Pat Summitt "struggling"

[BeKnighted_rivals]

There are news reports that Pat Summitt's illness is progressing rapidly, and that family and friends are gathered around her. No details, really, but it doesn't sound good.

Speaking as someone who lost a loved one to dementia, it can seem like it's stopped getting worse and then there's a sudden decline, so this isn't necessarily a surprise.

 

[ScarletteK80]

There are news reports that Pat Summitt's illness is progressing rapidly, and that family and friends are gathered around her. No details, really, but it doesn't sound good.

Speaking as someone who lost a loved one to dementia, it can seem like it's stopped getting worse and then there's a sudden decline, so this isn't necessarily a surprise.

Just read this as well. So very, very sad. http://espn.go.com/womens-college-b...s-coaches-sports-amid-report-declining-health

 

[Scarletwoman]

There are news reports that Pat Summitt's illness is progressing rapidly, and that family and friends are gathered around her. No details, really, but it doesn't sound good.

Speaking as someone who lost a loved one to dementia, it can seem like it's stopped getting worse and then there's a sudden decline, so this isn't necessarily a surprise.

BEK, I lost my mother in 2011 and we thought it wasn't as bad as we thought. But it came rapidly and we lost her. Of course we did not see the signs for the last five years of her life and it was a little too late. We were taken by surprise.

 

[BeKnighted_rivals]

It's such an awful disease. Of course, by the time the end comes, for a lot of people it's really a blessing.

 

[dmd78]

There are news reports that Pat Summitt's illness is progressing rapidly, and that family and friends are gathered around her. No details, really, but it doesn't sound good.

Speaking as someone who lost a loved one to dementia, it can seem like it's stopped getting worse and then there's a sudden decline, so this isn't necessarily a surprise.

So very sad. I lost my mother at 70 to early-onset dementia (probably Alzheimer's, but unconfirmed) in 2005, after having been diagnosed at 62. Her decline was more steady and gradual, with the last 2.5 years spent in long-term care. By the time we placed her there, she barely knew us.

 

[MADHAT1]

Very sad, my heart goes out to all of her family and friends along with all who know and care for her..

 

[Mikemarc]

Her death is "imminent", according to the family pastor.

Ugh.

 

[BeKnighted_rivals]

She has passed.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/pat-summitt-legendary-womens-basketball-coach-dead-64/story?id=40136499

Condolences to her family and, really, the entire women's basketball community.

 

[RUSK97]

Great loss, but in many ways it's better for her and her loved ones. I recently lost my father to AD after an epic 13-year struggle that drained spirits and resources. When you're incapable of enjoying any aspect of life, it's tragic and it's not living. Of course, my mother is now in her 5th year of her struggle with the disease. Dreadful. My thoughts go out to the Summitt family and the Tenn community.

 

[Retired711]

So very sad. I lost my mother at 70 to early-onset dementia (probably Alzheimer's, but unconfirmed) in 2005, after having been diagnosed at 62. Her decline was more steady and gradual, with the last 2.5 years spent in long-term care. By the time we placed her there, she barely knew us.

Coach Summitt's case also sounds like early-onset. It claims its victims relatively quickly; I have a colleague who lost his wife this way. She was still aware enough to know that she was being taken to a nursing home, and my colleague tells me she was in tears all the way.

 

[RUBand]

My mom lost her battle with dementia a year ago, was in long term care for her last 2 1/2 years. I took her for a ride almost daily, she loved getting out, looking around. Communication was a big issue, she did recognize us. There were days when returning to the facility after a long ride, she would beg me to drive her around some more. I never turned these requests down, drove off for another half hour tour of something. All that mattered was the smile on her face. I always reminded her when leaving her that I will be back tomorrow, give her something to look forward to. Very difficult disease.