My family's story with LBD

[Guest guest]

Hello LBD Caregivers and family members,

My name is Pam Hutchins and I am the daughter to my dad, Jim Hubbard, who has

LBD, plus other dementias.  It took a good while for the family to find out for

sure what dad had.  He has multiple health issues with his heart, hypertension,

Diabetes, etc.  We started noticing memory issues on occasion, but most

prevalent immediately after he had a medical procedure or surgery that involved

anthesia.  We just thought he was allergic to the anesthesia at first, but then

later realized  when his condition worsened due to severe falls.  His heart

doctor told us that he would progressively get worse with the dementia after a

procedure or surgery due to the anesthesia.   My dad was finally diagnosed at a

VA hospital under the care of a psychologist when they tested him extensively

with psychiatric testing with paper/pencil and questions.  None of his doctors

(family practice, heart, etc) knew about LBD.  Even some did not act like they

had ever heard of

it.  Once we found out, my mom and I looked it up on the web and we knew the

diagnoses was correct.  For some strange reason, my dad's dementia seemed to

take a turn for the better--he quit falling and hurting himself--and had a

little while where his cognitive abilities seemed to be in a remission, but then

he took a turn for the worse, and is depressed, stays in bed a lot, highly

confused w/hallucinations, delusions, and even some days cannot carry on a lucid

conversation with my mom, his caregiver.  He hasn't been diagnosed with LBD more

than a 6-8 months, however we know from looking back, that he has had the dx

much longer than that.   We think he might have vascualar dementia as well due

to lack of oxygen to his brain from his heart blockage and blocked caratoid

arteries.  In the last CT scan he had, the ER doctor asked us about a possible

stroke that showed up in the brain CT.   He has had several CT Scans due to his

numerous head

injuries from his falls, but that was the first time a doctor mentioned the

possible stroke to the family.  My dad is 79 now and I'm not sure how much

longer he has on this earth with us, but with all of his other serious health

conditions, I'm not sure which will take him first, the Congestive Heart

Failure, the Diabetes, or the Dementia.   My mom is the primary caregiver, but

my brother and I try to do our part by relieving her and doing things with my

dad to get him out on occasion, such as a drive, etc.  It gives him out mentally

and physically to do anything any more but its hard on us to see him just lay in

bed and slowly die. 

One question for now:  Does LBD have phases that the patient goes through from

beginning to end so the family has someway to judge?   My dad dresses with

assistance, uses a cane, walker, and wheelchair due to unstable gait, needs

assistance bathing, wears depend diapers due to incontienence, most time he is

confused, still knows his immediate family, but gets confused about grandkids,

great grandkids names. 

I have taken after my dad regarding Diabetes, Hypertension, and I have to admit

I spend way too much time worrying if I too will get LBD.  I'm starting this

year out right by getting on a Diabetic meal plan, plenty of exercise, and sleep

in an effort to get as healthy as I possibly can.  I am 51 years old and I know

I could easily get early onset of the dx.  I try to keep my mind healthy by

attending a college for furthering my education, but I have to work a full time

job too and also have all of my other responsibilities of family, church, etc. 

Thank you for listening to my family's story.  I'm sure my mom and I will rely

on your group quite a bit now that we know it exist.  Our prayers will be

extended to include you and your family as you go through this journey of LBD. 

God Bless you with His peace, comfort, and healing.

 

Pamela Hutchins