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, February 28, 2007

Thanks to Christopher in Baltimore, Maryland for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book at http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mari5113/index.html I am back after another break. Sometimes I just need a break… I watched the cows walking along the fence across the highway. I love watching the cows and also the birds at our two bird feeders… I cleaned the bathroom and took care of the houseplants. My Christmas cactus is so pretty in bloom and the pansies that we planted last fall are still blooming after all our freezing weather. The tulips are up and I can’t wait till they bloom… We finally found my video we made of “Forget Me Never” and I watched it today. The movie is about Diana McGowin’s life with Alzheimer’s. Diana also wrote a book “Living in the Labyrinth.” Diana is a good friend of mine and we still keep in touch. I wrote to her after reading her book when I was first diagnosed and I was so thrilled when I received a letter back from her… I am still hosting chats in the DASNI chat room http://www.alzinfo.org/community/alzheimers-chatrooms.asp We with dementia love having our own room to chat in where we can share, laugh, and cry together. The caregivers have their own room in the Alzheimer’s chat room. It was great having Tom in Texas back in chat this afternoon… I didn’t mean to be so windy today… Thanks to all of you who called and sent emails about missing my journal. You all are the ones who help me to keep on keeping on… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

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