Our Journey with Alzheimer’s: Finding Light in the Fog by Erin Doepke, APRN

This isn’t a journey I ever expected to share publicly. But maybe that’s exactly why I need to.

My mom was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Our relationship has never been easy. She’s battled mental health struggles and alcohol use for much of her life, and those years shaped me in ways I’m still uncovering.

Now, this diagnosis has brought us to a new place. It’s not about rewriting history. It’s about compassion, forgiveness, and preserving what’s still good and true between us.

This blog isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about learning to face hard things with honesty and grace, and to show up even when the past is complicated.

Why I’m Sharing This Journey

As a nurse practitioner, I’ve spent years helping others heal through both traditional and functional medicine. But when it’s your own family, the work becomes personal. The lines between caregiver and daughter blur quickly.

I decided to document this process because I know there are others out there walking a similar road. You might love someone deeply and still carry pain from the past. You might be caring for a parent while still healing from childhood. And that’s okay.

If you’ve ever felt the same tension—between love and grief, duty and exhaustion—I want this space to remind you that you’re not alone.

What You’ll Find Here

Each post will weave together stories, science, and spirit.

Functional Medicine Insights: What I’m doing to support my mom’s brain health through nutrition, gut repair, hormone balance, detoxification, and lifestyle, alongside her medical care.

Real-Life Moments: The confusion, humor, heartbreak, and unexpected beauty that happen along the way.

Faith and Perspective: How this journey is teaching me about surrender, forgiveness, and grace—for her and for myself.

Support for Families: Simple, practical steps that can make a difference, plus encouragement for the emotional side of caregiving.

Where We’re Starting

Right now, we’re focusing on foundational care—stabilizing blood sugar, improving sleep, supporting the gut and brain, and building small daily routines that bring comfort.

We’re also working on connections. Some days that looks like laughter over morning coffee. Other days, it’s just sitting quietly beside her, reminding both of us that presence is enough.

I don’t have all the answers. But I’m learning that healing doesn’t always mean curing. Sometimes it simply means showing up, even when it hurts, and believing there can still be moments of light.

Thank you for being here.

With gratitude,

Erin