Mary's Place

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

About Me

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.

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Happy Belated Birthdays to Holt in North Carolina, Helen in Georgia, Marie in Florida, Norb in Illinois, Sharon in North Carolina, Diana in Florida and Mayselle in Oklahoma… We made it back home this morning after a wonderful vacation in our motor home... Starting out in Chicago we met up with some Alzheimer’s friends, which are more like family than anyone we have ever met. We took a train then a bus to go down to the Navy Pier where we were supposed to go on a boat tour and have dinner and entertainment on the boat. We got the dinner and entertainment but because of the strong winds we stayed at the dock because the coastguard had closed the harbor. I will have to say that Chicago was very windy and cold. After three days of fun with our friends we left for Westerville, Ohio where we visited Dave’s brother Howard and his family. While we were there a DASNI friend Sandy drove down with her daughter and grandsons from up by Pennsylvania to meet us. Dave and I went to the hotel where Sandy was staying and we visited there. Sandy was just like I had her pictured from our DASNI chats. Thanks Sandy for making that long trip in the snow so we could finally meet face to face… Our next stop was Huntington, West Virginia where we visited with Dave’s brother Bob and sister Lucy and their families. While we were there we visited Dave’s Mother’s and Father’s graves and put a wreath on them… Our next stop was in Louisville, Kentucky at my brother George’s. There I met up with a bunch of my cousins and had a great time. Then we went to Brandenburg, Kentucky to visit my cousin Ernie and Margie. I got to attend church with them and hear Ernie preach a Mass. That was a dream of mine that was filled. Ernie did a wonderful job… Then we went to Smithville, Tennesse to visit another one of Dave’s brother’s Richard. We got to spend some time with several members of his family… We not only had a great visit with friends and family we also saw some beautiful country. West Virginia’s dogwoods were the prettiest I have ever seen… The only complaint I have is the weather was very cold and wet. We even saw snow in Indiana and Ohio… Josh did a wonderful job of picking up our mail everyday, watering the flowers and taking care of the lawn while we were away. Thanks Josh... Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

posted by Mary Lockhart | 4:02 PM

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