Washington DC and other things

In a few weeks I'll be joining hundreds as we go to Washington DC to help lobby our legislators for more support for Alzheimer's Disease. In light of this, I'm asking for your help. There are several things you can do. One of the things that we will be asking support for is the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act. It stands for Health Outcome, Planning and Education for Alzheimer's. This will help with early and accurate diagnosis and information for familes dealing with this deadly disease.
You can read more about it here -- including the legsilators that have actually signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill.
http://www.kintera.org/site/pp.asp?c=mmKXLbP8E&b=6301189

THEN -- you can go here http://www.kintera.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=mmKXLbP8E&b=6742875&auid=8213583&tr=y and send your legislators an email asking them for their support. It's only a few clicks people and it will certainly move our cause forward.


Another item worth looking at: A new report put out by the Alzheimer's Association regarding Baby Boomers and the impact this disease will have on everyone! It's important information so please take a few minutes to look at it if you have a chance. You can find information about the report here: http://alz-news.org/

And, lastly, for now, some of you may have seen that CNN is airing a special on Alzheimer's Disease on May1st. It is hosted by Larry King. It's on Sunday night, May 1st at 8:00 p.m. ET. Here is a short piece about it from CNN http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/04/27/seth.rogen.alzheimer/

Thanks for reading and helping!

Memories

Last night I caught a few minutes of Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Beyond the Blackboard. And, while I didn't catch all of the movie, I caught many of the commercials. My mom used to say that I would always watch the commercials and leave when the shows were on, so I guess I come by that honestly. And, I worked for an advertising agency for many years, so yes, I'm into those commercials. One thing about the commercials last night was that Hallmark showed a current commercial and then a commercial from twenty or thirty years ago. The fact that I actually remember some of the old commercials was amazing.

One of the commercials depicted a woman looking into an old box with cards that her children had given her over the years. This tugged at my heart strings for a bit, because, what mother doesn't do that? Don't we all save things our children have made or given us at one time or another? I know we can't keep everything, but I'll bet that most moms that are reading this also have a little treasure box tucked away where they can go and get some of those special treaures from their children (or other loved ones). I know I do. Quite often I find myself going back to "my box" because I don't know when I am going to forget those things. I think,too, that your children don't realize how much those things mean to you until they themselves become parents. I think about the elctronic age (yes I realize I am writing this in the electronic age) we live in and how in the not too distant future cards (like books and newspapers) will become a thing of the past. It's not the same printing out an email as to when someone takes the time to sign a card or write a note. I know I have written about this before, but the Hallmark commercial last night had me thinking about it all day today.

Please think twice when the next holiday or event comes up and you quickly type that email to a special person. Think how much more it would mean to them to have a hand written note they can cherish. I hope that never goes away.

And, speaking of special things, my two "surrogate sons" that I have talked about so much on my blog, have both found out that their wives are expecting babies and within two weeks of each other. One found out today that they are having a girl. The other couple doesn't want to know. I'm so excited for them.

New information

I just received this information about new guidelines for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis. I haven't had time to digest it all yet, but I thought I would put the link up anyway.
http://www.alz.org/research/diagnostic_criteria/overview.asp?type=homepageflash

April or July?

It's 91 degrees today April 10th -- what will July be like?

2011 Advocacy Forum

This event is being held in Washington DC next month. I plan on attending and having my voice heard. If you are reader of my blog, and are planning on attending, leave me a message or shoot me an email and let me know. If you have never been, I would seriously urge you to check it out. This a chance for us to find out what the status of things are in Washington that affect the way Alzheimer's is being researched and how it is being funded. We need everyone's voice. For more information here is a link http://alz.org/forum/

Confusion - why do I do this?

I've been getting out a little more since my knee surgery -- trying to get my stamina back. I am still prone to swelling when I'm up on my knee too much so I have to watch it, but it is coming along. Yesterday, I went out to pick up a few things at the store. I had some coupons and there were some specials going on at the office supply store I was at. When I was looking at what I wanted to buy, I couldn't figure out what the best deal was. Should I buy more than one with my coupon? some items were buy one get one free, was that a better deal than what I went in there for? Too many choices and too many variables for my mind to wrap around . Since I was looking at an item with a relatively high ticket price I didn't want to make a mistake. The sales people kept asking me if they could help me and I was so confused by everything I couldn't even explain what I needed to tell them or ask them. I know I stood there for a very long time trying to figure it out. I know that it was probably something very simple, but I just got so frustrated I left the store. Why do I keep putting myself in these situations? Because I want to be able to do it and I used to be able to do it. I have to keep telling myself that I am not stupid......Simple things can be difficult for those with Alzheimer's.

Letting Go

I'm having trouble letting things go that seem to bother me. I hate it, because I'm one to say, "get over it, life is too short". So, I guess I am admitting that is harder to do than say. I think because of my Alzheimer's I'm overly sensitive and maybe that plays into it. That's not an excuse....I think I need to categorize those things that bother me and see if they are even worth the time to think about twice. I think I can do that, but I know it will take some time,

He Does Talk

I write this with tongue in cheek -- those of you that know my husband knows that he is a man of few words. I often joke that he doesn't say 20 words in twenty four hours. But, a couple of days ago he talked to his brother on the telephone for over 2 and half hours! I didn't know he had it in him. I told him he didn't talk to me that much in two months!

Want to get better

about a lot of things. One is posting to this blog. Some of my friends have one day week where they devote to writing something in their blog and they give it a name, i.e. Mindful Mondays, Terrific Tuesday.....you get the drift. Maybe I will have to resort to that. My knee is healing. That's a good thing. Most of you that know me, know that I am not a real patient person and of course I want to be all better, right now. But, that ain't happening. But I have started walking around the house without my cane, am doing physical therapy three times a week. I started driving this week -- o.k. only to therapy but it is a start. I still have a difficult time sleeping but hopefully that will get better as well. It's coming along....just slowly. A dear friend dropped by this morning with dinner for us. She is someone I have known for close to twenty years. Our paths first crossed when she was working for the local newspaper and she covered some of the work I was doing special events for Downtown Athens. We kind of drifted apart as our jobs and lives took some twists and turns. But we've picked up right where we left off several years ago when we both made an effort to get together. You know how it is -- one will say "we need to do lunch" or "we need to go have coffee" and then you never do. Well, we finally did and I'm so thankful for that. Thanks for being a great friend Meg -- I love you! Mentally, I haven't been feeling real good. I think basically because of the limitations my knee has given me. Hate being housebound and feeling useless. Plus, it has been raining for about the last 5 days and it has just been dreary. But, I probably turned somewhat of a corner this week. I am finally able to wear "regular clothes" -- mainly meaning my jeans/slacks/pants. I couldn't before because my knee was so swollen I couldn't get the pants on over my knee. So, I have been living in sweat pants or shorts and it has been a little too cool for shorts. Getting dressed in real clothes has helped me mood a little. And, since I have started strenuous therapy I at least am able to ride the stationary bike to get my blood pumping! This also helps with my mental attitude as well as helps me think clearer. I realized some time ago that there is definitely a connection between exercising and brain function -- or at least there is for me. I definitely do better dealing with my Alzheimer's when I am exercising on a regular basis. Remember, whatever is good for your body is good for your brain! Here's to getting better faster!!!!