Comments on: Terry Pratchett has rare, early-onset Alzheimer's http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 06:59:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Bowlie http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91906 Bowlie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91906 That is such a shame to hear. I recall that Terry was the very first 'celeb' I ever emailed and got a nice reply from in those heady pre-WWW days online. tpratchett@unseen.demon.co.uk comes to mind. Cheers Nigel That is such a shame to hear.

I recall that Terry was the very first ‘celeb’ I ever emailed and got a nice reply from in those heady pre-WWW days online.

tpratchett@unseen.demon.co.uk comes to mind.

Cheers Nigel

]]> By: Laurie Mann http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-92163 Laurie Mann Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-92163 Yeah, ALS is a fate worse than death for the patient. Both ALS and Alzheimer's are pretty horrific for the family. Yeah, ALS is a fate worse than death for the patient. Both ALS and Alzheimer’s are pretty horrific for the family.

]]> By: mbdrake http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91908 mbdrake Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91908 Very upsetting news. Yet, I've a feeling the man will probably outlive most of us just to spite his critics (mind you - if there are ANY critics of Terry Pratchett, I've yet to meet them - the man is a bloody good author). I'm sure things will be okay, certainly with research and modern medicine. And it is an early diagnosis at that. Very upsetting news. Yet, I’ve a feeling the man will probably outlive most of us just to spite his critics (mind you – if there are ANY critics of Terry Pratchett, I’ve yet to meet them – the man is a bloody good author).

I’m sure things will be okay, certainly with research and modern medicine. And it is an early diagnosis at that.

]]> By: Halloween Jack http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91915 Halloween Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91915 Trying not to make a mental list of shitty authors who are still alive, healthy, and in full possession of their facilities... ...failing... Trying not to make a mental list of shitty authors who are still alive, healthy, and in full possession of their facilities…

…failing…

]]> By: cinemajay http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91918 cinemajay Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91918 Alzheimer's is not a death sentence. While he will likely lose some cognitive function, there are drugs like aricept that help protect the breakdown of memory function to nemenda which is for moderate/severe cases. My grandmother lived a happy life for 10 years (into her 90s) with Alzheimer's on these drugs. She was a patient of Mayo in Rochester, MN, where some of the best minds in neuroscience are working on future treatments and a cure. Keeping focused on projects, getting regular, moderate excersize, and above all--using your brain, are good ways to develop and retain function. I wish him the best, but I won't grieve for him just yet! Alzheimer’s is not a death sentence. While he will likely lose some cognitive function, there are drugs like aricept that help protect the breakdown of memory function to nemenda which is for moderate/severe cases. My grandmother lived a happy life for 10 years (into her 90s) with Alzheimer’s on these drugs. She was a patient of Mayo in Rochester, MN, where some of the best minds in neuroscience are working on future treatments and a cure. Keeping focused on projects, getting regular, moderate excersize, and above all–using your brain, are good ways to develop and retain function.

I wish him the best, but I won’t grieve for him just yet!

]]> By: Lizzle http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91920 Lizzle Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91920 That's unspeakably shitty news. I hope that the early diagnosis is a positive thing. That’s unspeakably shitty news. I hope that the early diagnosis is a positive thing.

]]> By: Chris Schmidt http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91923 Chris Schmidt Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91923 This is, indeed, very sad news. Pratchet is probably my favorite author - the sheer amount of truly entertaining writing that this man creates boggles the mind. It is unfortunate that someone so sharp and clever should be stricken with this particular condition. Luckily, it's still early and there's a lot of very promising Alzheimer's research going on right now. Things could be far worse. This is, indeed, very sad news. Pratchet is probably my favorite author – the sheer amount of truly entertaining writing that this man creates boggles the mind. It is unfortunate that someone so sharp and clever should be stricken with this particular condition.

Luckily, it’s still early and there’s a lot of very promising Alzheimer’s research going on right now. Things could be far worse.

]]> By: Cpt. Tim http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91932 Cpt. Tim Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91932 every time i hear something like this it always makes me think that these people like Terry Pratchett, creative geniuses, spend such time using their creative faculties and intellect, that in the end they burn out their noodles early. of course I know thats not actually the case, but i can't help but think of the "the candle that burns brightest..." saying. well. heres hoping for a long life for Terry. How bout it stem cell research? every time i hear something like this it always makes me think that these people like Terry Pratchett, creative geniuses, spend such time using their creative faculties and intellect, that in the end they burn out their noodles early.

of course I know thats not actually the case, but i can’t help but think of the “the candle that burns brightest…” saying.

well. heres hoping for a long life for Terry. How bout it stem cell research?

]]> By: Ari B. http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91940 Ari B. Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91940 Damn, that's sad news. This reinforces my decision to buy Terry's works rather than take them out from the library. NHS or no, his care needs will become rather expensive and he'll need every bit of royalties that he can get. Damn, that’s sad news.

This reinforces my decision to buy Terry’s works rather than take them out from the library.
NHS or no, his care needs will become rather expensive and he’ll need every bit of royalties that he can get.

]]> By: cha0tic http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-92708 cha0tic Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-92708 Shitty news, but he seems to be facing up to it. So in that spirit: "Which would you rather have? Alzheimer's or Parkinson's?" "Parkinson's - I'd rather spill half my drink trembling, than forget where I put it." :) Shitty news, but he seems to be facing up to it. So in that spirit:

“Which would you rather have? Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s?”

“Parkinson’s – I’d rather spill half my drink trembling, than forget where I put it.”

:)

]]> By: cinemajay http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91944 cinemajay Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91944 Cpt. Tim, that's so not the case. I truly hope you aren't propogating this bad-science. Cpt. Tim, that’s so not the case. I truly hope you aren’t propogating this bad-science.

]]> By: Remus Shepherd http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91950 Remus Shepherd Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91950 I work at a yearly convention, and Pratchett was the nicest guest of honor I've ever met. Humble, witty, polite and intelligent. Just an all-round amazing human being. I have no doubt he'll keep going despite this bad news. Might even pour it into his work. I'll be looking forward to the Discworld novel where Rincewind's memory is starting to go. I work at a yearly convention, and Pratchett was the nicest guest of honor I’ve ever met. Humble, witty, polite and intelligent. Just an all-round amazing human being.

I have no doubt he’ll keep going despite this bad news. Might even pour it into his work. I’ll be looking forward to the Discworld novel where Rincewind’s memory is starting to go.

]]> By: digitalimageer http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91952 digitalimageer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91952 Of course, for a Terry Pratchett fan, this will come as shocking news. However, I would always bank, rather, on still reading and enjoying that -- at some point in time -- good ol' Terry will write tons of laughs and good reads for us. Of course, for a Terry Pratchett fan, this will come as shocking news. However, I would always bank, rather, on still reading and enjoying that — at some point in time — good ol’ Terry will write tons of laughs and good reads for us.

]]> By: KFont http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91955 KFont Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91955 Sad news, indeed. I'm running through the Discworld series and nothing can part me from my copy of Good Omens. Here's cheer and good luck to him and his family. Sad news, indeed. I’m running through the Discworld series and nothing can part me from my copy of Good Omens.

Here’s cheer and good luck to him and his family.

]]> By: thordora http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91960 thordora Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91960 sigh. This IS a crap year for authors. If anything happens to Steven Brust, I'm just going to stop reading. That is so sad. I hope treatment works for him. He really brightened up my adolescence. I just started reading his books to my daughters. sigh. This IS a crap year for authors. If anything happens to Steven Brust, I’m just going to stop reading.

That is so sad. I hope treatment works for him. He really brightened up my adolescence. I just started reading his books to my daughters.

]]> By: Moon http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91964 Moon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91964 That's harsh news. I've heard some good things lately from those brain chemistry scientists, so maybe there's hope. I need at least 30 more Terry Pratchett books to last me for the rest my life! That’s harsh news.

I’ve heard some good things lately from those brain chemistry scientists, so maybe there’s hope.

I need at least 30 more Terry Pratchett books to last me for the rest my life!

]]> By: Euryale http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-91976 Euryale Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91976 Well. That's fucking devastating. My grandmother died of early-onset Alzheimer's, but here's hoping he's not in quite the same boat, because she went from pretty much fine to nonverbal in about 6 months. Of course, that was more than 30 years ago. I'd like to think some major advancements have been made since then. Well. That’s fucking devastating. My grandmother died of early-onset Alzheimer’s, but here’s hoping he’s not in quite the same boat, because she went from pretty much fine to nonverbal in about 6 months. Of course, that was more than 30 years ago. I’d like to think some major advancements have been made since then.

]]> By: Perla http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-93014 Perla Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-93014 That's so sad. It is a bad year for authors, Robert Jordan, Wheel of time books also died. I depressed my sister greatly when I told her, I won't tell her about Terry Pratchett. I hope he lives many more years as funny as ever. That’s so sad. It is a bad year for authors, Robert Jordan, Wheel of time books also died. I depressed my sister greatly when I told her, I won’t tell her about Terry Pratchett. I hope he lives many more years as funny as ever.

]]> By: mullingitover http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-92004 mullingitover Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-92004 Poor guy...I have it too. Oh well. At least I don't have early-onset alzheimers. Poor guy…I have it too.

Oh well. At least I don’t have early-onset alzheimers.

]]> By: Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-92015 Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-92015 Cpt. Tim, it only seems that way because we're less likely to hear about less brilliant and beloved authors who get hit with devastating illnesses. Thordora (17):<blockquote><i>"sigh. This IS a crap year for authors. If anything happens to Steven Brust, I'm just going to stop reading."</i></blockquote>Er. I'm afraid I've got some bad news. Steve's been having serious medical problems. A recurrent and hard-to-treat infection got into the bone behind one of his eyes. He doesn't have NHS, and the last round of treatment wiped him out financially. It took some arm-twisting to get Steve to agree to it, but <a href="http://dreamcafe.com/donate.html">there's now a fund</a> that's accepting contributions. If he continues to get treatment, his condition won't maim or kill him, and if he's not worrying about being out on the street (he's losing his house), he'll be able to keep writing. I've seen this happen to too many American authors. In the meantime, <i>Jhegaala</i> should be out soon. That's some consolation. Cpt. Tim, it only seems that way because we’re less likely to hear about less brilliant and beloved authors who get hit with devastating illnesses.

Thordora (17):

“sigh. This IS a crap year for authors. If anything happens to Steven Brust, I’m just going to stop reading.”

Er. I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news. Steve’s been having serious medical problems. A recurrent and hard-to-treat infection got into the bone behind one of his eyes. He doesn’t have NHS, and the last round of treatment wiped him out financially.

It took some arm-twisting to get Steve to agree to it, but there’s now a fund that’s accepting contributions. If he continues to get treatment, his condition won’t maim or kill him, and if he’s not worrying about being out on the street (he’s losing his house), he’ll be able to keep writing.

I’ve seen this happen to too many American authors.

In the meantime, Jhegaala should be out soon. That’s some consolation.

]]> By: JRinWV http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-92028 JRinWV Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-92028 Hi: Recently I read an article in the local newspaper (wvgazette.com)about research relevant to this disease, and I insert a few graphs of the story: "WVU researchers find possible memory aid By Eric Eyre Staff writer West Virginia scientists have discovered that a drug developed to treat cancer patients may improve and restore memory among people with Alzheimer’s disease or stroke and brain injuries. In an article published Tuesday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, two scientists at the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute in Morgantown found that the cancer drug Bryostatin stimulates brain connections in rats. The drug essentially rewires the brain, according to researchers Daniel Alkon and Jarin Hongpaisan, who conducted the study. . . . “Bryostatin and other drugs in this class could introduce a whole new era for brain repair,” he said. “At the same time, we are now closer to understanding what controls the growth of synaptic connections in the adult brain. I don’t know any drugs that have been shown to create new synapses.” Within the next several weeks, the Institute plans to seek Food and Drug Administration approval to conduct clinical trials of Bryostatin as a treatment of neurological disorders. The trials, expected to start next year, will determine whether the drug’s promising results on rat brains will have similar effects on human brains." Perhaps Mr. Pratchett or his medical folks should look into this research. JR Hi:

Recently I read an article in the local newspaper (wvgazette.com)about research relevant to this disease, and I insert a few graphs of the story:

“WVU researchers find possible memory aid

By Eric Eyre
Staff writer

West Virginia scientists have discovered that a drug developed to treat cancer patients may improve and restore memory among people with Alzheimer’s disease or stroke and brain injuries.

In an article published Tuesday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, two scientists at the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute in Morgantown found that the cancer drug Bryostatin stimulates brain connections in rats.

The drug essentially rewires the brain, according to researchers Daniel Alkon and Jarin Hongpaisan, who conducted the study.
.
.
.
“Bryostatin and other drugs in this class could introduce a whole new era for brain repair,” he said. “At the same time, we are now closer to understanding what controls the growth of synaptic connections in the adult brain. I don’t know any drugs that have been shown to create new synapses.”

Within the next several weeks, the Institute plans to seek Food and Drug Administration approval to conduct clinical trials of Bryostatin as a treatment of neurological disorders. The trials, expected to start next year, will determine whether the drug’s promising results on rat brains will have similar effects on human brains.”

Perhaps Mr. Pratchett or his medical folks should look into this research.

JR

]]> By: CapnMarrrrk http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-92031 CapnMarrrrk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-92031 Crappy crap crap! I just received <i>The Science of Discworld III: Darwin's Watch and I look forward to reading that and Making Money. I wish him all the best. Hang in there baby, take a nice injection of sweet, sweet stem cells. Steven Brust is sick too? Shit! I have to look into that donation page. Crappy crap crap! I just received The Science of Discworld III: Darwin’s Watch and I look forward to reading that and Making Money.

I wish him all the best. Hang in there baby, take a nice injection of sweet, sweet stem cells.

Steven Brust is sick too? Shit! I have to look into that donation page.

]]> By: Laurie Mann http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-92038 Laurie Mann Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-92038 Early onset Alzheimer's is typically rapidly progressing and can be fairly drug resistent. I sincerely hope some of the newer drugs have some positive impact for Terry. I find many of his books laugh-out-loud funny. I've met him at a few Worldcons and generally found him amusing to be around. Early onset Alzheimer’s is typically rapidly progressing and can be fairly drug resistent. I sincerely hope some of the newer drugs have some positive impact for Terry.

I find many of his books laugh-out-loud funny. I’ve met him at a few Worldcons and generally found him amusing to be around.

]]> By: elbryan108 http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-92041 elbryan108 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-92041 Terry is perhaps the greatest satirical writer of the last decade and a half. As well as being my personal favorite author, he has introduced a generation of fantasy fans to the art of satire and social commentary. Keep your heads high for him guys, he can beat this! Terry is perhaps the greatest satirical writer of the last decade and a half. As well as being my personal favorite author, he has introduced a generation of fantasy fans to the art of satire and social commentary.
Keep your heads high for him guys, he can beat this!

]]> By: mindysan33 http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-92043 mindysan33 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-92043 That's depressing news. I love his books. I have several by him that I have not read, that I'll be diving into since my semester is over... In the mean time, I'll go have a nice cry, I think... :-( Mindy That’s depressing news. I love his books. I have several by him that I have not read, that I’ll be diving into since my semester is over… In the mean time, I’ll go have a nice cry, I think… :-(

Mindy

]]> By: thordora http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-92046 thordora Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-92046 Sigh.....now that just makes my day even worse. Sigh…..now that just makes my day even worse.

]]> By: spike55151 http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-92047 spike55151 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-92047 Good Luck, Terry! Good Luck, Terry!

]]> By: Simon Greenwood http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-92330 Simon Greenwood Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-92330 That sounds like exactly what happened to my Dad. He had something that seemed to be a stroke, but wasn't diagnosed as such just after he turned 70, and started to decline mentally. He wasn't diagnosed with dementia for another couple of years by which time it was hard to do anything, although Exelon kept him going for a few more years. I would expect that there is hope for Pterry in that it's been caught so early on so there probably isn't too much to worry about at the moment. One of the strongest defences against dementia and Alzheimers is an active mind, so I think he'll be productive for a while yet. That sounds like exactly what happened to my Dad. He had something that seemed to be a stroke, but wasn’t diagnosed as such just after he turned 70, and started to decline mentally. He wasn’t diagnosed with dementia for another couple of years by which time it was hard to do anything, although Exelon kept him going for a few more years.

I would expect that there is hope for Pterry in that it’s been caught so early on so there probably isn’t too much to worry about at the moment. One of the strongest defences against dementia and Alzheimers is an active mind, so I think he’ll be productive for a while yet.

]]> By: Teapunk http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-92333 Teapunk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-92333 I met him once and learned more about writing in 45 minutes than in three years at the university. As he himself says: He ain't dead. And I want to believe he's as tough as Granny Weatherwax, though how he survived trying out Nanny Oggs recipes for the book I may never know, but these English men are a tough lot. I met him once and learned more about writing in 45 minutes than in three years at the university. As he himself says: He ain’t dead. And I want to believe he’s as tough as Granny Weatherwax, though how he survived trying out Nanny Oggs recipes for the book I may never know, but these English men are a tough lot.

]]> By: rahalia http://boingboing.net/2007/12/12/terry-pratchett-has.html#comment-92341 rahalia Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-92341 In a room that seemed to have no ceiling the walls were lined with hourglasses. A dark figure stalked between the rows, bony white finger tracking the names until it stopped. The figure bent closer to read the name on this particular hourglass. There was more sand in the bottom than in the top of this one, and the figure picked it up and turned it over. He could feel beady eyes on him, and the hiss of frying bacon in a pan held by a suspicious hand reached him just before its scent did, but he didn't turn around. As he put the hourglass back down, he merely said, NOBODY WILL EVER KNOW, ALBERT. In a room that seemed to have no ceiling the walls were lined with hourglasses. A dark figure stalked between the rows, bony white finger tracking the names until it stopped. The figure bent closer to read the name on this particular hourglass. There was more sand in the bottom than in the top of this one, and the figure picked it up and turned it over.

He could feel beady eyes on him, and the hiss of frying bacon in a pan held by a suspicious hand reached him just before its scent did, but he didn’t turn around. As he put the hourglass back down, he merely said, NOBODY WILL EVER KNOW, ALBERT.

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