dementia (only 69yrs )😢 I don’t know how to feel I’m devastated feeling I just got a death sentence!
How do you prepare yourself for a devastating disease ? I wish I never was told now it’s all I worry about

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

Hi Rosy,
This is not a death sentence - in a way it’s a life sentence. Hopefully you can still enjoy life but realize time is of the essence. My husband has Mild Cognitive Impairment - a way of staying away from the dementia diagnosis but other doctors might just say mild dementia.
It’s been an adjustment for sure.
But not hopeless.
Do you have family and friends for support? I hope so.
Now is the time to nurture relationships, travel if you can, and do what you can while memory lasts.
I can understand the constant worry. You went through breast cancer and chemotherapy and lived through a challenge. Although this is different, it’s still a disease that can at this point be treated and slowed down. I don’t know what your life entails.
The brain cells can energize with a good diet, social interaction, exercise and brain games.
We have two neuropsychologists we work with on lifestyle and coping.
It’s a lot. It’s a challenge.
Wish I could give you a real hug, but for now just know you have some support here.

REPLY
@maryvc

Hi Rosy,
This is not a death sentence - in a way it’s a life sentence. Hopefully you can still enjoy life but realize time is of the essence. My husband has Mild Cognitive Impairment - a way of staying away from the dementia diagnosis but other doctors might just say mild dementia.
It’s been an adjustment for sure.
But not hopeless.
Do you have family and friends for support? I hope so.
Now is the time to nurture relationships, travel if you can, and do what you can while memory lasts.
I can understand the constant worry. You went through breast cancer and chemotherapy and lived through a challenge. Although this is different, it’s still a disease that can at this point be treated and slowed down. I don’t know what your life entails.
The brain cells can energize with a good diet, social interaction, exercise and brain games.
We have two neuropsychologists we work with on lifestyle and coping.
It’s a lot. It’s a challenge.
Wish I could give you a real hug, but for now just know you have some support here.

Jump to this post

I can’t even imagine what my future holds, it scares me
I want to scream “why me? Why now ? now that I can enjoy life retired?? 😟. It was enough going through breast cancer but now this new bump n my life 🙏🙏🙏

REPLY
@maryvc

Hi Rosy,
This is not a death sentence - in a way it’s a life sentence. Hopefully you can still enjoy life but realize time is of the essence. My husband has Mild Cognitive Impairment - a way of staying away from the dementia diagnosis but other doctors might just say mild dementia.
It’s been an adjustment for sure.
But not hopeless.
Do you have family and friends for support? I hope so.
Now is the time to nurture relationships, travel if you can, and do what you can while memory lasts.
I can understand the constant worry. You went through breast cancer and chemotherapy and lived through a challenge. Although this is different, it’s still a disease that can at this point be treated and slowed down. I don’t know what your life entails.
The brain cells can energize with a good diet, social interaction, exercise and brain games.
We have two neuropsychologists we work with on lifestyle and coping.
It’s a lot. It’s a challenge.
Wish I could give you a real hug, but for now just know you have some support here.

Jump to this post

Thank you for kind words. I do need lots of hugs and I get them from my family but I try not show my feelings how scared of what’s ahead of me. It doesn’t seem an easy solution 🙏😢

REPLY

Sending another hug Rosy but relish those hugs from family, and don’t be afraid to show your feelings. And definitely feel. In fact find a good place to scream.
Im wondering if you journal at all. Sometimes writing or drawing feelings can help.
And then take it one step at a time, one memory at a time and consider what you need now to live this new life.
Wish we could just sit and have a cup of tea.

REPLY
@rosy54

Thank you for kind words. I do need lots of hugs and I get them from my family but I try not show my feelings how scared of what’s ahead of me. It doesn’t seem an easy solution 🙏😢

Jump to this post

@rosy54 With a big hug, I just want to say that you’ll always be the person that you currently are. You’ll probably become forgetful, but you’ll still be you! Have you had a chance to sit down with family members to talk about the diagnosis? They need to know that you are scared and that eventually you’ll need help. Enlist their help now.
Now is the time to make your plans for your future.
Do you live alone?
Can you manage the house and repairs?
Will you need assisted living?
Call the Senior center in your area to see if they have groups that discuss all the changes
The more prepared you are, the better you will be able to face whatever comes.
I know you are scared so I’m giving you an extra big hug! H U G!!!!

REPLY
@becsbuddy

@rosy54 With a big hug, I just want to say that you’ll always be the person that you currently are. You’ll probably become forgetful, but you’ll still be you! Have you had a chance to sit down with family members to talk about the diagnosis? They need to know that you are scared and that eventually you’ll need help. Enlist their help now.
Now is the time to make your plans for your future.
Do you live alone?
Can you manage the house and repairs?
Will you need assisted living?
Call the Senior center in your area to see if they have groups that discuss all the changes
The more prepared you are, the better you will be able to face whatever comes.
I know you are scared so I’m giving you an extra big hug! H U G!!!!

Jump to this post

Thank you for your soothing words 😘 I don’t like to think about it, it depresses me more ( scares me ) more. This is not the direction I imagined my health would turn out. I need to talk to my doctor with my concerns.

REPLY

@rosy54 I know just what you are saying. About 5 years ago, I got an autoimmune disease that attacked my brain. I kept thinking ‘this just can’t be happening to me! I have so much I still want to do.’ But, with the help of my family and a good therapist, I came to the realization that it did happen and the only thing I could do was fight for better health. I have some good days and bad days and still cry a lot of tears. I truly believe that you, too, will have lots of good days ahead.
I’ll keep you in my prayers

REPLY
@becsbuddy

@rosy54 I know just what you are saying. About 5 years ago, I got an autoimmune disease that attacked my brain. I kept thinking ‘this just can’t be happening to me! I have so much I still want to do.’ But, with the help of my family and a good therapist, I came to the realization that it did happen and the only thing I could do was fight for better health. I have some good days and bad days and still cry a lot of tears. I truly believe that you, too, will have lots of good days ahead.
I’ll keep you in my prayers

Jump to this post

We share same sentiments 😢 What type of autoimmune do u have?

REPLY
@rosy54

We share same sentiments 😢 What type of autoimmune do u have?

Jump to this post

@rosy54 It’s called chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular involvement] responsive to steroids. CLIPPERS. Long, confusing name! And the doctors had never heard of it or seen it before. I was in pretty bad shape before we found a doctor. Now, my biggest challenge is keeping all my medicines straight!
My brain works but I’m very forgetful!
Just take it one day at a time, @rosy54 !

REPLY
@rosy54

Thank you for kind words. I do need lots of hugs and I get them from my family but I try not show my feelings how scared of what’s ahead of me. It doesn’t seem an easy solution 🙏😢

Jump to this post

I do hope you can decide to share your fears with someone. Choose someone you can trust completely. It can relieve so much stress. God Bless.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.