[Ross]My grandfather is in bad health

Posted by Ross on Aug. 18, 2008, 4:44 p.m.

Yes, my grandfather is in bad health. Me and my family have known something was wrong with him for some time now, and yesterday my grandmother and grandfather went to one of the best doctors in the country. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The doctor said if he follows a planned exercise plan, takes his medication, and has a little luck, he might can expect an upwards of ten years of a normal life. A far more likely scenario if he follows this plan is five years of a normal life. Either way, after that he will be in a wheelchair, and the doctors said that within thirteen years he will most likely be deceased. It was last night when my mom drove them down to the city where the doctor resided, they checked into a hotel and went to the doctor today, around three hours ago. He was diagnosed, but nothing is certain right now. They are fairly positive its Parkinson's disease, but they gave him a medication that should make him basically revert back to his old self within a month. If the medication doesn't have an effect, it is most likely not Parkinson's, but if it does, which it is expected to, it is. We think it was caused by poisons that he came in contact with about half a year ago.

I have never had to go through this type of thing with a close family member, and it is really hard. I am hoping that its not Parkinson's, even though the odds of that are extremely slim. The only good news out of all of this is that my family finally knows what is wrong with him.

Comments

firestormx 16 years, 3 months ago

64 is pretty young…But once you get up into the 70s you begin to develop parkinsons-like symptoms anyway. Men do not age gracefully at all. I think you can look at it as being able to know what to expect as he reaches 70, and being prepared for it, rather than thinking he's got a problem at 64. And although Parkinson's is devestating, if you catch it early enough, and treat it proper, like it seems this doctor is doing, you can survive with a normal life for a while. It's certainly not good, but it could be worse.

Also, was this the doctor that suggested it could be caused by poisons he came into contact with about half a year ago, was that your family? Because parkinson's isn't commonly associated with poisons.

Sorry if I come off like a prick there…That's my attempt at giving encouragement…

Ross 16 years, 3 months ago

The family is the one who suggested poisons. Right now, that's all I have to go on, seeing how I don't see any other causes.

firestormx 16 years, 3 months ago

Oh, well parkinson's is basically genetic, and one of those things that just comes out for no known reason. (There's theories and a lot of research going into it though) It's like when old people start to lose their sight and hearing…They're just getting old. Parkinson's is a little different in its mechanisms and causes, but it's just something that hits a little people as they get older. But 64 is pretty young still.

Again, I don't want you to take the comment as me crapping on your reasoning, but rather to help you understand a tiny bit better.

And I know that it's a big shock to you right now, but remember that he's still got a good 10 years. In 10 years you'll probably be done school, and be able to enjoy vacations to the moon with him by then.

ESA 16 years, 3 months ago

Quote:
My great uncle got inflicted with that. Lasted a few years, but by the end of it he was just bedridden and could barely muster words
My great uncle had ALS. He died the end of last year.

That's too bad about your grandfather. FSX is right

Snakeman 16 years, 3 months ago

My grandmother had a stroke about a month ago, and since then problems has been layering on her. After the stroke she lost control of half her body, then was diagnosed with a few infections, then pneumonia, and just yesterday she fell down, horribly bruised herself, and cracked two ribs.

I hope your grandfather gets better soon.