Bruce Willis retires from acting after aphasia diagnosis

[Gardener]

So I did a little research. There is a progressive type of aphasia.

Primary progressive aphasia | Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) – an NCATS Program (nih.gov)

With little info coming out from the family, I can only assume this is more like Bruce's disease.

In my limited experience, by the time people show observable (and clinically verifiable) mental deficits they've already progressed quite far into disease. Individuals are very good at covering it up, families make excuses, until they hit a tipping point.

 

[quikah]

His family released his diagnosis today of frontotemporal dementia.

Bruce Willis Now Has Dementia, Family Says in New Statement – The Hollywood Reporter

 

[ch33zw1z]

Aw man, that sucks fr

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Can't bury the man just yet but he's a legend.

 

[gothuevos]

Sucks to see one of your childhood movie heroes go down this way...

 

[Pohemi]

Yep, came to update this thread with the same news, unfortunately.

Bruce Willis has frontotemporal dementia, condition worsens

Nearly a year after Bruce Willis’ family announced that he would step away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, his family says his “condition has progressed.”

apnews.com

'The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration describes FTD as a group of brain disorders caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain that affects behavior, language and movement. Aphasia can be a symptom of it. The association describes frontotemporal degeneration as “an inevitable decline in functioning,” with an average life expectancy of seven to 13 years after the onset of symptoms.'

Man, that's a hard way to go out...especially if you retain any lucidity; just unable to communicate and/or move.

 

[TheVrolok]

That's just horrible. All dementias are a spectrum of horrible.

Poor Bruce and his family. He's so young, too.

Dementia legitimately scares me, more than cancer.

 

[dawp]

That's just horrible. All dementias are a spectrum of horrible.

Poor Bruce and his family. He's so young, too.

Dementia legitimately scares me, more than cancer.

My mom had Alzheimer’s and I'm scared shitless of getting it myself

 

[JEDI]

My mom had Alzheimer’s and I'm scared shitless of getting it myself

If i get Alzheimer’s, i'm moving to a state that allows assisted suicides

 

[Perknose]

If i get Alzheimer’s, i'm moving to a state that allows assisted suicides

You won't remember. Be proactive. Move now!

 

[Puffnstuff]

After seeing Cosmic Sin I figured it was well past time for him to retire. 😛 Seriously though I hope he's able to find good medical help with managing his condition.

 

[JEDI]

I hope he's able to find good medical help with managing his condition.

Yale Study Finds Elevated Suicide Risk for Older Adults Diagnosed With Dementia

Adults over age 65 who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia are more than twice as likely to die from suicide compared to older adults

medicine.yale.edu

risk of suicide was particularly elevated among adults aged 65-74 years and in the first 90 days following a dementia diagnosis. Patients diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia were also found to be at higher risk of suicide death.


He qualifies for both 😱

 

[dainthomas]

I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. Really awful way to go.

 

[Franz316]

I mean I would consider assisted death/suicide that point as well. What are we without our memories and experiences? Not much. Knowing that you are going to slowly lose what makes you would be a terrifying diagnosis, and I can certainly understand not wanting to experience that. You also save your friends and loved ones from experiencing it as well.

 

[hal2kilo]

My mom had Alzheimer’s and I'm scared shitless of getting it myself

Fingers crossed. Made it to 68 with relatively normal memory. Both my brothers that are still living seem clear headed. My mother was showing signs as early as early 50s. Unfortunately, my ex has Alzheimer's now (only 6 months older than me). Her mother had onset almost to the month of my ex's age. I hope my children aren't cursed.

 

[woolfe9998]

My mom had Alzheimer’s and I'm scared shitless of getting it myself

It isn't hereditary unless she had the rare early onset type. My dad had lewey body dimentia w/ Parkinson's. It's fricking horrible. Fortunately also not hereditary.

 

[dawp]

It isn't hereditary unless she had the rare early onset type. My dad had lewey body dimentia w/ Parkinson's. It's fricking horrible. Fortunately also not hereditary.

she got it in her early to mid sixties or maybe a bit earlier and it runs in our family, she had an aunt that had it.

 

[woolfe9998]

she got it in her early to mid sixties or maybe a bit earlier and it runs in our family, she had an aunt that had it.

Early 60's isn't early onset. That type is 100% hereditary. One parent means you have a 50/50.

Checking some references and it looks like genetics is a risk factor in the standard form though. So good luck.

 

[DaaQ]

she got it in her early to mid sixties or maybe a bit earlier and it runs in our family, she had an aunt that had it.

My wife's grandmother had it. I think her grandfather started developing it after her grandmother passed.

Her aunt is straight up crazy, her mom's dad had a stroke.

She will be 50 in 7 months, and I personally see signs that could be related to it. Absent minded, forgetful, lose thoughts mid sentence. (Although I do too, and my side afaik no dementia)

It broke my hear to see my Father in Law in such pain when he would go visit, and she couldn't remember him. Also when his dad passed away. This was the only time I could comfort him out of experience because my Dad passed quite a time ago.

But my wife scares the shit out of me as far as her getting dementia. (Menopause ain't helping).

Heart out to people dealing with this themselves or with family.

 

[ivwshane]

I’ve been reading up on medical advances in studying of dementia in its various forms and I’m really hoping a cure is found soon. In my non expert opinion it seems like we are 10-15 years away from that happening.

 

[TheVrolok]

I’ve been reading up on medical advances in studying of dementia in its various forms and I’m really hoping a cure is found soon. In my non experience opinion it seems like we are 10-15 years away from that happening.

I hope you're right, but I have to highly doubt it.

 

[skyking]

If you think that Washington's Death With Dignity act will help you, not so much.
You are on your own.

Furthermore, people with dementia are unable to qualify for the Death with Dignity Act because by the time they are eligible to receive a terminal diagnosis with a six-month prognosis, they are no longer deemed mentally competent.

https://endoflifewa.org/death-with-dignity-patients/

I have very recent experience with that law and the procedures.

 

[hal2kilo]

If you think that Washington's Death With Dignity act will help you, not so much.
You are on your own.


https://endoflifewa.org/death-with-dignity-patients/

I have very recent experience with that law and the procedures.

Where do you think most of the Medicare money is going?

 

[JEDI]

If you think that Washington's Death With Dignity act will help you, not so much.
You are on your own.


https://endoflifewa.org/death-with-dignity-patients/

I have very recent experience with that law and the procedures.

then i hope to remember to load my 9mm 😱