"Terry Pratchett, the best-selling fantasy author and creator of the Discworld series, announced on Dec. 11 that he has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease."
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
I just saw that. He said it was in the early stages and he expects to complete the books and conventions he already has planned.
Heavens, though, how awful. It's hard to imagine a worse fate for a writer.
Edit: Well it's an awful fate for anyone, of course.
[This message has been edited by JeanneT (edited December 13, 2007).]
Posted by TaleSpinner (Member # 5638) on :
He's retaining his sense of humour and according to the BBC he calls it 'An Embuggerance'
Wow, this is sad. This disease is one of the ones I'm afraid of.
Posted by ArCHeR (Member # 2067) on :
Isn't this a disease that has been shown to have less of an impact on the mentally active?
There's a joke there that's in REALLY bad taste, but all I'm trying to say is: Writers shouldn't be affected by this disease nearly as bad as others. So it's not that his disease is bad for his occupation, but his occupation is already a part of his treatment.
Posted by kings_falcon (Member # 3261) on :
What a shame.
Hopefully, with his active mind and some of the treatments currently available, it will be a very long time before the disease impares him.
Posted by Marzo (Member # 5495) on :
The diagnosis of Alzheimer's for a writer must seem particularly sad. The movie Iris comes to mind. It's good to see he's mustering his courage and humor to bear through it.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
My understanding of early onset Alzheimers is that it's generally fast-progessing, too. The details are hazy, but I worry for him. How upsetting to get such a diagnosis, no matter who are you. Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
Unfortunately, I've read the same thing about early-onset Alzheimer's. It's sad. Like a lot of people, this is on my list of the most horrible thing I can imagine.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
I saw the press reports yesterday...I'm not sure what Pratchett was diagnosed with, but I've been under the impression that a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease can't be confirmed without an autopsy.
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
It is confirmed with an autopsy, not made with one. People are diagnosed with it prior to death. Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
But until the autopsy, it's just a guess.
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
I have read that there are widely accepted tests for dementia and Alzheimer's, but have no idea what they are. Referring to such a deadly illness as "a guess" seems a bit less than sympathetic.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Jeanne T, it may be a lack of sympathy, but it could also be a desire for hope.
Please try to give people the benefit of the doubt?
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
Heavens, ok.
I think it would be best if I didn't say anything about this or any other issue. That was as politely and mildly phrased as I could manage. Obviously, I just step on too many toes.
[This message has been edited by JeanneT (edited December 14, 2007).]
