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, November 30, 2010

It has been like grand central station here today. The Nurse’s aide came, then the physical therapist, and then the nurse came. Nurse’s aide helped with making the bed and dusting, PT gave me ultra sound treatment to neck, shoulders, and lower back, and the nurse gave me my vitamin b/12 injection. I managed to do three loads of laundry in between their visits, chat with friends in the chat room, and fixed lunch and supper… I think I am starting to feel better just after 19 pills of the prednisone… Jan, and old DASNI friend called me and it sure was good catching up with her… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, November 29, 2010

This morning Dave and I were up early to go for our doctor appointments. Dave went to see Dr. Seres for a follow up appointment on the procedure he had done. He was told he had Barretts Esophagus. The doctor said they caught it early so that is a good thing.
I had the snow crab legs and steak and Dave had the seafood platter. It was really good. The waitress was so sweet she put on gloves and helped me crack the snow crab legs. She could do it better than me and I really appreciated her. I may still be there if it weren’t for her help… I went to see Dr. Fixley. He said I had a bad case of Asthma. He started me on Prednisone. I started out with ten pills today, nine tomorrow, and eight the next day and so on till they are all gone. If I am not better in a week I am to call him… I did a load of laundry and that is it for today. I hope I feel better tomorrow… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, November 28, 2010

It has been a lazy day here. I fixed our lunch and supper and the rest of the day I watched old movies… Tomorrow will be a better day… David called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, November 27, 2010

This morning physical therapy came and gave me more ultra sound treatments to neck, shoulders and lower back… Dave went with Kenny to a gun show. I stayed home with the dogs and went to chat… Tonight we are watching a bedlam football game. I hope I can stay awake… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, November 26, 2010

Thank you Karen for leaving a comment here on my blog. I was beginning to think no one was reading it, now I know at least one person is reading… Dave and I have been enjoying the leftovers we brought home yesterday from Kathy’s, especially the desserts… Dave and I watched a football game until it was chat time. Not much will interrupt my chat time… David, the man that put in our wood floors came tonight and brought his wife, Kathy and son, Braeden to meet us. We feel like they are family… With Dave’s help I made a turkey casserole for our supper… I called an old friend, Carolyn… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Well, I am overstuffed and over stimulated. I don’t know how many people were there today but there were a bunch and with lots of kids. Kathy and her sister, Margaret served up a delicious meal… It turned cold over night. We went from the 70’s to the 30’s… I was very thankful for elastic pants today… I will be going to bed early tonight. Looking forward to getting in bed with the flannel sheets… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Well, I am overstuffed and over stimulated. I don’t know how many people were there today but there were a bunch and with lots of kids. Kathy and her sister, Margaret served up a delicious meal… It turned cold over night. We went from the 70’s to the 30’s… I was very thankful for elastic pants today… I will be going to bed early tonight. Looking forward to getting in bed with the flannel sheets… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

This morning I took my shower then got my day started. I cleaned the bathroom, did two loads of laundry, went to the DASNI chat to rest, and fixed supper… Dave gave all four dogs a bath and while we were outside enjoying the weather he cut their nails and I brushed the dogs. It was a beautiful day, 79 degrees… There was a 4.2 Magnitude Earthquake in the Oklahoma City area this evening... I am baking an apple pie for tomorrow to take to Kenny and Kathy’s house… I have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for my family and friends and for a beautiful home. I am thankful to still be around after all these years with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. I am thankful for all the great memories I have… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Happy Birthday Dewey!!! Dewey is our nephew in North Carolina… First thing this morning Janita, the physical therapist came and gave me ultra sound on my lower back and neck and shoulders… I fixed us a large chef salad for lunch. When Brenda, the nurse’s aid came I asked her to have salad with us and she did. Then she helped me decorate our Christmas tree. I so appreciated that… I went to the DASNI chat and did a load of laundry. I just remembered I still haven’t put them in the dryer… I have been cold all day. It must be because I am thinking of how cold it is going to be later this week. It was in the 60’s today… I still have a terrible cough… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, November 22, 2010

Dave got the humidifier out and got it going. I have been waking up in the night with my mouth so dry… This afternoon I was warming up some soup for our lunch. Walked out of the kitchen into the study and completely forgot all about cooking. Dave found it on the stove burnt. I should have known better… We went to doctor’s office today. Dave had to have some lab work done and while we were there we got our flu shots. We ran some more errands while we were out. It was a beautiful day in the 70’s. A great day to be out… When we got home I got on my scooter and gave Sugar a ride. Then I came in and cooked supper. This time I didn’t leave the kitchen… I received cards from Jeanne and Sandy today. Thank you ladies for thinking of me... Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, November 21, 2010

This morning I attended church services on television… I went to the DASNI chat and the rest of the day I watched movies. I am still tired from yesterday… I watched another beautiful sunset… The ice cream truck came and took us for ice cream… Full moon tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Madison, our great granddaughter... Age 9

This morning I watched a movie “Cold Mountain”… Then we got ready to go to Lexington to celebrate Madison’s 9th birthday. It was 75 miles from our house but it was worth the trip to see our beautiful great granddaughter, Madison and her brothers and sister… We stopped on our way home and got groceries. Came home and put all the groceries away and fixed supper… Now we are watching a football game. Go Sooners!!! David called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, November 19, 2010

Happy 9th Birthday Madison!!! Madison is our sweet Great Granddaughter who lives in Lexington, Oklahoma… Our house has been like grand central station today… First Brenda, the Nurses Aide comes, she visits with me and checks my vital signs and helped me put the flannel sheets on our bed. I figure it is about time for them. Next, Tony, a Nurse from Cornerstone comes and he brings us a loaf of pumpkin bread as a Thanksgiving gift. It sure is good too. Next the Physical Therapist comes. She evaluated me and has ordered a TENS unit and ultra sound for my back. I am sure hoping they help because I am so tired of hurting. Next our maids come. Our house is clean and I love it… Dave took me out to eat tonight. I was tired from all the company and I didn’t want to dirty up my kitchen… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, November 18, 2010

I have been busy as a bee today… I have been clearing a path for the maids visit tomorrow. I did laundry, took care of the houseplants, fixed our supper, and chatted with my friends in the DASNI chat room. We had people from England, Ireland, Tennessee, Hawaii, Ohio, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and one that I never caught where she was from. I don’t know what I would do without my friends in chat. It seems like all my local friends have forgotten me. I guess they are just too busy… Dave went to Edmond to get stuff for our lawn… Tonight I got in the whirlpool tub for a nice bubble bath. It may be my last time to get in the tub, as I wasn’t able to sit down so I just dropped. Then when it was time to get out I thought it wasn’t going to happen. Dave worked and worked with me to get me out. I was so afraid he was going to have to call 911… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

It has been a cold and rainy day. I am surprised it hasn’t snowed… I took the day off and didn’t even get dressed… I did chat with my friends and fix supper. I am feeling very lazy today… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The sun came out today and that always makes me feel better…
My back has been bothering me for the past few weeks. I finally mentioned it to Jamie, the nurse and she is going to get hold of my doctor and see if I can have physical therapy back again. While the nurse was here, Brenda, the aide came. Brenda helped with some light housekeeping. I fixed lunch, supper, and did laundry. I finally saw the bottom of the hamper… Dave went to an airport with Kenny and I stayed home. Looking forward to Dancing With the Stars tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, November 15, 2010

November is half gone already… It has been raining all day… Dave went to a former co-worker’s funeral today and I stayed home with the dogs… I fixed lunch, went to the DASNI Chat, dusted the floors, did laundry, and fixed supper… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Happy 15th Birthday Jake!!! Jake is our great grandson in Lexington, Oklahoma… Happy Birthday Cheryl!!! Cheryl is my cousin in Florida… I started my day off with church this morning and caught up with the morning news… I went to chat and then watched a movie “The Pelican Brief” … We had spaghetti for supper with some of Lori’s delicious meatballs and sauce… I watched another beautiful Oklahoma sunset tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Happy Birthday Duchess!!! Duchess is our friend in Ohio… I went to chat, fixed supper, and made some Navajo fry bread, and the rest of the day we spent watching football games… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, November 12, 2010

The nurse called this morning with Dave’s report of his biopsy. She said he had Barrett’s Esophagus. Dave will see the Doctor later this month for more details… Brenda, the nurse’s aide came to see me this morning. She changed our sheets and I washed them… It has been a rainy miserable day… We are having leftovers for supper… David called… Norita sent me some red poppy seeds. Thank you, Norita… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Happy Veterans Day!!! Thanks to all the Veterans and to those who are serving now and especially to my husband. Dave served 21 years in the Air Force… I didn’t post a journal last night because I didn’t feel like it... David came this morning and took his Dad to the 45th Infantry Division Museum… Brender, the Nurse came this morning and gave me my Vitamin B/12 injection… David brought us some liver and some of Lori’s leftovers. Thanks David and Lori… I cooked a chicken and made tortilla soup, chatted with friends, and did laundry... Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

It has been a warm day up in the 70’s but too windy for me to enjoy it outside… I ran the dust mop, fixed lunch, and supper, chatted with online friends, and made banana bread. I couldn’t stand to see the bananas going to waste… Brenda the Nurses Aide came to see me and she dusted for me. She sure helps me a bunch… I still have a sunflower blooming in the back yard so I had to post a picture of it below… I watched a beautiful sunset tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunflower blooming in our back yard.

Monday, November 08, 2010

This morning I was up extra early to go with Dave to the hospital for his procedure. It was a EGD. The doctor said he did three biopsies and I can’t remember what they were of. I did ask him to send us a copy of what he told us.
David came to drive us there and back… We really appreciate you David… I went to chat, did laundry, and dusted the floors. Our leftovers from Shoguns were sure good… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, November 07, 2010

Happy 19th Birthday, Heather!!! Heather is our granddaughter who lives in Stillwater, Oklahoma… I attended church, warmed up chili for our lunch, and dusted the floors… Tonight we went to Shogun’s with Kenny, Kathy, and Heather to celebrate Heather’s birthday. Then we went to Kenny and Kathy’s for cake and ice cream. I am so stuffed now. I brought home a to go box and have plenty of leftovers for tomorrow… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Heather

Saturday, November 06, 2010

This morning our floor man, who had left his jacket here, came to pick it up and brought us a cinnamon roll. I think we should adopt him… Dave and I have been watching football games. OSU won their game next we will watch OU play. Go OU SOONERS! … We had a great chat today. People from Brazil, Canada, Hawaii, Arkansas, Ohio, Texas and Oklahoma were there. Lori joined us in chat today. It was nice having her there… I fixed a pot of chili for supper… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, November 05, 2010

This week as flown by, I can’t believe it is Friday already… Josh came this morning and spent the day with us and I got my Josh hug… I did laundry and all his folded and put away and I hosted the DASNI chat… Dave fixed his Spam Supreme for supper. It was so delicious… I am looking forward to watching “Medium” tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, November 04, 2010

ABC Carpet came this morning to clean our tile… It has been a cool day but plenty of sunshine… I ran the dust mop, went to chat, and washed the dogs bedding… My iPhone camera quit working so Dave called the Apple Store and now it is working again… Tonight is Dr. Mitch’s chat.
Dr. Mitch’s chat will be in the Dr. Mitch’s chat room. Here is the link for chat rooms http://www.alzinfo.org/alztalk/flashchat.php Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Dave had to make a trip to Tinker Air Force Base this morning to pick up our prescriptions. So I had a day of ME time. I do better staying at home because I get very nervous in traffic and I think Dave likes it when I stay home… I ran the dust mop over the floors, chatted with my friends, Sandy, Jeanne, Norma, and Teresa were in the chat room, and I folded laundry… Dave brought home a rotisserie chicken so I didn’t have to cook except for some vegetables. Pumpkin pie is a vegetable, isn't it???… Goodnight All... Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Dave went to pick up his new hearing aide. It is supposed to be the top of the line. But he is still saying huh and what honey to me. Maybe it has gotten to be a habit with him… We had lunch and then went to vote. We must have gotten there at a good time because we didn’t have to wait. I went with note in hand so didn’t take long for me to vote… Redonna, the nurse and Brenda, the aide came to visit me… I did a load of laundry, fixed lunch, and supper… Now I am waiting for it to get dark so I can go to bed… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, November 01, 2010

It is a brand new month. Soon this year will be gone and it is hard to believe how fast this year has gone by… I did laundry and got it all folded and put away, fixed lunch, and supper… Now I am ready to watch some television… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma