I’m terrified to be the age my mother was when she had Alzheimer’s disease.

My mom was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease at age 52.

But my mom began exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease when she was still in her 40s.

I am almost 42 years old.

Why I’m Terrified to Be the Age My Mother Was When She Had Alzheimer’s Disease

Every time I look in the mirror now, the first things I notice are the wrinkles on my forehead and the bags underneath my eyes.

And I am reminded that I am now officially middle aged.

I am aware that I am dangerously close to the age my mom was when she started experiencing brain atrophy.

I am dangerously close to the age my mom was when she starting losing grey matter.

I am only a decade from the age my mother was when she was finally diagnosed as being in the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s disease.

And I am less than two decades from the age my mom was when she died with dementia.

Every time I look in the mirror now, I feel like I am running out of time.

Because I’m terrified to be the age my mother was when she developed Alzheimer’s disease.