by Melody Hearndon

Created on: October 02, 2010   Last Updated: October 03, 2010

Alzheimer's is perhaps the most feared diagnosis a loved one can receive. Unlike cancer that can be seen in a persons body, and chemically destroyed or treated, Alzheimer's is but a term to describe why your loved ones mental capacity is altered beyond repair, as is the family, in terms of life they once knew.

So much of the disease is unknown and misconstrued, yet it's witnessed daily by family members who are left to battle the one-thousand pound elephant standing in the room, as the disease invades the frail, tiny body of our loved one. There are no words to adequately describe how painful this is to witness, knowing you are unable to fix it, makes it even more disconcerting.

My mother was once a woman who was able to work circles around everyone. Much like a tornado that blew in by surprise, Moms energy level far surpassed anyone I ever knew. There was no stopping her that is until the invasion of Alzheimer's and its insidious nature. She became forgetful, distant, and agitated. Something was wrong.

Little things occurred over a long period of time that determined something was happening to Mom, but what…we had no idea. I've often wondered if the term from back in the day when I was being raised known as senility, is the new fashioned term for Alzheimer's. The similarities are certainly there, and yet the condition itself, is still in its infancy even as I write today.

As we sat together in the Neurologist's office, we talked about why she was here. She was very much aware changes were occurring in her mind and body, yet still confused enough and sometimes childlike in ways best to deal with it…Fix it, and move on. It was a struggle watching her as she answered questions that years ago, would have been second nature.

When the exam continued, and she was asked to name animals in alphabetical order in 60 seconds, she aced it with flying colors. When asked the date, President (giving her opinion as well), and year…Again she aced it. When she needed to draw the clock and place the numbers and time correctly, she just stared at it as though it were foreign. We stumbled into a roadblock. She failed miserably. Most importantly, she was embarrassed.

It was that moment; I wanted to get out of there as quick as possible. This woman is the same woman that held my hand so I could safely cross the street. This woman paddled my behind and rightfully so as to teach me right from wrong. This woman is a guiding force in my life, and anything less is

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