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.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Dave gave me a Vit B/12 shot this morning. I was a couple weeks late getting it. Forgot all about it… I fixed lunch, supper, went to the DASNI chats, washed the crystal and picked up around the house… David and Lori called to invite us to Barbara’s for Easter dinner and egg hunt. Barbara is Lori’s Mother… I am going to take a break from my journal, too much going on. I will be back… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, April 10, 2006

Dave left this morning to go to the dentist to get his teeth cleaned and run some errands… I have been busy all day. I fed the roses, did laundry and saw the bottom of the hamper. Clothes are all folded and put away and supper is ready waiting on Dave to get home… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, April 09, 2006

I laid in bed this morning watching the news and then most of a basketball game between Indiana and Detroit. Indiana lost. I spent most of my young life in Peru, Indiana… It was a beautiful day. I spent a lot of time outside, working in the flowers. I noticed the hibiscus is peeking through the ground. I walked out to check on the pecan trees and it looks like they are still living… Tonight when we were eating supper we watched the cows across the highway and the birds at and under the bird feeders… I am feeling much better today… Dave cleaned the aquarium. It’s a job he doesn’t like but he knows I enjoy watching the fish… It was almost 8:00 pm tonight when I remembered my 2:00 medication… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Happy Birthday Howard!!! Howard is Dave’s brother in Westerville, Ohio… I picked up around the house and cooked a chicken and made tortilla soup for supper… My tummy is tore up from all the stress I was dealing with yesterday… I have been searching for my appointment book. Without it I am really lost and confused. I hope I find it soon. I just found it hiding under my chair… David called. When he called he was out in the woods hunting for mushrooms… Bob I am thinking of you and Margot… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, April 07, 2006

When I was out checking the Roses this morning I noticed the Peonies were up. Also have wild flowers blooming. I think I have lost one rose. Doesn’t look like the Cecil Bruner Rose is going to make it and it was my most expensive rose… Last night we don’t know what happened but the top of my angel fountain was lying on the ground busted. It wasn’t the wind because it fell in the wrong direction. It is concrete and Dave is thinking the Raccoons knocked it over… This afternoon we got a good rain. I am happy and so are the roses. This should settle the dust down some. It sure is cold; yesterday we were in the 80’s today we are in the 50’s. No wonder Dave has a cold. I sure hope I don’t come down with one… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, April 06, 2006

A very windy day and wildfires all around us… I washed a load of towels and got them folded and put away, cleaned the bathrooms, and hosted chat. Tonight was Dr. Mitch’s chat and we really had a good turn out for it… Dave took the motor home in to have the oil changed… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

I received an email from Joann Webster from the Alzheimer’s Assn in Tulsa asking for my permission to use the article I had written several years ago to mail out to the newly diagnosed and I gave her permission to do that… Dave and I left early this afternoon to run some errands. We went by the jewelry store to pick up my rings and bought new tires for the car… We picked up an ice cream pie at Braums and went to Alfred and Martha’s were they had prepared a wonderful supper for us… After supper we played dominoes until I got too tired to think. I did win one game… I am really tired tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

The nurse called this morning with my appointment for the orthopedic doctor and I also have an appointment for a mammogram. Both will be next week and on the same day… Tonight we had a DASNI directors meeting and Shirley Garnett in Australia was elected President replacing Lynn Jackson who stepped down after several years as President. She will really be missed. I was elected Vice President… I fixed supper… I had a phone call from David and Glenna in Vancouver… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, April 03, 2006

We are starting to get the motor home ready for our trip. I have washed clothes and starting to put them in the motor home. Dave shampooed the carpet in the motor home… Dave planted beets and corn in the garden… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, April 02, 2006

We got a good rain and strong winds last night but no tornado. We lucked out again… I am sitting here looking out the window at the woods across the road and the trees are greening up and so is our grass. I love this time of the year. I cleaned the patio furniture and got it ready for us to enjoy. This evening I was out there on the back porch with a 7up and popcorn watching the cows, birds, and the butterflies… David called to say he wasn’t going to make it out as he had planned. He has too much work to do on the farm. I was disappointed but know he has to take care of things… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, April 01, 2006

A very warm day up in the 80’s… I sat outside while Dave worked on his plane. He is trying to get the new plane ready to fly, working on the gasoline engine. While I was out there I got the scissors and gave Cindy another trim. I am getting pretty good at grooming her… I fixed lunch and hosted chat… Kenny came down and invited us up for a steak supper and you know we accepted… We are under a Tornado watch again… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma