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alzheimers

Hello, i just found out my mother has alzheimers.  I was wondering if anyone knew how long I have with her, and if there is any treatments to stop the progression?  I am looking for a miricle as my mom is my best friend and loved my everyone.
Thank you so much.
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I am so sorry for your mother's diagnosis. You don't say what stage they diagnose her as having. My Grandfather lived for 9 years in a nursing home with Alzheimer's. He was perfectly healthy otherwise. It was devasting for our family. He died in his late 70's. My mother started exhibiting early symptoms in her late 50's. Unfortunately she was also an alcoholic, and it caused her condition to go downhill. She had also had uterine cancer, and breast cancer. My dad had always promised to keep her at home and care for her. In her late 70's unbeknown to my brother and me, she become very ill. She was incontinent, didn't know anyone, and was almost catatonic. Neither my brother or I lived close by. I happened to go for a visit, and was appalled at her condition. She couldn't cook, find the heat thermostat, had night terrors. She was in late stages. At my insistance my dad took her to dr the next day. (He was in denial of her condition, kept insisting he could care for her). The doctor put her in hospital as she had horrific kidney infection. Of course they hooked her up to IV's, started antibiotics, etc. My brother and I immediately  gathered with my dad. Fortunately she had a living will, having anticipated her condition before she became medically incompetent. She requested no life sustaining measures,no feeding tubes, etc., not even IV's. We had them removed. It was one of the hardest things we will ever had to do, but it was her wish. When her infection was cured, my dad got ready to take her home. The doctor concurred with my brother and I, and she was placed in a nursing home. She didn't even recognize her husband of 49 years. My dad even suffered a heart attack several years earlier from the stress of caring for her. Unfortunately she wouldn't take the medications that could have prolonged her cognizent capabilities. There are better treatments now than when she first suspected she was ill. She only lived 3 months after being placed in nursing home. She got up one morning, ate a little, told the nurses she was tired and was going to take a nap. She went in, laid down, and died. The doctors had suspected she was getting close to the end, her feet were swelling, she was forgetting how to eat, and they suspected bowel cancer. Wanted to operate, which would have meant tyying down her hands to prevent her pulling out the catheters and IV's, which she had done when hospitalised for the kidney infection. All they wanted was the money. She had no quality of life at the end. I am so so sorry for you. But take heart, with treatment, if she is in early stages, she (in my guess) probably has several years if not more, if she is otherwise in good health. Please let me know what I can tell you to help make this easier for you. I know that's really not possible, but maybe it helps to know you are not alone. There are several good  groups that can help you to deal with this. Also, may I suggest, if she is still mentally competant, that you talk with her candidly, and ask her what she wants. I will pray for both your mom and you.Maggie
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