@wmkenkel @edavidds @noahpinion

At the moment, Alzheimer's kills sufferers. If I'm ever afflicted, I hope the post mortem examination will provide information to help those still living. 🤷‍♂️

So yes, live examination would be better, but nonetheless this is very exciting news to anyone who's lost a loved one to a degenerative brain disease.

#fuckalzheimers

I've privately opened up to family, & friends current, past, & virtual. I'm being supported by them, & by you - mostly complete strangers, empathising, sympathising, relaying their own experiences, & not being at all judgey. 🙏

I've also realised I'll need to avoid comments on FB for a bit, I'm aah, more reactive with the crazies. Everyone will be better off if I'm not.😂

Thank you all so much. /fin

#fuckalzheimers
#grateful
#kindnessofstrangers
#support
#love
#lifedonttalktomeaboutlife

In 2022, I only wanted to avoid her. Out of angry sight was better for both of us. I looked forward to a future of freedom without her. Gone. If I'm honest, occasional obligatory visits would have been it. I'd have felt bad, but that's where I was.

Although hard, I *want* to see her & will visit while she wants to see me. I didn't realise then, but my healing commenced when that switch flipped. The worst day of my life actually helped. 🤷‍♂️😁♥️ /3

#fuckalzheimers
#alzheimers

I awoke to a revelation. Last year was truly awful. I was at my wit's end, unable to stand what my wife had become. #Alzheimers had stolen the woman I knew, replacing her with an evil caricature haunting our house.

This year, after her switch flipped & fury disappeared, I unexpectedly rediscovered my love. It's making it harder to let go, but, but, I am so fucking grateful that this brief time has washed away the bitterness of the past. My memories can be good./2

#fuckalzheimers
#healing

I think I have to bite the bullet and force the issue on professional fulltime care. I can do all sorts of stuff for her when she allows, but if she won't, and she doesn't, I can't keep her safe and healthy.

I may be a bit odd for a bit, and there'll be floods of tears, but I will be ok.

If you read this far, apologies for the dump. I feel better, even if you don't. 🤷‍♂️

#carer
#fuckalzheimers
#alzheimers

Alzheimer's is an absolutely fucking shithouse disease. It not only steals you away from others, but from yourself. You become a ghost. A haunting reminder of what was. My wife was literally the best in her field in Australia, and one of the world's best. Today, her ghost is muttering, swearing, and more at hospital staff trying to help. Combative is the polite word they use.

#carer
#fuckalzheimers
#alzheimers

Gah, I hit send early. My wife's been admitted to hospital and may not be returning home. They are looking for care options.

I have failed, and can't manage anymore.

Yes, I know I haven't *failed*, I've done my best, as much as possible, but that's what my fucking brain keeps telling me. It's almost like my brain has joined her clueless Qld rellies in condemning me.

#carer
#fuckalzheimers
#alzheimers

We're getting there...

My wife had a seizure today. Alzheimer's related? 2nd this year. The last one nearly broke me. This time, I knew she wasn't dying in my arms. My phone (pro7) wouldn't dial 000 properly, bring up some kind of filter screen (new feature? Didn't happen last time). Fuck that right off please. I'm in a fucking panic, don't make it harder!

Her phone was there and worked, and ambos were soon with us

#carer
#fuckalzheimers
#alzheimers

I've been feeling especially mortal since one of my best school friends died on Friday. The first of us. It's a real fucking reminder, old man. Yeah, you, BOOMER, you're fucking old, I don't care what you see in the mirror.

If you want to become a much older man, and you do, START TAKING FUCKING CARE OF YOURSELF.

#carer
#fuckalzheimers
#alzheimers
#boomer

Occasionally I toot to get stuff out of my system. You may have seen on my bio that I care for my wife, who has advanced early onset Alzheimer's (diag 2017). Unsurprisingly, stuff builds up inside, and I need to blurt it out sometimes. Today is one of those times.

This is not a cry for help. I'm depressed and upset, but am definitely no danger to myself or others. I struggle, but do cope.

#carer
#fuckalzheimers
#alzheimers

@Gary

Damn straight. I would also point out that dementia isn't only an *aged* care issue. My wife was diagnosed 7 years before she becomes eligible for aged care. She isn't the youngest. Although she gets NDIS help, appropriate care is unavailable.

My wife has lost everything. She was *literally* Australia's #1 in her field. Now? Life's scary & weird.

It's an absolute shit time for all concerned - barriers need to come down and supports go up.
#fuckalzheimers
#NDIS
#agedcare
#dementia

#rose
#rosejewels
#GardenAU

My MiL always had roses. When she died, I decided to try some in her memory. I thought it might help my wife remember her, but it doesn't (other things do).

No matter, my wife loves the beautiful flowers it produces. It flowered in early spring, finished, so I cut it back like MiL did, and lots of new growth. Now, late summer, it's blooming up a storm again! I can see 12 flowers and buds at the moment.

#fuckalzheimers

Fingerprint id got me into the phone, but I struggled to stop shaking enough to find the phone app (new phone, new icon), and then to hit 000 (Australia).

As usual, 000 were great, phone operator, paramedic team, nurses, and doctors. Unfortunately the tests she allowed at hospital showed nothing, so we'll just add another layer of uncertainty to life, marked "follow up required". She was horrible to everyone, not wanting anyone to touch her. I saw her hit, slap and kick the doc and nurses trying to help - *after* being sedated.😢 Yet they were so nice, so understanding. These workers, all bar the phone operator women, work so hard, for so little recognition or reward. We should all be grateful. I am.

In the wash up, she's home again, back to normal, angrily muttering and cursing. She seems unaware or unaffected by what has been the worst day of my long life. 🤷‍♂️
#nurses
#doctors
#paramedics
#women
#phoneoperator
#000
#fuckalzheimers

I dag fyller min älskade syster 56 år och jag bara gråter. Hon hade länge haft problem med koncentration och minne när hon fick diagnosen Alzheimers sjukdom förra hösten. Nu bor hon på ett demensboende för personer under 65.

När jag träffade henne i julas var det tydligt att den där röda tråden som håller ihop en männsiska hade släppt. Hon var bara spillror och fragment.

Jag har, på sätt och vis, förlorat min älskade syster.

Alzheimers är en demonisk sjukdom.

#FuckAlzheimers

As well as parrots, flowers, and other pretty stuff, I've always enjoyed motorbikes, & have had one since I was 14 or so - it's a long time ago. 🤷‍♂️

Anyway, the Australian NDIS provides funding for my wife to participate in fun things she couldn't otherwise do, and respite from my carer duties. Two days a week, 6hrs straight. "I'm free" sounds wrong, but it's fair.

In hood weather, I like to ride old bikes, today, a vintage 1973 Ducati 250 Desmo. It can be a challenge. My last two rides ended in bike rescues. It's 50 and vibrates fillings loose, of course bits break or wear out. 🤷‍♂️

Once out of the mountains I had the roads to myself, 175km of highways, byways, & bits needing lots of work. Great fun, & only a few things went wrong - two fixed roadside & one at home 😂 Perhaps I need to carry tools.

A good day respiting does a lot for my mental state. Knowing more days are coming helps immensely.

#ducati250
#ducatisingle
#motorcycle
#mentalhealth
#respite
#NDIS
#fuckalzheimers

Reminder to hug your #grandparents and #elderly in your life, especially if you are close. But also #fuckdementia and #fuckalzheimers and how dare you rob me of the best fucking years of my life with my #grandma who has been an incredible #grandmother for thirty years.

#aging #agingsucks #alzheimers #alzheimerssucks

#fuckalzheimers

That's it. That's the toot.