Mary's Place

A web page about the life of a lady who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Name:
Location: Piedmont, Oklahoma, United States

I live in Piedmont, OK, with my Husband of 50 years who has been very supportive. We have 2 sons,David and Kenny, 6 grandkids, and 6 great grandkids. I enjoy feeding and watching the birds and squirrels. Before I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, I ran a Licensed Day Care Home for Infants for 15 years. I noticed I wasn't able to remember important things and having problems with my speech. I was experiencing severe headaches. I would get lost. I didn't know how to use the computer. At the age of 55, I told my doctor. I was sent for an MRI. which showed a large amount of shrinkage. I went to a neurologist who sent me for two days of testing. I was diagnosed with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. My husband and I were both in shock. I had to give up my job. I went to see a social worker. I've taken Aricept for 11 years. I can now use the computer and even do this web page. I also host a chat room for dementia patients. This is a very lonely disease. I don't want anyone to feel as lonely as I did when I was diagnosed (I thought I was the only one over 50 that had Alzheimer's). In 2006 I started taking Namenda. Also I was told I have a mixed dementia, Alzheimer's/Vascular.

Friday, January 14, 2005

I have started having trouble sleeping again so I am back to taking Ambien. I have been off Ambien for a couple years after taking it for two years before that. Two years ago I was put on Remeron and that helped me sleep without a sleeping pill but seems to have stopped working now… I got a call early this morning from the eye doctor. They have scheduled the cataract surgery for April 11 unless they have a cancellation then they will get me in sooner. Then the nurse called from Dr. Brown’s office saying my cholesterol was way too high so he put me on Lipitor for that. I eat Quaker Oats every morning for breakfast. It must be in my genes… I kept busy today picking up before the maids arrived doing two loads of laundry this morning before they got here… I haven’t been so busy that I didn’t find time to do some bird watching, answer emails, make a couple phone calls, and watch a sunset… I heard from Paula at the Alzheimer’s Assn. She gave me a lady’s name to call that wanted a phone buddy. I phoned her and the lady is in her eighty’s and is still driving… I hosted a couple DASN chats… My hands are hurting from arthritis… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home