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.

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

I slept till noon today, must have really needed the extra sleep. I couldn’t believe the time when I checked the clock… It is so hard to believe November is gone. I have no idea where it went. 25 more days till Christmas… I hosted chat and helped fixed supper. I have been reading “Dancing With Dementia” and it is hard to put it down… Dave and I watched “War of the Worlds.” Now he has gone to his hidey-hole… Another very windy day… Josh came down and brought some chili that Kathy had made and gave me a hug. Thanks Kathy… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Happy Birthday Bob!!! Bob is Dave’s brother in Huntington, West Virginia… Last night I went to bed without posting a journal. I didn’t think about it until I was already in bed watching Medium… Kathy called and invited us up for supper last night. She had made her delicious lasagna… After we got home from Kenny and Kathy’s I went to chat and then straight to bed… I am starting to have asthma symptoms again. That isn’t a good thing either. I just hope they don’t get as bad as last year. I was sick from November thru February… I cooked a chicken and with Dave’s help made tortilla soup… Dave has been busy today shampooing our carpets… I called Teresa in Missouri… We received our first Christmas card. I also received my signed copy of “Dancing with Dementia” by Christine Bryden. I am enjoying this book as much if not more than Christine’s first book. “Who Will I be When I Die” You can order Christine’s book by going here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/184310332X/203-4994505-4766331 Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, November 27, 2005

I have seen some strong winds out here in Piedmont, but this is the windiest yet... I had pansies in a large gas grill in my back yard and the wind even blew it over… Today I did laundry, played dominoes, and watched TV… Kenny called and invited me to go see Christmas lights in Kingfisher tonight. I went and I was so glad I did. They were beautiful… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Thanks to Chuck in Lockport, New York for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book…
I have taken it easy today. Enjoying my clean house, playing dominoes, and watching the OU/OSU football game. I was rooting for OU and Dave for OSU. OU won. The dogs hid because they don’t like it when I yell. LOL… I made potato soup for lunch and it was the best that I have ever made… I helped fix supper and worked on my part for Virginia Bell, David Troxel, Tonya Cox, and Robin Hamon’s next book. I am sure it will be a great one… Kenny came down tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, November 25, 2005

This morning I got up earlier than usual to get ready for the Molly Maids. I work so hard getting ready for them that by the time I get done the house looks pretty darn good. Dave is a big help too… The maids came and went they were barely here over an hour. But the house looks good… I had a cold drink for supper tonight and since then I have been freezing. Dave just fixed me a cup of cappuccino and if that doesn’t warm me up I will go get in bed and turn on the electric blanket… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Happy Thanksgiving!!! I have so much to be thankful for… I didn’t post a journal yesterday because I was just too tired. I had a really busy day yesterday. I got my haircut, flu shot, and picked up my new glasses. Also got more drugs and groceries… This morning I watched the Thanksgiving parade on TV and really enjoyed it. I remember times when I was unable to watch it because I was too busy preparing Thanksgiving dinner for my family. Those days are gone now… We had dinner with Kenny and Kathy. All of Kathy’s family was there too… David and Lori called and Jeanne in Hawaii… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

I have had to push myself to accomplish anything today. I haven’t felt good. Spent most of the day in bed… Tomorrow will be a better day… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, November 21, 2005

Happy Birthday Peter!!! Peter is a DASNI friend in England… I have done laundry, hosted chat, fixed lunch, and supper… A beautiful day, 62 degrees… Dave spent the day watering all our trees since we still haven’t had any rain… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, November 20, 2005

Madison and Birthday Cake

Today has been a busy but fun day. We went to Moore to Madison’s birthday party. What a party that girl had. She got so much stuff, including a new bicycle. She is a lucky little girl to be loved so much… Then we went out to a nice dinner with David and Lori… When we got home I hosted the evening chat… I am very tired tonight but it is a good tired… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Happy Birthday Madison!!! Madison is our great granddaughter in Moore, Oklahoma who turns four today… Happy Birthday Diane!!! Diane is a friend in Australia… Dave and I are making plans for our next trip. Last night we made reservations at a campground in Vancouver, Canada for May. I am getting excited just thinking about it. Keeps my mind off this cold weather… I have been listening to more talking books. I watched a DVD “David and Lisa” last night and today I watched Dirty Dancing on TV. I have watched it so many times but always see something I don’t remember from before… I hosted chat and played dominoes and solitaire… I had a phone call from Glenna in Vancouver… I noticed my count at Mary’s Place started over just before I hit 50,000… We went up to Kenny and Kathy’s for supper. Dave made peanut butter cookies to take… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, November 18, 2005

Thanks to Shane in Melbourne, Australia for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book: http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mari5113/index.html Heather was staying home this weekend… I did laundry, chats, and cleaned the bathrooms… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Today is the Great American Smoke Out Day. I am happy to say that I don’t have any smokers in my family… I want to give you a sample of my day. I wake up around ten most days. Have breakfast in bed. Stay in bed for a couple hours after I wake up drinking coffee, watching TV and planning my day. It takes me a couple hours after I wake up to start functioning because I take so many drugs. Then I take a shower, start the laundry, ride my stationery bike, then I check my emails and answer them. Then I fix our lunch. I went through our mail, read our weekly paper, and paid the bills and made a couple phone calls. Then I host the afternoon chat. After chat I watch some more TV and check some of my favorite sites on the computer and answer more emails. Plan what we will have for supper. Fixed supper and after supper I watched the evening news, played dominoes at Pogo.com, watch the sunset out my window, and then I go to the evening chats. After that I am getting ready for bed. I toss and turn for a couple hours before I fall asleep… Well that is my day… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Happy Birthday Dewey!!! Dewey is my brother-in- law in Clemmons, North Carolina…
I have been listening to a book on tape. “My Journey into Alzheimer’s Disease” by Robert Davis. It is the first book I read when I was diagnosed. But I had forgotten what I had read… Been playing dominoes most of the day and doing the chats… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

We had strong winds during the night. Things were blowing all over the place, including our gasoline containers and garbage thingy… It was the day to put the flannel sheets on the bed and put some ham and pinto beans in the slow cooker… I did laundry, hosted chat and made a pan of cornbread. We invited the kids down to eat with us… We are to get down to 23 tonight. Brrrrrr…. Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, November 14, 2005

Happy Anniversary Brian and Jean!!! Brian and Jean are DASNI friends in New Zealand...
It has been a Monday here and I have been busy. Cleaning the bathrooms, doing laundry, hosting chat, fixing supper, and taking care of house plants… It is supposed to turn cold this week so I will put the flannel sheets on our bed soon… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Happy Birthday Jake!!! Jake his our great grandson who is ten and lives in Moore, Oklahoma... Happy Birthday Duchess!!! Duchess is a DASNI friend in Florida… Last night Kenny made us some peanut butter fudge. He sure does make great fudge… The only thing I have done today was ride my bike, host chat, and play dominoes… It is starting to cool off here. I guess it is about time… Tonight Dave and I made an apple pie. I found the recipe on a google search… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, November 12, 2005

I watched the OU/Texas A&M game on TV and OU won and OSU won their game also. A good day for Oklahoma football… I hosted chat, did laundry, played dominoes, and watched a DVD “Crash”… I have felt kind of out of it today. It may be because I was so disappointed we didn’t get the rain the weatherman talked about. We need rain so bad. It got up to 84 today… I am going to go watch a Gaither Video… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, November 11, 2005

Happy Birthday Wesley!!! Wesley is Dave's brother in Lake Isabella, Callifornia... Happy Veterans Day!!! Thank you one and all for your sacrifices… Yesterday I ordered some Tulip and Amaryllis bulbs. I plan on having flowers blooming all winter and that is what I like and need… This afternoon we went to the optical shop so Dave could get his glasses repaired and I could order mine. Always something to take our extra cash… We have started feeding the birds again. David got us a fifty-pound bag of black sunflower seeds… I helped fix supper, we had Hamburger Pie… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, November 10, 2005

It was a beautiful fall day… I answered emails, did laundry, picked up, fixed lunch, and showed Dave where I wanted the peach tree planted… I was outside looking at my flowers when Josh hollered “Hi Grandma” from his house … Lori and Carole called me... I watched a beautiful sunset tonight and got out the camera and took a picture. I wish it would show up as beautiful as I saw it in the photo I will post… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tonight's Sunset

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

I did not post a journal last night because I was hurting and too tired to post one… Dave and I went to Tinker yesterday to get our drugs at the pharmacy and they were having a Grand Opening at the new Commissary and they were giving away a lot of great prizes. A Harley Davidson Motorcycle, a Mini Cooper Convertible, Washer and Dryer, and many great other prizes. We checked it out and bought a bunch of groceries. I hope we win something. The new Commissary is very nice… We took care of a lot of errands yesterday and didn’t get home till late. We had bought a rotisserie chicken for our supper. But were so disappointed when we sat down to eat that it wasn’t good and done. I called this morning and complained to the manager and he said that the next time we come in they will give us another chicken… After dinner I went up to Kenny and Kathy’s with a DVD that I got from Net Flix, “Bewitched” and watched it with Kathy, Josh and Heather… When I got home my legs were hurting so bad I was wondering if I would ever be able to walk again. I didn’t ride my bike, just went straight to bed… My legs were feeling much better this morning and I rode the bike again… I hosted chat, watered the indoor plants, fixed lunch and supper… David called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Heather and her Birthday Cookie

Monday, November 07, 2005

Happy Birthday Heather!!! Heather is our granddaughter in Piedmont, Oklahoma who turned 14 today… We are still having temperatures in the 80’s… I did laundry, fixed lunch, and hosted chat… We will go up to Kenny and Kathy’s later for some of Heather’s birthday cookie… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Happy Birthday Aunt Flo!!! Aunt Flo is 89 today and lives in San Antonio, Texas… I slept till past 11 this morning. Dave had gotten up early to start planting the trees. The dogs had gone out with him so it was nice and quiet. I may have slept longer if the phone hadn’t rang… Kenny came down to help Dave plant the trees and I am glad for that… Kathy asked me to go with her, Heather, and her little friend to the Mall today. We did a lot of shopping and had lunch a El Chico’s. I am glad I went, we had a great time. Thanks Kathy for pushing me in my wheelchair all over the mall… I called Aunt Flo and sang Happy Birthday to her. She said she had a wonderful Birthday… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Dave woke me up early this morning so we could make a trip to Okemah. It is over a hundred miles from our house. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful trip. We went there to pick up some Pecan trees that Lori’s grandparents wanted us to have. Poor Dave dug and dug to get them out. But we have several pecan trees now and she also gave us a peach tree… On our way home we stopped at David and Lori’s to pick up some trees that they had for us. River birch tree, Crepe Myrtles, and a Red Bud tree… I have pecans and peaches to look forward too and some beautiful trees also. I love having things to look forward too... I came home and had to really talk myself into riding my bike but I did it and even added a minute… I am really tired and I am going to brush my teeth and put my tired body to bed… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, November 04, 2005

I got up earlier than usual so I could change the sheets and do laundry before the maids arrived. I was so happy that they were going to clean today. This house really needed them. The dust bunnies were having grandchildren.,. David called me and I called Virginia… Martha and Alfred should be here shortly. We are looking forward to their visit. The Rhubarb pie has been baked… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Thanks to Jeanne Lee in Honolulu, Hawaii and Eric Lowery for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Last night Kenny and Josh came down to visit… The trees in the woods are just beautiful. I have such a great view out my window… Today has been a better day. I have got quite a bit accomplished. Laundry, chats, watered the pansies and the indoor plants, repotted a plant, picked up around the house, and fixed supper… Dave cleaned the fish aquarium for me. What a job that is. But it looks so much better. Thanks Honey… Alfred called and said he and Martha will be here tomorrow evening. He said he was bringing Beef Stew and Corn Bread. I have a Rhubarb Pie in the freezer that I will bake… A windy day and 82 degrees today… Tonight I rode with Kenny and Kathy to take Josh and Heather to their other parents. We saw a couple deer run out in front of us on the way home. Luckily we didn’t hit them. Kenny treated me to a Butterfinger Sonic Blast. Yummy… I called Lori and we had a nice talk… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

I have felt very tired all day. Nothing much accomplished. I hosted chat and played dominoes… Dave gave me a Vitamin B-12 shot so tomorrow will be a better day… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Happy Birthday Ben!!! Ben is our great nephew in Huntington, West Virginia who turns ONE today...
It is a brand new month. I kept trying to write October tonight. October is all gone and so is our candy. What we didn’t pass out last night Dave and I ate… I did laundry and helped fixed supper. We had sweet potatoes from our garden… A very warm November day, it is hard to believe it can still be so warm. I think I heard that we broke a record for high temperature today. It was in the 70’s and to be in the 80’s later in the week… David and Kenny called… I watched a beautiful sunset tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma