Thursday, October 16, 2014

A Blog That Will Tear Your Heart Out-ALZHEIMER'S-The Living Death

While I have been recovering
I have had a chance to find and read some blogs
that I never had a chance to visit before.

My own mother had 
ALZHEIMER'S
and it is what I thought of as 
A LIVING DEATH.
Here is my mother at
about 45 years old.
The life was gone from her eyes
long before she passed.

Susan's blog is for anyone that is 
caring for a parent, spouse or loved one
with dementia like her mother.
Susan is able to verbalize thoughts
that plague so many of us.
This will break your heart
but also give you comfort 
if you are dealing with someone
afflicted with Alzheimer's.

Here is the link to Susan's post called

The name of her blog is
My Alzheimer's Story
but use the link above
to take you there.

No laughs today-
Bring your tissues.



your photo name

42 comments:

Barbara @ 21 Rosemary Lane said...

Diana...I plan to go over and read Susan's post later today aftre the kiddies get on the bus for school. My own father has dementia and it is such a frustrating and sad disease. Maybe reading Susan's story will help me sort out my own feelings about what thiis terrible disease is doing to my own family.
Thank you so much for sharing.
XXOO Barbara

Sylvia said...

Oh Diana, my brother's wife has Alzheimer's! She is only in her mid '60's
I am going to read and follow this blog.

Preppy Empty Nester said...

What a beautiful Mom you had. I am going over to Susan's blog right now. Such an awful disease.

amazingsusan said...

Barbara, I'm sorry about your Dad. You're right, it's a terrible disease, but I have also found healing and moments of joy in the journey with my Mom. I knew virtually nothing about #Alzhemer's three years ago when I went to live with and care for her full time in her own home. I'm blogging about then and now and the things I learned. Maybe some of my experiences will help you better cope. I hope so. That's one of the purposes of the blog. I look forward to seeing you there. <3

amazingsusan said...

Diana, what a gorgeous picture of your Mom. Thanks so much for sharing My Alzheimer's Story. I hope it will help and inspire more people every day <3

amazingsusan said...

Oh Sylvia, Early Onset is even worse.... My heart goes out to your brother <3

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

I had some serious decorating woe-is-me issues going on when I clicked on her blog via your post. Thank you for waking me up to the fact that all my problems are so small compared to real issues of life.

Pam Kessler said...

Thank you for sending me to this blog!!! My mother had a different kind of dementia, but ultimately the same ting. Been there, done that, hated it!!!

Patty Patterson said...

I totally understand that feeling. And I hope they soon find a cure for dementia.

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

Being honest here... With all "the world is going to hell in a handbasket and we are all in it" happenings right now.... I can't visit there.

But I'm sure many of your Dear Readers will, and will be of comfort to this brave person.

Tessa~
"Here there be musing" blog
"Here there be more words" blog

Unknown said...

I followed a blog about this same subject for several years, as my father had this disease and passed in 2005. It is one of the worst ways to go, I believe. It's so sad.

Cranberry Morning said...

Sorry, I can't read it. My own mom (and or family) suffered because of Alzheimer's for 6 years before she died. It is so tough to be the kid who lives with or cares for a parent whose light is dimming and is replaced with fear and paranoia.

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Diana, what a beautiful picture of your lovely Mom. It is a very sad and tragic disease. My husband's mother died from it. Thanks for sharing Susan's blog. xo

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Another thing we share, your lovely Mom and my Dad. My Dad died on May 26 in stage 4 Alzheimers. On May 26 which was memorial day the day he passed I put up a special cyber tribute to my Dad. Losing a loved one to Alzheimers is truly a long goodbye.
xoxo

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

A tough subject, but one that is so real for so many of us. I applaud Susan's courage for sharing such a deeply personal story. She'll never know how many others will gain strength or perspective thru her words.
Thanks for the introduction, Diana.
xo, T.

Sonny G said...


Thank you for sharing your Beautiful Mom and your story with us.
You have put Life itself in the proper perspective with this post.
I'll be saving it to come back and read again when I get my panties in a bunch over all the silly stuff.

my sincere Thanks.
Sonny

Anonymous said...

I just had lunch was out grocery shopping. My own Mom had Alzheimer D. My son-laws dad now has been five years since he has passed on.

So many people from our coffee shop were talking about how many relatives, friends we have notice have it and the spouses live in denial and even let them drive the car.

With our dad he had dementia similar really as he acted the same. Aggravated, quick tempered. . Brother made sure he did not drive and was in the nursing home after my Mom was diagnosed. I knew she had it. She was tripling her her clothing. Then I looked after for years at her home and then went home after supper to my hubby and kids. It really takes a tole on you. We feel we have to be caregivers. The guilt really lays hard on us. Then after it is impossible to care firt hem when they wander away. I will read Susan's blog..

Japolina said...

One of my mom's good friends recently got diagnosed with alzheimers in her early 60's. She was the most glam, fab, gorgeous woman ever and just a couple of years later, things are really, really bad. It is so tragic. Hoepfully they will find a cure.

I don't know what you are recovering from but I hope you feel better soon. xoxo

Julie's Lifestyle said...

That is a beautiful photo of you mom. What said disease. Thanks for referring your friends blog to us all. I hope you are resting and feeling better each day. Take care.
Julie

Dee said...

My grandmother had Alzheimer's. When I was a teenager, she came to live with us, and I'll never forget how hard caring for her was on my mother. I used to help out when I wasn't in school, but in the end she didn't remember any of us. I really missed the woman that my grandmother was and I hated what that horrible disease did to her.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh, I followed dear Dolores's blog, "Going Forward with Alzheimer" for two years and boy, did I learn so much from this awful, awful disease!
I'm so sorry you had to suffer so much to see your lovely mother go through this as well.
I went to visit your friend and wow, how sad and how beautiful her 'almost poem' in honor of her mom. I too would want God to take my loved one back home, where there is no pain of any kind. Very poignant, thanks for sharing sweet friend.
Hope you are feeling better everyday too.
FABBY

Our Hopeful Home said...

Lost my dad to Alzheimers four years ago at the age of 86. Cruel is not the word. And sad. Good luck and blessings to Susan on her journey.
xoKathleen

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Diana, I came to live with my dad three years ago when my stepmother went into a nursing home due to her Alzheimers. Just yesterday dad was diagnosed with early stage dementia. My heart is breaking for both of them. I am heading over to Susan's blog now.

Susie said...

Diana, It was heart breaking reading Susan's blog. It's is sad that we lose the person before they pass some times. xoxo,Susie

LV said...

That is such a terrible thing for anyone to have to go through. My understanding, it is very difficult for both sides. I am so thankful that none of lost loved ones went through this. What is so sad, the patient does things that we cannot understand, but has no control over their actions. May this family truly be blessed.

Donna said...

Hi Diana,
thank you for sharing. I just visited Susan's blog for the first time, and feel her heartbreak. I know that you are all too well aware of what a cruel disease Alzheimer's is, as your mom suffered with it. That is a great photo of her, by the way. It is so difficult to see my own mom struggle with dementia. Each day can be a challenge!

Gypsy Heart said...

I couldn't find a way to respond on Susan's blog so hopefully she will stop back here. My heart goes out to both of them! I understand what Susan is going through and just so sorry. She truly is amazing!

xo
Pat

Nonnie said...

I haven't known anyone close to me who had alsheimers, but in senior outreach, I have seen many who were suffering with it. What a wonderful thing that she is sharing and touching others by expressing her own experience.

Brenda Pruitt said...

My friend Judy's husband has advanced Alzheimers as well as cancer. He just turned 74. Doesn't have much more time I don't think. So sad. Such a vital and wonderful man.
Brenda

Joy Junktion said...

Loss of memory and understanding is so difficult for family, friends and care givers! My mom is frail and her thoughts don't always stay organized. It's hard to watch the changing of roles! Love well, while we are able!!!

NanaNor's said...

Hi dear friend, Again, I can't believe I've missed so much-will just have to find you daily. I'm glad that your surgery went well and that you didn't need a skin graft. My bff, in Ca., had two surgeries on each eye so that she could have cataract surgery. She had little growths on both eyes; now is ready for the cataract surgery. Not fun! I hope you never have any other surgeries. Praying the Lord's healing on you.
Hugs, Noreen

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

So very sad. Life is so precious, and we need to always be grateful for every day that we have with our loved ones. That's a lovely photo of your mother Diana. I didn't know you had first hand experience with Alzheimers. I'm so sorry.

xxx

amazingsusan said...

Thanks Gypsy. Strange you couldn't see the comments box... :(

Blondie's Journal said...

Diana...I am so sorry that you mother ( and family) had to experience the ravages of this disease. I don't personally know anyone that has had it but I have done some reading and I am astounded by the extent of the disease. People think it's just some forgetfulness. Sigh.

I will visit your friend. Blogging is a good outlet and very informative for those who need it. Thank you. Lovely picture of your mother.

Jane xx

Maureen Wyatt said...

I follow Susan's blog. It isn't always easy to read after going through this with my mom but I wish I had this type of blog to connect with during our experience.

Red Rose Alley said...

Her blog sounds interesting, Diana. I did know someone who had this, it was my mom's very good friend. Some people get to the point where they don't even recognize their loved ones. So sad......and sorry to hear your own mother had to live with this illness.

love,
~Sheri

Jettie said...

My mother has this same disease, and it is painful, sad, and very had to live with. Praying for Susan and her family,

Renee said...

Beautiful picture of your mom. It is such an awful disease. My husband's mother had it the last 7 years of her life. Now one of his sisters is in a nursing home because of it. I can see it starting in another of his sisters. Sometimes when I talk to her I think she knows who I am and other times she just looks sort of lost.

Chatty Crone said...

I think that is such a sad disease. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

The Polka Dot Closet said...

This caught my eye as my Mom has ever progressing dementia and it is so difficult, sometimes I get sooo stressed out, angry and sad. I am interested to read her blog

Carol

amazingsusan said...

Just to say thanks again Diana and to everyone for visiting My Alzheimer's Story :)

Sherry @ Thrift My House said...

I've been reading her blog for a while now. I LOVE how she is sharing her journey. My husbands grandmother had Alzheimer's. It was so difficult on everyone. Support is so important! Thanks for sharing her with everyone Diana!