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, June 30, 2010

June came and went by so fast… Yesterday the nurse told me I needed to be checked out by a doctor since I fell. So this morning Dave called and made an appointment for both of us.
Dave has been suffering with swollen feet. The doctor prescribed a new water pill for him to take along with his other one. He said he was sure the pain in my lower back is from muscle aches. He prescribed a muscle relaxant for me. He also gave me a tetanus shot… I chatted with friends in the DASNI chat room, folded yesterday’s laundry and put them away, and fixed supper… Kenny and Kathy are moving into their beautiful new home today. We will help them as much as we can… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Happy Birthday Lori!!! Lori is David, our son’s wife and our special daughter… Happy Birthday Tracy!!! Tracy is a friend in Missouri… Happy Anniversary Phil and Diane!!! Diane is a friend in Australia… Our Internet was down yesterday so I wasn’t able to post a journal… I did laundry, fixed lunch, hosted chat, and fixed supper… We have a young girl who comes to chat and is really working hard to raise money for them to find a cure for us. You can read more about Augusta here: www.augustalostlullaby.com The Nurse and Aide came to see me... Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, June 27, 2010

I watched church services on television this morning… I fixed BLT’s for our lunch and watched a DVD “Dear John.” Tonight I am watching “The 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.” I have been putting ice to my sore back and taking Aleve… Kenny and Kathy stopped by to check on me and pick up some boxes… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Dave woke up this morning with bad gout in his foot. He took one of his powerful pills for gout and went back to bed. I got the ice bag out and put on his foot… I hosted chat, did laundry and folded clothes and put them away… The ice cream truck came and took us to get an ice cream cone. Then we went out to Kenny and Kathy’s and went swimming. The pool was nice. Everything went well until I was getting out of the pool and I had a bad fall. I fell backwards off the ladder. I hit my head and back on the ground. I am all bruised and thanking God I didn’t break my neck or anything else… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, June 25, 2010

I have been busy today but can’t remember what all I have done… I watered the flowers inside and out, picked up around the house, cleaned the bathroom, and fixed supper… The Nurse and Nurse’s Aide came to visit me… We watched a DVD “Public Enemies.” Tonight we will go swimming again. I can’t get enough of that pool… David called to say that he sold Miss Holiday to a nice lady in Texas. Tomorrow he and some other motorcyclist will escort the Vietnam Memorial from Tulsa to Norman… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Our deepest sympathies go out to Glen, Kathy, and family in North Carolina. Glen’s father passed away yesterday…
We had thunderstorms during the night and we got a good rain out of it. Our trees are happy… I fixed lunch, went to chat, and then we got ready and went into town. We made stops at Wal-Mart, Office Depot, and Aldi’s. I was disappointed that we got to Aldi’s too late to get strawberries. They were all gone by the time we got there… We stopped at Subway shop on the way home and picked up sandwiches. As soon as we put away groceries and ate we went to Kenny and Kathy’s to swim. I should say that Kathy and I went swimming while Dave and Kenny flew a sailplane… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Not much going on here today… I watered the flowers outside, chatted with friend in the DASNI chat room, rode the bike for two miles, and fixed supper… Going swimming this evening… 96 degrees... Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Last night Kathy put a sealer on my wound and tonight I got to swim in the pool. It was so nice to finally get to swim. Dave, Kathy, and I enjoyed the pool while Kenny mowed. Afterwards we went for an ice cream cone at Sonic… Now I am really relaxed and I am going to bed… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, June 21, 2010

Happy Birthday Robert!!! Robert is our friend in San Antonio, Texas…
Today is the first day of summer. It has felt like summer all month here. Today it is in the 90’s… I have cleaned the bathrooms, did two loads of laundry and fixed supper… I watched a DVD “Crazy Heart.” Dave has been taking an online driving test for AARP to get a little discount on our car insurance… I have been trying to talk Dave into getting flood insurance… Last night I watched Dave, Kenny, and Kathy playing in the pool. I couldn’t get in because I have a wound on my leg… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father’s Day to all the Great Dads… Our grandson, Josh took Dave and his dad, Kenny bowling for Father’s Day. I think it is great they got to spend time together… I fixed Dave a nice steak dinner with corn on cob, zucchini, and potato salad… I went to church this morning on television and then I watched a couple of movies… We are going to Kenny's house. Dave wants to do some flying out there and then go for ice cream, I hope... Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, June 19, 2010

We had a delicious meal with Kenny and Kathy last night. After we ate we all went to their new house and Kenny started leveling the ground to put in the 24ft round pool. After the ground was level they started putting up the pool. It was after nine before they got started on it. I helped some but mostly supervised. It was after midnight when we got home last night. One thing about it, no one got a sunburn putting it up. There was a nice breeze and a beautiful sky… I am glad the house is clean and I can take it easy today… I hosted chat, fixed lunch, and supper with some help from Dave. I fixed cornbread, one of my comfort foods… David called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, June 18, 2010

Happy Birthday Candy!!! Candy is a friend in California… It has been another grand central station day… The nurses aide came to see me, then the nurse came and she gave me the Vitamin B/12 shot. I sure needed it… Then the maids came. I have the sweetest maid cleaning my house. She always gives me a hug when she comes and when she leaves and leaves me with a nice clean home… I picked up, washed our bedding, and chatted with my friends… Kathy has invited us for dinner, brisket, fresh green beans and corn. I am ready to eat… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, June 17, 2010

I have felt very overwhelmed today. I do not like this feeling… Ali came and gave me another work out. This was my last day for physical therapy. I will miss Ali and I need to keep doing my homework… We hired someone to do our roofing today. It will be four weeks before they can get to us. We have used these people before when we lived in our other house… I did laundry, picked up around the house, went to town to run errands, and went by Aldi’s to get some strawberries… I made another Land's End order... I halfway watched a movie “Valentine’s Day” Now I am watching a basketball game. Go Boston!!! Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

We had to get out of bed early this morning. We both had a dental appointment. Dave got a filling and I got mine cleaned… We left the dentist and made the long trip to Tinker Air Force Base to pick up our medicines and to go to the Base Exchange and the Commissary. We got home tired and broke… We bought a chicken to eat for supper and I added rice and broccoli to go with it… I saved room for a skinny cow ice cream sandwich for later… Tonight we are going with Kenny and Kathy to see how much has been done to their new home… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

This month is half gone already… Ali came this morning and gave me a good workout. She said she could tell that I have been doing my homework… I chatted in the DASNI chat room, did laundry, made nectar for the hummingbirds, and fixed supper… This afternoon the nurse’s aide came to see me… After supper Dave and I pulled weeds. I don’t know if there is ever an end to weed pulling. At least with all that rain we had it was easy to pull them out of the mud… I am watching the basketball game and hoping Boston wins. Not looking too go for them though… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, June 14, 2010

We have been so dry here that I have been wishing for rain and boy did I get my wish. Many areas around us are flooded. Oklahoma City is really bad. We are all fine, I have talked or texted with our sons and families and they are all fine too… I have been glued to the television all day. Watching them rescue people who were stranded in their cars and etc… My order from Land’s End arrived today and it is like Christmas here… I fixed supper… Ali cancelled this morning because of the rain… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, June 13, 2010

This morning Kelley, one of our neighbors texted me to say she was making and bringing our dinner down to us. What a sweet person she is. She has four little ones but still wanted to bring dinner to us. We had grilled salmon, asparagus, and brown rice. She even sent some skinny cow ice cream for our dessert. It was so good. She is a great cook. She is already talking about making another meal for us… I picked up around the house and hosted the DASNI chat… The ice cream truck came this evening and took us for ice cream. Then we went to see what had been done at their new house. It is moving very slow now. Then we stopped to visit with another neighbor… Now I am watching a basketball game. Go Boston!!! Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Last night the ice cream truck took us for ice cream. Kathy has a broken foot or a badly sprain one, we aren’t sure. Doctor said it would better if it is broken. She will go back and have another X-ray next week… Last night I was woke up in the middle of the night by Mindy’s barking. It took me forever to get back to sleep. I ended up sleeping till one o’clock this afternoon. My day has gone by fast. LOL
Carole called and I got caught up with Laura on Facebook… I am watching Pearl Harbor tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, June 11, 2010

Our sympathies go out to Paul Singer’s family. Paul is my cousin who lost his battle to brain cancer this morning… It has been like Grand Central Station here today with the roof estimate guys coming and I had a nurse and aide visit me… Dave and I watched the movie “Hurt Locker” He will seldom watch a movie with me… I fixed lunch, chatted with my online friends, and fixed supper… I need to do home work now… Goodnight All... Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Today I didn’t have anyone coming, so we went to town and ran errands and got groceries. I got my once a year Reclast IV. That was easy… I put groceries away and fixed supper and now I am tired… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Last night we went to Kenny and Kathy’s new house. Their 24ft round pool has arrived. I can’t wait till it is built and filled. I need to work on a tan. They have started laying the tile at their house and it is really pretty… I had a nightmare last night and I woke Dave and myself up screaming… Ali, the physical therapist came this morning. She is really happy with how I am doing. After she finishes I am ready for the ice bag… I fixed lunch, chatted with friends in the DASNI chat room, washed our sheets and hung them out on the clothesline, pulled weeds, made nectar for the hummingbirds, and fixed liver and onions for supper. The liver is some beef liver that David gave us. They don’t eat it and Dave won’t eat it either… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Happy Belated Birthday Sue!!! Sue is my friend in Canada... Brenda and Redonna came to see me. After they left we had a quick supper… I got the ice bag out for my neck and since I was sitting anyhow, I decided to place an order to Land’s End. I have been studying the catalogs for a couple weeks and today I did it. I think my husband may take my card away from me… I watched a DVD “The Tooth Fairy” It has been lying around here for a few days and I kept not finding the time to watch it… I feel like I got things accomplished today… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, June 07, 2010

I woke up this morning with bad shoulder and neck pain from all the homework I have been doing. Dave gave me an ice bag and that helped… Ali, the therapist came this morning and gave me another work out. She says I am doing well… Dave took Sugar, the Bichon, and Mindy the Maltese to the groomers while I stayed home to work out… I went with him to pick them up, they really are cute with their summer cuts… We stopped at Subway and picked up sandwiches for our supper… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, June 06, 2010

This morning I attended church as always on Television…
The highlight of my day was chatting with my online friends and being picked up by the ice cream truck… Now to watch a basketball game. Go Boston!!! Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, June 05, 2010

This morning I watched a movie. Can’t remember the name of it now… Dave dropped me off in Norman for a baby shower for Emily. She is having a boy but not telling his name to anyone yet. She got a lot of very nice things. It was good seeing Barbara, Mayselle, Lori, and Erin. Madison and Macey, the great granddaughters were there so I got kisses and hugs from them. I am so happy when I can get a grandkid fix… Lori then took me to her house where Dave was spending time with David. Mayselle was with us so I rode in the back seat of her Mini Cooper and I was able to get in ok but David just about had to pull me out. Not Funny!!! David showed us the calf that was born last weekend and still unable to stand up. He has made a harness for it so it can nurse. David is determined that Miss Holiday will eventually stand up. I pray that she will… George called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, June 04, 2010

I woke up early this morning; I wanted to check my neck. It is looking better. I got my shower before Ali came. She gave me a good work out and more homework. She is such a nice lady. Really everyone who comes to visit me from home health is really nice… Brenda came and did some light housekeeping and after she left Redonna the LPN came. I missed half of chat today because of all the company. We had people in our chat room from Hawaii, Arkansas, Ireland, Scotland, and Oklahoma. I think it is great how we can chat with people all over the world… I fixed lunch, did laundry, and fixed supper… Now I need to go fold clothes and put them away… Dave is doing lawn work tonight. I made him wait till evening instead of going out in the middle of the day like he usually does. It is in the 90’s today. Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, June 03, 2010

What a busy day I have had… Ali, the PT came this morning and worked me hard. At least my shoulder is feeling much better… I brushed the dogs, fixed our lunch, went to chat, and then we went to town to run errands. Wal-Mart for salt for our water softener and a trimmer, Target to get a baby shower gift, Credit Union to get some cash, and then to Aldi’s. I am happy I finally found a pair of sandals I think I can wear on both feet. We will see. With the tumor in the one foot it is very hard to find a shoe that doesn’t cause pain. That is why I have to wear a post op shoe most of the time… This afternoon Dave drew a line around the area on my neck. So far it hasn’t gotten any larger… I put groceries away and fixed last nights leftovers for our supper… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Happy Birthday Faye!!! Faye is our friend in Chandler, Oklahoma... Happy Birthday Augusta!!! Augusta is a friend in Tennessee...
This morning when I woke up, the redness from the spider bite had spread from the outline that BJ drew yesterday. Dave called and took me to see Dr. Wilbanks. He said that I got there just in time and he didn’t need to cut on me. He told me I was the second one he had seen this morning with the same problem. I am on an antibiotic (SMZ/TMP) and if the redness hasn’t decreased by Friday, I am to come back… I did chat, laundry, fed the Magnolia tree, and helped fix supper… Dave and I both got groomed today. I couldn’t get hold of my hairdresser and I was desperate so I let the barber cut my hair…
Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Happy Birthday Norita!!! Norita is my California Sister… The Nurse, BJ and the Aide, Brenda came to see me today… I stripped our bed and Brenda helped me put clean sheets on the bed… I did laundry, chatted with my friends, and pulled weeds… I ate the first tomato out of our garden and looking forward to more… BJ outlined the redness of the spider bite on my neck and if the redness gets out of the outline, I am to see my doctor... Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma