RLLD 3,455 Posted October 23, 2018 Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve as a justice on the United States Supreme Court and a critical swing vote for much of her tenure, revealed on Tuesday that she had dementia and had decided to withdraw from public life as the disease advanced. In a letter addressed to “friends and fellow Americans,” Justice O’Connor, 88, wrote that she was told she had early-stage dementia “some time ago” and that doctors believed it was most likely Alzheimer’s disease. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/23/us/politics/sandra-day-oconnor-dementia-alzheimers.html That sucks, she is going to spend her latter years completely oblivious to her place and importance in history. I have not known anyone with this disease, but it must be grueling to ensure for both the inflicted and their family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cloaca du jour 2,064 Posted October 23, 2018 My biggest fear...dementia...god...everytime I cant remember someones name i have a small panic attack...here it comes... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kutulu 1,545 Posted October 23, 2018 Walnuts are supposed to be good for the ol melon, data suggest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted October 23, 2018 My biggest fear...dementia...god...everytime I cant remember someones name i have a small panic attack...here it comes... Dementia isn't that bad for the afflicted, at least when it is advanced...it's the loved ones and caregivers who really suffer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiffleball 4,640 Posted October 23, 2018 Dementia isn't that bad for the afflicted, at least when it is advanced...it's the loved ones and caregivers who really suffer. You are right. That is what they say. But Trust me, you have to be knee-deep in it to be blissfully, permanently unaware. Even then, even towards end-stage, there are those moments of lucidity followed by flashes of panic where you know what's wrong, but are powerless to do anything about it. It's a long slow Journey to get to the point of not being cognisant. Days filled with fear and Dreadful resignation. Honest to Christ, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted October 23, 2018 Trust me, you have to be knee-deep in it. But even then, even towards end-stage, there are those moments of lucidity followed by flashes of panic where you know what's wrong, but are powerless to do anything about it. It's a long slow Journey to get to the point not being cognisant. Days filled with fear and Dreadful resignation. Honest to Christ, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Unless you've been diagnosed, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say I've had much more experience with demented patients. And like you, I've also taken care of elderly family members losing their faculties. But it ain't worth getting into a pissing match over. Dementia sucks for everybody. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiffleball 4,640 Posted October 23, 2018 Seriously Pen. Sometimes just GFY. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seafoam1 1,879 Posted October 23, 2018 You are right. That is what they say. But Trust me, you have to be knee-deep in it to be blissfully, permanently unaware. Even then, even towards end-stage, there are those moments of lucidity followed by flashes of panic where you know what's wrong, but are powerless to do anything about it. It's a long slow Journey to get to the point of not being cognisant. Days filled with fear and Dreadful resignation. Honest to Christ, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I would have to agree. My mother's best friend went through this with her husband. It was a living horror of pain and fear for both of them in opposite ways. I would go so far as say that one of the two being murdered or died tragically would be a far better fate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NorthernVike 2,080 Posted October 23, 2018 My grandmother spent her last ten years of her life in a focking nursing home. Didn't know anyone and couldn't even wipe her own ass. Fate worse than death. We're more humane to our pets than we are fellow humans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lickin_starfish 1,482 Posted October 23, 2018 I can't remember why I clicked on this thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NorthernVike 2,080 Posted October 23, 2018 Is she the chick who shaved her head and tore up a picture of the pope? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mookz 1,287 Posted October 23, 2018 Walnuts are supposed to be good for the ol melon, data suggest Sprinkle on some turmeric and she'll be good to go by Tuesday. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745 Posted October 23, 2018 My biggest fear...dementia...god...everytime I cant remember someones name i have a small panic attack...here it comes... You should try to learn a second language. They say thats one of the best ways to keep your mind sharp. Forces you to kind of rewrire things. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorepatrol 1,737 Posted October 23, 2018 Unless you've been diagnosed, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say I've had much more experience with demented patients. And like you, I've also taken care of elderly family members losing their faculties. But it ain't worth getting into a pissing match over. Dementia sucks for everybody. You seem to be a specialist in everyfockingthing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorepatrol 1,737 Posted October 23, 2018 We're more humane to our pets than we are fellow humans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GobbleDog 816 Posted October 24, 2018 You are right. That is what they say. But Trust me, you have to be knee-deep in it to be blissfully, permanently unaware. Even then, even towards end-stage, there are those moments of lucidity followed by flashes of panic where you know what's wrong, but are powerless to do anything about it. It's a long slow Journey to get to the point of not being cognisant. Days filled with fear and Dreadful resignation. Honest to Christ, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Really? I know a few assh0les I hope get dementia and suffer horribly. Perhaps you're a better person than me. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorepatrol 1,737 Posted October 24, 2018 Really? I know a few assh0les I hope get dementia and suffer horribly. Perhaps you're a better person than me. Eh, not where he was going and you know it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Voltaire 4,560 Posted October 24, 2018 My grandmother's sister had this, what a sorry way to grind out you final years. She never married, she was of an age where a large chunk of the prospective men got wiped out by WWII. It's quite tragic she never had her own kids as she had maternal instincts in droves, always knew what to do. She was good to me as a kid before it set in, lived across the street from her sister. In a lot of ways my relation to her was like that of a third co-equal grandmother. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BunnysBastatrds 1,918 Posted October 24, 2018 Dementia isn't that bad for the afflicted, at least when it is advanced...it's the loved ones and caregivers who really suffer. What? You're a fawking idiot for saying that. I've been dealing with it for over six years. I've watched my mom suffer with it and she knows three days out of two that it's on her. She suffers and knows where it's going. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted October 24, 2018 You seem to be a specialist in everyfockingthing. No, but I take care of plenty of demented patients though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SenatorRock 708 Posted October 24, 2018 What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's? I think Alzheimer's is the one that slowly works its way through the brain leaving a trail of dead behind. First it is the memory and eventually it is the heart and lungs. Dementia is just when you can't remember hit you don't actually die from it. Maybe pen can correct me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted October 24, 2018 What? You're a fawking idiot for saying that. I've been dealing with it for over six years. I've watched my mom suffer with it and she knows three days out of two that it's on her. She suffers and knows where it's going.Its rough, but I’ll take it any day over something that makes my body worthless while my mind is still functional: things like Lou Gehrig’s disease, some strokes, emphysema, advanced cancer, kidney disease, etc. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiffleball 4,640 Posted October 24, 2018 Maybe he will. If not, maybe more later. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of brightlines and clear boundaries. So language gets thrown around pretty loosely. I'm sure you can find resources online as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BunnysBastatrds 1,918 Posted October 24, 2018 Its rough, but Ill take it any day over something that makes my body worthless while my mind is still functional: things like Lou Gehrigs disease, some strokes, emphysema, advanced cancer, kidney disease, etc. I hate playing the dumb games. You're full of sh!t. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorepatrol 1,737 Posted October 24, 2018 No, but I take care of plenty of demented patients though. What's your specialty? I honestly don't remember. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RaiderHaters Revenge 3,584 Posted October 24, 2018 What's your specialty? I honestly don't remember. you had it right everything and add in the fact that he doesn't have a car cause he rides a bike, and he seems like one of those dudes if you went to a party and said like hey did you see The Walking Dead last week, he would be like, psh I don't have a tv, I don't waste my time on that, I am better than you, and I read 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted October 24, 2018 I hate playing the dumb games. You're full of sh!t.You have no idea, and its just an opinion anyway. Relax, cirrhosis aint a bad way to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted October 24, 2018 What's your specialty? I honestly don't remember. I work as a hospitalist, meaning I take care of a variety of hospitalized patients, including demented ones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiffleball 4,640 Posted October 24, 2018 https://goo.gl/images/vdyquC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted October 24, 2018 you had it right everything and add in the fact that he doesn't have a car cause he rides a bike, and he seems like one of those dudes if you went to a party and said like hey did you see The Walking Dead last week, he would be like, psh I don't have a tv, I don't waste my time on that, I am better than you, and I read Internal medicine does involves aspects of adult medical care. Sorry that upsets you. I have a car and tv, but walking dead sucks. And I rarely read anything other than medical journals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted October 24, 2018 What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's? I think Alzheimer's is the one that slowly works its way through the brain leaving a trail of dead behind. First it is the memory and eventually it is the heart and lungs. Dementia is just when you can't remember ###### hit you don't actually die from it. Maybe pen can correct me. Dementia is a general term, referring to memory loss and impaired cognition. When advanced you lose control of the ability to care for yourself, and basic functions like toileting and swallowing. Alzheimers is the most common type of dementia. It tends to be a little more slowly progressive than some other types, though the course is highly variable. The cause is poorly understood, but it is characterized by plaques and clumps of tangled nerves on brain biopsy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RaiderHaters Revenge 3,584 Posted October 24, 2018 Internal medicine does involves aspects of adult medical care. Sorry that upsets you. I have a car and tv, but walking dead sucks. And I rarely read anything other than medical journals. I am not just talking medicine. I also said "seems" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted October 24, 2018 I am not just talking medicine. I also said "seems"Seems you are off base Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorepatrol 1,737 Posted October 24, 2018 I work as a hospitalist :lol:" Albuterol stat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Doc, she has chf, how bout some diuretics" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted October 24, 2018 :lol:" Albuterol stat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Doc, she has chf, how bout some diuretics" You disagree that internists have a broad knowledge base? For the record, I have subspecialty training and a research degree as well, but dont want to make Tans detective work too easy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorepatrol 1,737 Posted October 24, 2018 You disagree that internists have a broad knowledge base? Broad? Not at all. Vague? Absolutely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted October 24, 2018 Broad? Not at all. Vague? Absolutely.Youre out of your mind. Ask any doctor what they think. Its only vague because you dont understand enough about medicine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiffleball 4,640 Posted October 24, 2018 Sux is a Garageist. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorepatrol 1,737 Posted October 24, 2018 Youre out of your mind. Ask any doctor what they think. Its only vague because you dont understand enough about medicine. The good hospitalist's ask me what I think because they know I've spent more time with the patient and actually read the chart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorepatrol 1,737 Posted October 24, 2018 Youre out of your mind. Ask any doctor what they think. Its only vague because you dont understand enough about medicine. I'd embarrass your hospitalist azz on the floor and critical care aspect of resp care Share this post Link to post Share on other sites