Let me start by saying that I am a trusting person by nature, so when I ask my LO if she has the keys to our vacation condo and she says yes, I trust that the information is correct. Well….. as a good friend of mine recommended, “trust but verify”! She had the keys, just … More “Trust but Verify”
When I began telling friends about my suspicions (and now, belief; still no official diagnosis) about my LO’s Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease (EOAD) 2 years ago, it was such a relief. For 2 years before that I kept this awful secret all bottled up inside! ( I know that’s why I now have a lot … More Well Meaning Folks….
It’s been exactly one month since my last post….. I guess that might be considered a “good” thing. I went on a 2 week vacation without my LO, (she decided at the last minute she did not want to go, numerous reasons, and I decided to “test” the waters on her being able to manage … More Settling in……
We went to Austin for our annual company “kick-off” sales meeting last week. We sell Long Term Care plans. Things went surprisingly very smooth. I was concerned that my LO would feel bad because she would be reminded that she hasn’t worked in over a year. (In her mind it’s because she is working on … More “I Forgot”,we’re not in Kansas anymore..
Well, the topic on my mind today is “driving”. For the 12 years we have been together I have allowed my LO to drive us, because otherwise if I’m driving she is telling me every 90 seconds what to do next! Argh… I couldn’t stand it! so it was easier to just let her drive. … More Down the Yellow Brick Road….
Here is a great 3 min video explaining what Alzheimer’s is and how it progresses. It’s pretty straightforward which means it’s pretty brutal in the realism, but I think it’s important to know the facts and to know what to expect. Yes, everyone is different but there are enough similarities to get the general idea … More What exactly is Alzheimer’s?
The most frequent question I get :”Is she still in denial?” The word Denial has a negative connotation, for me any way. I am a very “reality -based” kind of person. I call it like I see it. And remember, it’s difficult for me to “see things” from the perspective of someone else. (a constant … More The most common question…..
Why is it that there seems to be a disconnect between facts and feelings?? I would have bet you a $1000.00 my LO would not remember my birthday; get me a birthday card, much less a present. But yet there was that pang of disappointment when it happened. I am so thankful for all my … More Facts vs. Feelings….
Some things have changed: Personal appearance used to be important. She always dressed nice and appropriately for the occasion. Now, that seems to be a very daunting task. (she takes forever to get dressed! Solution: patience and tell her departure time is an extra hour earlier.) If we are going “somewhere” she looks to see … More Some things have changed and some things haven’t.
I have always had the belief and mantra that life is short; do and enjoy all that you want NOW; you don’t know what’s around the corner. When I was in my twenties, I worked with the elderly. (Home Health Physical Therapy). I love “old” people! They have lived and experienced so much; I was … More One day at a time….
Wizard of Alz blog 