I'm sorry, Beth Ann.

Oh that is not good Beth Ann. How sad to know you are going to watch her deteriorate. The best you can offer is yourself and it sounds like you are doing just that. The poor thing must be in a panic, as the whole family is I imagine.

I know you will be a good friend to her and the rest of the family as you go through this. so sorry honey!

Just a year yonger than her... such shocking news, must be so hard on everyone who loves her, but most of all on her. Keeping you all in my prayers and your kindness to her is the best gift you have to offer!

Oh, this is so sad. A friend of mine went through this illness in her family and it was very difficult for her. I hope that you had a nice time together.

Big hugs to you.

Beth Ann, I am so very sorry to hear about your SIL. My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's (and associated dementia) about 62. That was too young. 49 is just heartbreaking. I don't know if the dementias of Parkinson's and Alzheimers present similarly, but in my dad's case, his long term memory held on til the end. One of the things that gave him the greatest pleasure was recounting old stories/memories. As her disease progresses, if she still has long term memories, be sure to give her an outlet to recall these blessings. My thoughts are with you and your family.

We've made the trip back from Kansas -- but just to my Mom and Dad's home in Indiana. Ready to relax and release here for a day or two. DH and I may steal some time together, too.

It was a difficult trip, but I'm glad we went. Thanks for your encouragement and sharing of experience with this horrible disease. Since speaking is so difficult for her, phone conversations are out, and she lives halfway across the country. I have plans to send little care packages every month or so.

I am so sorry Beth Ann. I lost my Mom, my best fashion friend, last summer, after a very long battle with dementia. There is a LOT being explored about this kind of condition and there have even been a couple of first person accounts published. I would look for those and see what they may offer. You may want to prepare yourself to fight against letting the Diagnosis cloud who your SIL is, herself. Dementia robs us of a lot of our personalities, and yet I think in many ways those likes, dislikes, and quirks are probably still inside us, it's just confusing for those around us. I really hope some of the newer approaches can help your family and stave off some of the worst, scariest symptoms. I know it's hard and it has to be crushing to have someone so young in the clan stricken. Be strong, but also be kind to yourself, it's a difficult path.

Such sad news Beth Ann. I dont have anything to add, but wanted to acknowledge this hardship. My heart breaks for your family.