The Combination Approach

We’ve been in a transition phase since getting back home: unpacking from the journey, organizing the house and developing a routine that works for dealing with Alzheimer’s. Though I would be considered a caregiver dealing with an irreversible affliction, the routine will be hopefully predicated on treatment.

There is more at stake here than Cindy. My Mom and oldest brother developed Alzheimer’s. What I do for Cindy I will be doing for myself as well. Our kids face a family history of Alzheimer’s on both sides. I will document what we do for them and for readers of this blog as well.

Realistically, with every single approach to treatment I’ve come across the chance for success decreases with the advancement of the disease. We witnessed this ourselves. Undeniably, the American Discovery Trail improved Cindy’s mental health. We were not so fortunate with the PCT hike, as some further declined occurred. I was actually uncertain of this point during the hike, but now that we are back home that conclusion is inescapable.

I found out about the combination approach I will be using during the hike. Georges Dodd, an old friend from my TA days at Cornell, sent me an article reporting on a study done by the Bucks Institute in Novato, California. By coincidence we were visiting my old hiking buddy Marty Marcus in Novato at the same time. No, I did not show up on their doorstep, but I did place a call to the lead researcher, Dr. Dale Bredesen.

Cindy, Marty, Fran, Charissa

Cindy could not be enfolded into his research, nor did he hold out high hopes for her recovery given her advanced stage. I think the approach is worth adopting anyways. Previously I’ve been focused on what evidence suggested were the most important factors for recovery. I was willing to try new things people suggested, but the disappointments piled up and I narrowed my focus to what experienced revealed work best. This combination approach of multiple treatments represent a new direction.

Let’s say that treatment A works well with all patients, like exercise; treatment B alone works with only some, like coconut oil. Treatments C, D and whatever are conditioned on others. Treatment C works only if treatment A is happening, but makes treatment A more effective. Treatment D needs treatment B and, in fact, increases the number of successes for treatment B.

That may be a little complicated. The bottom line is that we are all different and the brain is the most complex factor in our differences. Different treatments work best for different people; different combinations of treatments work best for different people. The object of the combination approach is to include different treatments that work for somebody, somehow, with the intent that the proper combination will be there for anyone … who is not too advanced in their decline. That is the approach we will take now. I will keep you posted.