In addition, the UW center is testing another drug, Sabeluzole, which has prevented brain-cell death in laboratory rats. As the hunt in the labs continue, people like Sandra Lewis are overwhelmed trying to deal with caring for people who forget where their car keys are, don't remember to eat or go to the bathroom, or exhibit other strange behavior, such as asking the same question repeatedly. Well, think of someone that way who is six feet tall and weighs 150 pounds. It is overwhelming. I never used to miss work, but I had to start missing work to care for my father before he was put in a nursing home.
People are desperate for knowledge.
And the effect on families is just awful. In my own family, there has been a huge battle with other siblings over the care of our parents. Sandra Lewis collects herself for a moment. There isn't much that can be done now for people like my father. But if there is any way we can contribute to finding out what causes this disease, and preventing it in the future, we will do anything we can.