I'm here. Every time I sit down to write something, the words don't come out right or I can't get my fingers to do what they need to do on the keyboard. I find that I am making a lot of typing errors lately and it takes me forever to write something.
I go back to the doctor tomorrow. I have finished taking my daily B12 shots. I feel a little better -- a little more energy anyway. Not sure that the balance issues are any better. We'll see what the doctor has to say about it.
Lots of things have been happening with Alzheimer's related events. It seems to get busy in the fall and spring. Of course, our Memory Walk is in November. With the economy the way it is, I'm sure that our fundraising efforts will be affected. I am also still participating in a national study group about Alzheimer's issues. Those serving with me include people for the National Institute on Aging, the Veteran's Administration, the Center for Disease Control, The Administrtion on Aging and the National Alliance for Caregiving.....just to name a few. Our charge is to help define a national strategic plan for Alzheimer's. I've also been appointed to a new "Senate Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementia Study Commission" for the State of Georgia. It will be dealing with various issues including safety of persons with Alzheimer's Disease, dementia care practices and recommendations, future needs for services and the state's responsibility. The Senate resolution for this commission states that it must have a person with Alzheimer's Disease on the commission.
Also, I would like to remind everyone about the American Express Members Project. If you are an American Express card holder and could vote of the Alzheimer's initiative, the Alzheimer's Assn. has a chance of winning some money based on where the project ends up in the final list. Right now, the Alzheimer's initiative is in first place. There is still a ways to go so if you haven't voted, please do. The website is http://www.membersproject.com/project/view/OGSSPK
A shout out to a fellow blogger -- Dee in Canada. Dee's mother has Alzheimer's and she chronicle's her time with her mother. Thanks for your kind comments Dee and hang in there. We are all in this together.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Sorry
I know it has been awhile. Thanks for all the emails and comments. I've had so much to write that I couldn't get in all in a few paragraphs.
Went back to the doctor last week after my MRI. The MRI didn't show anything drastic like a tumor or a stroke -- which is a good thing. My Vitamin B12 level is low so I am now giving myself daily injections of B12 for awhile. I'm feeling a little better since the B12 shots have started to kick in -- more energy anyway. I'm still having some numbing in my face and some problems on my right side, but we will see what the doctor says after looking at my MRI more closely. I go back in a couple of weeks.
College football is here in all its glory. I enjoyed watching three games at once yesterday with my remote control in my hand clicking back and forth between games. I have a hard time following a lot of times by switching back and forth, but I do it anyway.
This week I'm catching up with some old friends. I've been pretty bad about that lately because I have been traveling so much. I have to pace myself and only schedule so many "events" for the week. That's hard for me to do -- I can very easily "overbook" myself and then have several days of trying to rest up. It's hard to say no to people. I have lots of friends having birthdays this month and next and try to at least go to lunch with them for their special day. It's hard keeping up with all of it.
I promise to try to do better in the coming weeks of updating my blog.
Went back to the doctor last week after my MRI. The MRI didn't show anything drastic like a tumor or a stroke -- which is a good thing. My Vitamin B12 level is low so I am now giving myself daily injections of B12 for awhile. I'm feeling a little better since the B12 shots have started to kick in -- more energy anyway. I'm still having some numbing in my face and some problems on my right side, but we will see what the doctor says after looking at my MRI more closely. I go back in a couple of weeks.
College football is here in all its glory. I enjoyed watching three games at once yesterday with my remote control in my hand clicking back and forth between games. I have a hard time following a lot of times by switching back and forth, but I do it anyway.
This week I'm catching up with some old friends. I've been pretty bad about that lately because I have been traveling so much. I have to pace myself and only schedule so many "events" for the week. That's hard for me to do -- I can very easily "overbook" myself and then have several days of trying to rest up. It's hard to say no to people. I have lots of friends having birthdays this month and next and try to at least go to lunch with them for their special day. It's hard keeping up with all of it.
I promise to try to do better in the coming weeks of updating my blog.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Getting Back Into the Swing of Things
Now that summer has come to an end I am hoping that I can get back into the swing of things -- which quite literally means getting back to my routine. That has been lacking a bit this summer and I really need it.
My neurologist's appointment this week didn't go so well. The balance issues have gotten much worse and I am going to have another MRI. Some other problems have cropped up as well so it is probably a good time for another one. It has been 18 months since my last one, and we noticed a good bit of change on the last one from the previous one. So, I'm anxious to see this one as well. We probably won't know a whole lot for a few weeks.
Our trip to Michigan was great. It makes me miss the midwest -- the cooler temps, the drastic season changes, the cheap produce (including watermelon!), and the lifestyle. They say you can't go back home again, but it is sure nice to visit.
My house needs cleaning, I have lots of scrapbooking to do from the summer and have to catch up on many things that have gone by the wayside this summer. With all the travelling we did this summer -- between graduations and weddings, our family travelled over 35,000 miles in three months collectively. When you are going from west coast to east coast several times that adds up. But it was all worth it.
I still have some resting up to do and when I do I will post some more about our trip to Michigan.
My neurologist's appointment this week didn't go so well. The balance issues have gotten much worse and I am going to have another MRI. Some other problems have cropped up as well so it is probably a good time for another one. It has been 18 months since my last one, and we noticed a good bit of change on the last one from the previous one. So, I'm anxious to see this one as well. We probably won't know a whole lot for a few weeks.
Our trip to Michigan was great. It makes me miss the midwest -- the cooler temps, the drastic season changes, the cheap produce (including watermelon!), and the lifestyle. They say you can't go back home again, but it is sure nice to visit.
My house needs cleaning, I have lots of scrapbooking to do from the summer and have to catch up on many things that have gone by the wayside this summer. With all the travelling we did this summer -- between graduations and weddings, our family travelled over 35,000 miles in three months collectively. When you are going from west coast to east coast several times that adds up. But it was all worth it.
I still have some resting up to do and when I do I will post some more about our trip to Michigan.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Yes, it has been a long time. Lots of things have been going on. Jennifer and Alan are here for a few days and we leave this week to go to Michigan for another wedding. I'm looking forward to going to the upper part of Michigan as I have never been there before.
When I get back I have a neurologist's appointment. I'm anxious to see him to talk about some issues I've been dealing with lately and talk to him about my balance issues as well. Then I have to get serious about sticking to my diet more closely and exercising more routinely. I've fallen into a rut lately -- and I definitely have to get out of it!!!!
We bought a Wii. We haven't played with it much but with Alan and Jennifer here we have started with the Wii fit game. It is very interesting -- but it is hard for me to do because you have to multi-task -- that's hard for me to do. But, I guess it will be challenging for me because it will tax my brain some! Hopefully, I can get better!
More when I return -- everyone have a great Labor Day weekend.
When I get back I have a neurologist's appointment. I'm anxious to see him to talk about some issues I've been dealing with lately and talk to him about my balance issues as well. Then I have to get serious about sticking to my diet more closely and exercising more routinely. I've fallen into a rut lately -- and I definitely have to get out of it!!!!
We bought a Wii. We haven't played with it much but with Alan and Jennifer here we have started with the Wii fit game. It is very interesting -- but it is hard for me to do because you have to multi-task -- that's hard for me to do. But, I guess it will be challenging for me because it will tax my brain some! Hopefully, I can get better!
More when I return -- everyone have a great Labor Day weekend.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
This week was hard for me. I was so totally exhausted that I think I slept most of the week away. I tried to play golf with Ralph on Thursday, but had skip many holes because I was too tired and couldn't concentrate. I'm feeling a little better but still need some rest.
Thanks to all of those that have sent emails and notes about the wedding. It was a beautiful day and I was truly grateful to my friends and family for coming and helping me through the weekend.
Jennifer and Alan are now honeymooning in Costa Rica. They have found a place to live in Washington DC and will be moving the first part of September.
In a few weeks, Ralph and I will be leaving to go to Michigan for a friend's wedding. I'm looking forward to that trip as it will be a part of the country that I haven't seen before. A true vacation I hope.
More soon.
Thanks to all of those that have sent emails and notes about the wedding. It was a beautiful day and I was truly grateful to my friends and family for coming and helping me through the weekend.
Jennifer and Alan are now honeymooning in Costa Rica. They have found a place to live in Washington DC and will be moving the first part of September.
In a few weeks, Ralph and I will be leaving to go to Michigan for a friend's wedding. I'm looking forward to that trip as it will be a part of the country that I haven't seen before. A true vacation I hope.
More soon.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Monday, August 04, 2008
Wedding Week
The last several days have been spent sleeping. Traveling takes a lot out of me these days. My awful trip back (as mentioned below) did not help matters much. The day I was coming back the delay in my flight was long in Chicago and then when I got to Atlanta the airport was wall to wall people because of the delays in Atlanta. I started having panic attacks because of all of the people and I could not get out of that airport fast enough. I was almost running through the airport to get out of there. I thought about trying to go into a rest room or somewhere where there weren't as many people and try to calm down, but I couldn't find anywhere where there weren't a lot of people! I thought if I could just get out to the shuttle bus where they can get me to my car I'll be fine. I got out there fast although it seemed like an eternity. I finally got my heart rate down and started to relax. It was raining a little but I didn't care. I then got in my car to come home and there was a major accident on the major interstate I was coming home on. While that didn't bother me too much, I was tired and I just wanted to get home. Obviously I made it home -- but it really takes the fun out of traveling!
We are getting into wedding mode here at the house. My brother-in-law from St. Louis comes in on Wednesday and Alan will be home. That is going to be four people in the house as opposed to our usual two. I've told my husband already how hard that is going to be on me and that I need my quiet time and I need his help. It's way too much confusion to have that many people in the house for me, let alone clean and cook. I know my brother-in-law will understand when I just have to go into a room and shut the door for quiet time. By week's end we will be staying at a hotel in Atlanta for the wedding and it will be easier for me to escape. I really enjoy having company and seeing people, but it isn't like it used to be. I get so tired so quickly and I'm not myself. I hate this!!!!
We are getting into wedding mode here at the house. My brother-in-law from St. Louis comes in on Wednesday and Alan will be home. That is going to be four people in the house as opposed to our usual two. I've told my husband already how hard that is going to be on me and that I need my quiet time and I need his help. It's way too much confusion to have that many people in the house for me, let alone clean and cook. I know my brother-in-law will understand when I just have to go into a room and shut the door for quiet time. By week's end we will be staying at a hotel in Atlanta for the wedding and it will be easier for me to escape. I really enjoy having company and seeing people, but it isn't like it used to be. I get so tired so quickly and I'm not myself. I hate this!!!!
Friday, August 01, 2008
Chicago
After a very very long trip yesterday I'm finally home from Chicago. Between thunderstorms in Chicago and Atlanta and a very large car crash blocking traffic in Atlanta it was a long day. More about that later.
I was in Chicago for the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease. Over 5,000 people from around the world were there -- it was pretty impressive. They are all trying to find a cure for this disease. That's encouraging. Of course, most of the sessions were so technical they were way over my head, but I hung in there for a few of them. There are some exciting things in the pipeline -- it will just take years for the drugs to make it through our complicated process of clinical trials and the FDA. I have to keep in my thoughts that there will be a breakthrough of some significance in the next ten years or so.
Thanks to the BBC for their remarkable five part series on Alzheimer's this week. I have had lots of comments on the show. They filmed my story while I was in Washington in May for the Public Policy forum and it ran on Tuesday of this last week. Here is the link if you missed it. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7532226.stm On the page that this comes up on you will also find links to the other stories that ran. It was a powerful series in all.
There was a lot of press last week on Alzheimer's with the conference going on. And, Memory Walk commercials were running last week as well. If you want more information on the conference you can get it at www.alz.org. I will be writing more once I am rested.
I was in Chicago for the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease. Over 5,000 people from around the world were there -- it was pretty impressive. They are all trying to find a cure for this disease. That's encouraging. Of course, most of the sessions were so technical they were way over my head, but I hung in there for a few of them. There are some exciting things in the pipeline -- it will just take years for the drugs to make it through our complicated process of clinical trials and the FDA. I have to keep in my thoughts that there will be a breakthrough of some significance in the next ten years or so.
Thanks to the BBC for their remarkable five part series on Alzheimer's this week. I have had lots of comments on the show. They filmed my story while I was in Washington in May for the Public Policy forum and it ran on Tuesday of this last week. Here is the link if you missed it. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7532226.stm On the page that this comes up on you will also find links to the other stories that ran. It was a powerful series in all.
There was a lot of press last week on Alzheimer's with the conference going on. And, Memory Walk commercials were running last week as well. If you want more information on the conference you can get it at www.alz.org. I will be writing more once I am rested.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
