RE: Re: length of this LBD disease

[Guest guest]

:

God bless you, for sure. My 87-year-old husband started showing symptoms in

2000, but didn't really start to go downhill until 2007 and was diagnosed with

LBD in late 2009 after I started researching forms of dementia. I knew it

wasn't Alzheimer's and knew it must be something else. A neurologist confirmed

my diagnosis.

If your wife is now immobile and is having trouble eating, it sounds as though

you are entering the last stage of the disease. It is the same for ALZ. As my

father was entering this stage in 2002, he developed pneumonia and that is what

took him. I believe that some people die sooner because they have underlying

conditions that cause them to fail more rapidly. If the heart and respiratory

system are strong and there are no other serious conditions present, the process

will take longer and age at onset is certainly a factor. My husband is still

mobile and still eating well on his own, but he has COPD and, honestly, I am

praying that hastens his death so he doesn't have to go through the last stage

of this dreadful disease. As Christians, we believe this life is preparation

for our eternal home and, while that doesn't preclude the grieving process of

losing a loved one, it does make it easier for us to bear.

Cassie

To: LBDcaregivers

From: gary.s.dale@...

Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 20:06:15 -0800

Subject: Re: Re: length of this LBD disease

Clarinch, God Bless You for all you have given to your wife and marriage.

57 years and 8 years of caregiving. When i see you in heaven you better have an

extra crown for love and caring- or i will have to take it up with the boss. (

joking about the last part). You have given me some renewed strength, thank

you. p.s. i delivered mail for 30 years and never saw the name Clarinch? or a

person with your character ( my own parents excepting-both gone now). thanks

again.........gary and Kay (my wife for 35 years now)

Subject: Re: length of this LBD disease

To: LBDcaregivers

Date: Tuesday, November 8, 2011, 11:17 AM

I ahve been caring for my wife , (84 yrs old) for 8 and a half years for her

LBD, is imobile and is now starting to have trouble eating. Has cost me $1000 a

week for years for caregiving plus meds , etc. House is in reverse mortgage,

etc. Her vitals are good but who knows what the future holds. This disease has

its own agenda. after 57 yrs of marriage cant give up.

>

> Anyone ,how long does this disease run its course? is it different for a 59

year old vs. a 79 year old? i have read 2-7, 3-8, 5-8, 2-20 ( not helpful).

asked the primary the other day. he doesn't seem to have a clue. financially, it

makes a difference because too soon in a NH and you are out 70-$100,000/year.

can you spell B-A-N-K-R-U-P-T ? if you know for sure 2 more years, you can plan

better for either home care, 24-7, some combo of home care or a facility. and a

dr. has to approve hospice so it matters what he thinks, etc. does Medicare pay

for home care? all i know is i am wearing out after 2 + years ( with care aide

for 8 hrs /week). I may be a wreck in two more years of this. thanks, gary

>