A new health challenge
by Elouise
In January I posted this haiku, poem, and longer comment under the title ‘chilled to the bone.’ The photo is from Valley Forge.
chilled to the bone
night’s deep silence descends
winter drifts through cracks
***
Disconnected from feelings
Numb and disbelieving
I want to write
So many unknowns
So much at stake
So little time left
Will I or Won’t I?
Sooner or Later?
Is Never still an option?This week brought unwelcome news in a couple of areas. No catastrophic accidents. Just the knowledge of things I didn’t want to hear. About a friend and about my health.
Since then, I’ve given a lot of attention to my new health challenge, working closely with my integrative doctor. I’ve also gone back and forth, wondering whether I want to write about it. The answer is Yes. Partly because not writing about it directly is getting in the way of writing at all.
I’m now one of thousands of people living with Alzheimer’s markers–ApoE4 and E3. This means that as a woman, I’m at 27-30 percent risk of getting Alzheimer’s by age 85. Right now, at age 74, my risk is close to 5-7 percent.
Dr. K, my integrative doctor, ordered a test for this and a few other genetic markers in January. Hearing the results felt like a bucket of ice water coming at me from nowhere. And there it is. And here I am. Dr. K is now ordering a few more blood tests every three months to measure as clearly as possible what’s going on inside my body.
I’ve always thought of myself as at least semi-immune from even the possibility of Alzheimer’s. In large part because I don’t know of anyone on either side of my family who suffered from this disease. I now know different, and may need to pay more attention to my family’s genealogy.
So what am I doing about it right now? If you know me well, you know I’m a book reader. So I purchased a book recommended by Dr. K. It isn’t the answer to reversing Alzheimer’s. It does, however, include information and protocols that can help ANYONE become less susceptible to this disease. You may already know about it: The End of Alzheimer’s: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline, by Dale E. Bredesen, MD.
The book doesn’t promise what it can’t deliver. However, it lays out a program that’s healthy for anyone, sensible if sometimes difficult to manage, and filled with different ways to meet the goals of the program. It won’t heal Alzheimer’s. It can, however, delay onset or help reverse some kinds of cognitive decline — even though you’re not able to follow every recommendation all the time.
Given my status, it would be foolhardy not to do what I can to help my body. This includes not just my brain, but my heart and the whole nine yards. Having seen positive changes in a few areas since last January, I’m encouraged to do what I can — especially because it makes good health sense for me.
I’m already in the last chapter of my life. I don’t know how it’s going to play out. I pray for grace to accept what I cannot change, and grit and courage to change what I can. Along with opportunities to write about it from various perspectives. Which I began doing in The Memory Unit.
Thanks for visiting and listening.
Elouise♥
©Elouise Renich Fraser, 18 May 2018
Photo of Valley Forge Winter found at pinterest.com
Dear Elouise, Thank you – not only for revealing something uncertain and unsettling in its possibilities, but for suggesting we do what you are doing – pay attention and take action to care for ourselves – body and soul. I will get the book, too. I should read it, and now I know that it exists. What an unexpected gift to me. But then, you so often give us gifts through these posts, and through your presence. With love and gratitude, Debbie
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You’re so welcome, Debbie. Sometimes I feel caught in a wild-card game. And then I look back over my life and what it took to get this far. I’m truly grateful to be here today writing about it (past and present) without fear that any of it will come back to haunt me. I hope you enjoy bits and pieces of the book! I doubt I’ll ever read it cover to cover. So far it’s proving invaluable–as well as challenging! 🙂
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I suspect if my doc gave me that prognosis, I would ignore it and go on my merry way. I recon that most of us can look forward to a host of stuff by the time we are 85… and I know that you know, my experiences with the medical profession have in so many ways put me on my guard, and not always with a positive outcome.
That said, it is always sound to take care and listen out for advice that we find resonates with our experiences. Whatever you do, and whatever you become, you will always be an angel, Elouise. 🙂 xxx
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Thank you, Fran. 🙂 Your description of how you would respond sounds true to the You I’ve come to know! If I didn’t have an outstanding integrative doctor, though, I wouldn’t be nearly as hopeful as I am today. Not about missing the disease, but about being ready to deal with it.
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Oh, we always have hope. Even when the sky falls on our heads, we have hope. 🙂 ♥
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Keeping that in mind…. 🙂
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This is probably a common fear, losing ourselves to Alzheimers, that many of us over 60 have. Thank you for sharing a resource that may be of help, and may you will still be you at 90.
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You’re welcome, Candice. 90? Yikes!!!! And yes, it’s a common fear, with plenty of reason for fear, given the reality of absolutely no way of curing it and the nature of homes for people who can no longer function on their own.
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I think you’re pretty safe Elouise, your mind works perfectly and ( I was going to add for a religious person but that’s not nice and today is be nice to Elouise day:D )
Well you know I’m 👿 and I’m teasing don’t you? 😈 😇
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Yes, I do know that…and thanks for your nice comment. 🙂 I think we’re in a new world now, with more information about how to prevent or slow the progress of Alzheimer’s. I’m grateful for scientists and medical personnel who are beginning to crack the code and write about how to prevent or even minimize this disease that doesn’t seem to have a logic.
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I saw on the news here during the week, a very quite scientific group in Melbourne have made an astounding breakthrough, Naturally everything they said went right over my head, I’m not much interested in all their jargon, just happy that they know what they are doing and just go about doing it without fuss. But what I gathered from their obvious excitement the breakthrough might well be the answer to the stopping of this nasty malady.
The War Office’s mother died from it a few years ago. I stopped going to see her long before she died simply because when ever she saw me, she had know idea who or what I was and their was absolute terror in her eyes. I never told the WO or anybody this is the first time I’ve mentioned it, but it was quite a disturbing feeling for me too, to see that I scared the living daylights out of her she had taken me from someone deep in her past is all I can come up with.
I am certain that the WO is stricken with this illness. Of course she won’t listen to me and won’t consult her doctor.; and my children don’t believe me they only believe what they see and their mother says,
Strange really as when they were growing and going through school they never consulted her at all, just dear ol’ dad. I had the sole responsibility for their education, the only thing she insisted on was that they were educated in Catholic schools and colleges and brought up as catholics, I even took them to Mass EVERY SUNDAY, never missed.
They are now, all atheists. so I must have failed/succeeded depending on ones views on the subject of religion. I never influenced them one way of the other.
The choice was theirs. Timshel
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Thanks for this bitter-sweet comment, Brian. I’ve also received the look of terror from persons with Alzheimer’s. I don’t think it’s about us directly, but about their inability to recognize people and make associations with past history. Sometimes long-ago history; sometimes just in the last few seconds. The combinations of dysfunctionality are endless, so it seems. I understand that many people coming down with Alzheimer’s know something is wrong, and sometimes avoid going to the doctor. Thanks for the story about you and her mother. Very sad indeed.
I found the article you talk about (I think!). I’m pasting in the address in case anyone reading this wants to take a look: https://www.florey.edu.au/new-research-could-point-way-halt-alzheimer’s-disease-australian-trial-set-begin. Wouldn’t it be something to have a cure for this disease ‘unlocked’?
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Sorry to say Eloise but thats not the article, it’s something very recent, it was first mention last week and it was very subdued, they are terribly excited , if you can imagine scientist of the calibre being excited; it’s just in their voices and smiles;
I’ve got a very heavy/busy day in the kitchen today but I’ve written a message to see if I can find the report from last week, tomorrow.
I think if I had ever been told that I have early Alzheimer’s I’d make my exit quite quickly, there is no way I could have handled the thought.
I recall about 10-15 years ago, a really top QANTAS pilot, one of their very best was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and through his connections received the drug that is now used in Switzerland, starts with an N can’t recall its full name, he said goodbye and died,
The poor woman who sneaked it into the country was charged with manslaughter but naturally she was acquitted, the average Australian has more sense than our elected lawmakers.
Cancer doesn’t worry me particularly as you may have gathered but to have my brain go,? No way would I allow it. I’ve always had a great respect and love of and for the brain, the most precious part of our being.
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Thanks for this response, Brian. I especially appreciate your personal comments. I don’t often hear people talking openly about Alzheimer’s–unless someone in the family has it. I understand your distinction between cancer and Alzheimer’s. Here’s hoping your busy day in the kitchen was productive! I’ll go back and do another search for news from Australia. Always a good place to find good news! 🙂
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Reply #2: I’m going to hold you to your statement about my mind working perfectly (especially for a religious person)! 🙂
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I’m not sure how I would react, but going on past experience I think I’d be likely to be in Fran’s camp. I am a bit too much of a ‘take no thought for the morrow’ person. Not that is has done me any good.
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Sometimes I would wish to be in that camp (with you and Fran). I have to confess it’s difficult to get there, though, when it comes to Alzheimer’s (or ALS for that matter). Hoping this finds you in good form, not paying for any of last night’s debauchery! 🙂
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I’m so glad you’re being open about writing about this, I have a feeling you’ll be helping others in one way or another to being open and honest and looking at themselves and not feeling so alone in their lives ❤ ❤ ❤ you being you is awesome in itself 🙂 peace and hugs, K
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It’s a huge relief to talk/write about it….even though there’s so much I don’t yet know. Thank you for your encouraging words. 🙏🏻🌹
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nice post. mental health is important always.
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Thank you kindly.
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This is probably a common fear, losing ourselves to Alzheimers, that many of us over 60 have. Thank you for sharing a resource that may be of help, and may you will still be you at 90.
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You’re welcome. I wish the same for you at 90!
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Nice Post about health Challenge
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Thank you kindly.
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Very interesting and useful blog
Missoula recovery center
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Thank you, Ben.
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