Pratchett has Alzheimer's

Mel · Dec 12, 2007

It is a very sad disease. My mom has it. It sounds like they caught Mr. Pratchett's early, which is good (certainly not good that he has it, though!). If some of the meds out there work for him it can be slowed down. I think, too, that it might be a plus because he writes. He's using his brain cells more than some. So, as he says, there'll be more books coming from him.

Sai · Dec 12, 2007

Pratchett? As in Terry Pratchett, one of my favorite fantasy authors? Well, then again I wouldn't wish Alzheimer's on anybody. I will try to take his cue and not treat it like a death sentence, but still, I'm depressed.

maxmordon · Dec 12, 2007

So sad to hear this; my grandfather suffers it and in my expirience, is has a different rythm to each person and how the modern medicine is currently going, I guess we will have him for a decade or two. He has mentioned he will continue the series as is humanly possible for him

As my grandmother says: Save your tears for the corpses and seize it while is still around

dragonjax · Dec 12, 2007

Alzheimer's runs strongly in my family, both on my mother's and father's sides. Sometimes, I wonder if that's part of why I want to write: to have something permanent, something that won't fade away. Memories fade; ancestors become nothing more than branches on a family tree. But words? They last.

Well, unless you hit the delete key.

Terry seems to be in good spirits (publicly) about it. With luck and science, there will be a cure for Alzheimer's soon. Until then, let's buy oodles of his books and enjoy them. Laughter sometimes is the best medicine.

dragonjax · Dec 12, 2007

Stormhawk said:
Shouldn't that be. "I ATEN'T DEAD"? *sniffle*

Damn straight, Stormhawk. He aten't dead, not by a long shot. And Granny'd be the first one to say so.

oscuridad · Dec 13, 2007

Stormhawk said:
Shouldn't that be. "I ATEN'T DEAD"? *sniffle*

damn right. still bloody depressing though. I've worked with people with this and it is usually horrible and harrowing for all concerned, but I did have the good fortune to meet some folks who lost most things but retained their love of life, their capacity for joy and for them, every day was just chock full of fun surprises, hard for the relatives, but lets hope it goes that way for him.

Bartholomew · Dec 13, 2007

That's just fucking depressing.

swvaughn · Dec 13, 2007

Terry Pratchett is leaving us

Yesterday's Publisher's Lunch carried the distressing news that Terry Pratchett has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's.

http://www.paulkidby.com/news/index.html

There is a personal note up from him on his illustrator's website (link above). And, being Pratchett, it's a humorous note...

I love this man. I'm so sad to hear this.

Emily Winslow · Dec 13, 2007

How awful. How sad. I don't know what to say...

Susan Gable · Dec 13, 2007

Prachett specifically asked that people keep things cheerful and optimistic. He "thinks there's time for at least a few more books yet."

So, I think the heading on this thread (Terry Prachett is leaving us - the threads must have merged when I posted. <G>) may be a bit premature.

It's a terrible, terrible thing. He's a talented writer. But let's not write him off just yet, huh? He doesn't want us to.

Susan G.

poetinahat · Dec 13, 2007

There were three threads on this topic; they've been merged into this one. There are redirects from the old locations.

Hope this isn't too confusing.

Sassee · Dec 13, 2007

Here's hoping he keeps his wits about him for many years (decades!!!) to come.

Anyone else have a sudden urge to go book shopping? Scarlet, let's carpool.

ink wench · Dec 13, 2007

How sad. May his wit last for many more happy years.

ShebaJones · Dec 13, 2007

I'm not too sure how it relates to early-onset, but:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/12/11/healthscience/11brod.php?page=2

In short, they saw earmarks of Alzheimer's in the brains of people who hadn't had any noticeable cognitive dysfunction, and all signs point to keeping your brain active as a measure against the progression of the disease.

Again, I don't know how this relates (the study only dealt with elderly folk who showed no dementia), but I'm choosing to be optimistic. If there's anyone with an active brain, it's him.

yanallefish · Dec 14, 2007

Agreed, Sassee! (about the wits thing)... and he may manage it, too. My special hope is he figures out how to adapt to the changes while he can, and that it isn't too fast so that he may do so.

(attempting to be positive here)

seun · Dec 15, 2007

That blows tramp's cock. He's a great writer and seems like an all round good egg.

Sad confession time: I have this little odd fantasy that whenever I go, Death is Pratchett's Death. That would be very cool.

lfraser · Dec 15, 2007

An embuggerance, indeed. I love his books. They're funny and strangely profound.

Angie · Dec 16, 2007

seun said:
Sad confession time: I have this little odd fantasy that whenever I go, Death is Pratchett's Death. That would be very cool.

Me too! Makes death seem...not so scary, eh?

Ageless Stranger · Dec 22, 2007

There are no words.

Pratchett has Alzheimer's

Mel

Never be completely back to normal.

Sai

Book lover/Spy

maxmordon

Penúltimo

dragonjax

I write stuff and break boards.

dragonjax

I write stuff and break boards.

oscuridad

Bartholomew

Comic guy

swvaughn

adrift

Emily Winslow

Do Not Walk on the Grass

Susan Gable

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

poetinahat

Numbers are beautiful

Sassee

Momma Wolf

ink wench

ray of motherf#%&ing sunshine

ShebaJones

I post in the nude.

yanallefish

seun

Horror Man

lfraser

Bored and Frantic

Angie

Shaddup and lemme think.

Ageless Stranger

Dave Brubeck kicks your ass.