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thank you so much!   Message List  
Reply | Forward Message #2172 of 2597 |
Re: [wernicke_korsakoff_syndrome] thank you so much!

Amanda ,
My Brother in law was 36 when we were told he had WKS. He was a heavy drinker.
We placed him in a nursing home. It takes a full year for all symptoms to appear. At first Mark could walk and talk just fine. Then later he devolped a thick tounge and then he went to using a walker to walk with. Mark stayed in the nursing home for 3 yrs. His short term memory is not good.
However with the help of a organization in Illinois called : West Central Illinois for Independent Living. I am very proud to say in June of 06 we were able to get Mark out on his own. They evaulated him and said he needed 98 hrs a month with Home Health Care. I dont know how it works in Texas...But in Illinois I was able to do this for Mark and I got paid for the 98 hrs a month. I didnt have to have no schooling since  I was all ready doing ,, cooking his meals, making sure he took his meds, laundry, cleaning, and grooming. I was down there twice a day anyway...the social worker thought I might as well get paid for it. This might be something to check into, that might help you out with some income. It took a full year of paper work and red tape. but it was worth it. Because as you know a nursing home is geared for older people and they have NO activities that the younger people would want to get involved in. I also talked to the Dr. About Mark taking Elexon. for his short term memory. I think it has stopped his short term memory from getting worse.
It is a long road. And as you can see not one case is the same. But even though I dont post much, It is really nice to read how everyone is doing. And to know your not alone!!
I'll keep you in my prayers
Tammy
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 10:42 AM
Subject: Re: [wernicke_korsakoff_syndrome] thank you so much!

Kelli,
 
My dad also has trouble walking.  Sometimes it's worse.  Right now, he walks unsteadily.  He has therapy 3 times a week.  He lives in an assisted living place, he has a lot of freedom actually. 
 
When this all first started, he couldn't walk period.  He also couldn't put on his shoes or socks.  Now he can.  Sometimes he wears 2 right shoes, but he can put them on.  So the hope is good for your husband.
 
It's good he realizes what's happened and what he has to lose. 
 
My dad's memory loss is significant.  short term is almost completely gone.  Long term is better, like very long term from childhood.
 
Keep in mind, my dad continued to drink AFTER his initial episode with WKS.  He continued to drink heavy.  And he was obviously not consistent with his medication because he was drunk.
 
There are several here that have WKS and are doing well.  They should be popping in any day.
 
You're in all our thoughts.  Any questions, please ask.  I would say the prognosis is good if he stops drinking.  I know it's hard and scary and you must feel that your world has stopped.  We all understand and will be here for you.
 
I'm glad you have family help.  I think that makes all the difference. 
 
Amanda
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 9:23 AM
Subject: [wernicke_korsakoff_syndrome] thank you so much!

Thanks to everyone for your response to my email.  My husband has been drinking since the age of 17.  We live in houston and i am blessed that i do have family support.  Right now we are looking for placement in a nursing home( which  I don't think will help him very much).  I use to work in one and i know they try but there are just to many to take care of.  My heart tells me to bring him home where he will be stimulated more and will be around our son.  I took our son to see him monday and at the end of the day a nurse told me that he was alot more lucid and with it.  At one point he held our son in his arms and just cried.  He also told his father he was sorry for disapointing him.  That tells me he is still here with us, that maybe his mind isn't as gone as they say.  The biggest problem is that he can't walk or stand without 2 people assisting him.  He did sit on the side of the bed and put his own socks on for the therapist.  The hospital discharge people haven't been that helpful, but i have B and Thiamin as well as plasma scrubbing to .  Anyway this post has been pretty long so i'll go for now.  Again any suggestions would really help,  i feel like all of you know alot more about this than the doctors and ya'll give me hope, bless all of you. 


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Wed Apr 4, 2007 5:23 pm

wine8286
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Message #2172 of 2597 |
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Thanks to everyone for your response to my email. My husband has been drinking since the age of 17. We live in houston and i am blessed that i do have family...
kelli flynt
kelliflynt
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Apr 4, 2007
1:23 pm

Kelli, your husband might be able to recover his strength after a while. When my 71-year-old father was last hospitalized, he had gait and coordination...
Dana Mulvany
dmulvany
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Apr 4, 2007
2:46 pm

Kelli, My dad also has trouble walking. Sometimes it's worse. Right now, he walks unsteadily. He has therapy 3 times a week. He lives in an assisted living...
Bill & Amanda
whisperingnook
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Apr 4, 2007
3:41 pm

Amanda , My Brother in law was 36 when we were told he had WKS. He was a heavy drinker. We placed him in a nursing home. It takes a full year for all symptoms...
Kevin& Tammy
wine8286
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Apr 4, 2007
5:42 pm

Kelli.... Keep the faith! He will recover. It just takes time. I was told my dad would never recover. I was scared to death. He scared me! To make a long story...
carrie buckingham
ibcarrieat
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Apr 4, 2007
11:07 pm

Hi Kelli: The nursing home may suprise you and if you think of it more as a rehabilitation for physical therapy as opposed to a long term solution it can help....
kathym530@...
dullcineasaunt
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Apr 5, 2007
8:59 pm

Tammy: Thanks for posting. You're doing a great job! ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com....
kathym530@...
dullcineasaunt
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Apr 5, 2007
9:05 pm
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