When you’re a new mother in your forties, it’s easy to blame forgetfulness on exhaustion or “mom brain.” For Staci Marklin, a Tennessee mom, that was the initial explanation for the subtle but persistent changes she began to notice in her own mind. However, a deep-seated feeling told her something more serious was happening. At just 47 years old, with a young son to care for, Staci embarked on a journey that would lead to a life-altering diagnosis: early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Her story sheds light on the unexpected and often overlooked early symptoms of a condition typically associated with the elderly.
The first signs were not dramatic memory lapses but something more peculiar: a struggle with language. Staci began to mix up her words in everyday conversation. She would tell her husband to “move the carpet” when she meant to say “move the curtain.” These verbal stumbles were confusing and frustrating. On another occasion, a friend asked her about a co-worker, and Staci drew a complete blank. She had no recollection of the person, even though the context of the conversation made it clear this was someone she knew well and had worked with closely. It took her several days for the co-worker’s identity to resurface in her memory.
Having witnessed her grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s, Staci’s intuition kicked into high gear. She recognized that these were not typical signs of stress or sleep deprivation. Despite her fears, getting a diagnosis was an uphill battle. When she first expressed her concerns to a doctor, she was met with skepticism, told that Alzheimer’s was exceedingly rare in someone her age. The reluctance of others to believe her only strengthened her resolve to find the truth. She knew her own mind, and she knew something was fundamentally wrong.
After undergoing a series of rigorous tests, including an amyloid PET scan, Staci’s suspicions were tragically confirmed. The scan revealed the presence of amyloid plaques in her brain, and in October 2024, she received the official diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s. The news was devastating for Staci and her husband. They cried together, fully aware that their lives and their future plans for their young family were forever changed. The diagnosis was a shock, but it also provided a strange sense of validation after having her concerns dismissed for so long.
Now, Staci is determined to use her voice to break the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s. Through her TikTok channel, she shares her experience openly, hoping to educate others. She wants people to understand that this is not just an “old person’s disease” and that individuals living with Alzheimer’s are still capable and vibrant. She has begun a new treatment called lecanemab, facing her future with courage and a mission to ensure that others who experience similar early symptoms will be heard and taken seriously from the very beginning.
