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.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

It felt so good to stay in bed this morning. After breakfast I watched a movie”The Searchers.” It brought back some memories. I can remember when I was working at the Roxy Theater in Peru, Indiana in 1956 and “The Searchers” was playing. I can still see it on the marque. Working at the theater was my first job, I was sixteen. Then from there I worked in a nursing home for a few years and then on to work in the hospital when I graduated from high school. I worked there until we were transferred to another base and then after I had our second son I went to work at a hospital in Champaign, Illiniois until we moved again. Then for several years I was a stay at home Mom doing babysitting for others because Dave was spending a lot of time traveling overseas. Later after the boys graduated from highschool, I got my day care license and opened up a day care for infants. That was what I was doing when I received my diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and the doctor said I should give up my job… Today Kenny asked me to ride to the Heart Hospital where Kathy works. It is a very nice hospital… Lori called and she is coming to stay with me while Dave and David watch the fights on pay-per-view at Kenny and Kathy’s. Lori and I will have pop corn and watch a movie… I was windy tonight, huh?… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

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