A year ago, my mother broke her hip. Before her weight was way up to about 100. It dropped as low as 70 afterwards. No, it’s not good. It’s not good for either of you. I am sorry.
We.. all have to die.. eventually. Prolonging the demise when there is no, or little hope is cruel and selfish. A tough call for society to deal with but.. as technology gets better and better the “demise” gets longer and longer.. and to whose benefit?
My father died of Alzheimer’s and now my mother was diagnosed with it about a year ago. I appreciate the stark honestly of the strips where Ted deals with it. The dark thoughts, the frustrations…it helps to see someone else has the same experiences and feelings that I have. When my dad was losing weight every month, I frequently brought him fast food (w/ milk shakes) and his favorite junk food to get more calories in him. My mother would get so mad at me for giving him such unhealthy food. But his weight loss did stop for a few months and he was far less grumpy at meal time since he wasn’t eating the sensible healthy (and kind of boring) meals served at memory care. 87 with Alzheimer’s…why not just eat what you like and not worry about it?
It is difficult for the doctors to treat this disease, it’s hard for the patient’s relatives to watch the mental and physical decline of their loved ones it’s frightening and it’s frustrating for everyone who cares for and treats Alzheimer patients… Aside from feeding tubes… How do you force an elderly dementia patient to eat the meals prepared for them ?… How can you force them to stay healthy? To stay hydrated?… as the adult child of an Alzheimer patient, how do you reconcile in your mind that this person that you love no matter what, is still disappearing?, you keep hoping for a medical miracle . But even as far as we’ve come medically, the doctors can do very little for dementia Alzheimer patients to halt the deterioration caused by this debilitating disease.
Mr. Rahl, everyone who reads your column wishes for you the strength to endure what you cannot change… It is difficult if not impossible to express our sympathy for your situation with your mom. But we do… We hope for the best for you and your mom.
I’m 75 and already there on all of those issues. I gave up salt when the doctor told me to- tried a bunch of stuff that the ads guaranteed to taste just like salt. They were incorrect about the middle two letters of that word. Now, I eat whatever I want and do whatever I want— I’d rather live for 5 more years than exist for 50.
When my father was dying, he screamed for a couple of months. This was a guy who managed WWll, and a bad car accident with a sense of humor. His doctor, who was also his golf buddy, kept upping his morphine drip, which would knock him out for a while, then the pain would overcome it again. Eventually, he upped it enough that he knew that it would kill him, risking his medical career to do so……………………………….. A few years after that, my dog was on his last legs, though not in anywhere near the pain my dad had. He wasn’t able to walk and cried a lot. The vet inserted a needle and I held him as the light in his eyes went out. I have been trying to get myself registered by the AKC.
Worse than dying young is dying inside with only a shell remaining. Not you anymore just your body while the mind is damaged beyond any help. That is when you become a living zombie. A shell with not much else. I would not want to carry on for me that way. Terrible waste of time, energy, emotion and money.
. . . if my father had lived, he would have been 100 years old this week. Instead, he passed away in his sleep, when he was only 42. I wish, that we could have had more time, together. :’(
Meg: All Seriousness Aside over 4 years ago
A year ago, my mother broke her hip. Before her weight was way up to about 100. It dropped as low as 70 afterwards. No, it’s not good. It’s not good for either of you. I am sorry.
Malcolm Hall over 4 years ago
What’s to “huh?” about? Rall’s mom is dying.
Alberta Oil Premium Member over 4 years ago
We.. all have to die.. eventually. Prolonging the demise when there is no, or little hope is cruel and selfish. A tough call for society to deal with but.. as technology gets better and better the “demise” gets longer and longer.. and to whose benefit?
Odon Premium Member over 4 years ago
A long tough road to walk down for both of you. Take hugs when offered.
StackableContainers over 4 years ago
My father died of Alzheimer’s and now my mother was diagnosed with it about a year ago. I appreciate the stark honestly of the strips where Ted deals with it. The dark thoughts, the frustrations…it helps to see someone else has the same experiences and feelings that I have. When my dad was losing weight every month, I frequently brought him fast food (w/ milk shakes) and his favorite junk food to get more calories in him. My mother would get so mad at me for giving him such unhealthy food. But his weight loss did stop for a few months and he was far less grumpy at meal time since he wasn’t eating the sensible healthy (and kind of boring) meals served at memory care. 87 with Alzheimer’s…why not just eat what you like and not worry about it?
Scoutmaster77 over 4 years ago
That’s going on with my mom now.
S&C = Dismayed&Depressed over 4 years ago
It is difficult for the doctors to treat this disease, it’s hard for the patient’s relatives to watch the mental and physical decline of their loved ones it’s frightening and it’s frustrating for everyone who cares for and treats Alzheimer patients… Aside from feeding tubes… How do you force an elderly dementia patient to eat the meals prepared for them ?… How can you force them to stay healthy? To stay hydrated?… as the adult child of an Alzheimer patient, how do you reconcile in your mind that this person that you love no matter what, is still disappearing?, you keep hoping for a medical miracle . But even as far as we’ve come medically, the doctors can do very little for dementia Alzheimer patients to halt the deterioration caused by this debilitating disease.
Mr. Rahl, everyone who reads your column wishes for you the strength to endure what you cannot change… It is difficult if not impossible to express our sympathy for your situation with your mom. But we do… We hope for the best for you and your mom.
Diane Lee Premium Member over 4 years ago
I’m 75 and already there on all of those issues. I gave up salt when the doctor told me to- tried a bunch of stuff that the ads guaranteed to taste just like salt. They were incorrect about the middle two letters of that word. Now, I eat whatever I want and do whatever I want— I’d rather live for 5 more years than exist for 50.
Diane Lee Premium Member over 4 years ago
When my father was dying, he screamed for a couple of months. This was a guy who managed WWll, and a bad car accident with a sense of humor. His doctor, who was also his golf buddy, kept upping his morphine drip, which would knock him out for a while, then the pain would overcome it again. Eventually, he upped it enough that he knew that it would kill him, risking his medical career to do so……………………………….. A few years after that, my dog was on his last legs, though not in anywhere near the pain my dad had. He wasn’t able to walk and cried a lot. The vet inserted a needle and I held him as the light in his eyes went out. I have been trying to get myself registered by the AKC.
parkerinthehouse over 4 years ago
So sorry Ted. Saying prayers even if you don’t believe in them.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 4 years ago
Worse than dying young is dying inside with only a shell remaining. Not you anymore just your body while the mind is damaged beyond any help. That is when you become a living zombie. A shell with not much else. I would not want to carry on for me that way. Terrible waste of time, energy, emotion and money.
RossShales over 4 years ago
I think my mom’s depression let to her refusal to eat, which help exacerbate her Alzheimer’s
MDMom over 4 years ago
. . . if my father had lived, he would have been 100 years old this week. Instead, he passed away in his sleep, when he was only 42. I wish, that we could have had more time, together. :’(
Odon Premium Member over 4 years ago
Our local "Walk to End Alzheimer’s " is today. My wife and I, along with several friends, will be participating.