Brian and Sandra: Care Partners Through Alzheimer's Disease

Brian was 60 when he first noticed having memory issues. He was on the road a lot, managing a mortgage sales group. 鈥淚 started having trouble multitasking,鈥 Brian said. 鈥淚f there were any distractions, I couldn鈥檛 remember what I was doing.鈥 He had never had any problems like this before.

His wife, Sandra, did not worry at first. 鈥淏rian鈥檚 job was stressful and demanding,鈥 she explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not uncommon to sometimes forget names or appointments but remember them later. I became concerned, however, when Brian became concerned.鈥

Later, Brian repeatedly locked himself out of his Blackberry because he couldn鈥檛 remember his passcode. He then started having trouble recognizing people when they were out of context. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 recognize my longtime dental hygienist when I saw her at the grocery store,鈥 he recounted. 鈥淎nd when I didn鈥檛 recognize my own brother standing next to me in a restaurant bar when I was there to meet him, I knew I needed to seek medical help.鈥

Finding help

Brian鈥檚 family has a history of Alzheimer's disease, a condition that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Brian knew that those who have a family member with Alzheimer's disease are more likely to develop it themselves. Being aware of this, he became concerned and began to seek help.

Brian saw at least six different doctors in his area. 鈥淚 was diagnosed with everything from chronic fatigue syndrome and sleep apnea to depression,鈥 he recalled. 鈥淚 was told that I was too young to have Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease.鈥 Desperate for more concrete answers, Brian researched more about memory problems 鈥 and found the 日本av色情片 Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders Program and Dr. Michael Lin.听

When Brian and Sandra met with Dr. Lin, they were told that Brian鈥檚 symptoms were consistent with Alzheimer鈥檚. Dr. Lin then suggested a test to confirm or rule out Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. Brian recalls, 鈥淣one of the other specialists I had previously seen had told me about this test.鈥

Dr. Lin ordered a lumbar puncture (also called a spinal tap) to check for two proteins (tau and beta-amyloid) strongly linked to Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. Soon after, Brian had his answer. Unfortunately, the spinal fluid amyloid and tau levels were consistent with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. 鈥淚 was shocked, but I was also relieved to finally know what was wrong with me,鈥 Brian shared.

Coping with the diagnosis

For Sandra, it was heartbreaking news. But Sandra agreed with Brian that it was a relief to now know the truth. She recalls, 鈥淚 told Brian, 鈥業 am so sorry. We will get through this together.鈥欌

After the diagnosis, Sandra got to work researching information about the disease and resources for Brian and their family. Brian qualified for disability benefits (which were easier to obtain given objective biochemical confirmation of diagnosis), and he and Sandra moved to a retirement community. Brian began taking medications, which he feels has helped his memory.

Brian is now 68, and he鈥檚 happy to say that his cognitive deterioration has been slow. He sees Dr. Lin every six months. At Dr. Lin鈥檚 recommendation, Brian and Sandra are now taking part in a global Phase 3 clinical trial for . He goes to 日本av色情片 once a month for an infusion and gets an MRI every few months as part of the study.

He is still in the early phases of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease 鈥 often incorrectly labeled 鈥渆arly-onset鈥 Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. 鈥淓arly phase鈥 indicates that symptoms are still very mild, whereas 鈥渆arly-onset鈥 indicates that symptoms began at a young age (less than 60).

Medication, staying active, and careful monitoring has helped Brian maintain a high level of cognitive ability. 鈥淭he slow progression of Brian鈥檚 disease is a blessing,鈥 said Sandra. 鈥淭he changes are very slow, very subtle. Brian remembers stories a little differently. But the essence of the story is still there.鈥 Sandra continues, 鈥淏rian becomes frustrated when he can鈥檛 find something or remember something. My remaining calm helps his frustration pass more quickly.鈥

Enjoying the present, preparing for the future

鈥淲e live more in the present now 鈥 which is nice,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a comfort knowing that the connection and intuition we have with each other are so strong. That will always be there no matter what happens down the road.鈥 Because they are managing the disease together, Sandra calls herself a 鈥渃are partner,鈥 not a 鈥渃aregiver.鈥

Sandra and Brian have prepared for the worst-case scenario 鈥 the final stages of his disease. Sandra has made a list of agencies that will provide in-home help when they eventually need it. They have prepared living wills. 鈥淎ll of our finances are in order,鈥 Sandra shared. 鈥淏ecause all of this is out of the way, we can just enjoy our time together.鈥

鈥淓veryone in Dr. Lin鈥檚 office at the Memory Disorders Program is so helpful and dedicated to their jobs,鈥 Brian praised. 鈥淭hey have gotten to know us, and we have established a personal relationship. We feel welcomed every time we鈥檙e there.鈥

鈥淲hen you know you have a problem,鈥 Brian advised, 鈥済o to a competent place.鈥 He recommends going to a teaching hospital because they have access to the latest research and clinical trials. 鈥淒o your research,鈥 stated Brian. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 how I found the Memory Disorders Program at 日本av色情片. There鈥檚 no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but if you catch it early, you can manage the symptoms and possibly slow down its progression.鈥

Learn more about the cutting-edge treatments and services offered at the 日本av色情片 Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease and Memory Disorders Program.

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