"I Began To Suffer Expressive Aphasia Just After My Wife Died in January"

[appalachiablue]

- I want to say "Hello", while I can still speak.
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- Daily Kos, March 31, 2022.

Brenda’s loss, after 51+ years of marriage, left me traumatized; some of my grief, I’m realizing, won’t leave me ever. But, what I never saw coming, was cognitive decline coming for me so soon, no less, in the guise of the latest, trending disease, aphasia, which I shall henceforth call Bruce Willis Disease.

I’m happy to report that episodes of complete inability to form speech haven’t been frequent. But, the problem has felt progressively worse in duration and frequency, all the same. Though complete blocks have been short, during a complete block, I can neither speak, write nor type words, nor compose a sentence nor a phrase. Yet, I can still understand speech and language from others or in programs. But speech is AWOL. I can’t even say the words mentally. It’s the oddest sensation, one totally new to me. But, most of the time I’m still able to express speech fluently in my native English. And it’s not an on and off thing. I’m noticing more slurring and stumbling with words. But I’m also becoming sensitive to foods. activities and behaviors that rile up the problem.

Although my daughters and I first experienced this disorder in January, we didn’t obtain a diagnosis until earlier in March while I was traveling with my older daughter on a Caribbean cruise. I collapsed at dinner one night and became aware of my surroundings again in the ship’s medical facility under the care of a Board Certified emergency physician. Two days later, my shore excursion to Cozumel, Mexico, was a taxi to a hospital visit, all pre-arranged by medical staff on the ship, getting a cat scan, a carotid artery ultrasound plus an exam and consultation with a neurological physician, instead of the previously scheduled seaside chocolate and tequila workshop.

I’ve had lots of tests in the weeks since then and seen lots of doctors, including my own. Everyone defers to the neurology practice that can’t see me until July. I’m already booked for another cruise in June, in Greece, with both of my daughters. I doubt that anyone will be too upset with a guy at dinner who is sometimes quiet. After then, I intend to do what ever can be done to arrest or slow my own brain’s attack on what I aways thought was part of the best of me, my power of expression. ~

Comments,
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/3/31/2089364/-I-began-to-Suffer-Expressive-Aphasia-Just-After-my-Wife-Died-in-January
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- President of the National Aphasia Association says aphasia can be connected to cognitive decline, Daily Kos, March 31,

.. The National Aphasia Association (NAA) describes the condition as an acquired communication disorder that impairs a person’s ability to process language, and the person’s ability to speak and understand others. It does not affect someone’s intelligence. NAA stated on its website that the organization was “saddened to hear of Bruce Willis’ recent diagnosis of aphasia,” adding that “we understand the impact of this diagnosis.”

“What appears to be happening with Bruce Willis, although we don’t know for sure, is that this is something that’s accompanying some cognitive decline on his part,” Darlene Williamson, president of NAA, tells Daily Kos. She points out that “aphasia is a symptom of something else happening to you.” Williamson is referring to the common reasons for aphasia like a stroke, or a traumatic brain injury. But a small percentage of people also experience aphasia as a result of cognitive decline...
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/3/31/2089259/-President-of-the-National-Aphasia-Association-says-aphasia-can-be-connected-to-cognitive-decline

[Glamrock]

1. Ohhh. Dude? I'm so sorry.

Breaks my heart to hear it. Sincerely. I was just getting ready to post an update for me mom in this forum and came across this. So far, at 50, I’ve dealt with needing reading glasses with my contacts, and 50 pounds since I was 40. My mom has Lewy Body Dementia and I just got word that my dad has Alzheimer’s.

Mom has been staying with me for the last year and I have watched her cognitive decline for at least two. It’s fucking horrible! And that’s not meant to scare you or freak you out. Lewy is far more rapid and debilitating than what I know of what you are dealing with. I’m just saying that ANY cognitive decline is horrible. It’s a heavy cross to bear.

Breaks my heart to know you’re dealing with this. But, you have a chance (if YOU want) to clear the slate. Reach out to friends you haven’t spoken to in years and let them know what they meant to you. Ex girlfriends, estranged family, etc. Most importantly, spend as much time with those closest to you as possible.

I sincerely wish you the best with the fight you have in front of you and I’m available if you want someone to lean on. Just PM me. All my love brother…

P.s. I’ve been doing some drinking this evening and may regret some of my words tomorrow? Just know that my intentions are in the right place and I am upset to hear about this affliction. Know I’m here if you need someone to lean on, yeah?

Glam

[PortTack]

2. aphasia is indeed a symptom of something larger..many times caused by a stroke or other

Hemispheric event. It can get better, or wax and wain with stress or continued events

[CentralMass]

3. Thank you for sharing this and I wish you the best of luck with staying well.

I was unaware of aphasia and frankly your sharing your experience made more of a connection with me then hearing about Bruce Willis's diagnosis.

[New Haven]

4. I had a short bout with speech aphasia

I am a recovering alcoholic and I am certain that some of my excessive use of alcohol caused some neurological disorders. My speech aphasia showed up about two years after my wife died and I was admitted to the emergency room at a New Haven hospital with slurring of speech. The good part about Medicare is that hospitals will run every test knowing that they will get paid. After keeping me there for three days the doctors told me that I entered the hospital with the signs of a stroke and that is their warning bell for perfuming all the tests. At least three doctors were gathered around my bed at the time of discharge and they told me that I DID NOT have a stroke at the time of admission, BUT the I DID HAVE a stroke sometime earlier.

The aphasia was a single occurrence but I still feel that I could trigger another episode if I let myself get dehydrated. That has been an issue for me and I was reluctant to stay hydrated because of frequent demand for urination. Along the way I also contracted bladder cancer , but again was saved from the malady with the good medical care available in New Haven.

I did not drink during the time of my wife's illness and death, but I was off to the races after she passed away. I am thoroughly convinced that my excessive drinking cause some problems. Heavy drinking and binge drinking can result in permanent damage to the brain and nervous system. I noticed in you post that you had planned a "chocolate and tequila" event during your travels to Mexico. For me , the best decision of my life was quitting alcohol. At age 76 I am more fit than ever with regular gym workouts, hiking trail crew maintenance, tent camping over 60 days each year, and the best medical report I've ever had where my doctor was astounded . Like the alcoholism, acceptance was the answer and as far as fitness goes I just did the same as began saying that I am an athlete. It works for alcoholism ---it words for fitness.

If you think I could be of any help to you please say so or PM me here. Good luck to you and I am sorry for your loss and I am happy for you that your daughters are still in your life.


For Bruce Willis his continual bouts with alcoholism is a key factor in his aphasia--https://www.google.com/search?q=was+Bruce+Willis+an+alcoholic&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS984US984&oq=was+Bruce+Willis+an+alcoholic&aqs=chrome..69i57.13069j1j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8