As bad as being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s was, in the years since that time, there has been an eruption of positive steps on many levels. Not only politically but also medically, as well as in the area of public acceptance. These developments, by themselves, have made me feel more optimistic, but I am made even more hopeful by the mushrooming of research and new medications, e.g., Namenda, Razadyne, etc. At the risk of being too optimistic, I do believe that the United States can do anything, if we are adequately motivated.

 I look at the immense positive impact of the treatments for polio, measles, and many other diseases, which were much like this newest medical threat, and see the same ending. Specifically, I believe that the United States, and other countries as well, will do it again, by developing treatments to ameliorate the impact of Alzheimer’s, and, in due time, an outright cure. Already, I see my progression to be slower than what my sister is experiencing, and light-years slower than what my mother had to endure. I am sure that there are now even more treatment modalities being researched and tested to address Alzheimer’s. One of these will someday soon significantly increase the likelihood of lessening the symptoms, and, in the final analysis, there will be a cure, it is just a matter of time. 

 I wish I could say that I am always upbeat and hopeful for a cure, but, in all honesty, I do have down times when I am not so optimistic that it will be in time for me. These moments do come, but not too often, and the more I hear about research initiatives, the more certain I am that a cure can, and will, happen. There are so many dedicated and compassionate people in the form of spouses, family, medical personnel, researchers, etc., that will combine to create an environment which will assure a cure. It is not a question of whether it will happen, it is just a matter of time.