Author's Notes
(When The Doctor Says, "Alzheimer's")
Based on over a decade of my own experience
and research, this is the book I wish someone
had given me when I began caring for my own
husband with Alzheimer's. Its purpose is
not to give medical advice or look for a
cure. It is meant to help caregivers, to
protect their well being, to support them,
to be with them from the first vague signs
of the disease through each ensuing stage.
In the beginning I was confident, na�ve and
in denial, certain I could cope with a little
forgetfulness. But as the disease pursued
its relentless destruction of our lives,
I began to earnestly search for information
to better understand what I was dealing with,
and eventually that effort became When The Doctor Says, "Alzheimer's".
Some people will agree with much of what
is written in the book, others will have
starkly different opinions. That's understandable;
I never criticize or condemn whatever anyone
does to get through caring for an Alzheimer's
loved one.
When you feel that you are all alone, that
no one realizes what you are going through,
and you don't know where to turn for help,
then I hope that you will turn to the pages
of When The Doctor Says, "Alzheimer's", and find the understanding and support
you need and deserve. No one understands
better than another Alzheimer's caregiver.
(Alzheimer's Surgery)
When my husband and I first began this sojourn in 1993, I had no
idea that it would create such outrageous,
destructive changes in our lives, much less
that I'd find myself embroiled in the middle
of a medical controversy that would jolt
me awake to people and things I really didn't
want to know about. It did, however, leave
me with a self-imposed mission to tell others
about Alzheimer's, the incredible things
that you go through, and a possible alternative
to relieving some of the unrelenting stress
families must endure.
Alzheimer's Surgery is really two books in one. The first book
tells the story of a perfectly healthy, normal
man who gets Alzheimer's and how it affected
him, his family and all those who loved him.
The second part tells how I did years of
research until I found a surgery that I knew
had a better than even chance to reverse
some of his symptoms--which it did. I knew
he'd still have Alzheimer's, the surgery
was neither a cure nor prevention, but he
was substantially better. Exactly what happened
to him and Web sites the reader can easily
access to verify my findings are all included.
He lived four-one-half years after surgery--a
much happier man.
###
Mention surgery for Alzheimer's and most
peoples' eyes glaze over. It seems too improbable
to even consider. And, yet, brain surgery
is done routinely, even for other brain conditions
like Parkinson's. Each day, somewhere in
the world, patients are hopping onto gurneys
for brain surgery to rid themselves of tumors;
to stop bleeding or remove blood clots due
to injuries; repair aneurysms, abnormal blood
vessels, skull fractures, and damage to tissue
covering the brain; remove pockets of infection;
ease nerve or facial pain, epilepsy, movement
disorders, and much more.
There is no medical reason to dismiss surgery
for Alzheimer's. Like any of the above conditions,
not everyone will be a good candidate and
not every person will be helped by what is
described in this book, but the odds for
safety and improvement are in the patient's
favor. Recovery time, as in any surgery,
depends on the condition of the underlying
cause being treated, the patient's general
health and the extent of the procedure and
techniques used. All of the above surgeries
involve a craniotomy, the temporary removal
of a piece of the skull which is then replaced.
Everyone wants a pill, vaccine, stem cells,
and all the things that hold some degree
of promise. The current pills are very effective,
sometimes for years, for some patients, but
certainly not for all. More effective drugs
are being developed; vaccines are still in
an early stage; and anything positive involving
embryonic or umbilical cord stem cells may
well be a decade or more away. Everyone,
though, has their own adult stem cells. Using
them has the advantage of not being rejected.
Many books and theories abound about how
to cure or prevent Alzheimer's. Much is made
of aluminum cookware, dental fillings, saccharine,
supplements, physical activity, heavy metals,
and so on. But indications are that Alzheimer's
has been around for centuries, so it is unlikely
that it is caused by anything in our modern
society, although there could be something
that makes it worse. Plus we are all living
longer and that adds to the probability that
more people will get it. People in non-Western
countries that do not have fillings and aluminum
products also get Alzheimer's. So for all
the theories floating around, none, so far,
have absolutely proven the underlying cause
as to why and how most patients get it. A
small number, maybe 5% to less than 25%,
have it in the family.
Every surgery has its risks and should be
carefully considered. If there were other
effective options available to Alzheimer's
victims today, surgery would be the last
choice. But for some of those who medically
qualify, there is a good chance of having
many severe symptoms reversed-not a cure
or prevention-just an easing of some difficult
behaviors.
The author's comments are based on over ten
years of personal experience and research.
She has no formal medical training, no financial
interest in anything mentioned, makes no
promises or guarantees, and disclaims any
liability arising directly or indirectly
from these pages. Readers should always consult
their own physicians.
Letters from families of Alzheimer's patients
after surgery.
(May 24, 2002)
Letter From China Forwarded To
Dr. Goldsmith And Then On To Me
Dear Prof. W. and Dr. Z.
How are you! B.L., the dementia patient has
been developed since last Jun 19th when he
underwent the omental transposition to the
brain. The most improvement is that he is
no longer incontinent. Now I describe the
improvement.
1. The thinking and response is quicker,
language is abound with logic-like making
jokes with others.
2. Can distinguish person and make out persons
name.
3. More amenable and friendly to greet guest.
4. Mood is more stable and is able to sit
and lie for more time calmly.
As he is getting better more and more, the
dementia hospital now takes pictures of him
as the paradigm of improvement.
I bet you must be happy when know this. Just
like the farmer get harvest.
Best regards to the American doctor!
Best Wish.
C.F. (the patients wife)
* Home * What you Need to Know * Words to Live By * Author's Notes*
* Endorsements * Foreword * Table of Contents * Sample Book Pages *
* Statistics * Stages of Alzheimer's * Save the Caregiver *
* Memory Loss in Alzheimer's, Dementia, &
Normal Aging *
* Driving * Delusions & Hallucinations *
* I Have Alzheimer's * Remarks & Reviews *
* You're in Good Company * Where to Buy the Books *
* And God Laughs *
