I can't seem to get over the grief and shock of finding out my husband has Alzheimer's.

My father is in the Moderate to

Severe Stages of Alz. we too as a family feel into a deep depression..grief stricken..then my husband of 30 yrs died of a massive heart attack at age 55..4yrs later my mother died painfully of Cancer..all of a sudden Alz did not seem so bad..we still had Dad..he is happy and comfortable..he lives in a Retirement Home that prepares his meals, cleans his apt. and does his laundry..( he did not want to impose on his daughters) at the time we were hurt..did not think of him as an "imposition"..but as the Alz. has progressed, we are happy he is living where he is..one of us ( 3 daughters) go everyday and visit and chat..most of the chat now is nonsense..but we ( the family) have decided to take all silly things and use the gift of laughter to help us thru this time...no point crying..its here, it is happening...and he is not in an pain. We know that there is more to come..but we stay focused on what we have today...we take each day as it comes and deal with whatever that day brings and start a new one tomorrow....it will take time for you to get to this stage...but you will get there...in the meantime..find a good support group..one that your husband can attend with you...while he is able, he can also share his concerns, worries etc about the future...my prayers are with you all...you will get thru this..we all do...k

Oh my God, you sound just like

me!! We too found out my husband age 56 has early onset as well. I have to say that is when reality slaps you in the head. My mom is in the final stages of alz. and I am helping my Dad care for her as he won't hear of putting her in a facility. So my husband sees everyday what our future is and it scares the crap out of both of us, he was forced to retire and go on disability we lost his health care & life insurance which was great. It is too hard to think past the next month let alone the next year. He smokes and says he wont quit, he would rather die of lung cancer than what is ahead of him. I know he doesnt mean that, he is scared and i am physically & literally sick about it. It does get a little better dealing with it because i want our good time together to be just that "good" Sharon

My father has just recently been

upgraded to Mid to Severe Alz....the Dad I knew has been long gone..and yes we miss him...but he is not dead..he does not have Cancer..My Mother passed after suffering for a long time with Cancer..her mind not affected...my husband of 30 yrs dropped dead of a heart attack..long before he could walk his daughter down the aisle or see his Grand Children born...My Dad has been to all the weddings..has met all his Great Grand Children and we keep him active in their lives..watching their swimming lessons...going to the park to play...walks on the beach...he babbles on about pretty much nothing..and we let him..because other than the Alz. he is happy and healthy for now...and we plan on making "new" memories with my Dad as his life changes...we have keep sake photo Albums for him , with pics of My Mom mostly..( he does ask about her every day...LOTS)..our years with him , seem to be lost now..he knows we are his daughters and has a high level of trust with us...he does "feel" I guess rather than "know" we would never do anything that would harm him and are here to help thru this last journey in his life...grief is not a word I use to describe my Dad's condition..I will save that for when he passes...Grief is what I feel for my Mother and my husband..as a family, we decided to take Alz. " One Day at a Time"....and are thankful he is not suffering....I guess what I am getting at is.." Enjoy each moment...no matter what...they will end one day...do not look at the glass half empty, as hard as it may seem ...it is always half full...even when they pass over...because then, you know they are at peace....kit

Whenever I visit my parents in

retirement communities long island, I always get to see people with Alzheimer's disease. It does takes a lot of patience and understanding with our loved ones with this disease.

Carol's story is much like my own.

It struck a cord and the tears started flowing. My 66 year old husband of 30 years has been diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia as a complication of MS. He has expressive aphasia and does not communicate well. He has good days and bad, and now has sundowner syndrome. My head is reeling from all the articles and information I have read. but the thing that is the worst is that I MISS MY HUSBAND. He was my confidante, lover, best friend and soul mate. Even though he is still alive: the very person I married is GONE. I have quit my job to take care of him and often I feel very much alone. I feel guilty for the frustration I feel. So many emotions and no one to share them with. Finding this sight was a blessing.... I hope you don't mind my sharing. D

For anyone who is facing the shock

of a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimers disease (AD) -- I found these actions to be extremely helpful to combat the overwhelming pain and grief of the diagnosis of any deadly disease or condition: 1. I threw myself into research about dementia, not just AD, as for 4 years my husband Mike's diagnosis was "Dementia of an unknown type." Last May 2011, his Mayo doctors changed the diagnosis to "70% AD, 30% fronto-temporal dementia." By looking at the many different dementias, it made it easier for me to understand some of his behaviors, as the dementia diagnosis so often is dependent on the parts of the brain that appear affected. Limiting my research to only AD would have made some of Mike's actions more upsetting and confusing. Combined with this, I follow news about memory loss as well as AD. If a new treatment seems promising and logical, I check with his neurologist and with Mike and then try it if both agree. I don't know if any of these vitamins, minerals, foods, and/or exercise programs have really helped, but he became ill at age 48, 5 years ago, and is still able to stay at home by himself while I'm at work and his doctors are impressed with his abilities. The research and active involvement in his treatment gives me a purpose and a feeling, true or not, that I am helping -- and not helpless. 2. It took me three years before I finally sought counseling. I only saw her -- a wonderful person who was trained in grief counseling -- for a few months, but she helped me to work through the anger and grief of losing my husband of 30 years as well as my life and our hopes and dreams. It was also very helpful to vent my frustrations and learn to cope with my guilt over getting frustrated with Mike. 3. This suggestion is one I advise, but have never followed. NOW, while the disease is in its earlier stages, create a support group around you. Friends, family, church, etc. I have seen others in the same type of situation find an enormous amount of help -- spiritual, emotional, and physical -- through their church. I have seen friends and family members leave us as they are uncomfortable with Mike's illness. But finding the right church (synagogue, prayer group, etc.) can be one of the most important things you do right now as part of your planning for the future. The "brand" of faith may not be as important as finding a group that actively provides help and support for their members in need. Keep looking for help and answers -- I had heard the same advice I've included over and over again and ignored it, but there will come a time when some suggestion will resonate with you and provide solace or help when you most need it. Best wishes to you and your husband -- Leah Noonan

Thank you for sharing about your

experience RWFoster. Here's a link to the other Caring.com article you referenced (which does not endorse any particular water product): http://www.caring.com/articles/5-best-reasons-to-drink-water

This is just some information that

I know is helpful. Dr. Reardon I saw your article on drinking water and it's importance to the body. Hydration is so important yet I have found that I was not getting the best hydration until I started drinking micro-clustored (smaller) Kangen Water. My energy level, brain fog, blood pressure and weight all improved. I read the blog of the woman whose husband was diagnosed with Alzheimers. I believe because of how effectively Kangen water hydrates to the cellular level. It may help. I have heard and witnessed many a miracle one might say due to the changing of water from the bottled or tap to this hexagonal water. It's uttlerly amazing...Well this is a passion of mine to share this with people. It is costly I admit however my and my family's health was worth the sacrifice. check out www.freshflowsystems.com and feel free to email. change your water change your health