New blogs

As I get to know more and more people with Alzheimer's I find there are more and more blogs cropping up out there. I'm glad that is the case -- those of us that can speak about the disease need to. The latest one I found was a gentleman named Don Hayen. His blog can be found here http://thetripover.com. I've asked my son to put a link to it on this page so you can refer to it later if you would like. Don was recently diagnosed and shares some of his trials and tribulations. I've noticed that since he is just starting this blog that some of his observations are the same as mine have been -- he's just putting it into different words. And, the longer I write this I realized that you always don't want to hear about my problems with Alzheimer's -- I don't like tothink of them myself sometimes. So, I haven't been speaking of them as much as of late. But I'll get back there -- I need to -- because so much more needs to be said.

In reading Don's blog though, I find it interesting at some of the comments. One lady wrote about a relative that could figure certain things out but not others. She said something like it was interesting he could open up some files in his brain for some things and not for others. That is so true.....I'm always amazed at how I know how to do things but I can't do them. Like I know what has to be done, but I can't put the actions into an order to make it happen. Like getting a meal together sometimes. I know exactly what needs to be done, but I can't get there. Our brains are interesting parts of our body!!!

Visitors

Over the last few days we have had some visitors. My great niece visited for a day and my friends Pody and Rick from Illinois. It was great to have them here.

But now I am ready to get back to "normal" if there is such a thing anymore. All of our company for the summer has come and gone and we don't really have much planned until we head out to Seattle to catch up with our son for a week's vacation. I think I am ready for some down time. I don't really realized until after the fact how tired I can get. It takes me a lot longer to get back to my routine. For a few days I will notice some problems with my Alzheimer's and have many more "Alzheimer's moments" but we have come to expect them and can live with them. We always have little "surprises" but nothing we can't deal with.

Lots of things are happening on the Alzheimer's research lately. Some scientists in Australia claim they have found a "cure" . The following is a quote from a recent article that was published in Ireland --

Scientists in Australia have developed a once-a-day pill, which they claim may cure Alzheimer's disease. Human trials of the drug - PBT2 - are to begin next month.
The breakthrough was made by a team at the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria. The drug stops the build-up of amyloid, a protein which is widely accepted to be a major cause of Alzheimer's.
"This is a major breakthrough. Though much depends on the next phase of human clinical trials...early results indicate this drug offers hope to people with Alzheimer's disease", said Prof George Fink, director of the institute.
Early clinical tests involving animals indicate that the drug is fast-acting and is capable of suppressing the impairment of memory function that arises as a result of the disease.
According to Prof Fink, PBT2 could prevent Alzheimer's from developing or delay the onset of the disease for many years.
He added that pending further trials, the drug could be on the market within four years.

Wouldn't this be a great thing?

Stem Cell Research

Many of you probably know that President Bush is set to veto the recent bill about Stem Cell Research. It will be his first veto of his administration. I know we all have our thoughts about this, but my view is that we need it. Not only to help with Alzheimer's but a host of diseases. I'm disappointed in his decision.

It's hot here in the south as it is all over the country. It's kind of hard to get motivated to do much. We have company coming in a few days. First my great niece who is ten years old. She is down this way visiting her father and we will catch up with her over the weekend. Then my dear friends Pody and Rick from Champaign IL will be here for a day. These fine folks are the ones we went to visit last year in England. We have such fond memories of the trip -- it just seems like yesterday we were there.

Healthwise, I haven't had the best of days lately. I try to get through them one day at a time.

Not Sure what to title this

As I was thinking about what to write, I thought of several titles, but then when it came to actual type it, I couldn't figure out which one to use. So, that is why the title is what it is.

As my post below indicates, I have been dealing with some other stuff lately. Mainly that has been somewhat of a different kind of health scare -- it isn't over yet, but I am trying to remain optimistic about it. The first few days I was dealing with this the stress that it was causing me was making my Alzheimer's much worse and I realized I needed to do something to try not to worry so much. It was hard, but I tried to find other things to occupy my racing mind. I am also upset that my son hasn't taken this recent development very seriously. That's quite uncharacterstic of him. But that is a whole different issue.

I was able to get away for a day or two though and went to South Carolina to play golf and just relax. It is definitely what I needed to help clear my head a little. And, my brother is visiting from Illinois -- he is here because his work brought him through this part of the country and although his visit is short, it makes me feel better.

In a week or so my friends from Illinois that were living in England in the fall will be visiting. It will be nice to see them as well. That's a great things about family and friends --they can certainly give you a boost when you need it the most.

I'm here

I've been a little too pre-occupied with some other things going on in my life right now to post. So, I promise that new posts will be on the way shortly.

Hot weather

It's been so hot here that we haven't been doing much. I have finally recuperated from having my brother in law here -- or at least I think so. Still haven't really gotten back into my routine. We are having some work done on the house this week, but before they could come to work on it my husband has had to do some maintenance of his own on the house. So, he has been outside working in 100 degree heat trying to get the house ready for some new guttering. It always takes him longer than he thinks it is going to, so he spent a lot of time out in the heat.

We did manage to play golf last week even though it was pretty hot. My concentration level is getting so bad -- after about the fourth hole I should probably just call it quits and just walk the rest of the course without playing. It's frustrating.

Hope everyone had a great Fourth of July.