Early Stage Alzheimer's

Last year, the National Alzheimer's Association created an Early Stage Advisory group to deal with the particular problems those of us with Early Stage Alzheimer's have to deal with. Some of our issues are different than those in late stages mainly because we are still somewhat functional, many still work, and many are in their 40's and 50's. Insurance, disability, social security, job security, family issues come in to play and need to be dealt with in a different way. I was so pleased that they came up with this and in their first year were very aggressive in the areas they addressed and wanted to help change.

This year, I have been invited to be on this Advisory Panel. I'm please to have been selected and hope that I can do it justice. We will be engaged throughout the year as advocates and spokespersons for the association and Early Stage Alzheimer's. I know from many of your comments and emails that I have received from others in the same boat that there are issues out there you want addressed as well. I hear you and will definitely bring those to the table. Feel free to leave me a comment if you have some of your own ideas.

Social Time

Every month we go out to dinner with three other couples. Each month a different couple gets to pick where they want to go. Last night was one of our dinner nights. But, I had had a bad day with panic attacks and noise bothering me a good bit. I was at the gym and had a major panic attack, but I stuck it out and then came home. Last night as we were eating dinner I several small attacks just because of the noise I think and I just felt a "little off". I was quiet I know and it was difficult to carry on a conversation. I always try to sit on the end of the table becasue then I don't have conversation coming from both sides at me. But, that didn't help much.

After dinner, one of the couples invited us over for dessert and I couldn't go. I made my husband go without me and I felt bad about that. But I just needed to be home where I felt "safe". Hopefully, my friends understand that. I hate it when that happens.

Washington DC

We just returned from a few days in Washington DC to visit our son. He's working for a law firm there for just two more weeks (see above). Then in July he will be coming to Atlanta to start a job there with a law firm. It's nice to have him on this side of the country for awhile.

We had a good time visiting and checking everything out in Washington DC again. We tried to go places we hadn't been to before. I certainly felt like the ball at the end of the chain though. I certainly couldn't have done that trip by myself -- way too confusing. I got tired pretty quick and tried to stay up with everything but it was hard.

The one thing I realized when we were there though was that you can tell when your child has become an adult when he reaches for the check at a restaurant before you do -- and then actually pays!

While we were visiting him, his fiancee's parents were visiting her and her sister on the west coast. Jennifer's sister took an internship in California and is staying with her this summer. We were glad to hear that and we are glad they are all getting a chance to visit.

Promise more soon -- I need to rest!

New information coming out

Today, Monday, some new research is going to be unveiled in Washington DC regarding some new drugs that are on the horizon to fight Alzheimer's. I've been hearing about them for several years and I'm anxious to hear the results of the testing. I've heard some rumors that the research is not going to show the kind of results that I was hoping for, but I hope that is just a rumor. In the next few days you will be hearing a lot about several drugs that are in the pipeline.

And, I'm told that Newsweek is going to do be doing a cover article on Alzheimer's in the next couple of weeks.

Big Weekend

I just got back from Knoxville TN where a man I admire greatly was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame -- UGA Women's basketball coach Andy Landers. It was quite an honor for a man who certainly deserved it. I went up with friends and there were two days of activities planned around the induction ceremony which culminated in a black tie event on Saturday night. Andy is shown above receiving his award. The UGA Athletic Department surprised Andy with a reception with his current team, old players and assistants and about 50 booster club members in attendance. I was glad to be a part of the weekend and to help honor a true leader and great friend.

But, it was a tough weekend for me. Lots of people in small areas, lots of panic attacks or near panic attacks. I'm grateful I had friends that helped to look out after me, because I certainly needed it.

This week we head off to Washington DC to see our son. After that, my traveling is about over for the summer which is probably a good thing.

Neurologist VIsit

On Wednesday, I visited my neurologist. After my last visit we decided it was time for another MRI since my language problems had become persistent. The MRI revealed that on a whole there was some atrophy of my brain from the last MRI but there was significant atrophy in the area of my brain that controls my verbal communication. Needless to say, I wasn't pleased, but I guess it is what I expected considering my problems. I have been upset about it for the last day and I know I need to get over it because there isn't anything I can do about it. I need to live one day at a time.

Memory Walk Television Commercial

Today, I spent the morning with others from Georgia, filming a national television spot for the Alzheimer's Association. The shoot took place in Piedmont Park in Atlanta. Although it was hot, there was a breeze and we found some shade. I thank those in charge for letting me shoot my segment and getting out early. Here are some photos from the shoot and perhaps you'll catch it on tv when it runs!

The Week

I've had one of those weeks where it has been really hard to concentrate....forgetting lots of words and organizing things have been difficult. Last year I started making note cards from some of my scrapbooking left overs. I am selling them with the proceeds to go to the Memory Walk. I had a big order from someone and sat down to do it and realized how hard it was to actually put them together. All I could concentrate on was some cutting and pasting (which I flunked in kindergarten) some of the embellishments that went on the cards, I just couldn't figure out how to assemble them. So that is what I did for awhile. I was able to get my order out with what I had in stock pile, but it was frustrating to not be able to do what I enjoy.

Tomorrow I am heading to Atlanta to shoot a national tv spot for the Alzheimer's Association for this year's Memory Walk. It is going to be shot in Piedmont Park and really pretty area right in downtown Atlanta. It is going to be in the 90's so we will see how "cool, calm and collected" I will be!

I'm off again this weekend. And, while I'm gone, my son will be flying in for a very brief span of time to attend a retreat in North Carolina. Hopefully, I'll get to visit with him for a few hours when he gets escorted back to the Atlanta airport on his return trip to Washington DC.

More after the weekend.