Mum called me tonight, she had some news to share about my aunt, who is her half-sister(through their father) and is a fair bit older - she'll be 67 next month, Mum will be 50 in September.

A few years ago, Auntie Mary Alice was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease. For those unfamiliar with it, I can sum it up as a terrible, degenerative disease. It starts presenting with unsteadiness, uneven gait, and can seem a bit klutzy. It moves to affecting speech, mental faculties, and can cause delusions. Forty years ago, they locked up patients with Huntington's, not knowing what it was. This is what happened to Auntie Mary Alice's own mother, she had to watch her, as a teenager, go downhill.

They caught it late with her, much later than normal patients with Huntington's. Last time I saw her, which was probably a year ago, she barely spoke and shook even while just sitting in the chair. She's still fairly aware of the world around her, but she's not capable of taking care of herself. There have been a couple of incidents where, in a panicked and deluded state, she called the police on her husband(Uncle Bob), who then had to explain to the officers arriving at their home that she was unwell, the list of her medications, and contact information for her doctors.

My uncle has done his best by her for years, but it has sadly reached a point where he's not able to be her caretaker full-time. They made the decision last year to look for a suitable long-term care facility for her to be moved into.

This past winter was most likely their last trip to Mexico. They've gone down there for the winter for as far back as I remember. Upon returning, they were informed that their top pick facility had a spot for her.

Saturday, they brought her in. As I'm told, when they first arrived, she stated "no thank you" and clung to her seatbelt, refusing to get out of the car. She'd already been given a sedative, as recommended by her doctor before the transition, and they had to give her another one. It took four hours to eventually get her out of the car and into the front door of the place. Auntie Mary Alice is insisting to anyone who'll listen that she's not staying long, likely trying to convince herself that this isn't the end. Remember - she watched her mother go into a hospital, and never come back out.

My cousins have a 50/50 chance of having Huntington's. Yes, it's that strong of a genetic. If you have a parent with it, 50/50 shot you will. Thankfully, having come through her mother's side of the family, it's not a concern myself or my mother or brother have.

Tonight, I'm feeling sad.