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, March 31, 2009

David found these mushrooms yesterday.


Happy Birthday Aunt Bev!!! Aunt Bev lives in Florida… Happy Birthday Erin!!! Erin is our granddaughter in Moore, Oklahoma… I don’t know what happened to March, it just seemed to fly by… I went to the DASNI chat room but I was chilling so I left early to go crawl under the covers. After I got warm I took a nap… We got more rain last night…. David called and he was out hunting for mushrooms for his Mommy. I hope he finds enough for both of us… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, March 30, 2009

Dave went to the pharmacy to pick up some more medicine for me. A steroid pack and cough syrup the cough pills were doing nothing for me. I want to feel better and I want it NOW… We are having thunderstorms… Goodnight Alll… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

I didn’t sleep well last night because of coughing… I attended church services on TV … Kenny called and invited us up for ham/beans and corn bread. They were yummy and Kathy gave us leftovers to bring home… After lunch we went with Kenny and Kathy for a drive to Perry, Oklahoma… It was a pretty day up in the sixty’s. The snow is all gone now… I called Janey and George… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, March 28, 2009

I slept late this morning and it felt so good… This afternoon I played dominoes and it has been awhile since I have played but I won two out of three… We were invited up to Kenny and Kathy’s for a ham supper. It sure was good… Here is a link to Utube of Kenny and his plane. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ox81mVbDJM I hope the link works this time… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, March 27, 2009

We finished up getting ready for the maids visit this morning… The Maids came and did a great job of cleaning our home. It feels so good to have a clean home. Dave was sleeping when they finished so I thought I would let him sleep and write her a check. Well Dave does all of the check writing now and has for years. I tried to write the check and forgot how to write in the amount, I had to ask the lady for help… When Dave woke up he went to Sonic to pick up supper. We didn’t want to dirty up the clean kitchen. I will do that tomorrow… We have had rain, sleet, and snow today… I am watching the Oklahoma/Syracuse basketball game. Go OU!!! Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Our condolences go out to our friend Janey and her family in Illinois. Janey lost her husband, Norb… I have been busy picking up today and finishing up the laundry. The maids are coming tomorrow. We have hired new maids so I am hoping they do a better job than the others we had… I fixed supper while Dave was in his hidey-hole working on a plane… The tulips are starting to bloom and tomorrow we are to get a big snowfall. GRRRR… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

As always anymore, I woke up very congested. Mornings and evenings are my worse times… I cleaned the bathroom, did laundry, took care of houseplants, helped fix lunch, hosted the DASNI chat, and fixed supper… Heather brought Mindy back home. She loves to run up there and get the extra attention she gets from them… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Today we ran some errands and when we got home Josh came down and finished washing our woodwork… I called Carolyn, a school friend in Florida. It was good catching up with her again… We got a good rain last night along with thunderstorms… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, March 23, 2009

I was sleeping so good this morning, when the phone rang and woke me up… I picked up around the house, and chatted with my DASNI friends… We are under a tornado watch so I am posting this early so I can keep an eye on the weather… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Happy Birthday Evelyn!!! Evelyn is our friend in Peru, Indiana… We had 40 mph winds today. It was a good day to stay in my pajamas… I watched a couple movies and a basketball game… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Dave with plane.


Kenny and Kathy gave Dave an early birthday gift. It was an aerobatic ride with a professional air show pilot. I was expecting to see a big smile on Dave’s face when he finished but instead I saw a very sick man. We were going out to eat afterwards but he was too sick. So we came home and Dave took a long nap and when he woke up he felt much better… I watered the houseplants… We watched an Oklahoma/Michigan basketball game and OU won… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, March 20, 2009

Josh came down this morning to wash our white woodwork. He got half done before he had to leave and get ready for work. He will be back tomorrow to finish and he is doing a great job… I have been doing laundry all day. Dave gave the dogs a bath… David called and Madison and Macey were there so I got to talk to them. Just hearing their sweet voices always makes me feel better… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, March 19, 2009

I am still doing a lot of coughing even with taking 200mg Tessalon Perles cough pills… I finally got an appointment with an Allergist for April 7. It was hard finding one that would accept Medicare… I cleaned the bathroom, did laundry, hosted the DASNI chat, and helped with supper… Martha called and Kenny came down… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

We went to PETCO and then to Sam’s Club to use my new card for the first time. It is hard to get out of there without spending a bunch of money and I forgot to get what we went after… Dave planted the radish seeds tonight while I visited with Kathy… I called George… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!!! This afternoon we went to TLC Nursery to pick up a couple trees to replace the two we lost during the winter. We got a flowering crabapple and a crooked willow tree. Dave got them planted and I supplied the root stimulator. We also picked up some vegetable seeds while we were at the Nursery… I trimmed up the Bougainvillea and fed it. Dave transplanted the clematis and I fed it… I fixed supper and watched Dancing With the Stars… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, March 16, 2009

I didn’t sleep well last night because of coughing… Dave took the car in for a check up and oil change and he went by a health food store and bought some raw honey for me. I sure hope it helps. He also went by our new pharmacy here in Piedmont to get a prescription filled for cough syrup but they didn’t have the strength I needed but promised him they would have it tomorrow. I decided to try the honey first before moving into the motor home… I did laundry, hosted the DASNI chat, and worked in the flowerbeds with Dave. I mostly supervised but we got a lot accomplished… I fixed us a big supper… I am really tired tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, March 15, 2009

I attended church service on tv this morning, fixed lunch, helped with supper, and cleaned the kitchen… It was a beautiful day but too windy for me to get out. When I was out yesterday I noticed the forsythia bush was blooming and so were the phlox and dandelions. The weeping mulberry tree is budding and the weeping willow is starting to leaf out… I watched a movie “The Goodbye Girl’’. Dave is getting the motor home ready for me to move in… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Today I watched a couple of movies, “Shenandoah” and “From Here to Eternity”. I chatted with my friends in the DASNI chat room, watched Kenny fly his plane a couple of times, dusted the living room and dining room, and helped with supper… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, March 13, 2009

It is still cold here. I think the high today was in the 40’s. Our flannel sheets sure feel good… I pushed myself today to do the laundry and I finally got to see the bottom of the hamper. The more work I do the more I wheeze and cough… I hosted the afternoon DASNI chat and helped fix supper… Dave fixed me an ice cream cone. I love ice cream cones… I am thinking about moving to the motor home to see if my asthma gets better… Here is a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY4cHlQfJAs It is Kenny landing his plane between our two homes. You can see how close we live to Kenny and Kathy… Last night I asked David to send me an email telling me what went on yesterday when he met with the General because I was having a foggy day and having a hard time following what he was telling me so I am going to post his Email here:
Finally got on the computer and here is my story of what happened yesterday. We had the Commander of the Air Force Material Command Four Star General Hoffman come to Tinker for a few days to look over the base. While he was visiting our section and after he got the low down of how we were performing as a group i.e. how we were improving on all our processes to put out better quality and returning aircraft to their own bases sooner. The three of us that were the main part of our rescue were introduced to the General and he was told what each of us had done. He was impressed on how well we were dressed and more impressed that we did what we did. He did speak to us a little bit and was very genuine in his conversation with us, he had steely eyes and seemed very sharp as you would expect someone of that rank. He was also escorted so to speak with Two Star General Gillette and One Star General Litchfield, the latter came over and spoke with us again and told us how sharp we looked, I really like him. The base photographer came with them and she is the same one that took our pictures for the Take Off, she came over and spoke with us also and it looks like we might be in the Take Off again.
It was a long day, we went in at 8 am and didn't meet with the General until 2:15 and I guess we have more stuff going on in the future not sure what all else. Oh and after our conversation with General Hoffman he gave the three of us his special Four Star Generals coin, so he had been briefed on what we did and had the coins ready for us, it was tooo coool
!...
Goodnight All... Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Happy Birthday Sally!!! Sally is a friend in Hollywood, California… We woke up to snow this morning. Most of it has melted now except for some on the rooftops… Today has been one of those days. I am having trouble talking and my short-term memory seems worse than usual. I was wanting to tell Dave something but I noticed he was reading the newspaper so I thought I would wait until he finished but five minutes later I couldn’t remember what I wanted to say to him and I still can’t… David called; he met with a four star General today and received another coin for his life saving service… I am going to watch the OU/OSU basketball game… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

I stayed under the covers until late this morning just thinking of all the stuff I needed to get done today... I cleaned the bathroom, dusted our bedroom, did laundry, and hosted the DASNI chat… Dave put the flannel sheets back on our bed and vacumned our bedroom… I was craving something sweet so I made a peach cobbler and we ate it warm topped with vanilla ice cream… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

This morning we took Mindy and Sugar to be groomed. After we dropped them off we went to Martha’s house. She had invited us for lunch. We had a nice lunch together but we were all missing Alfred. Dave had promised Phillip, Martha’s 14-year-old grandson that he would help him finish building a plane that Alfred had started. While they worked on the plane, Martha and I went to Sam’s to get a new Sam’s card and by the time we got home it was time to pick up the dogs from the groomer. We stopped at Braum’s for milk and came home… I am not bragging about our temperatures today… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, March 09, 2009

Thanks to Sandy in Ohio for signing my guest book at http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mari5113/index.html
It was a warm 82 degrees today and tonight we got some much-needed rain. We are under a tornado watch so we are watching the weather… I spent most of today resting… Our financial advisor came today to show us how little money we had. We made a few changes… I posted a few pictures below of our son Kenny flying in his plane. If you double click on any of the pictures I post it will enlarge them… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Kenny flying in his Mini-Max.


Kenny


Our son Kenny flying his plane


Sunday, March 08, 2009

You couldn’t ask for a prettier day than today was. It was just perfect… I spent most of the day outside. I started cleaning out the flowerbeds. I went around checking on the trees. The peach trees are in bloom, and the tree Barbara Ruth gave us made it through the winter. I am happy about that… Kenny flew his plane for the first time today. I watched and prayed. He did a great job flying the plane. Kathy had to work today and when she got home he flew again so she could see. It is nice that he can take off and land in our back yards runway… Dave planted snow peas, cabbage, and turnips and I supervised… I called David and Martha…. Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, March 07, 2009

I saw the PA this morning. She offered me a steroid shot but I told her I have had several and couldn’t see that they helped any. She gave me a prescription for cough syrup and is referring me to an allergist doctor so maybe we can find out what I am allergic too. She also said we should get in the motor home and go somewhere to see if it is Piedmont that is causing all the problems. All this wind and dust blowing out here may be the culprit. David suggested I try some raw honey and I will get some and try it… We went up to Kenny’s, I wanted to see Kathy’s new toy, a Kindle. It is so neat. Dave is going up later and watch the fights with them and I am staying home with the dogs. I will watch some TV in bed… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, March 06, 2009

When I woke up this morning my body ached from all the coughing I did last night. It is starting to affect my sleep and I ran out of cough syrup. Dave made an appointment for me to see the PA tomorrow here in Piedmont… Dave made another trip back to see the guy who is making adjustments on the hearing aid. I hope they get it right soon… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, March 05, 2009

It was 85 degrees today, but too windy for me to get outside and enjoy it… I did laundry and fixed supper… Our Bradford Pear trees are starting to bloom… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Happy Birthday Chris!!! Chris is our grandson in Moore, Oklahoma... Happy Birthday Phyllis!!! Phyllis is our friend in Louisiana...
Today was the day we were supposed to go to Tinker Air Force Base. But since I was so congested and the wind was really blowing, we decided it was best I stayed home. I gave Dave a list of things that he needed to pick up. One of the things was ginger root. Jeanne in Hawaii was in chat and she suggested I try ginger root for my cough. I sure hope it works. I am willing to try anything. Alan in Canada suggested putting Vicks on the bottom of my feet. I tried that but it didn’t work for me… I fixed lunch, supper, and did a little dusting. Didn’t take much to wear me out… Josh came down to visit, he is putting in applications at newspapers trying to get a job using his graphic design training when he finishes school… Lori called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Happy Birthday Jamie!!! Jamie is our granddaughter in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky… Today my Mother would have been 94. Happy Birthday Mom, I sure miss you…
I woke up feeling better this morning… I hosted the DASNI chat, picked up around the house, took care of the house plants, and brushed the dogs… Dave shampooed the carpets… There was an article in the Tinker Take Off last week that featured our son David. If you would like to read it here is the link to it. http://www.tinker.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123137359
Here is a link to Chip Gerber’s obituary: http://www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com/zz-090301hg.htm


Martha and Larry in TN called and I took care of some business on the phone… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, March 02, 2009

This hasn’t been one of my better days. I have been real congested and not feeling well at all… I took a shower and did a load of laundry and helped fix supper the rest of the day I spent in bed… Dave went for another adjustment on his hearing aid… Duchess and Martha called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, March 01, 2009

I lost another friend today. Chip Gerber who was a friend to all of us at DASNI. He went to heaven around 2:00 this morning. Dave and I had the privilege of meeting Chip and Sharon at one of our F2F meetings a few years ago. Chip wrote his online journey until April 2007 and many of us enjoyed reading his daily journey, He was only 63 years old. A link to Chip’s Journey http://www.zarcrom.com/users/alzheimers/chip.html Our condolences go out to Sharon and her family… I attended church services on television this morning and watched a movie “Rear Window”. Then I went to chat with my DASNI friends. There were people there from New Zealand, Canada, England, Ireland, Ohio, California, Texas, and Oklahoma… I noticed that there is a new bloom on my Orchid… Kenny is getting some spin traning in a plane this weekend and they flew over our house today… Kathy called and asked us to go to Braum’s for an ice cream sundae and we thought that sounded like a great idea… Sharon Gerber called and I called Jan/Mina… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma