Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Thousand Mile Stare
is a book that is going to be published in January 2010. It's a true story about a man and his family that have been dealing with Alzheimer's in their family for generations. He has been spared from this disease, but he watches members of his family suffer. I've had the opportunity to review the book and it is one you will want to read.....you can preorder it now at http://www.thethousandmilestare.com/. Gary's cousin Chuck has been active with the Alzheimer's Association as someone who is living with the disease. Chuck's grandmother went to Washington DC years ago to talk with legislatures about Alzheimer's and it has come full circle with Chuck as he has done the same thing -- talked in front of a Senate Subcommittee to increase funding for Alzheimer's research. The story of the family is heartwrenching but beautifully told by Gary Reiswig. Order it now for a holiday gift -- but get out the tissues because it will tug at your heart.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Confusion reigns
My husband likes to "tinker" with things. It drives me crazy because there are certain things he just can't leave alone. When he wants to change things he just does, without consulting me of course. And, since change is a problem for me, this creates problems.
He recently changed our Cable television service. Which means a new remote. Since he is the "king of the remote" (what man isn't though!) this creates a problem for me because "I'm not doing it right" or "you don't know how to use it" is muttered quite frequently in our house. I try -- but when you don't get an opportunity to even touch the remote most of the time, it is hard to learn -- let alone learning something new.
Then, my husband upgraded our computer from Vista to Windows 7. Which I know is an improvement -- but it is something else to learn. Things aren't in the same place I'm used to them being. Then my husband decided to install several new programs that he wanted to use. One of the problems with that was that when he installed this one of these programs, it would not allow me to turn the sound off on the computer. (I can't deal with the sounds coming from the computer -- it sounds silly, but I lose my concentration). After complaining my husband finally took it off the computer until he could talk with it's maker and find out what the problem was. But, many times, when he makes one slight change in something -- it changes other things that affect me -- and because they are "little things" to most people, he doesn't seem to think it is a big deal -- but those little things are big things to me. It is very frustrating.
So, the last few weeks I have been confused. As a result, I get confused about a lot of things and I get anxious about that because things are not "normal" -- they've changed. I say the definition of normal changes all the time for me so I guess writing that last sentence doesn't make much sense -- but it is frustrating. I just feel like I'm a few steps behind everyone else. I need my space, my quiet and all things to stay the same......I know that is too much to ask for.....especially in my household. I've tried to explain that it would be like going into someone's house who was blind and moving all the furniture around without telling them. (or at least that is what I think it would be like) Little things make a difference in the life of someone with Alzheimer's.
He recently changed our Cable television service. Which means a new remote. Since he is the "king of the remote" (what man isn't though!) this creates a problem for me because "I'm not doing it right" or "you don't know how to use it" is muttered quite frequently in our house. I try -- but when you don't get an opportunity to even touch the remote most of the time, it is hard to learn -- let alone learning something new.
Then, my husband upgraded our computer from Vista to Windows 7. Which I know is an improvement -- but it is something else to learn. Things aren't in the same place I'm used to them being. Then my husband decided to install several new programs that he wanted to use. One of the problems with that was that when he installed this one of these programs, it would not allow me to turn the sound off on the computer. (I can't deal with the sounds coming from the computer -- it sounds silly, but I lose my concentration). After complaining my husband finally took it off the computer until he could talk with it's maker and find out what the problem was. But, many times, when he makes one slight change in something -- it changes other things that affect me -- and because they are "little things" to most people, he doesn't seem to think it is a big deal -- but those little things are big things to me. It is very frustrating.
So, the last few weeks I have been confused. As a result, I get confused about a lot of things and I get anxious about that because things are not "normal" -- they've changed. I say the definition of normal changes all the time for me so I guess writing that last sentence doesn't make much sense -- but it is frustrating. I just feel like I'm a few steps behind everyone else. I need my space, my quiet and all things to stay the same......I know that is too much to ask for.....especially in my household. I've tried to explain that it would be like going into someone's house who was blind and moving all the furniture around without telling them. (or at least that is what I think it would be like) Little things make a difference in the life of someone with Alzheimer's.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Quotes
I found these two quotes or sayings in the last few days and I thought they were cute:
"I love the nights I can't remember with the friends I can't forget"
"Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children"
"I love the nights I can't remember with the friends I can't forget"
"Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children"
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Golf
I went out to play golf today. The only things I can say are:
1. The weather was beautiful
2. It was a nice day for a walk
3. I found three golf balls
4. Golf is a four letter word
1. The weather was beautiful
2. It was a nice day for a walk
3. I found three golf balls
4. Golf is a four letter word
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The week
I've been in Atlanta for a couple of days so no posting. I was hoping I would have a photo of our MW team from this weekend to post but not yet. Thanks again to my whole team for coming out in the rain and walking. I appreciate it!
Monday night I had the privilege to speak once again to Dr. Glass' gerontology class at UGA. Dr. Glass and I met by chance one day while riding a shuttle to the Atlanta airport. Since then, she has been gracious to allow me to come and speak with her class. I've said it before and I'll say it again, that it is also therapy for me to do that. It is interesting to see who is in her class and their take on Alzheimer's. Thanks for having me!
I've also been reading an advance copy of a book about familial Alzheimer's. A person I know with Younger On Set Alzheimer's has a cousin who is writing this book about the disease and it's affect on their family. Many family members have (or had) the disease and it is gut wrenching to think about. Gary's book is due out in January and I will certainly write more about it as it gets close to its debut. It is certainly worth reading.
Monday night I had the privilege to speak once again to Dr. Glass' gerontology class at UGA. Dr. Glass and I met by chance one day while riding a shuttle to the Atlanta airport. Since then, she has been gracious to allow me to come and speak with her class. I've said it before and I'll say it again, that it is also therapy for me to do that. It is interesting to see who is in her class and their take on Alzheimer's. Thanks for having me!
I've also been reading an advance copy of a book about familial Alzheimer's. A person I know with Younger On Set Alzheimer's has a cousin who is writing this book about the disease and it's affect on their family. Many family members have (or had) the disease and it is gut wrenching to think about. Gary's book is due out in January and I will certainly write more about it as it gets close to its debut. It is certainly worth reading.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Memory Walk
Well, the rain didn't stay away -- we all got drenched but we raised a lot of money and everyone seemed to take the rain in stride. It was ideal by any means but it was very heartwarming to me that people really came out in the rain and supported us. That is something I really can't express in words how meaningful that was to me.
Our Team, Team Athens raised roughly $15,000 and I couldn't be happier. I have a great group of team members and they are near and dear to my heart!
Our Team, Team Athens raised roughly $15,000 and I couldn't be happier. I have a great group of team members and they are near and dear to my heart!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Memory Walk Day
It's Memory Walk Day -- I'm up early trying to double check everything. It's cold -- in the 40's and isn't suppose to get much warmer and currently it is raining outside. That is not even showing on the weather radar so I'm not sure what is up with that. Thanks to all who have contributed. More after the Walk.
Friday, October 09, 2009
The Week
was a little hectic but I survived. Next weekend is Memory Walk -- so we'll be in overdrive until that happens I suppose.
I heard from many friends this week and that is always nice. I wish I could spend more time with my friends and that is something I'm going to work on. There's never enough time to do the things we want, but it seems like we make time for some things -- I'm going to try to make more time with my friends.
I've made a few new friends this week as well. It's funny how you can meet some people and know instantly that they will become a good friend.
My birthday was this week and husband came up withs ome ways to remind me of my advancing age. My son pointed out that it was time to change my profile since I was no longer 53.........but I can say, that seven years ago when I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's I didn't think I would make it to 53 hearing about all the gloom and doom coming our way. And while that gloom and doom is still out there I can't let it get to me -- I just have to keep going......probably not as good as the Energizer bunny but going just the same.
I heard from many friends this week and that is always nice. I wish I could spend more time with my friends and that is something I'm going to work on. There's never enough time to do the things we want, but it seems like we make time for some things -- I'm going to try to make more time with my friends.
I've made a few new friends this week as well. It's funny how you can meet some people and know instantly that they will become a good friend.
My birthday was this week and husband came up withs ome ways to remind me of my advancing age. My son pointed out that it was time to change my profile since I was no longer 53.........but I can say, that seven years ago when I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's I didn't think I would make it to 53 hearing about all the gloom and doom coming our way. And while that gloom and doom is still out there I can't let it get to me -- I just have to keep going......probably not as good as the Energizer bunny but going just the same.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Busy Week
I have a busy week ahead. So much going on I can't just rely on my calendar to get by -- yesterday I had to sit down and write everything down for every day so I wouldn't get confused. Usually I can go by a huge calendar we have in our kitchen for everything, but not this week. I feel better now that I have everything written down and Ralph has kind of checked it over. I wasn't so good about "scheduling" myself this week and the next for that matter.
Yesterday was a bad "word day", but I started doing something yesterday that I have never done.....like spell words backwards when I was typing -- now I can't do that in the doctor's office when they give me that little mini-mental test so I don't know why I am doing it now. It has taken me a very long time to write this entry. Not only was I spelling words backwards (and most of the time getting them right!) I didn't know I was doing it until I read back what I was writing. And, then sometimes I was writing a word like "doing" and writing "goind" instead -- interchanging the first and last letters. Pretty bazaar -- maybe I can just say I can't type!
Yesterday was a bad "word day", but I started doing something yesterday that I have never done.....like spell words backwards when I was typing -- now I can't do that in the doctor's office when they give me that little mini-mental test so I don't know why I am doing it now. It has taken me a very long time to write this entry. Not only was I spelling words backwards (and most of the time getting them right!) I didn't know I was doing it until I read back what I was writing. And, then sometimes I was writing a word like "doing" and writing "goind" instead -- interchanging the first and last letters. Pretty bazaar -- maybe I can just say I can't type!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Well, it had stopped raining but today is another wash out. Not real great for the home Georgia Football game tonight.
My husband decided to change our cable subscription and with it came a new remote control for our television set. I could hardly work the old one -- now I have to learn this one. It makes me a little anxious just touching it so hopefully he will be patient with me -- new things are difficult!
I've been getting lots of requests to repost things on my blog so I'm going to do a few -- one is http://1mtweets.com/ -- this is a site for those that Twitter -- which I don't -- to remember a loved one with Alzheimer's. They are trying to get one million tweets.
Someone else has asked some questions regarding on going clinical trials. Here is a link for the most current clinical trials I know of http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=alzheimer%27s
Jeanette sent this link to a device she invented to leave her mother messages. She cares for her mother with Alzheimer's and wanted her to be able to hear her voice during the day. I don't really know much more about it than what this link shows, and I'm not endorsing it, just passing the information along if you are interested http://www.kindreminder.com/.
We're preparing for our Memory Walk which is in a few weeks. For those that have contributed thank you -- if you still want to contribute see the link to the right.
My husband decided to change our cable subscription and with it came a new remote control for our television set. I could hardly work the old one -- now I have to learn this one. It makes me a little anxious just touching it so hopefully he will be patient with me -- new things are difficult!
I've been getting lots of requests to repost things on my blog so I'm going to do a few -- one is http://1mtweets.com/ -- this is a site for those that Twitter -- which I don't -- to remember a loved one with Alzheimer's. They are trying to get one million tweets.
Someone else has asked some questions regarding on going clinical trials. Here is a link for the most current clinical trials I know of http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=alzheimer%27s
Jeanette sent this link to a device she invented to leave her mother messages. She cares for her mother with Alzheimer's and wanted her to be able to hear her voice during the day. I don't really know much more about it than what this link shows, and I'm not endorsing it, just passing the information along if you are interested http://www.kindreminder.com/.
We're preparing for our Memory Walk which is in a few weeks. For those that have contributed thank you -- if you still want to contribute see the link to the right.
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