Sunday, August 29, 2010

Foggy Foggy Days

This has not been a good week for me. I've been "off". It's so hard to describe but it seems like I am about five steps behind where I should be all the time. I was having an extremely hard time explaining things this week. I was trying to work on a few of my projects around the house and needed some help from my husband. Before I asked him I told him that it wasn't a good day for me and I it was going to be difficult for me to explain what I needed so he just needed to stay with me. He doesn't hear what I am saying most of the time and he caught the part that I needed help, but not the part about my having a hard time explaining what I needed. So of course, we got into a huge argument because he was mad that I couldn't explain exactly what I needed. I got upset, he was mad and it was just not good. I told him I would figure it out somehow -- I have yet to do that, but I can't go back to that scene again! It is just so frustrating to not be able to communicate efficiently. I wonder that as this disease progresses and it gets harder to actually convey anything, that will it be clear in my head and just not be able to get it out? Just not being able to communicate?



Lots of little incidents like that happened this week. Then, I happened across something that I shouldn't have and it bothered me. It bothered me a lot and while I can't say what it was, it has played on my mind over and over and I can't reason it out. It's like I'm obsessed with it and can't really do anything with the information. I'm not sure I could explain it to anyone even if I could, but it disturbed me and that has been bothering me.



So, I've tried not to ask for help when I don't absolutely need it. I'm frustrated, my husband gets frustrated and then we are at a standstill. I hate this.



I've also had a difficult time doing things on the computer this week. I just couldn't get things right. Several people have been kind enough to forward things to me and I wasn't sure that I could get it all down properly so I have waited. Here are a few things that have been brought to my attention.



NPR - National Public Radio -- This week a story aired from StoryCorps. To learn more about StoryCorps here is a link http://storycorps.org/initiatives/mli

It was developed several years ago for people experiencing memory loss. It is a way for families to talk with their loved one, share stories of their past and to record a legacy of their life -- among other things. I have known several people that have taken advantage of this and it is a wonderful program. This week this story aired http://storycorps.org/listen/stories/robert-patterson-and-his-wife-karen



Another story that ran on NPR was about the early testing for Alzheimer's that has been in the news lately -- I have a related post to that in my blog. Also, USA Today is working on a big story on this subject and it will be out soon. The story from this week on NPR is at this link http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129454412



And lastly, I received an email from a gentleman by the name of Norrms and he lives in England. He has younger on set Alzheimer's and he has a blog and has written a book. I will admit that I have only glanced over his site, so I can't say much about it at this point. I intend to spend some more time on it when I can concentrate a little better. But, his blog address is http://norrms.web.officelive.com/default.aspx



I have had several other people contact me this week regarding books, DVD's etc. and I will try to sort through them soon. Thanks for reading, thanks for your comments and thanks for your support.

2 comments:

Bill Dotson said...

If I can be of some help please let me know

Sandy Spencer said...

Hi,
I have an Alzheimer's Web site. My mom passed away 3 years ago at 83. I was her caregiver and have tried to offer assistance to caregiver's since then.

I just wanted to tell you that I certainly understand "thinking" something in your head and not being able to communicate it. I saw these issues with Mom and have a few of those moments, myself. Quite aggravating, I know.

I wish your husband had more patience. I feel certain I will eventually be diagnosed also, simply too many of those "brain freezes" for me too and if you need anything--it's patience from others.

Best of luck!
Sandy
http://free-alzheimers-support.com