Gosh -- next week is Thanksgiving. The time certainly flies. We have finally finished up pretty much everything on our Memory Walk and we brought in almost $30,000. We are so pleased with the effort...and the good thing is everyone is on board again for next year. This committee of ladies that worked on the event this year were so great and caring. I just hope that I will be able to help in some capacity -- I hate to make too many committments too far out because I don't know what kind of shape I'll be in at that time.
The holidays mean more to me now and I know that everyone says that we take everything for granted.....and we do. That is a real shame isn't it? It seems like something bad has to happen in order for you to realize that. And, I really don't want presents I want time with my friends and family. That is the most important thing to me.
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Saturday, November 06, 2004
2004 Memory Walk
Well, our Memory Walk is history. The day was truly amazing. Seeing all those people come together for our cause was very touching and humbling to me. We had hoped for about 300 people and we came close to that. The Alz. Office is counting our money but we are hopeful that we reached our $20,000 goal. The weather turned out great and the walk was awesome.
I can't thank everyone enough for the hours they put into making this happen along with everyone who donated money. Thanks to all of you reading this that made that happen!
One thing that struck me is that strangers called me during the week after seeing the publicity in the paper and asked if they could come out and volunteer. I know people volunteer all the time but to have people just call, without knowing anyone else or doing it with a group is amazing to me. Maybe I don't give people enough credit -- because like I said, I know people volunteer all the time, but it usually a case where they are tied to the cause or have family or friends involved and they want to help. But that wasn't the case with some of those that showed up to work today -- they just wanted to help.
One of my friends had surgery on her foot and she came to the walk in a motorized wheelchair so she could "walk" with us. The funny thing about it is, that she had the surgery two weeks ago and never told me. We talk on the phone but we don't see each other very often. She didn't tell me because she knew that I was working hard on the walk and she knew (or she thought anyway) that I would be over there helping her and worrying about her and not working on the Memory Walk. You can imagine how surprised I was when she showed up in a wheelchair. That's friendship. And, that's friendship you don't find real often.
I am truly fortunate to have such wonderful people in my life. My friends and family pitched in where ever they saw something that needed to be done and I cannot express my gratitude enough.
When we find out how much money we raised I will let you know. Thanks again for your love and support.
I can't thank everyone enough for the hours they put into making this happen along with everyone who donated money. Thanks to all of you reading this that made that happen!
One thing that struck me is that strangers called me during the week after seeing the publicity in the paper and asked if they could come out and volunteer. I know people volunteer all the time but to have people just call, without knowing anyone else or doing it with a group is amazing to me. Maybe I don't give people enough credit -- because like I said, I know people volunteer all the time, but it usually a case where they are tied to the cause or have family or friends involved and they want to help. But that wasn't the case with some of those that showed up to work today -- they just wanted to help.
One of my friends had surgery on her foot and she came to the walk in a motorized wheelchair so she could "walk" with us. The funny thing about it is, that she had the surgery two weeks ago and never told me. We talk on the phone but we don't see each other very often. She didn't tell me because she knew that I was working hard on the walk and she knew (or she thought anyway) that I would be over there helping her and worrying about her and not working on the Memory Walk. You can imagine how surprised I was when she showed up in a wheelchair. That's friendship. And, that's friendship you don't find real often.
I am truly fortunate to have such wonderful people in my life. My friends and family pitched in where ever they saw something that needed to be done and I cannot express my gratitude enough.
When we find out how much money we raised I will let you know. Thanks again for your love and support.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
A Busy Time
I hope everyone is planning to vote next week -- or if you get the chance to vote early as some states have that option. It's important to vote -- please do!
Our Memory Walk is in a little over a week. Things are picking up and I am so appreciative of everyone's efforts for the Walk. Since it is the first time the walk is going to be in our town in several years, we are hoping for a nice showing. We hope to build from this first year.
This week I spoke to a support group in a neighboring town. I am always so impressed with the groups that I speak with. This group has dealt with Alzheimer's in a very personal way by caring for those with the disease. I admire them so. I have said before that I think this disease is much harder on the care givers than those of us that suffer with the disease. We all have our problems, but the patience these people possess is amazing. Thank God for those people.
Our Memory Walk is in a little over a week. Things are picking up and I am so appreciative of everyone's efforts for the Walk. Since it is the first time the walk is going to be in our town in several years, we are hoping for a nice showing. We hope to build from this first year.
This week I spoke to a support group in a neighboring town. I am always so impressed with the groups that I speak with. This group has dealt with Alzheimer's in a very personal way by caring for those with the disease. I admire them so. I have said before that I think this disease is much harder on the care givers than those of us that suffer with the disease. We all have our problems, but the patience these people possess is amazing. Thank God for those people.
Friday, October 22, 2004
Back Again
Well, I said I would be better about writing in here but I realize it has been a couple of weeks. Sorry about that. I have been busy with the Memory Walk and working for my friends House campaign. It has been fun, but exhausting. I have probably taken on more than I can handle but in a few short weeks it will be over and then I am not taking any new projects on until after the first of the year -- if then!
I had our Memory Walk team over for a cook out last week and it was nice to get everyone together. They have all worked so hard in collecting money for the walk. It means so much to me and there will never be a way I can thank them adequately for going above and beyond. The walk will be good this year. It will be smaller than I think we wanted it to be but I might be surprised. The newspaper is doing a feature story on the walk on November 2 (election day -- be sure to vote) so I hope that raises some awareness of the walk as well.
My son turned 21 this week. Turning 49 didn't bother me much -- but now I feel really old since he is 21. He has turned out pretty well and we are proud of all he does.
I had our Memory Walk team over for a cook out last week and it was nice to get everyone together. They have all worked so hard in collecting money for the walk. It means so much to me and there will never be a way I can thank them adequately for going above and beyond. The walk will be good this year. It will be smaller than I think we wanted it to be but I might be surprised. The newspaper is doing a feature story on the walk on November 2 (election day -- be sure to vote) so I hope that raises some awareness of the walk as well.
My son turned 21 this week. Turning 49 didn't bother me much -- but now I feel really old since he is 21. He has turned out pretty well and we are proud of all he does.
Saturday, October 09, 2004
Up and Down Day
Today is my 49th birthday. It has been a rather emotional day -- upon waking this morning I received word that a dear friend had passed away from pancreatic cancer. We knew that it wouldn't be long for her but it is still difficult. Earlier in the week, a business associate that I had worked with for over 15 years passed away with cancer. His memorial service is tomorrow. Just about a month ago I was faced with two others passing away within a week of each other. I'm much more emotional than I used to be so these types of things hit me harder than I expect them to.
But, the bright side of my day was that my boy came home from college to surprise me for my birthday -- that is all I wanted for my birthday was to see my son -- and I didn't think it was going to happen for a lot of reasons. But, it did, and that made me very very happy.
But, the bright side of my day was that my boy came home from college to surprise me for my birthday -- that is all I wanted for my birthday was to see my son -- and I didn't think it was going to happen for a lot of reasons. But, it did, and that made me very very happy.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Panic Attacks
Have you ever had a panic attack? It is not a fun thing. I've been experiencing some lately and it is awful. I remember a long time ago talking to someone with early on set Alzheimer's and she told me that she couldn't leave the house or get around a lot of people because she would get panic attacks. I had them years ago and they went away -- now I guess they're back although not too bad! What fun life is.
The weather has started to turn cooler here and it so nice to be outside. I also feel like working around the house a little more -- you don't get so hot. I realize how much I have neglected the house over the years -- I'm glad my husband was there to pick up the slack. I'm going to try to do better. If I could accomplish one big chore a day it would be great -- but I haven't been that ambitious.
Back to the doctor today for my three month check up. I suspect everything will be o.k. -- we'll see.
The weather has started to turn cooler here and it so nice to be outside. I also feel like working around the house a little more -- you don't get so hot. I realize how much I have neglected the house over the years -- I'm glad my husband was there to pick up the slack. I'm going to try to do better. If I could accomplish one big chore a day it would be great -- but I haven't been that ambitious.
Back to the doctor today for my three month check up. I suspect everything will be o.k. -- we'll see.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
OK, OK
Yes, it has been almost a month since I wrote in this blog -- thanks to the many that have reminded me in the last few weeks. I always think that what I write in here is so negative that people don't want to read it...so I'll try to be better.
I am working on our Memory Walk -- it has been a bit of a struggle getting everyone to buy into here in Athens. It is different than most of the "walks" in Athens, because most people just register the day of, pay their $10 or $15 to walk and it is over. Since this is more of a fund raising issue, it doesn't work quite that way and it is just getting people to change their mind set. It will turn out fine -- it is just change for many people.
I have 15 or so people on my team this year and that is good. I hope collectively we can raise $3,000. Last year we raised over $2,000. However, many of the people on my team are forming their own teams this year since the walk is in Athens, so we may have to try a little harder.
I go back to the neurologist next week. Hopefully he will think I am doing better -- I certainly feel a lot better by not working. I feel like I can contribute a little more to home life these days.
A lady in Atlanta called me this weekend -- she is 53 and was just diagnosed. She still works and is doing well -- she really just wanted to find out a little more about my situation and what she thought she might be facing. She feels that she can continue to work for awhile and that is good as long as she can do it.
I'm going to quit for now, but I promoise -- cross my heart -- to be back more often.
I am working on our Memory Walk -- it has been a bit of a struggle getting everyone to buy into here in Athens. It is different than most of the "walks" in Athens, because most people just register the day of, pay their $10 or $15 to walk and it is over. Since this is more of a fund raising issue, it doesn't work quite that way and it is just getting people to change their mind set. It will turn out fine -- it is just change for many people.
I have 15 or so people on my team this year and that is good. I hope collectively we can raise $3,000. Last year we raised over $2,000. However, many of the people on my team are forming their own teams this year since the walk is in Athens, so we may have to try a little harder.
I go back to the neurologist next week. Hopefully he will think I am doing better -- I certainly feel a lot better by not working. I feel like I can contribute a little more to home life these days.
A lady in Atlanta called me this weekend -- she is 53 and was just diagnosed. She still works and is doing well -- she really just wanted to find out a little more about my situation and what she thought she might be facing. She feels that she can continue to work for awhile and that is good as long as she can do it.
I'm going to quit for now, but I promoise -- cross my heart -- to be back more often.
Friday, September 03, 2004
Tennis
I know that I have discussed how much I enjoy playing tennis and how at times it is hard because of all the noise on the courts. People talking and yelling distract me and it is hard to focus on the game at hand.
Well, about a week and a half ago, I was out playing tennis with my husband and something a little different happened to me. I was playing and I could not figure out what I was doing out there. I was getting mad because all I knew was that my husband was on the other side of the court hitting balls at me. I was trying to bat them down because I didn't want them to hit me -- I was totally unaware that I was out there to play a game -- I just couldn't figure out why my husband was hitting balls at me.
Then I looked around at the other courts and saw the same thing happening on the courts and couldn't figure out why people would intentionally be hitting balls at each other because someone was going to get hurt! After about ten or fifteen minutes I just broked down crying on the court because I couldn't understand why my husband would want to hurt me by hitting balls at me. After a time out on the court for me to cry I regrouped, figured it out and when on to play. And, after my husband played easy on me for a few games, I ended up beating him -- but he really won -- because he had to put up with me!
Well, about a week and a half ago, I was out playing tennis with my husband and something a little different happened to me. I was playing and I could not figure out what I was doing out there. I was getting mad because all I knew was that my husband was on the other side of the court hitting balls at me. I was trying to bat them down because I didn't want them to hit me -- I was totally unaware that I was out there to play a game -- I just couldn't figure out why my husband was hitting balls at me.
Then I looked around at the other courts and saw the same thing happening on the courts and couldn't figure out why people would intentionally be hitting balls at each other because someone was going to get hurt! After about ten or fifteen minutes I just broked down crying on the court because I couldn't understand why my husband would want to hurt me by hitting balls at me. After a time out on the court for me to cry I regrouped, figured it out and when on to play. And, after my husband played easy on me for a few games, I ended up beating him -- but he really won -- because he had to put up with me!
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
The Week
The week started off kind of quiet with the son off to college. I am always sad when he leaves (even though it is quieter) and even though he is only a little over an hour down the road at school it seems like he is a lot farther away. I can't imagine when he goes off to law school next year what that will feel like. I always worry about how he will see me the next time he comes home -- will he notice changes in me, will he be surprised with what he sees? I guess I worry too much. There's not much he can do about it anyway.
I think I have somewhat of a routine going these days. I'm better in the morning and since I have always been a morning person that is probably a good thing! So, getting errands and such done in the morning and settling into "home" things in the afternoon seems to work for me right now. Things come up that throw me off but I seem to be doing o.k. with everything for the moment.
One thing I have noticed lately is that talking on the telephone is a little more difficult for me. It's not the talking part, it is taking what the other person is saying, understanding what they are saying and putting the right words together for a response. I am sure that sometimes the person on the other end thinks I'm not paying attention, but it takes me longer to put into words what I want to say. I tend to lose the flow of the conversation if it is a long one and then I know my answers probably don't make much sense. I ask a lot of questions on the phone,probably repeating myself several times in the process. I remember before I was on my medication I asked those that I worked with that the preferred method of communication with me now was either putting a note in my box or email. That way I could go back and look at it several times if I needed to. It's hard to do that with a conversation.
I think I have somewhat of a routine going these days. I'm better in the morning and since I have always been a morning person that is probably a good thing! So, getting errands and such done in the morning and settling into "home" things in the afternoon seems to work for me right now. Things come up that throw me off but I seem to be doing o.k. with everything for the moment.
One thing I have noticed lately is that talking on the telephone is a little more difficult for me. It's not the talking part, it is taking what the other person is saying, understanding what they are saying and putting the right words together for a response. I am sure that sometimes the person on the other end thinks I'm not paying attention, but it takes me longer to put into words what I want to say. I tend to lose the flow of the conversation if it is a long one and then I know my answers probably don't make much sense. I ask a lot of questions on the phone,probably repeating myself several times in the process. I remember before I was on my medication I asked those that I worked with that the preferred method of communication with me now was either putting a note in my box or email. That way I could go back and look at it several times if I needed to. It's hard to do that with a conversation.
Friday, August 13, 2004
The Media
Last week my son and I did a radio interview. It turned out really well. Leeza Gibbons was on with us and she was talking about her Leeza's Place that she has started. She was very delightful and she was very accommodating. She stayed with us for the whole hour and that was not something I was expecting her to do.
Today, as I write this Fox 5 from Atlanta is here doing an interview on our family. They are actually shooting me typing this. The interviews are hard and although they can sometimes seem effortless it takes a lot of energy out of me and I know my family when doing these. Sometimes we don't like to talk about the disease because it is not always pleasant to talk about -- but I know we have to for everyone's sake -- it is just not that easy to do sometimes. I have thrusted my family in the spotlight for two years now and they don't seem to mind. My husband is particularly shy so I know that it is a stretch for him, but he does it. He knows how important it is to spread the word.
Many have asked about my retirement and how it is going. It certainly is different but I am enjoying not having to work the long hours and deal with the stress. I still have my moments, though. I'm trying to work myself into a routine. And, my friends are pretty good about not "overdoing it" on me. I get lots of calls to do things but when I have to say no because I'm just not up to it my friends know that it is because I have a hard time with it on that day and it isn't a reflection on not wanting to do things with them. I hope they keep remembering that! My friends get me through my tough days and it is great to know they are out there when I need them.
Alan goes back to school this weekend. It is going to be strange not having him around -- but then it will certainly be more quiet!
Today, as I write this Fox 5 from Atlanta is here doing an interview on our family. They are actually shooting me typing this. The interviews are hard and although they can sometimes seem effortless it takes a lot of energy out of me and I know my family when doing these. Sometimes we don't like to talk about the disease because it is not always pleasant to talk about -- but I know we have to for everyone's sake -- it is just not that easy to do sometimes. I have thrusted my family in the spotlight for two years now and they don't seem to mind. My husband is particularly shy so I know that it is a stretch for him, but he does it. He knows how important it is to spread the word.
Many have asked about my retirement and how it is going. It certainly is different but I am enjoying not having to work the long hours and deal with the stress. I still have my moments, though. I'm trying to work myself into a routine. And, my friends are pretty good about not "overdoing it" on me. I get lots of calls to do things but when I have to say no because I'm just not up to it my friends know that it is because I have a hard time with it on that day and it isn't a reflection on not wanting to do things with them. I hope they keep remembering that! My friends get me through my tough days and it is great to know they are out there when I need them.
Alan goes back to school this weekend. It is going to be strange not having him around -- but then it will certainly be more quiet!
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