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, November 28, 2009

I am taking a short break… I will be back… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, November 27, 2009

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving… Last night I was just too tired plus I was worried about Dave. He isn’t feeling well and is running a temperature again. He tried to call the doctor today but they were closed and wouldn’t you know it is Friday… We had a delicious meal yesterday at Kenny and Kathy’s. Their rent house is small but not too small for 29 people to enjoy a dinner together. Kenny took us out to see their future home. It is really starting to look like a house now… David and Lori called from Mexico and they are having a wonderful time… Our tree is up now I just have to decorate it… I cleaned the kitchen, chatted with friends in the chat room, fixed supper, and cleaned the kitchen again… It was in the 70’s today… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Hi Tammy, if you could email me at marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com I would love to talk to you... Today I hosted the DASNI chat and it was good to have Frank back in the chat room… I baked a pie to take to Kenny and Kathy’s tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner…. Dave got the call telling him when his surgery is. It will be done on December 10… I have so much to be thankful for this year… Kenny and Norita called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

David and Lori left today for a short trip to Mexico… I fixed lunch, chatted with my online friends, did two loads of laundry, and put fresh sheets on our bed… Kathy called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, November 23, 2009

Dave woke me up at 11:30 this morning… This afternoon I went with Dave to the doctor’s to get his MRI report. We were there for two hours. I was ready to scream. The waiting room was full. Dave has to have surgery on his knee. He has a tear in it… We left the doctor’s and went to Wal-Mart and then to Homeland and then to the Arrangement so I could get a wick for my Lampe Berger… I came home exhausted. I was thankful to have some of Lori’s homemade vegetable beef soup to warm up for supper… I am going to watch “Dancing With the Stars” and then go to bed… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, November 22, 2009

I have watched several movies today, one of them I remember was “The Trip to Bountiful” … I hosted the DASNI chat and watched the neighbor across the street put up his Christmas lights. We have a great view from our study window and they are beautiful to look at tonight… I am watching the 2009 American Music Awards… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, November 21, 2009

This morning I watched a movie but I can’t remember the name of it… We went to an Open House at our local Piedmont Pharmacy. I bought my first Christmas gift there and got free gift-wrapping. We left there and went to David and Lori’s for Madison’s birthday party. There were close to 50 people there. I went on a hayride with the kids. Then there was a bon fire with a wiener roast. The highlight of my evening was getting to feed an eight-week-old baby… Dave went to Kenny’s to watch the fights and I stayed home with the dogs… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, November 20, 2009

Last night Kenny and Josh came to visit. They brought us some chicken and noodle soup that Kathy had made. We had it for lunch today and it was delicious. Thanks Kathy… I chatted with my online friends, read some of Josh’s novel that he is writing, and fixed supper… Tonight we are watching “Shrek the Third”… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Happy Birthday Madison!!! Madison is our great granddaughter in Moore, OK and she is eight today. We will celebrate her birthday on Saturday… Dave had his MRI and we won’t know the results until he sees Dr Davoli on Monday… I cut out coupons and fixed lunch… I left chat early today so I could go outside with the dogs and get my Vitamin D. It was 68 degrees today, didn’t feel like November… Lori called... Tonight I watched a pretty sunset… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

We had sunshine today… The only thing I got accomplished today was fixing lunch and supper… David called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Dave went to Dr.Corman’s today for some lab work. He needed to be checked to make sure that the new pill “Uloric” he is on for Gout isn’t doing harm to his liver… Dave took me to get groomed and then we went to Tinker Air Force Base to the pharmacy to pick up our medications. Then we went to check out a house but really no need of us looking until we sell our home… I did a load of laundry, fixed supper, and made brownies. I have a terrible sweet tooth… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, November 16, 2009

BRRRR it is cold in Oklahoma… I did laundry, folded it and put is away… I chatted with friends in the DASNI chat room, here is the link for the chat room http://www.alzinfo.org/alztalk/flashchat.php I made tortilla soup for supper… Dave still hurts and is using my cane to get around, the gout is in his knee and heel… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, November 15, 2009

It is so hard to believe that November is half gone already… I did laundry, fixed lunch, and played games at pogo. I watched a movie but can’t remember what it was now… Dave is feeling a little better today… David called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, November 14, 2009

It is starting to feel more like winter here now… I chatted with my DASNI friends… I watched a movie and took a nap… I reminded Dave to take his pills but forgot to take my afternoon meds… I called Kenny over tonight so he could go up in our attic and get Dave’s crutches… We are watching football games… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, November 13, 2009

Friday 13th… We had a showing of our home at 12:30 today. This morning we were busy getting it ready to show… Dr. Davoili’s office called and wanted Dave to come in so he could look at his knee. After looking at it he decided to order a MRI. They will schedule that next week… After seeing the doctor we went and picked up a few groceries at Wal-Mart… We left the dogs in Kenny and Kathy’s fenced in yard while we were gone. But Kathy said that Shiloh found away to squeeze through the gate. Kathy said she chased her all over the neighborhood but couldn’t catch her so gave up and finally Shiloh came back through the gate. This time Kathy fixed it so Shiloh wasn’t able to get out… I did a load of laundry and I am very tired tonight. All this stress worrying about Dave and showing this home is getting me down… I watched a pretty sunset tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, November 12, 2009

David was here early this morning to take Dave to have some lab work done. So far we haven’t heard back from them. Dave’s temperature has been normal today but his knee is still very swollen and painful… I have been good for nothing today… Kenny came by and took us to see his new home site. They have started framing and he is getting excited… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

I did two loads of laundry, cleaned the kitchen, fixed lunch and supper, and put fresh sheets on the bed… I called the doctor today about Dave. He is still running a temperature and his knee is quite swollen and very painful… One doctor told me to call another doctor and I was getting the run around. I think it is because no one takes me serious because I have Alzheimer’s. David came out and he did some calling and got some answers. He will come back tomorrow morning and drive Dave to the doctor’s… David brought us some leftovers and we really appreciate that. Thank you Lori and thank you David… I sold our Honda CRV tow car today… We will miss it but we have no use for two cars now… It was a very pretty day up in the 70’s… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I went with Dave to pick up his antibiotic and then to vote. He really wasn’t able to do this but he did it anyhow… The rest of the day Dave has been in bed. I gave him lunch and supper in bed. He is still running a temperature. I have been very busy today. Doing laundry, fixing meals, cleaning the kitchen, and playing nurse to my husband. I sure miss my caregiver and I am hoping he is better soon… David called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, November 09, 2009

What a day this has been.,, The realtor called this morning to say they were showing the house again. We rushed around and got the house ready to show. Then we took the dogs to Kenny and Kathy’s house. It was a very pretty day so they were able to stay outside in their fenced in yard. From there we went for Dave’s follow-up appointment with Dr. Davoli. When they took his temperature it was a 102. Dave was really hurting in his shoulder, knees, and foot. The doctor gave him an injection in his knee and shoulder and gave him a mask to wear. He advised us to see our family Doctor. So we went to see Dr. Corman. The PA saw him, Dave’s temperature there was a 103 and his oxygen level was very low. They gave him an antibiotic shot and advised him to go to the ER. Before we left I got my flu shot…. We spent four hours in the ER. Kenny and Kathy came. The doctor said his xrays were fine and that the lab work showed some kind of infection. The doctor seemed to think he had the flu. He gave him a prescription for an antibiotic and sent us home. We stopped by Kenny’s and picked up our dogs and came home… I need to go now and take care of my husband. I sure hope I don’t catch what he has… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, November 08, 2009

We got up early this morning and took a long road trip to Lake Ten killer, in Gore Oklahoma. Kenny and Kathy rode with us. We went up there to look at a houseboat that someone wants to trade us for our motor home. We thought it would be fun to go see a houseboat and it was but we don’t think we want to trade. Maybe if I were twenty years younger I would be more interested in it. Anyhow it was a nice trip for us to take… When we got home I helped fix supper… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Happy Birthday Heather!!! Heather is our granddaughter who is 18 today… I slept well last night except for the nightmares… This morning I watched “Little House on the Prairie”… Dave went into town to have a key made and pick up some groceries. I stayed home and chatted with my online friends and then I made potato soup for our lunch… I finished listening to “Still Alice.” It is a great book if you have Early Onset Alzheimer’s or know someone who does. I highly recommend this book. The author is Lisa Genova… I have watched a couple football games… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma.

Friday, November 06, 2009

This morning we were up early. I stripped the bed and washed the sheets… Beverly and her daughter Betty arrived this morning around 11:00. I hadn’t seen Beverly in a long time. Beverly thought we were teenagers the last time we saw each other. So it was a very long time ago. Beverly hadn’t changed that much. She looked the same as I remembered her. We had a very nice visit and went out to lunch. I wanted so bad to show them my chat room. But when I went in there no one was there. Later I realized I was an hour too early for our chat… Betty and Beverly left early afternoon to go back to Tulsa… Soon after they left I got a call from our realtor saying that someone was showing our house at 4:30. We loaded up the dogs and went out to Cashion again. They have the lumber out there to frame Kenny and Kathy’s home. It was so windy today I can’t imagine anyone trying to frame a house… When we got back home we found out we were locked out of our house. The realtor had locked our utility room and we couldn’t get in. Our only door key was in the lockbox. So we called our realtor and she phoned the realtor that showed the house and had him come back to let us in. Tomorrow we are going to have another key made… I have had a full day and I enjoyed it but I have a feeling I got over stimulated. I hope I am able to sleep tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, November 05, 2009

This morning I got my shower and we went to Piedmont to see the local travel agent. We wanted to get some information on a cruise to Hawaii. We left there with plenty of reading material. Neither of us has ever gone on a cruise… Dave went by the pharmacy to pick up a medicine he can take daily for his gout and it won’t harm his only kidney. I sure hope it helps him because I don’t like seeing him in pain… This afternoon my cousin, Beverly called. She is Aunt Florence’s daughter. Beverly lives in Wisconsin and is here in Oklahoma visiting her daughter in Tulsa. They will drive down in the morning to visit us… In the mail today I received “Still Alice” CD’s and I have already started listening. The author, Lisa Genova, reads it… I need to get ready for Beverly’s visit… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

We had our home termite inspection today and the guy didn’t find any termites… We went to town to pick up a few things… Tonight we will watch the World Series. Go Phillies!!! Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

The person that was to come back and drive the motor home today never showed up. I hate it when people tell me they are going to do something and then don’t do it. Oh well, not everyone is like us. If we say we will do something then you can count on it… I folded yesterday’s laundry and put it away and helped fixed supper. We had a problem with our chat room and we got knocked out and we weren’t able to get back in. I reported it and it is now working again. We really depend on the chat room to always be working… It was another beautiful day… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, November 02, 2009

I did two loads of laundry and after chatting with my online friends I went outside and did some yard work and got my Vitamin D… We showed the motor home and they really liked it and want to come back tomorrow and drive it… I fixed supper… I watched Dancing With the Stars and now I am watching the World Series… Jeanne in Hawaii called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Great Grandchildren: Trevor, Madison, Jake, and Macey.


Sunday, November 01, 2009

It is November but it feels like October outside. It was a beautiful day… The ice cream truck came and picked us up and took us for an ice cream and for a drive in the country… One of our neighbor boys, Zachary, came over to interview Dave. It was for a school project he needed to interview a Veteran and he picked a good one to interview… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma