I watched Still Alice after having Sahoor today. Since I was a caregiver to my mother who lives with Alzheimer's, I could relate to the movie.
Memories are us. Having one memory after another is like building our own house by ourselves. When those memories are stripped away from us, we have no house. We feel lost and scared. Our family becomes strangers. And our mind, which once was our ally, turns its back on us. Without those memories, we are ghosts, shadows!
At some point, I wished my mother had had cancer instead of Alzheimer. I was surprised that Alice wished the same!
In the movie, Alice was diagnosed with an early-onset familiar Alzheimer's. She told her three children about it and that they might get it from her. Two of them got tested. One was positive and the other was negative. The third daughter didn't want to know.
If I had a chance to know, I don't know whether I'd like to know! I already tick off more than one box. From hearing loss, depression, to loneliness, and probably I carry dementia genes from my mother.
I'm afraid I might be walking the same steps as her.
What would you do if you were in that situation, God forbid? Would you want to know? Why? Why not?
Headline image by julientromeur on Unsplash
Being the caretaker for a loved one who has dementia is difficult. I've been down that road. I'm guessing that dementia runs in my family, too. My mother and her mother had dementia, as well as my grandmother's father. My older brother has a brain injury, which likely has caused dementia.
I would want to know if there's a genetic component to having dementia so that I might avail myself of any medications (if they exist) to prevent the progression of dementia. I'm concerned when I can't remember a word or forget why I got up to do something. Are these signs of beginning dementia or of an overworked, exhausted brain? I'll get up the courage to get tested soon. It's frightening to think I might end up like my mother. I'd like to spare my husband and daughter from dealing with this heartbreaking disease.
Before watching the movie, I read the book. The book is much better than the movie. I highly recommend it!
@SEQ77, Thanks so much for sharing your experience and perspective. I have the same fears as you. Stay strong!
@yumiyumayume, thanks for the recommendation!