“My grandkids are my motivation for being here. I want to be the same Grandma to them as long as I can.”
Seventy-four-year-old Sandy has two children, three grandchildren, and just celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband Frank. She has a rich life full of time with family, singing in her church choir, exercising regularly, and volunteering in her community. She’s doing everything she possibly can to stay active and maintain her health because she has a tough battle ahead.
“I started noticing that something was wrong a few years back,” Frank said. “Sandy started making mistakes when paying bills, and I thought something wasn’t right.”
That’s when Sandy saw a neuropsychiatrist and received devastating news: she had Alzheimer’s disease. After allowing herself time to grieve, she focused on finding solutions. “I’m stubborn and persistent, and I never give up.”
Learn more about spotting the signs of Alzheimer’s.
After trying several medications, Sandy’s neuropsychiatrist referred her to BAMF to see if she was a candidate for FDA-approved infusion treatment for Alzheimer’s. And she was! Now after her eighth infusion, Sandy is hopeful.
“I would certainly recommend BAMF to anybody,” she said. “I wouldn’t go anywhere else. The people here are great.”
One aspect of BAMF Health that stood out to Sandy and Frank was the ability to receive an evaluation, amyloid PET imaging, infusion treatments, and follow-up care in one location. For patients navigating Alzheimer’s disease, reducing the need to travel to multiple providers and facilities makes a meaningful difference.
“It’s almost like you look forward to coming here,” Frank added.
“Well, I wouldn’t say that,” Sandy joked. “But if I have to be somewhere, this is where I want to be.”
Sandy knows a lot about healthcare and patient experience. She spent 40+ years as a nurse in facilities across the country. Most of that time was spent as a nurse in the emergency room.
“When I was little, my Grandma was ill, and I was the only one who could get her to take her medicine,” she shared. “I’ve always felt like healthcare is where I belonged. It means I’m very picky about my care providers, and there’s nothing I don’t like about BAMF.”
Studies have shown that infusion treatment for Alzheimer’s disease can slow disease progression by up to 30% and is generally well-tolerated, but it doesn’t stop progression completely. Every single day, researchers across the country are working to develop new treatment options so that one day we have a cure.
Sandy is grateful an option exists for her and that, so far, her prognosis is good. “Our family is very supportive, and my friends check in on me frequently. I’m very positive about my future, and I want to be around as long as I can.”
For Sandy, every infusion represents another opportunity to preserve the moments that matter most, time with family, community, and the people she loves.
Click here for more information about Alzheimer’s services at BAMF.
