Facing the Future: A Nurse's Personal Battle With Alzheimer's

The central tension of this Saturday's annual Walk to End Alzheimer's in Fayetteville is the personal weight carried by hundreds of participants, most notably Amy Hamby. For many, the event is a community gathering, but for Hamby, it is a direct confrontation with a disease that has already claimed her father and now threatens her own future. She is not just a walker; she is a living example of the condition affecting more than seven million Americans, a figure that represents roughly one in nine people aged 65 and older.

The urgency of the cause is underscored by the sheer volume of new cases. Nationwide, a person receives an Alzheimer's diagnosis every 65 seconds. Each statistic represents a unique family navigating a complex journey of perseverance and loss. Hamby joins this larger story with a specific connection to the event, as she walks in memory of her father, whom the family affectionately called Poppy.

Hamby, a resident of Erwin, will wear a Team Poppy shirt to honor her father, who passed away in 2008. At the time of his death, the family did not fully grasp the genetic component of the illness. As a nurse, Hamby admits she had no idea that her father carried the gene for the disease, nor did she realize she would inherit it. This lack of understanding left her unprepared for what was to come.

The reality of the diagnosis arrived in 2004, when Hamby was 59 years old. Prior to that, she attributed her early symptoms to COVID brain fog, a common explanation at the time. It was only after a few years that the persistent issues prompted her to seek answers. Testing revealed she has two copies of the APOE-4 gene, a significant risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's.

The presence of two copies of this gene dramatically alters the medical landscape for patients. While one copy can increase risk by two to three times, having two copies can raise the likelihood of developing the disease by as much as 10 to 15 times. This genetic reality places Hamby in a higher risk category, influencing both her daily life and her medical options.

Despite the statistical odds, Hamby is currently waiting for approved treatments. She acknowledges that these therapies carry considerable risks for her specifically because of her genetic profile. However, she believes the potential benefits are worth the gamble. She describes herself as actively waiting for these interventions, viewing them as a necessary step in managing her condition.

Daily life continues with adjustments. Hamby sometimes needs her children to repeat questions, a small but significant change in her interactions. Nevertheless, she holds onto her passions, particularly cooking. She frequently revisits a cookbook of family recipes, finding comfort and fond memories in the process. Sharing meals with her family remains a cherished part of her routine.

Beyond her personal life, Hamby has taken her experience to the state capital. Since her diagnosis, she has traveled to Raleigh to advocate for legislation that supports Alzheimer's research and care. Her efforts are driven by a desire to maximize her time with her children, aiming to live life to the fullest despite the challenges ahead.

The community is invited to join her this Saturday. The walk is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at Segra Stadium. Registration is still open for anyone wishing to participate or show their support for those affected by the disease.

As the walkers gather, the event serves as a reminder that behind the national statistics are individual stories of resilience. Hamby’s journey from nurse to patient to advocate highlights the complex interplay of genetics, memory, and family in the fight against Alzheimer's.