Tear-jerking

Call me a softie but i simply could not stop my tears from flowing as i read the feature article in the little supplementary health paper that comes every wednesday with the main paper i subscribe to.

Its an inspirational story about a man who had such an admirably immense dedication and love for his wife, when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a form of dementia. Im sure you know that this horrendous disease does to people...it takes away every inch of the person that you are and reduces you to nothing. And the saddest part is, the people around you will be hit the most, seeing the person that you were degenerating before their eyes. Gosh. I mean the person with AD will find it frustrating but he/she may not realise whats happening to them at later stages.

So, hit with the disease, the couple decided to make the best of it and go travelling. The husband, Ray, wanted to ensure that his wife's mind received constant stimulation. So they travelled around the world while the disease ate at her mind. My gosh. Can you imagine how painful it is to see the one you love slowly slipping away from you? And yet he went on. I mean wow.
He said "You dont stop loving someone because they are ill"

If there is one disease im so afraid of, its Alzheimer's. Honestly. Im afraid to be incapacitated before i leave. Im afraid of losing everything ive experienced, everything i know...everyone i know, every emotion ive felt...Its so scary, the regression!
And im so scared that someone i know might get it too! I dont think i'll have the strength.

Oh God, i pray no one i love will be afflicted by AD. I pray i dont get AD too.

I learnt in my GEK class that the conclusion of a longitudinal study conducted abt AD uncovered serveral things. The probability of AD depends on:

1) Your education (i suppose this refers to how read/active your mind is)
2) Language ability (ie ability to write fluently)
3) Levels of folic intake (where high levels would prevent this)
4) genetic predisposition

But ultimately, even these 4 probabilities are just possible reasons linked to AD. It also depends on takdir (fate).

Bleah. What a teary start to my wednesday. *Sniffs*