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.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Another month flew by. It used to be the days flew by, then it was the weeks and now it is the months… This morning I watched the church services on Television… Then David and Lori came to visit. David had someone make a DVD of some of our old movies for a surprise for us. It sure tickled me. Lori brought some of her delicious leftovers that we always enjoy… We took them out to eat at our local Mexican Restaurant. It is always good to eat there. Then we took them out to see Kenny and Kathy’s new house. Kenny was out there on his tractor clearing the land. We came back here and visited some more. We talked about going to Hawaii… After David and Lori left I watched a movie “Billy Elliot”… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, February 27, 2010

It was a beautiful day. It felt like spring. Dave got outside and sprayed the weeds and I couldn’t stay to finish chat because I wanted to get out and get my sunshine vitamin…

We went out to Kenny and Kathy’s new home and they are really making progress. Kathy gave me a tour of the house. Kenny and his friends were out there with their model cars and flying their r/c model planes. Kenny had flown the real plane just before we got there… We came home and I fixed us a country breakfast for supper… We watched the “Bee Movie”… Then Kenny called and wanted us to ride with him and Kathy to see what it was like at their house at night. It was very quiet. We sat out on his back porch and visited until we got cold. While we were there his builder came out… David called and I called George, Jeanne, and Chip’s wife Sharon… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, February 26, 2010

This morning I watched the meadowlarks and robins in our back yard. I don’t remember seeing robins out here before… Dave and I had to make a trip to town to pick up filters for the house and for the vacuum cleaner and get another bird feeder and more seed for the birds… I fixed lunch and supper… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, February 25, 2010

The nurse’s aide came to see me today… I chatted with my online friends, washed the dogs bedding and fixed supper… We are supposed to get snow tonight… I am watching figure skating tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

This morning the physical therapist was here working with Dave. I stayed in bed while she was here… I picked up around the house, dusted, and fixed supper… This afternoon I had an appointment with the asthma doctor. He was pleased with how I am doing. He has cut the Advair back from 500 to 250 twice a day… I got groomed and that always makes me feel better… It was a sunny day and tonight I watched a pretty sunset… David called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

I didn’t sleep well last night and was woke up early this morning with the phone ringing… I think I know why I have been good for nothing the past few days. I went too long without a Vitamin B12 shot… I went to the DASNI chat room and chatted with friends… Dave’s nurse came to check him out, and then my nurse came. She gave me a shot… Later the nurse’s aide came… I did a couple loads of laundry… Dave had to take a Indocin for his gout… We watched a movie “Eye for an Eye”… Now we are watching American Idol and recording the Olympics for later… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, February 22, 2010

I have been worthless today… Dave’s gout is back, but he went to the grocery store for me anyhow. I hate to see him hurting… Tomorrow will be a better day… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, February 21, 2010

It was cold and rainy today so another good day for movies... I chatted with my DASNI friends… The ice cream truck came and took us for ice cream… Margot, I am thinking of you... I called my cousin, Ernie… Now I am off to watch the Olympics… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, February 20, 2010

It has been a rainy miserable day. A good day to stay in my pajamas and watch movies… I watched “Splendor in the Grass” “Momma Mia” and “Amelia”… Dave went with Kenny to his future home and I stayed home with the dogs… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, February 19, 2010

Last night I stayed up to watch figure skating and I was so happy that we got a gold medal…Today I did laundry, fixed lunch, and supper… The nurse’s aide came to see me and she is supposed to weigh me every Friday. She weighed me and it was embarrassing to see how much I had gained in a week. She called the Nurse and also the office to tell them. The doctor put me on Lasix and I will be starting that tomorrow… The humidifier I ordered came today so tonight I will try it out… I am going back to watching the Olympics… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, February 18, 2010

It was a beautiful day with temperatures up in the 60’s. I wish this weather could last… Dave went to Tinker to the pharmacy and I stayed home and chatted with my DASNI friends… Tonight we watched “Hotel for Dog’s” then we watched the Olympics… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Physical therapy came early this morning. Today was my last day with her but I will continue doing my exercises. Dave has a couple more weeks before he will be finished… I filled the bird bath, cleaned the bathroom, did laundry, folded clothes and put them away… I fixed lunch and helped fix supper… Now I am going to watch American Idol… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The nurse and aide came to visit us today… The tulips are coming up so I think spring will be here one of these days… I watched a pretty sunset tonight… Lori called me on her new iPhone and Kenny came by… Dave and I watched a movie “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” tonight… Now it is bedtime… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, February 15, 2010

I woke up this morning to sunshine and the birds singing… Dave and I both had physical therapy today. I felt I got a good work out… Dave helped me fix supper and tonight we watched The Bachelor together… Dave hasn’t had a gout attack for three days. I pray it continues… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

I have had a great Valentine’s Day. Dave gave me candy and Kenny gave me 18 long stem roses. The ice cream truck came too…

Sorry for being away for so long. I have been dealing with a couple infections and with the nurses and physical therapy coming all the time, I am just always busy… Today I ordered a humidifier that should help with the sinus infection so says the nurse…

Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma