Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Gladys, I didn't have one done on Mom either. I think the law is if there is some question as to cause of death. But otherwise I don't think there are any requirements to have one. Hugs, Donna R Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in a nh. She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine. autopsy? My mother has made it clear to us for years that she doesn't want one done. How important is it to do one? Gladys PS I know the law requires it in some places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Gladys: There are no rules about an autopsy having to be done unless there is some question as to what might have caused an untimely or possibly a criminal death. We had discussed it briefly, but he had never indicated he would not want an autopsy. The reason I feel so very strongly (to put it mildly) to have an autopsy is because we have four children, 13 grandchildren, 10 and soon-to-be 11 great grandchildren. My husband was the fifth of his 13 family members to have Alzheimer's/LBD/vascular dementia. His mother and father married brother and sister, and five of their seven children had some form of dementia, as well. After my husband's dx of AD, I heard of a family DNA study through the University of Indiana so that research might be able to find a common gene that possibly causes dementia in families with a strong history of it. As a result, we joined this family study, and to date, 25 members of both these families have had DNA taken. They will take more as time goes along and family members reach the age of 50. They do the autopsies at no charge for being in the study so they have the brain tissue for their research. His brother and sister with dementia were in this study, so their brain tissue was sent in; both of them showed AD. My husband's showed AD and LBD as well as a possible stroke at some time. I chose to have the body autopsy done, for medical reasons as to the actual cause of death. I won't go into it right now, as I have in the past, but some of the meds he was given in the hospital and nursing home I believed might have contributed to a rapid decline. I am not sorry that either one were done. I learned what caused his death; I also learned what dementia he had, as the doctors and NH had told me repeatedly he didn't have LBD. I knew there was more than AD involved because of his reactions to drugs and many of his symptoms. My take on this is that if we don't have autopsies done and have brain tissue researched, how are we going to find out what causes it, what can we do to prevent and/or cure it? With such a strong family history of dementia, I could not rest without doing something in the hopes that these 27 direct descendants may be able to do something to prevent these diseases. Already, four of my grandchildren not only have the possibility of a genetic connection with their grandfather, my husband, they have grandparents on the other side of the family who have had AD, LBD, and vasculitis (similar to Parkinson's). I would do anything I possibly can to see that this disease is someday stopped in its tracks. Each person involved has to make the decision on his/her own. My personal feeling is that when death occurs, the body is a shell, and having an autopsy done is no worse than embalming or cremating. There was absolutely nothing in my husband's appearance to show that both these autopsies had been done. Now, I'll get off the soapbox. I'm sure lots of you will disagree with me. June C. --- Gladys Stefany wrote: > My mother has made it clear to us for years that she > doesn't want one done. > How important is it > to do one? > > Gladys > > PS I know the law requires it in some places. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 June, I agree with you. I'm just torn because I would never want to violate my mother's very clear wishes. Gladys -- Re: autopsy? Gladys: There are no rules about an autopsy having to be done unless there is some question as to what might have caused an untimely or possibly a criminal death. We had discussed it briefly, but he had never indicated he would not want an autopsy. The reason I feel so very strongly (to put it mildly) to have an autopsy is because we have four children, 13 grandchildren, 10 and soon-to-be 11 great grandchildren. My husband was the fifth of his 13 family members to have Alzheimer's/LBD/vascular dementia. His mother and father married brother and sister, and five of their seven children had some form of dementia, as well. After my husband's dx of AD, I heard of a family DNA study through the University of Indiana so that research might be able to find a common gene that possibly causes dementia in families with a strong history of it. As a result, we joined this family study, and to date, 25 members of both these families have had DNA taken. They will take more as time goes along and family members reach the age of 50. They do the autopsies at no charge for being in the study so they have the brain tissue for their research. His brother and sister with dementia were in this study, so their brain tissue was sent in; both of them showed AD. My husband's showed AD and LBD as well as a possible stroke at some time. I chose to have the body autopsy done, for medical reasons as to the actual cause of death. I won't go into it right now, as I have in the past, but some of the meds he was given in the hospital and nursing home I believed might have contributed to a rapid decline. I am not sorry that either one were done. I learned what caused his death; I also learned what dementia he had, as the doctors and NH had told me repeatedly he didn't have LBD. I knew there was more than AD involved because of his reactions to drugs and many of his symptoms. My take on this is that if we don't have autopsies done and have brain tissue researched, how are we going to find out what causes it, what can we do to prevent and/or cure it? With such a strong family history of dementia, I could not rest without doing something in the hopes that these 27 direct descendants may be able to do something to prevent these diseases. Already, four of my grandchildren not only have the possibility of a genetic connection with their grandfather, my husband, they have grandparents on the other side of the family who have had AD, LBD, and vasculitis (similar to Parkinson's). I would do anything I possibly can to see that this disease is someday stopped in its tracks. Each person involved has to make the decision on his/her own. My personal feeling is that when death occurs, the body is a shell, and having an autopsy done is no worse than embalming or cremating. There was absolutely nothing in my husband's appearance to show that both these autopsies had been done. Now, I'll get off the soapbox. I'm sure lots of you will disagree with me. June C. --- Gladys Stefany wrote: > My mother has made it clear to us for years that she > doesn't want one done. > How important is it > to do one? > > Gladys > > PS I know the law requires it in some places. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > _____________________________________________________________________________ ______ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/ _ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ ------------------------------------ Welcome to LBDcaregivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 I know it would be very hard to do that. Is she still lucid enough to discuss this, or is she past that? When I approached my husband about the DNA study, I talked to him about all the kids and grandkids, and didn't we want to do something to keep them from getting it. He was still enough with it that he agreed. I don't know if you could approach her if she still can make decisions, and see if she might change her mind. Just a thought. --- Gladys Stefany wrote: > June, I agree with you. I'm just torn because I > would never want to violate > my mother's very clear wishes. > > Gladys > > -- Re: autopsy? > > Gladys: There are no rules about an autopsy having > to > be done unless there is some question as to what > might > have caused an untimely or possibly a criminal > death. > We had discussed it briefly, but he had never > indicated he would not want an autopsy. The reason > I > feel so very strongly (to put it mildly) to have an > autopsy is because we have four children, 13 > grandchildren, 10 and soon-to-be 11 great > grandchildren. My husband was the fifth of his 13 > family members to have Alzheimer's/LBD/vascular > dementia. His mother and father married brother and > sister, and five of their seven children had some > form > of dementia, as well. After my husband's dx of AD, > I > heard of a family DNA study through the University > of > Indiana so that research might be able to find a > common gene that possibly causes dementia in > families > with a strong history of it. As a result, we joined > this family study, and to date, 25 members of both > these families have had DNA taken. They will take > more as time goes along and family members reach the > age of 50. They do the autopsies at no charge for > being in the study so they have the brain tissue for > their research. His brother and sister with > dementia > were in this study, so their brain tissue was sent > in; > both of them showed AD. My husband's showed AD and > LBD as well as a possible stroke at some time. I > chose to have the body autopsy done, for medical > reasons as to the actual cause of death. I won't go > into it right now, as I have in the past, but some > of > the meds he was given in the hospital and nursing > home > I believed might have contributed to a rapid > decline. > I am not sorry that either one were done. I learned > what caused his death; I also learned what dementia > he > had, as the doctors and NH had told me repeatedly he > didn't have LBD. I knew there was more than AD > involved because of his reactions to drugs and many > of > his symptoms. > > My take on this is that if we don't have autopsies > done and have brain tissue researched, how are we > going to find out what causes it, what can we do to > prevent and/or cure it? With such a strong family > history of dementia, I could not rest without doing > something in the hopes that these 27 direct > descendants may be able to do something to prevent > these diseases. Already, four of my grandchildren > not > only have the possibility of a genetic connection > with > their grandfather, my husband, they have > grandparents > on the other side of the family who have had AD, > LBD, > and vasculitis (similar to Parkinson's). I would do > anything I possibly can to see that this disease is > someday stopped in its tracks. > > Each person involved has to make the decision on > his/her own. My personal feeling is that when death > occurs, the body is a shell, and having an autopsy > done is no worse than embalming or cremating. There > was absolutely nothing in my husband's appearance to > show that both these autopsies had been done. > > Now, I'll get off the soapbox. I'm sure lots of you > will disagree with me. > > June C. > > --- Gladys Stefany wrote: > > > My mother has made it clear to us for years that > she > > doesn't want one done. > > How important is it > > to do one? > > > > Gladys > > > > PS I know the law requires it in some places. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > > > _____________________________________________________________________________ > ______ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. > http://mobile.yahoo.com/ > _ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > ------------------------------------ > > Welcome to LBDcaregivers. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Cognitively, she's lucid enough to discuss it, but not emotionally. She told me categorically this afternoon that she does NOT have LBD. Whatever is wrong with her is because she moved up here because she never had these problems in FL. We're trying to break through the denial so she can develop some peace and understanding of what is happening to her but we're not having any luck at all. Gladys -- Re: autopsy? > > Gladys: There are no rules about an autopsy having > to > be done unless there is some question as to what > might > have caused an untimely or possibly a criminal > death. > We had discussed it briefly, but he had never > indicated he would not want an autopsy. The reason > I > feel so very strongly (to put it mildly) to have an > autopsy is because we have four children, 13 > grandchildren, 10 and soon-to-be 11 great > grandchildren. My husband was the fifth of his 13 > family members to have Alzheimer's/LBD/vascular > dementia. His mother and father married brother and > sister, and five of their seven children had some > form > of dementia, as well. After my husband's dx of AD, > I > heard of a family DNA study through the University > of > Indiana so that research might be able to find a > common gene that possibly causes dementia in > families > with a strong history of it. As a result, we joined > this family study, and to date, 25 members of both > these families have had DNA taken. They will take > more as time goes along and family members reach the > age of 50. They do the autopsies at no charge for > being in the study so they have the brain tissue for > their research. His brother and sister with > dementia > were in this study, so their brain tissue was sent > in; > both of them showed AD. My husband's showed AD and > LBD as well as a possible stroke at some time. I > chose to have the body autopsy done, for medical > reasons as to the actual cause of death. I won't go > into it right now, as I have in the past, but some > of > the meds he was given in the hospital and nursing > home > I believed might have contributed to a rapid > decline. > I am not sorry that either one were done. I learned > what caused his death; I also learned what dementia > he > had, as the doctors and NH had told me repeatedly he > didn't have LBD. I knew there was more than AD > involved because of his reactions to drugs and many > of > his symptoms. > > My take on this is that if we don't have autopsies > done and have brain tissue researched, how are we > going to find out what causes it, what can we do to > prevent and/or cure it? With such a strong family > history of dementia, I could not rest without doing > something in the hopes that these 27 direct > descendants may be able to do something to prevent > these diseases. Already, four of my grandchildren > not > only have the possibility of a genetic connection > with > their grandfather, my husband, they have > grandparents > on the other side of the family who have had AD, > LBD, > and vasculitis (similar to Parkinson's). I would do > anything I possibly can to see that this disease is > someday stopped in its tracks. > > Each person involved has to make the decision on > his/her own. My personal feeling is that when death > occurs, the body is a shell, and having an autopsy > done is no worse than embalming or cremating. There > was absolutely nothing in my husband's appearance to > show that both these autopsies had been done. > > Now, I'll get off the soapbox. I'm sure lots of you > will disagree with me. > > June C. > > --- Gladys Stefany wrote: > > > My mother has made it clear to us for years that > she > > doesn't want one done. > > How important is it > > to do one? > > > > Gladys > > > > PS I know the law requires it in some places. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > > > _____________________________________________________________________________ > ______ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. > http://mobile.yahoo.com/ > _ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > ------------------------------------ > > Welcome to LBDcaregivers. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 As fast as LBD can change, you might watch for an opening later on. As long as she doesn't think anything is wrong, it would be very difficult to try to talk to her about it. --- Gladys Stefany wrote: > Cognitively, she's lucid enough to discuss it, but > not emotionally. She > told me categorically this afternoon that she does > NOT have LBD. Whatever > is wrong with her is because she moved up here > because she never had these > problems in FL. > > We're trying to break through the denial so she can > develop some peace and > understanding of what is happening to her but we're > not having any luck at > all. > > Gladys > > -- Re: autopsy? > > > > Gladys: There are no rules about an autopsy > having > > to > > be done unless there is some question as to what > > might > > have caused an untimely or possibly a criminal > > death. > > We had discussed it briefly, but he had never > > indicated he would not want an autopsy. The > reason > > I > > feel so very strongly (to put it mildly) to have > an > > autopsy is because we have four children, 13 > > grandchildren, 10 and soon-to-be 11 great > > grandchildren. My husband was the fifth of his 13 > > family members to have Alzheimer's/LBD/vascular > > dementia. His mother and father married brother > and > > sister, and five of their seven children had some > > form > > of dementia, as well. After my husband's dx of > AD, > > I > > heard of a family DNA study through the University > > of > > Indiana so that research might be able to find a > > common gene that possibly causes dementia in > > families > > with a strong history of it. As a result, we > joined > > this family study, and to date, 25 members of both > > these families have had DNA taken. They will take > > more as time goes along and family members reach > the > > age of 50. They do the autopsies at no charge for > > being in the study so they have the brain tissue > for > > their research. His brother and sister with > > dementia > > were in this study, so their brain tissue was sent > > in; > > both of them showed AD. My husband's showed AD > and > > LBD as well as a possible stroke at some time. I > > chose to have the body autopsy done, for medical > > reasons as to the actual cause of death. I won't > go > > into it right now, as I have in the past, but some > > of > > the meds he was given in the hospital and nursing > > home > > I believed might have contributed to a rapid > > decline. > > I am not sorry that either one were done. I > learned > > what caused his death; I also learned what > dementia > > he > > had, as the doctors and NH had told me repeatedly > he > > didn't have LBD. I knew there was more than AD > > involved because of his reactions to drugs and > many > > of > > his symptoms. > > > > My take on this is that if we don't have autopsies > > done and have brain tissue researched, how are we > > going to find out what causes it, what can we do > to > > prevent and/or cure it? With such a strong family > > history of dementia, I could not rest without > doing > > something in the hopes that these 27 direct > > descendants may be able to do something to prevent > > these diseases. Already, four of my grandchildren > > not > > only have the possibility of a genetic connection > > with > > their grandfather, my husband, they have > > grandparents > > on the other side of the family who have had AD, > > LBD, > > and vasculitis (similar to Parkinson's). I would > do > > anything I possibly can to see that this disease > is > > someday stopped in its tracks. > > > > Each person involved has to make the decision on > > his/her own. My personal feeling is that when > death > > occurs, the body is a shell, and having an autopsy > > done is no worse than embalming or cremating. > There > > was absolutely nothing in my husband's appearance > to > > show that both these autopsies had been done. > > > > Now, I'll get off the soapbox. I'm sure lots of > you > > will disagree with me. > > > > June C. > > > > --- Gladys Stefany wrote: > > > > > My mother has made it clear to us for years that > > she > > > doesn't want one done. > > > How important is it > > > to do one? > > > > > > Gladys > > > > > > PS I know the law requires it in some places. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > > removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _____________________________________________________________________________ > > > ______ > > Be a better friend, newshound, and > > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. > > http://mobile.yahoo.com/ > > _ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Welcome to LBDcaregivers. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Gladys, I don't think you are going to have much luck " breaking through her denial. " If she doesn't want to believe it, she probably won't no matter how hard you work. You just work yourself up and she can't do what you are asking. She has decided what the problem is, for all her own reasons, and I would guess she doesn't want to know. My Mom wouldn't have wanted an autopsy and I just guessed that. She never told me that. I had to do the best I could without her knowledge. Should we all have them done, probably. But some would not feel comfortable about it and I think they should have that right. I am making sure my kids know what I want, way ahead of time, just in case. Just my humble opinion. Hugs, Donna R Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in a nh. She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine. Re: autopsy? > > Gladys: There are no rules about an autopsy having > to > be done unless there is some question as to what > might > have caused an untimely or possibly a criminal > death. > We had discussed it briefly, but he had never > indicated he would not want an autopsy. The reason > I > feel so very strongly (to put it mildly) to have an > autopsy is because we have four children, 13 > grandchildren, 10 and soon-to-be 11 great > grandchildren. My husband was the fifth of his 13 > family members to have Alzheimer's/LBD/vascular > dementia. His mother and father married brother and > sister, and five of their seven children had some > form > of dementia, as well. After my husband's dx of AD, > I > heard of a family DNA study through the University > of > Indiana so that research might be able to find a > common gene that possibly causes dementia in > families > with a strong history of it. As a result, we joined > this family study, and to date, 25 members of both > these families have had DNA taken. They will take > more as time goes along and family members reach the > age of 50. They do the autopsies at no charge for > being in the study so they have the brain tissue for > their research. His brother and sister with > dementia > were in this study, so their brain tissue was sent > in; > both of them showed AD. My husband's showed AD and > LBD as well as a possible stroke at some time. I > chose to have the body autopsy done, for medical > reasons as to the actual cause of death. I won't go > into it right now, as I have in the past, but some > of > the meds he was given in the hospital and nursing > home > I believed might have contributed to a rapid > decline. > I am not sorry that either one were done. I learned > what caused his death; I also learned what dementia > he > had, as the doctors and NH had told me repeatedly he > didn't have LBD. I knew there was more than AD > involved because of his reactions to drugs and many > of > his symptoms. > > My take on this is that if we don't have autopsies > done and have brain tissue researched, how are we > going to find out what causes it, what can we do to > prevent and/or cure it? With such a strong family > history of dementia, I could not rest without doing > something in the hopes that these 27 direct > descendants may be able to do something to prevent > these diseases. Already, four of my grandchildren > not > only have the possibility of a genetic connection > with > their grandfather, my husband, they have > grandparents > on the other side of the family who have had AD, > LBD, > and vasculitis (similar to Parkinson's). I would do > anything I possibly can to see that this disease is > someday stopped in its tracks. > > Each person involved has to make the decision on > his/her own. My personal feeling is that when death > occurs, the body is a shell, and having an autopsy > done is no worse than embalming or cremating. There > was absolutely nothing in my husband's appearance to > show that both these autopsies had been done. > > Now, I'll get off the soapbox. I'm sure lots of you > will disagree with me. > > June C. > > --- Gladys Stefany wrote: > > > My mother has made it clear to us for years that > she > > doesn't want one done. > > How important is it > > to do one? > > > > Gladys > > > > PS I know the law requires it in some places. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > > > _____________________________________________________________________________ > ______ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. > http://mobile.yahoo.com/ > _ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > ------------------------------------ > > Welcome to LBDcaregivers. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Hi June. As I mentioned in the Brain Biopsy post, we were interested in having an autopsy done, but procrastinated signing up for one. The day my mom passed went by so fast at the end we were worn out and justified not doing the autopsy due to the brain biopsy. But had we 'thought ahead' we would have had a brain autopsy done on my mom b/c her 2 aunts had a form of dementia (no autopsies either - but it was assumed AD) Had my mom's mom not pass away at 74 she may have had a form of dementia since her 2 sisters had it. The other 2 siblings in the family died early in life (50'ish and 20'ish) so who knows if they would have developed a form of dementia had they lived long lives. Anyway... if there's even an ounce of interest to any of you to have an autopsy done on your LO - you should plan it now - wait too long and it could be too late. If interested read here: Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center The Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center collects human brain tissue for brain research. By calling 1-800-BRAIN BANK, (1-) you can get more information about Making a Donation. http://www.brainbank.mclean.org/ Also... Here's a few good links re: brain autopsies: http://www.alz-ri.org/Autopsy.htm http://med.emory.edu/ADRC/BrainDonation.htm http://adrc.mc.duke.edu/autopsy.htm http://www.ftd-picks.org/?p=learnmore.brainautopsy http://www.alz.uci.edu/faq/?section=research > > > My mother has made it clear to us for years that she > > doesn't want one done. > > How important is it > > to do one? > > > > Gladys > > > > PS I know the law requires it in some places. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________________ ______________ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Mmmm. Have you asked why she moved in with you if she wasn't having problems in Florida? > > > > > My mother has made it clear to us for years that > > she > > > doesn't want one done. > > > How important is it > > > to do one? > > > > > > Gladys > > > > > > PS I know the law requires it in some places. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > > removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _____________________________________________________________________________ > > > ______ > > Be a better friend, newshound, and > > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. > > http://mobile.yahoo.com/ > > _ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Welcome to LBDcaregivers. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Gladys, if this helps at all, Mom and I talked seriously enough before LBD took over that I knew her wishes and felt comfortable expanding on them when necessary. She also started going against her rational thoughts as irrational took over and I do not let myself second guess the irrational thoughts I did not follow through on. I hope this makes sense! , Oakville Ont. Mother, age 92, died Aug. 12/06 after 13 year decline from PDD > > > > > June, I agree with you. I'm just torn because I > > > would never want to violate > > > my mother's very clear wishes. > > > > > > Gladys > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 I've never talked with my Mom about what's wrong with her, except that she's sick. She didn't have enough lucid time after the diagnosis and before LBD took over for us to have any kind of a reasonable, intelligent discussion. She thinks that she damaged her brain when she fell last year. While I would want to know what was wrong with me, I think it would serve no purpose now to tell her that she has a degenerative brain disease and have that consume every lucid, waking moment that she has. We just encourage her to eat to regain her strength, to attempt her physical therapy to strengthen her legs, and we've gotten so damned good at pretending that everything is going to be okay...*sigh* Jannis " They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. " -- Isaiah 40:31 --------------------------------- Like movies? Here's a limited-time offer: Blockbuster Total Access for one month at no cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Years ago when Jim was in his right mind in the 70s, he donated his remains as a cadaver to the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). He had no idea then that he would have LBD. In the 90s when he was still lucid, he once again wanted to make sure that they still had his request to do this and had me call them and they confirmed that they still had him listed and they recently sent a note confirming again that he is listed. I called them to let them know he has Lewy Body. I didn't know if they would still accept him, but they said only contagious diseases like Hepititis, Aides etc. they would not take. The instruction for the disposition of the remains is it must be unautopsied and unembalmed for the purposes of medical education and research. I am wondering while they are studying and doing research if they could do an autopsy. I guess I should call and find out if this could be a part of their study. They cremate the remains at the end of the study. I guess it is the teacher in Jim to still be a teacher in the end and he found a way not to put a burden of expense for burying or cremation on the family. It is a donation without cost. Just like Jim always looking for a way to save............Jan Re: autopsy? I've never talked with my Mom about what's wrong with her, except that she's sick. She didn't have enough lucid time after the diagnosis and before LBD took over for us to have any kind of a reasonable, intelligent discussion. She thinks that she damaged her brain when she fell last year. While I would want to know what was wrong with me, I think it would serve no purpose now to tell her that she has a degenerative brain disease and have that consume every lucid, waking moment that she has. We just encourage her to eat to regain her strength, to attempt her physical therapy to strengthen her legs, and we've gotten so damned good at pretending that everything is going to be okay...*sigh* Jannis " They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. " -- Isaiah 40:31 --------------------------------- Like movies? Here's a limited-time offer: Blockbuster Total Access for one month at no cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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