Comments on: Alzheimer’s and Grey’s Anatomy http://epablog.wordpress.com/2007/02/06/alzheimers-and-greys-anatomy/ A blog about patient empowerment, patient advocacy, medical consumerism, and tools patients can use to help them navigate and survive the dysfunction of the American Health Care System. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:58:27 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: New Resource: Alzheimer’s Patient “Wakes Up” « Every Patient’s Advocate http://epablog.wordpress.com/2007/02/06/alzheimers-and-greys-anatomy/#comment-21462 New Resource: Alzheimer’s Patient “Wakes Up” « Every Patient’s Advocate Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:08:13 +0000 http://epablog.wordpress.com/2007/02/06/alzheimers-and-greys-anatomy/#comment-21462 [...] At the time I could find no references online that spoke to this possibility. I blogged about it. Read the post here. [...] [...] At the time I could find no references online that spoke to this possibility. I blogged about it. Read the post here. [...]

]]> By: michaelm http://epablog.wordpress.com/2007/02/06/alzheimers-and-greys-anatomy/#comment-21461 michaelm Thu, 08 Mar 2007 13:10:58 +0000 http://epablog.wordpress.com/2007/02/06/alzheimers-and-greys-anatomy/#comment-21461 Trisha- I lost my mom almost 2 years ago to Alzheimer's and read this post with interest. Knowing what I know about physiology, the vast wasteland of a brain riddled with tangles and plaques could never recover. Had I seen the episode of Grey's Anatomy I probably would have thought , "Shame on you, Hollywood," for giving people like us false hope. It's not fair in the best interest of the scripted storyline. My mom love to sing as well. It's been explained to me that AD doesn't affect the part of the brain that supplies words and lyrics associated with a song. Ironic that my mother couldn't remember my name but new every stinkin' word of Jingle Bells. Maybe it's just God's way of letting us know they're still 'in there'. I found you through the WP tag 'Alzheimer's'. I will be back. Wonderful post. ~m Trisha-

I lost my mom almost 2 years ago to Alzheimer’s and read this post with interest.
Knowing what I know about physiology, the vast wasteland of a brain riddled with tangles and plaques could never recover. Had I seen the episode of Grey’s Anatomy I probably would have thought , “Shame on you, Hollywood,” for giving people like us false hope. It’s not fair in the best interest of the scripted storyline.
My mom love to sing as well. It’s been explained to me that AD doesn’t affect the part of the brain that supplies words and lyrics associated with a song. Ironic that my mother couldn’t remember my name but new every stinkin’ word of Jingle Bells.
Maybe it’s just God’s way of letting us know they’re still ‘in there’.
I found you through the WP tag ‘Alzheimer’s’. I will be back.
Wonderful post.
~m

]]> By: Trisha Torrey http://epablog.wordpress.com/2007/02/06/alzheimers-and-greys-anatomy/#comment-21460 Trisha Torrey Fri, 23 Feb 2007 13:02:22 +0000 http://epablog.wordpress.com/2007/02/06/alzheimers-and-greys-anatomy/#comment-21460 Gloria, I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom. My objection to the "carrot" on Grey's Anatomy is that I think it subtracts from the horror of the disease, and therefore the understanding of it. Unfortunately, when misinformation is put out there, perceptions get skewed. Did you know that Bush's proposed 2008 federal budget cuts funding for Alzheimer's research? Is it possible that one of the budget developers/recommenders is a fan of Grey's Anatomy? Can't say for sure, of course, but again -- perceptions can get skewed. Here's more info about the budget cut: http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_4730.asp Best of luck to your mother and your family, Gloria. I wish you all well. Trisha Gloria,

I’m so sorry to hear about your Mom.

My objection to the “carrot” on Grey’s Anatomy is that I think it subtracts from the horror of the disease, and therefore the understanding of it. Unfortunately, when misinformation is put out there, perceptions get skewed.

Did you know that Bush’s proposed 2008 federal budget cuts funding for Alzheimer’s research? Is it possible that one of the budget developers/recommenders is a fan of Grey’s Anatomy? Can’t say for sure, of course, but again — perceptions can get skewed.

Here’s more info about the budget cut:

http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_4730.asp

Best of luck to your mother and your family, Gloria. I wish you all well.

Trisha

]]> By: Gloria http://epablog.wordpress.com/2007/02/06/alzheimers-and-greys-anatomy/#comment-21459 Gloria Fri, 23 Feb 2007 07:10:23 +0000 http://epablog.wordpress.com/2007/02/06/alzheimers-and-greys-anatomy/#comment-21459 Hi, My Mom also has dementia, so of course it affects her and everyone who loves her. It wasn't important to me that "Grey's Anatomy" was not completely factual about the way they portray Meredith's mother and her dementia. In many ways, it is too painful to really watch it, and I'm not sure it would make for good TV to see the physical and mental deterioration that a person like our mothers experiences. Like you, I am happy if/when we get the occasional moment(s) when Mom is back with us. I miss turning to Mom for advice, I miss her support and love, I miss the little things she would to show that she cares, and most of all I miss Mom. Thanks for giving us an avenue to vent. Gloria Hi,

My Mom also has dementia, so of course it affects her and everyone who loves her. It wasn’t important to me that “Grey’s Anatomy” was not completely factual about the way they portray Meredith’s mother and her dementia. In many ways, it is too painful to really watch it, and I’m not sure it would make for good TV to see the physical and mental deterioration that a person like our mothers experiences.

Like you, I am happy if/when we get the occasional moment(s) when Mom is back with us. I miss turning to Mom for advice, I miss her support and love, I miss the little things she would to show that she cares, and most of all I miss Mom.

Thanks for giving us an avenue to vent.

Gloria

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