My DH has loss 38 lbs in 34 days.He has been on double portions this week and still lost 9 lbs! He is in end stage Alzheimer's Any thoughts from you that have gone before!
I'm very sorry to read this, and there is really no way to deal with this that I know of. For my husband, it was a sign of his nearing the end. On the death certificate, the doctor wrote, "failure to thrive," and to me that meant the body had simply shut down. If you haven't already done so, do as much preparation as you can for final arrangements. You are in my thoughts and prayers. It's been a long haul for you, and you must be tired. God bless.
I am sorry, too. A few months before my husband died, he had severe weight loss but he had stopped eating, or ate very little. I don't know why your husband would lose weight while he is still eating well. I'll be thinking about you both. Please let us know how he is doing.
Yes I know the end is nearing, and I welcome it for him and me! I will miss him terribly , but know he is in a better place without this dreaded disease! It is so sad to see him now! He had a very good day on his birthday, the 19th. Was more cognant than he had been in a while. I have read the body forgets how to absorb food ! Maybe that is what's going on. Hospice is admitting today! Thank you for comments and God Bless!
My thoughts are with you Ky caregiver. I feel we are a short way behind you and know the feeling welcoming the end for both of us but not wanting her to go. Hang in there we are all here.
For something that we welcome and want both for ourselves and our loved one, this is still one of the hardest and saddest times. Thoughts and prayers are going your way.
Ky caregiver, so sorry that this time has come for you, but yet not sorry....does that make sense? I guess it's something you know will come, but when it gets here it's another story. We haven't quite reached that point yet, Dan's cancer, even though looking good right now, may take him before the AZ. The latest cancer surgery (a scraping of the bladder) has set him back to where he can't walk without assistance, very weak & wobbly. Plus there is a problem because of the catheter (can't explain it all here, don't really understand it all myself), so I'm thinking that will be the last procedure I will allow.
Yes I will update you all! This has been a long journey and most likely is far from over! I hope to remain strong in that there will b no feeding tube. Thank you all for your comments and God Bless each of you on this horrendous ride. You are in my thoughts always! I have been a frequent visitor of this site for many yrs. feel as if I know a lot of you!
Ky caregiver my hubby experienced the same dramatic weight loss as well...in July of 2015 he weighed 190, he was moved into personal care home in February of 2016 and the weight loss continued even though he was getting double portions of all his meals and finishing all breakfasts and lunches and usually about 80-90 percent of dinners...by june he was down to about 135 despite the double portions and a pretty good appetite...in less than a year he'd lost 30% of his body weight...even on the day he passed he'd finished both breakfast and lunch, by 2 was in respiratory distress and by 4 was gone...it was totally unexpected and stunning in the speed of it all...that's not to say that's what will happen in your case, but i guess it just reinforces the expect the unexpected type of mentality...i think the body just doesn't process anything the way a healthy body and mind does but that's just my thoughts based on what happened with dh...it's just a horrible situation no matter how our journey through it goes...i too think that you should try to get as much in order as you can because they can go quickly and without warning...hoping you find the strength you need for the remainder of the journey and we're here for you if you need, take care
Ky, you have always been strong and I know that will continue right through to the end. You are not alone, we are all with you in spirit. Try to rest when you can.
I love you all for the encouragement!! We all need it and I have been strengthened for years just reading about your journeys! Thank you especially Scorpio. Not many I've read about had these sudden wt losses and still eating! I'm praying for peace comfort and wisdom for myself DH and all of you!
This will probably sound kind of stupid, but if they are eating, even double portions in some cases, what is it exactly that causes the weight loss? Does the body just forget how to deal with the food coming in?
Over a year before DH was dx he started losing weight. No real change in eating. It just started coming off. Then the dx and still the weight was coming off. And to the end. He was a big man. 250+ at the start of the weight loss. Mystery to me and his drs.
Edit to ad, please know, you all are in my prayers. My heart aches for each of you. (((Hugs)))
I can only guess, but maybe the part of the brain that controls metabolism is being affected so it speeds up the metabolism. Basically, the food is processing through to fast for nutrients to be removed.
I don't know the physiology, but my husband went from being around 182 to being around 135. He ate less throughout the progression, but didn't really stop entirely until he went comatose that last week and of course stopped eating and drinking entirely. The brain is just falling apart--who knows what brain centers are being effected, but as we all know, everything just goes to Hades.
Ky caregiver, Sending sincere condolences your way. You have been a stoic caregiver throughout the duration. We will be here for you during the "after" grieving process. Love and comfort to you.
My thoughts are with you Ky caregiver you have done all you could now he is at peace. We will be here for you as you travel the final part of this journey with Alzheimer's in the rearview mirror. Take care.
I've been following you through your long and sad journey. You've done a great job of it. Now you can be proud of yourself and I'm sure David is also proud of you.
Dear Ky, you made it to the sad end as I knew you would. Well done, brave lady. May your dear husband now rest in peace. We will all still be with you, for as long as you need us. Wishing you peace and strength.
To finish the verse that mary75* and Mim started, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the course, you have kept the faith. I'm so sad for you but glad that your husband is free.
Thank you all so much for the support and encouragement I have received during this difficult journey! I have learned so much from you about life, love, bravery, determination to prevail, and compassion ! I am so glad it is finished for him! I have a ways to go myself in his loss but I will be fine. God Bless each of you! Wolf, thanks for driving advice . My children driving me. My car got pretty banged up when I had to put my sweet husband in a nursing home!
I'm so sorry for your loss Ky, but thankful as well that your husband is at last at peace and that your journey with this awful disease is now over...while emotions will be running high over the next while, take comfort in knowing you did your best for him and from your posts, I agree that you will be alright...take care
I too send my thoughts and prayers to you. May sweet and joyful memories of your life together far outweigh memories of your journey with this disease.