- Joined
- Jul 4, 2011
- Messages
- 32,850
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- Location
- Near Seattle
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Liberal
Huntington's Chorea is a ****ing dreadful neuromuscular degenerative disease. My father died at the age of 50. He never knew what him him. Neither did we. (We found out in 2005 when my youngest sister was diagnosed. Because it is genetic, there was a 50/50 chance we all could get it. 6 kids, 3 have it. I do not. I got lucky) He died of cirrhosis of the liver. The booze did him in. His depression (a symptom of the disease) tormented him. What we suspected were the delirium tremors were in fact the movements associated with the disease. Had he not drank he would have died from the disease anyway.
Now my oldest brother's suffering is coming to an end. He was 6 foot 5, 250, Big strapping man. Now he's less than 150 pounds and ready to die. He's 65. He turns 66 in August, but he won't make it. I hope his suffering ends soon.
My youngest sister is a vegetable who hasn't been able to speak for two years. She is near death as well. If she makes it to August 5th, she will be 67. I am stunned she has lived with this disease as long as she has.
Just buried my oldest sister 6 months ago. She was 71. Oddly enough she tested negative for the disease. Dementia got her.
And my youngest brother just turned 63. I doubt he'll see 65 as he has the disease as well.
Now we worry about my sister's daughter and my brother's daughter. Neither has chosen to test. Tough choices there. Who wants to see that snow ball coming down the hill?
I have much to be thankful for however. Both my daughters will never get the disease nor could their children. Unless they marry someone with it. Fortunately it is exceptionally rare.
Hug your partner and your kids.
Now my oldest brother's suffering is coming to an end. He was 6 foot 5, 250, Big strapping man. Now he's less than 150 pounds and ready to die. He's 65. He turns 66 in August, but he won't make it. I hope his suffering ends soon.
My youngest sister is a vegetable who hasn't been able to speak for two years. She is near death as well. If she makes it to August 5th, she will be 67. I am stunned she has lived with this disease as long as she has.
Just buried my oldest sister 6 months ago. She was 71. Oddly enough she tested negative for the disease. Dementia got her.
And my youngest brother just turned 63. I doubt he'll see 65 as he has the disease as well.
Now we worry about my sister's daughter and my brother's daughter. Neither has chosen to test. Tough choices there. Who wants to see that snow ball coming down the hill?
I have much to be thankful for however. Both my daughters will never get the disease nor could their children. Unless they marry someone with it. Fortunately it is exceptionally rare.
Hug your partner and your kids.