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, March 31, 2006

Happy Birthday Erin!!! Erin is our granddaughter in Norman, Oklahoma… The Molly Maids came today and gave our house a good cleaning… I got caught up with the laundry, finished reading “The Wedding” and watched a DVD “Flightplan”… Dave wrapped my knee with an ace bandage and that made it feel much better… It was a beautiful day. I walked around the yard checking my roses and noticed the Hostas were coming up… Dave installed the latest version of Norton System Works program on my laptop… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, March 30, 2006

This morning Dave called and made an appointment for me with Dr. Jim Brown for a problem that I have been having. I found out it is Mastitis. I was put on an antibiotic for that and told to make an appointment for a mammogram. While in the waiting room I went to get up and my leg gave out on me. The pain was horrible. He x-rayed my knee and found out I have a large amount of degenerative arthritis there and he is referring me to an Orthopedic doctor. I was put on a pill for the pain and swelling in my knee. Oh no, just what I needed, two more pills. NOT… I think I know now why I have been feeling so tired… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Thanks to Bill in Ferndale, Michigan for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I rested till just in time for chat today. Then I got my shower and got ready to go to Martha and Alfred’s. They invited us over and we had enjoyed a beef stroganoff supper. Dave and Alfred picked it up at the church… Martha helped me pick out some clothes from my Land’s End catalog. I have such a hard time making decisions it is nice to have a friend help me… On our way into Bethany we stopped at our favorite jewelers and dropped my ring off to be resized. My hands are starting to swell and my rings don’t fit anymore… Just as we were leaving to go to Bethany Kathy called to invite us up for supper. But I told her we already had plans. Thanks Kathy anyway… David called and I talked to Madison and Macey. I need a Madison and Macey fix… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Dave and I left right after lunch and went to the mall. I enjoyed looking around. Dave enjoyed spending money… While we were at the mall I called Martha and Alfred and asked them to meet us for dinner at Smoky Bones and they did. After a nice visit and dinner we came home and I started the laundry and watered the Rose bushes… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, March 27, 2006

It has been another one of those days. I am starting to wonder if it is the new drug I just started… I forced my self to take care of the houseplants and got a good start on cleaning our closet. Unloading clothes that we no longer wear… Yesterday when the wind was blowing so badly Dave took one of our bird feeders down and put it on the back porch so it wouldn’t fall on the ground. Last night we caught a huge Raccoon eating the suet. Now the woodpeckers will have to do without suet until we make it to town… Having trouble talking today… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Dave's newest plane a 9ft wing span Champ.

Not much to write about tonight. I have had another one of those days. Went to chats and played FreeCell… Dave and I decided we didn’t want another dog. We will just love and spoil the two we have… It was a very windy day. I was afraid it was going to blow our dogs away… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, March 25, 2006

I have had a day of resting and loafing. I watched “Yours, Mine, and Ours”… I have been searching the internet for Dave another Chihuahua but so far I haven’t found the right one. I will keep searching… David called me this morning. I always look forward to his phone calls… Kenny came down and gave me a ride in his new Mustang. Then we went to his house and he gave me a ride in Kathy’s new Pickup. Both are very nice. We went into the neighbor’s house to see it before they close it up… When I went to the mailbox today my neighbor Kim came over to show me her new puppy. So cute… Heather fixed us Dried Beef Gravy and Biscuits for supper. Great job Heather… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, March 24, 2006

I didn’t do a journal yesterday because I spent the day in bed resting and just didn’t feel like doing one… Yesterday I didn’t wake up till noon so by the time I woke up our beautiful snowfall was about all gone. I hear it was a picture post card… I am feeling like a new person today after a day of rest… I did laundry, cleaned the bathrooms, and helped fix supper… This afternoon in chat someone mentioned it was Friday and I almost wanted to argue with her. I thought sure it was Thursday. But now I know better than argue about anything. I have learned that I am not always right… Dave got out today and flew his Sailplane so he is a happy man… Josh came down to show me his report card. He made all A's and B's. Way to go Josh!!! I called Martha. Their Schnauzer got bred this week so they should have puppies in about nine weeks. Another thing for me to look forward too… Another DASNI member has written a book on his life with Alzheimer’s. “Don’t Bury Me; It Ain’t Over Yet” By Charles Schneider and it is now available… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Happy Birthday Evelyn!!! Evelyn is a long time friend in Peru, Indiana… Thanks to Martha in Bethany, Oklahoma and Julia in Peoria, Arizona for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book at http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mari5113/index.html Today hasn’t been one of my better days. I have had tummy problems. I am sure glad I put Imodium on the grocery list Monday because it sure came in handy today… I did laundry and hosted the evening chat… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Brrrr it is cold again… We have had enough rain that they removed the burn ban… I survived the DASNI AGM last night even though I had a bad headache after it was over with… I was elected to serve as a director on the board again along with these people.
Peter Ashley UK, Don Moyer and Jenny Knauss USA, Charley Schneider USA, Shirley Garnett Australia, Mary Lockhart USA, Judy Robbe Brazil, Jeanne Lee USA, Carole Muliken USA, Nadine Schofield UK, Alan Benson Canada, Candy Harrison USA, Chuck Jackson USA, and Mary Mckinlay Canada
This will be my sixth year to be on the board. I have been there since the beginning. I am a great believer in DASNI. Without it I hate to think where I would be today… To join DASNI go here: http://www.dasninternational.org/ … I was three hours late taking my afternoon meds. Dave had them setting out on the counter for me. I would see them on my way to the bathroom and meant to take them on my way back. But I just kept forgetting. Finally Dave came in from his hidey-hole and handed them to me and I took them… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, March 20, 2006

Happy First Day of Spring!!! Dave left early this morning to take Cindy to the Vet to get her teeth cleaned. Then he went to Tinker to pick up our drugs and then to the Commissary… I decided to stay home and rest up for tonight’s DASNI AGM… I went with Dave to pick up Cindy. The Vet had to remove a few teeth but Cindy seems to be doing fine. We stopped and picked up some canned dog food for her because we are sure her gums are sore… We have had storms and tornados in the state but we just got dark sky and rain so far… I took care of the house plants, did laundry, and fixed supper… I tried to take an afternoon nap but my brain wouldn’t shut up and let me… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, March 19, 2006

It is still raining and our ground is getting a good soaking, just what we need… I made out a grocery list, cleaned out the refrigerator, and cleaned the bathrooms… Martha called… Kenny and Kathy came by to show us their new car… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, March 18, 2006

We have had a steady light rain all day and I love it… I watched two movies. I talked Dave into watching one with me. That is a real job to get him to watch a movie with me and then he always falls asleep for half of it… I did laundry and read the Piedmont weekly paper. Reading that little paper doesn’t take long… My foot is throbing tonight must be the rain... Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, March 17, 2006

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!!! I am wearing green so don’t pinch me… Yesterday David got us another fifty pound of black oiled sunflower seeds. We sure go through a lot of it but the birds entertain us so they are worth it… I folded yesterday’s laundry and got them put away. I washed the bedding for our guest bed. We are expecting guests… I fixed lunch. We are still enjoying the fish that we caught last fall… I started to chill and couldn’t get warm even after putting on a sweater. I ended up going to bed and turning on the electric blanket… I am watching the rain out of my window. It sure is a much needed rain… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, March 16, 2006

I got up earlier than usual this morning, took a shower and started laundry. Then we went by Dr. Brown’s to pick up some prescriptions and then to Tinker to drop them off. The computers were down there so instead of waiting we went on to David and Lori’s. Lori had called this morning and invited us out for lunch… We had a nice visit and a great lunch with them. The great granddaughters weren’t there so I missed seeing them… Lori thanks again for a great lunch and the picture you gave me. Dave hung it and it looks really good in our study… I read some more of “The Wedding.” It takes me forever to read a book any more… We stopped at the Health Food store and I am trying something new for my reflux and bloating… I sat outside and did some more cutting on Cindy. I am trying my luck at grooming her… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Thanks to Martha in Bethany for visiting Mary’s place and signing my guest book at http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mari5113/index.html … This morning I had a call from Helen. She is a school friend in Marietta, Georgia. Also David called and I got to talk to Madison and Macey. Kenny and Martha called and so did Richard in Tennessee. This has been my day for phone calls… I have meant to do laundry all day but that is as far as I have gotten so far… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Dave found an open sore on Karmelita this morning so he called and made an appointment with the Vet. He got an appointment for this afternoon. Found out she had an infected anal gland. So now she is on antibiotics and medicine for the sore. Dave found out while he was at the Vets that Tootsie died of acute kidney failure. We have an appointment on Monday to take Cindy in to have her teeth cleaned… This has been one of those days with no get up and go so nothing got accomplished except I did trim some rose bushes… Please keep Louise in your prayers. She is Kathy’s Mother and was admitted to the hospital last night. Kathy is by her side… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, March 13, 2006

There is a big difference in today’s weather and yesterday’s. Up near 90 yesterday and today the high was in the 50’s… I folded yesterday’s laundry and got it put away, took care of the houseplants. Whenever I go in the guest bedroom to water the plants in there is when I am missing Tootsie as I would usually find her in a chair in there sun bathing… I helped Dave fix supper… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

There is a big difference in today’s weather and yesterday’s. Up near 90 yesterday and today the high was in the 50’s… I folded yesterday’s laundry and got it put away, took care of the houseplants. Whenever I go in the guest bedroom to water the plants in there is when I am missing Tootsie as I would usually find her in a chair in there sun bathing… I helped Dave fix supper… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, March 12, 2006

I woke up feeling rested and much better today… At least I know what to do when I am not feeling good. Just rest and wait a day or two and I am all better… I got the laundry all done and showed Dave where I wanted each rose planted in the rose garden. I now have my own Rose Garden. It has eight rose bushes in it. Thank you Dave for my rose garden… I rode with Kenny to Subway where we picked up our supper… It was 88 degrees today… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, March 11, 2006

I went to bed extra early last night, I felt awful. It was my tummy. I have spent today in bed. I was just too tired to get up… I watched a DVD “Just Like Heaven” and watched some TV specials on OETA, Danny O’Donnell and Lawrence Welk… Dave got my rose garden started, planted peas and flew his planes… Martha called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, March 10, 2006

Our doorbell was ringing constantly this morning. First the maids came, then our financial advisor, then the propane man… I did laundry before the maids got here. I am so happy to have a clean house and to have the laundry done. I hosted chat and the rest of the day I played computer games… The four roses I have been expecting arrived from Jackson Perkins yesterday… The birds have been busy building nests in our birdhouses. It was in the 80’s today… I called a friend Pat and David called me… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, March 09, 2006

I survived the procedures. The instructions said to stay near the bathroom but I think it should have read stay on the pot. I hope I never have to go through another one of these…

I found out I have Gastritis. They did a biopsy and I will know about that in a few days.
We didn’t stop to eat on the way home because I just wanted to get home and go to bed. Dave fixed me a couple soft boiled eggs and a slice of toast. Besides it wouldn’t have been safe for me to stop anywhere. I slept most of the afternoon. I sure didn’t get any sleep last night… I did several loads of laundry and hosted the evening chat. Got half through the book “The Wedding”… I am tired tonight. I bet I sleep well tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Thanks to Rolland in India for visiting Mary's Place and signing my guestbook... I have picked up around the house and took care of the houseplants… Dreading tomorrow when I start the prep for my two tests on Thursday. One of the tests is a colonoscopy and the other one is a endoscopy… Tonight we met our newest neighbors. They came over to bring our mail that was left in their box by mistake… We are having strong winds and could have some bad weather during the night. I will be afraid to go to sleep… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, March 06, 2006

This afternoon I had an appointment with Dr. McBride a Gastroenterology doctor. He wants to do procedures on Thursday. I am not looking forward to the day before. I did talk him into the pills instead of drinking that horrible stuff. I am glad I don’t have long to wait to dread it. I started reading “The Wedding” while I was in the waiting room… We stopped by Wal-Mart to get the prescription filled and picked up some jello and broth… I fixed supper by myself… We watched the NBC news tonight and on the Alzheimer’s segment I saw three of our DASNI members sitting on the panel… I called Martha to let her know we wouldn’t be able to go out to eat with them on Wednesday… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, March 05, 2006

I woke up to the birds singing and Dave telling me that he could see and smell smoke and the sounds of fire trucks going up the highway and Kenny calling to tell us he was watering down his lawn. Dave watered ours too. But lucky for us they were able to get the fire out. We still aren’t sure if it was grass or a house fire… I did laundry and cleaned the bathrooms … Heather came down and said we were invited up for Spaghetti tonight so we went. Kathy can make great spaghetti… I noticed on the way up to Kenny’s that our Forsythia bush was blooming… David called and I called Chip… I am going to watch the Academy Awards so I will know what I should be wearing. Ha Ha… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Happy Birthday Chris!!! Chris is our grandson in Moore, Oklahoma… Happy Birthday Phyllis!!! Phyllis is our friend in Mobile, Alabama… This morning we got up and went with Kenny, Kathy, and Josh to the new Oklahoma History Museum. It was really nice and I enjoyed it. Then we went out to the base and toured our old neighborhood. Then we went to the Fire Mountain restaurant to eat. I love spending the day with our family… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, March 03, 2006

Happy Birthday Jamie!!! Jamie is our granddaughter in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky… Today would have been my Mother’s 91st birthday… I have picked up around the house and rested most of the day… I helped fixed supper. It was one of my favorites, sausage, cabbage, and cornbread… I had a call from Jan/Mina… I missed the evening chat because Dave was on the phone with a Dell tech in India about my computer for two hours. But the good thing is that the problem is now fixed… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, March 02, 2006

We had to make another trip to the base today. Got our prescriptions filled and then to the beauty shop where I got groomed. Then we went to the commissary… On the way home it started to rain a good steady rain. We can’t have enough of that right now with all the wildfires… After supper we walked up to visit with Kenny and Kathy. I got to walk in the rain. :) I got hugs from all four of them… Tonight I hosted chat for Dr. Mitch. His topic was Family Denial part 2… I called Aunt Flo and Norita… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Tonight is Dave’s last Bible Study meeting. I will sure miss my evening out with my best friend. I am posting this early because I will be too tired to do it tonight… There is nothing much going on here today. Dave went for his Urologist appointment this morning. I stayed in bed till he got home so that I wouldn’t get in trouble… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Last night's sunset