A woman attributed her memory lapses to postpartum “mum brain” before receiving a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s at 46 years old. Staci Marklin, now 47, realized she had this progressive condition last year while her son, Gunnar, was only two. Initially, the former nurse from Knoxville, Tennessee, thought her memory issues were due to pregnancy and postpartum challenges.
As time passed, her difficulty in recalling words increased, leading to a brain scan that confirmed her diagnosis. Staci, a former hospice nurse, reflected, “It’s challenging to pinpoint when the symptoms began as they were present during my pregnancy and postpartum period.”
Nearly two years after giving birth, Staci’s memory problems persisted, prompting her to consider Alzheimer’s since her grandmother had it. Initially, a doctor reassured her that early-onset dementia was unlikely due to her age.
However, Staci’s symptoms worsened over time. She mentioned, “I frequently forget my son’s birthday and struggle with remembering new information, causing intense fear when faced with unfamiliar questions.”
Her cognitive challenges extended to her professional life. Staci shared, “There were instances where information vanished from my mind. I once couldn’t recognize a coworker despite close collaboration, only realizing days later.”
Following various tests, Staci’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis was confirmed in October 2024 after abnormal blood markers and amyloid plaques in her brain were detected. She expressed, “By the time I underwent these tests, I had already ceased working and sensed something was amiss.”
With her cognitive function ranking in the lowest 0% to 10% for her age group, Staci and her husband were deeply affected, realizing their lives would never be the same. Despite encountering skepticism due to the misconception that Alzheimer’s mainly affects older individuals, Staci is focusing on planning for her family’s future.
To preserve memories, Staci started creating TikTok videos for her son and family, including her husband and step-daughter. Additionally, she began a new treatment, lecanemab, for early-onset Alzheimer’s, hoping to slow cognitive decline based on promising results from an 18-month global study.
Although this treatment is unavailable through the NHS in the UK, Staci remains hopeful about its potential benefits, noting reduced side effects with each infusion. While adjusting to life post-diagnosis, she strives to cherish moments with her family, aiming to create lasting memories for her son’s future.