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My father has been unable to speak for the most part, feed himself or walk for many, many, many months. He is 95 years old and already on hospice. On Friday morning, he began to speak, as though there were absolutely nothing wrong, as though he had never been diagnosed with dementia and as though he had never had a stroke. He talked to his brother on the phone, had conversations with all of us and said some prayers that had once meant a great deal to him.

Later in the day, he asked if he could try to walk and with the help of the caregiver and the walker, he took 10 steps. What is so amazing is that until Friday morning this was an impossibility.

This morning he started to fade and we are so sad. It's like losing him all over again. Has this happened to anyone else? Is this part of the disease?

My daughter says to just hold this glorious weekend in our hearts and be pleased that he "came back" if just for a few days. I know she's right, but it seems so strange.

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By the way, the stroke came after the Alzheimer diagnosis.
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Rachel: the mind works in ways that I do not even think medical science can explain - especially after a stroke. I know that it was a mixed blessing having your father "back" even for such a short period.
Alzheimers is one of those "umbrella" diseases that doctors seem to be assigning to everyone these days. Your father could be experiencing the effects of the stroke - not Alz.
BTW: My mother was in PT rehab recently, had a reaction to a pain med, had hallucinations, and the doctor instantly diagnosed it as Alz. I told him that if Mom had Alz then we all had it! I told him to take her off the pain meds and "poof" she was back to her old self. So you really need someone who is knowledgable in this area to give you an accurate diagnosis. Can you find someone who specializes in strokes? You really need more answers.
Good luck
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