New here - What is this about deaths?

[Guest guest]

,

First off, my deepest sympathy to you and your family on your loss.

Alzheimers is a vicious disease and is so painful for both the victim and the

family that supports and cares for them. I cared for my dad for 5 years and

watched him go from a large, strong, willful man to a shy, tepid little boy who

couldn't control bodily functions. It had to be the most difficult thing I have

been thru yet in my life.

Having said that, maybe I didn't state my opinion very well. I am in

AGREEMENT with you. I was originally responding to someone else who seemed to

look at it as a black and white issue. I feel this is a very gray area. I

compared it to Alzheimers in the sense that it is not like a car accident,

choking, drowning. Alz, as you well know, progressively shuts your organs down.

When listing the cause of death, the physical symptom is listed: asphyxiation,

heart attack, stroke, etc. Alz is listed as secondary. I believe it to be the

same with CFIDS, the weakend immune system being the biggest complication.

Alzheimers is a death sentence - you may ahve 5-10 years after being diagnosed.

I personally do not see CFIDS as my death sentence. I have read nothing to

confirm I will die of this disease. I don't believe anyone knows enough about it

to make that strong a statement. The medical professionals can't even treat all

of our symptoms, how can they say I will die of

this? I hope to live another 40 years, God willing!! Of course, there are no

guarantees, I could get hit by a car tomorrow! The chance we all take - CFIDS

or not!

The memorial page opened my eyes and again, I'd like to thank you again for

sending it. But from what I read, there were many causes: suicide, cancer,

stroke, infections, and the list goes on. These have many factors other than

CFIDS/ME. I don't believe CFIDS is the cause as much as the complication.

Being a sufferer for 7 years now, I have read as much as I can get my hands on

about this disease. My treatments are things I have read about that have worked

for others. It's all a hit & miss. We are all a case by case basis. My doctors

have not been terribly helpful and I've had my share of disbelievers (including

my husband and 1 of my sons) until just recently.

I am truly greatful I have found you all, my thirst for more knowledge is

being quenched here. I pray we all find an answer soon.

Take care

Jane

wrote:

Jane,

My Dad just died 3 days ago from Alzheimers and I must disagree with

you in all respect given. According to your thinking, a person gets

hit by a car and dies on impact, you would say it was not the accident

that killed them but whatever the failure was as a result? If that is

how we looked at deaths, I guess everyone dies of natural causes? I

just don't believe that at all. The whole reason for them having the

memorial page is to bring about " real " awareness to everyone that this

disease kills.