So, in the last post, I spoke of what have been the beginning phases through what we have at this moment with Mom.
Here, I will post from what I have read and heard from other sources what we will eventually expect.
Remember, from diagnosis to the final 'Hurrah', it can be from 3-7 years on average. So, watching Mom decline as quickly as she has in the past several months has prompted me to brace for whatever will be.
So Here Goes:
PHASE FOUR:
Mobility Issues -
As the dementia kicks in stronger, there will be more mobility issues which begin with a stiffness to the upper body and coursing downward through the limbs. This will also affect balance.
What does this mean? It means that as the disease progresses throughout the cerebral cortex, and moves its way through the other portions of the brain, that there will be more occasions where Mom will fall. Eventually, she will begin needing a walker if not a wheelchair/scooter.
There is also the "Lewy Lean", which I've caught occurring with Mom, where she has troubles keeping her head held up.
PHASE FIVE:
The Lack of Lower Body Function/Control -
With the mobility issues, there will also be the onslaught of issues with the need for diapering. This, I know, will be a humiliation for Mom. However, she will need to keep her dignity in most settings, and use these as a barrier from what could be even worse. I believe you can catch on to the idea I'm setting out there.
PHASE SIX:
Inability to swallow -
Eventually, the ability to swallow and to be able to eat normally could very well become a norm. As the bodies move through the brain this dilemma will become more commonplace. There was a time where it seemed Mom was having issues with swallowing, but then I saw the pills and understood her problem. However, at times this does seem to creep in little by little.
PHASE SEVEN:
Capgras (Caw-Graw) Syndrome.
This may occur as she dives deeper into the dementia. This is where she recognizes people but has the suspicion they are imposters. Nope. Not happened yet - just forgets she's speaking to me about me. Not sure who I'm supposed to be at the time - she won't tell me.
PHASE EIGHT:
Shut Down.
This is the final stage. This is where the bodies have taken over the brain and have begun their final stages of 'victory', where the cells can no longer function and the body systems go awry and then go dark.
As with all dementia, Phase Eight is the End of Life.
Lately, however, Mom has had a spark about her, even a bit of wit. She doesn't seem as tired as before, and seems, too, to be on a better playing field. However, this also tires her out. But, the fatigue of not sleeping seems to have been held at bay. How long this lasts, I've no idea.
To Be Frank - These stages are purely hypothetical for every patient. They could occur at any time, sometimes simultaneously, or in tandem with others.
There are no scientific or longitudinal studies that demonstrate these phases, but it's simply from qualitative data I've gathered and observed.
Perhaps in the next 10 years there will be something that suggests a better and more definitive expectation; however, as this disease falls on a spectrum, somewhere between Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, and can take on signs of both depending on the patient, it's probably going to be quite sketchy.
I hope I did this right....
Here, I will post from what I have read and heard from other sources what we will eventually expect.
Remember, from diagnosis to the final 'Hurrah', it can be from 3-7 years on average. So, watching Mom decline as quickly as she has in the past several months has prompted me to brace for whatever will be.
So Here Goes:
PHASE FOUR:
Mobility Issues -
As the dementia kicks in stronger, there will be more mobility issues which begin with a stiffness to the upper body and coursing downward through the limbs. This will also affect balance.
What does this mean? It means that as the disease progresses throughout the cerebral cortex, and moves its way through the other portions of the brain, that there will be more occasions where Mom will fall. Eventually, she will begin needing a walker if not a wheelchair/scooter.
There is also the "Lewy Lean", which I've caught occurring with Mom, where she has troubles keeping her head held up.
PHASE FIVE:
The Lack of Lower Body Function/Control -
With the mobility issues, there will also be the onslaught of issues with the need for diapering. This, I know, will be a humiliation for Mom. However, she will need to keep her dignity in most settings, and use these as a barrier from what could be even worse. I believe you can catch on to the idea I'm setting out there.
PHASE SIX:
Inability to swallow -
Eventually, the ability to swallow and to be able to eat normally could very well become a norm. As the bodies move through the brain this dilemma will become more commonplace. There was a time where it seemed Mom was having issues with swallowing, but then I saw the pills and understood her problem. However, at times this does seem to creep in little by little.
PHASE SEVEN:
Capgras (Caw-Graw) Syndrome.
This may occur as she dives deeper into the dementia. This is where she recognizes people but has the suspicion they are imposters. Nope. Not happened yet - just forgets she's speaking to me about me. Not sure who I'm supposed to be at the time - she won't tell me.
PHASE EIGHT:
Shut Down.
This is the final stage. This is where the bodies have taken over the brain and have begun their final stages of 'victory', where the cells can no longer function and the body systems go awry and then go dark.
As with all dementia, Phase Eight is the End of Life.
Lately, however, Mom has had a spark about her, even a bit of wit. She doesn't seem as tired as before, and seems, too, to be on a better playing field. However, this also tires her out. But, the fatigue of not sleeping seems to have been held at bay. How long this lasts, I've no idea.
To Be Frank - These stages are purely hypothetical for every patient. They could occur at any time, sometimes simultaneously, or in tandem with others.
There are no scientific or longitudinal studies that demonstrate these phases, but it's simply from qualitative data I've gathered and observed.
Perhaps in the next 10 years there will be something that suggests a better and more definitive expectation; however, as this disease falls on a spectrum, somewhere between Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, and can take on signs of both depending on the patient, it's probably going to be quite sketchy.
I hope I did this right....
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