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, October 15, 2008

Today was a repeat of yesterday, another miserable day… I got up early to go with Dave for a follow up appointment with his kidney doctor and while we were out, ran several errands… Neither of us is feeling very well. Dave has a cold and this weather isn’t good for my asthma. The sun is supposed to shine tomorrow… Lori called… This will be my last entry for a while. I am need needing a break… I will be back… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Today has been a rainy, foggy, miserable day. I sure miss my sunshine… I hosted the afternoon DASNI chat at http://www.alzinfo.org/alztalk/flashchat.php and did laundry… I am doing hand signals and talking loudly so Dave can hear me… Barbara Ruth, Martha and Wesley and Norita called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, October 13, 2008

The nurse called Dave this morning with some great news. The MRI showed no tumor. She said he has fluid on the right ear and the Eustachian tube is not quite right… We went to David and Lori’s today. We wanted to cheer Lori up and try and make her feel better. We had some delicious chicken and noodle soup with them. We watched most of a Red Sox game with them. They gave us some fresh tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers… It rained on our way home... I am looking forward to staying home tomorrow… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, October 12, 2008

We got up early this morning to go to Okemah to Lori’s grandparents to pick pears. David and Lori’s sister were there. Lori stayed home because she was sick. They had lunch ready by the time we got there and it was delicious. Mayselle had made coconut cream pie and pecan pies… I enjoyed visiting with Mayselle while Dave and David picked pears. They have a lot of cattle and I enjoyed watching them come up to the fence… It was a long trip but an enjoyable day… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, October 11, 2008

I stayed in my pajamas most of the day doing laundry and watching football games, hosting the DASNI chat, and watching baseball games… I took some okra to our neighbors, Ken and Debra… I called Lynn in South Dakota and Norita in California. Wesley and Norita will be here soon. I am so looking forward to their visit… Now back to watching the games… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, October 10, 2008

It was 82 degrees here in Piedmont today and a 30 mph wind. I still got out and enjoyed the day even though it was windy… The maids came and did a fairly good job. I always find things that they missed. I am picky… David called… We had leftovers for supper that Kathy sent home with me last night. Steak, potato salad, corn on the cob, and birthday cake… Tonight I am going to watch a Red Sox/Ray’s baseball game. Go Red Sox!!! Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Happy Birthday Kenny!!! Kenny is our baby who turns 45 today… I hosted the DASNI chat, picked okra, and have been clearing a path for the maids visit tomorrow… Dave just left for his MRI appointment and I am praying we don’t get any more bad news. We would appreciate your prayers too… Kathy called and invited us up for birthday cake and ice cream and that is where I am heading now… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Happy 47th Birthday David!!! David is our son in Norman, Oklahoma… Happy Birthday Tony!!! Tony is a DASNI friend in Cork, Ireland… I have picked up around the house, hosted chat, cleaned the bathroom, and fixed supper… It has been beautiful fall day with a light wind… Dave spent the day working on his plane and flew one tonight… I took Kenny and Kathy shoe shopping. This is their birthday month and I wanted to buy them a pair of shoes. We had fun. Kenny pushed me eighty miles an hour through Kohl’s. LOL They both found a pair of shoes they liked… Kathy bought me a lottery ticket... Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

I got woke up this morning by the mailman. One of my friends had sent a letter with postage due. She had put two stamps on it and I still don’t understand why there was postage due… Dave and I have been busy washing windows and screens today. We got an inch and a half rain yesterday so hopefully the dust is settled and the windows will stay clean for a few days. I love clean windows… I went up on my scooter to pick okra and without thinking I got my scooter stuck in the mud. I had to come home and get Dave. He pulled the scooter out with the four-wheeler. Sometimes I think I am more trouble than I am worth. Dave just smiles and says for better or worse… Dave got the call today for his MRI appointment. He will have it on Thursday evening. I am sure hopinlg they can fix his problem. It must be so hard not to be able to hear. I feel sorry for him. I also worry that if I fell how would I get his attention… I am going to cut up okra for supper and get ready to watch the debates tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, October 06, 2008

Dave and I went to town today to run a few errands. While we were out we went out to dinner at Chili’s. We called it our Anniversary dinner even though it was a month late… We are having thunderstorms so I am going to get this posted and shut down the computer… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, October 05, 2008

More flowers


Fall flowers and Shiloh


Fall flowers and Shiloh


fall flowers and Shiloh


Dave and I both attended church on television this morning. With his hearing problem we decided to stay home… I have been very busy today. I folded yesterday’s laundry and put it away. Washed two more loads of laundry, hosted the DASNI chat, picked okra and shared it with our neighbors Kim and Bobby and Billye and Sean. I love being able to share vegetables with our neighbors…. I washed the dining room window and the draperies… David called this morning. Madison and Macey had spent the night with them so I was able to talk to them. I love those girls. They are excited about going trick or treating on Halloween. They told me what their costumes were but I have already forgot what they were… I am still approving new members to DASNI and I can’t believe how we have grown… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, October 04, 2008

A very windy day here little tumbleweeds blowing all over the place and into Dave’s clean garage… I hosted the DASNI chat at http://www.alzinfo.org/alztalk/flashchat.php and did laundry… Kathy called and invited us up for pot roast tonight and we were happy to go… I watched the OU/Baylor football game and we won 49/17… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, October 03, 2008

Dave went for his appointment this morning and they couldn’t find anything wrong with his ears. Now they are scheduling him for an MRI to see if there is something going on behind his inner ears. I am trying not to worry but it is hard… I fixed lunch, went to the DASNI chat, picked okra, and help fix supper… I am feeling better today than I have in awhile… David and Lori called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, October 02, 2008

This morning I went with Dave for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Ric. The last time we were there Dr. Ric asked that I come with Dave for his appointment. Dave is feeling better on his new medication but now he has another problem. His good ear is giving him problems. He can’t hear what I am saying with my asthma voice. They made an appointment for him to see an ear specialist and he will see him first thing in the morning. While we were there we both got a flu shot… After seeing the doctor we made that long trip to Tinker Air Force Base. We went to the pharmacy, BX, and Commissary. Dave had to stop by the hobby shop to get supplies for his hobby, “airplanes.” Then we went to Wal Mart to pick up a battery for the 4-wheeler… I am watching the Vice President Debate but it is lasting too long to suit me. It could be because I am extra tired tonight… David and Faye called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

A new month and I suppose this month will go by as fast as the others have… I still don’t feel good. I have mostly rested today… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma