Down Under Part Two

I was having a problem with the computer downloading my first post, but I seem to have corrected it. Things are still going great here in Australia. We have had some amazing experiences. Last night we went to Phillips Island, and saw thousands of "little penguins" come ashore for mating season. You can't take photos of them, but the penguins are only 12 to 13 inches tall and they are so cute. It was really amazing.

Weather is cooperating although we are going to have a little rain today. We are off to Rod Laver's arena today and the site of theAustralian Open. Golf is really cheap to play here but we won't be doing that -- as it takes too much time.

Alan is a great tour guide and getting me around the city pretty well. I get tired, but I'm trying to keep up. Jennifer and Alan are being very patient with me. I thank them for that.

Down Under

Well, we made it Down Under. I wasn't sure if I should kiss the ground or not when I got here as this is something I have always wanted to do. The flight over was long, but certainly worth it.

Sydney reminds me a lot of San Francisco. We toured the infamous opera house yesterday and it was gorgeous. I'll try to post some photos soon. We also spent some time with kangaroos, koalas, wmbats, dingoes, wallabys, and lots of birds yesterday. The variety of birds is just amazing and they are all so colorful.

The harbour is beautiful. As I see things I keep thinking about my friends back home as to what they would like about the city. Pody -- if you are reading this -- this is definitely a city for you and Rick -- with all the art, architecture and boats!!!

The time change has taken a while to get used to. I have sinced stopped asking everyone what day it is.

I have certainly become a follower on this trip. Alan has taken the lead and I am grateful for that. I've had a couple of meltdowns with all the people and the noise, but we have managed that. Sydney is a big city and I have to remember that it has lots of people and that bothers me. But, we are adjusting. Getting my medicine adjusted from morning and night time pills has been interesting. Alan isn't around me that much anymore so it is difficult for him to guess when things might be a problem for me. But, I'm here and I'm enjoying myself. He's taking care of me and that is good! Jennifer is taking lots of photos and once I get some more time on the internet I will try to post some.

The weather has been beautiful. It is the beginning of spring here. And, it is after the "busy season" so it is not as crowded (or so I am told) as it during the peak months.

Our airline, Qantas, is threatening to strike next week and we have four flights left including our return trip home next week. We are watching it carefully, but it would be a shame if we had to stay longer --- although Alan's new employer would not appreciate that much I'm sure.

Lots of seafood here as you can imagine. Sydney is heavily influenced by Asians. We are heading to Melbourne today and we are told that in addition to an Asian flair there as well, it has the second largest Greek population outside of Greece, so that should be interesting.

Thanks for reading -- more soon.

WALK DAY!

We had a beautiful day for our first Walk to End Alzheimer's. Thanks to all who came out, who gave and those that helped plan and work the event. I love you all!

Interesting Day

It's been an interesting day for me. I always get up early each morning and go out and get the paper. Usually, still dressed in my pajamas with my robe on. Today, I went out to get the paper and then I went and got in my car. I have no idea how long I sat in my car, but eventually I realized that I should be in the house since I didn't have my keys.

That was kind of a sign to me that I probably needed to stay inside today and not venture too far away from the house without someone with me.

Kind of a bummer, when it is also your birthday.

October

It's that time of year again -- the crisp cool mornings have finally returned to Georgia. I think fall is my favorite time of the year.

There is a lot going on right now and it makes me anxious -- but I know this will pass. Our Walk To End Alzheimer's is October 15th. I am hoping for gorgeous weather like we have been having. The day after that I'm off to LA only to connect to my long awaited trip to Australia. I still can't believe it. That has been on my bucket list for so long. My son has made this happen. I don't travel all that well these days but I know that he will take good care of me. I also know that I have some followers from "down under" so if you have some suggestions for us, please let me know!

He and his wife are moving back to the Atlanta area as I write this. When we return he'll be working for a large law firm in Atlanta. I'm so glad they will be close. I know part of the reason they are moving back here is because of my health, and I wish that weren't the case, but I am glad they are going to be "home" again.

This afternoon I get to go speak to one of my favorite groups, a gerentology class at UGA. The professor invites me every year and I really enjoy talking with her students. They always have lots of questions. And, many times have a very different perspective on Alzheimer's. A chance meeting of this professor happened several years ago when I was on my way to an Alzheimer's meeting in Chicago and she was on the same shuttle bus from Athens to the Atlanta airport. I'm so glad I have gotten to know her. She also fields a team for our annual walk.

And, I have a new book for you to consider. It's written by Dr. Mary Cail and it is called "The All Weather Friend's Guide To Alzheimer's Disease". I haven't personally read it yet, but it is available on Amazon. Here is a link to her website http://www.allweatherfriend.com/. One of the lines on her website is "Books to help friends be friends when it matters most". I like that. One thing that you hear quite frequently with people that have Alzheimer's is how many of their friends turned their backs on them after receiving a diagnosis. I'm anxious to read her book.

My dear friend Meg

My dear friend Meg Dure writes for Athens Patch. Today, she wrote this article
http://athens.patch.com/articles/all-aboard-e08083c9.

I don't usually post articles that are about me, but I couldn't resist this one. Dear, true and loving friends don't come easy. I've known Meg for almost thirty years and although we don't see each other as often as I would like, each time we do see each other, we pick up exactly where we left off.

Thank you, Meg, for being my friend. I love you.

Busy Busy Time

I've received quite a few emails and calls in the last couple of days regarding the new Intranatal Insulin drug therapy that has been mentioned so frequently in the news. You can read about this here http://archneur.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/archneurol.2011.233. The data that was reported this week, was initally presented at the 2010 Alzheimer's Association International conference. And, one of the lead researchers, Suzanne Craft, was awarded a research grant from the Alz. Assn. to follow up on these findings. Based on the article above, this will now go into further stages of clinical trials. Please note that only 104 people were used in this particular studay at this time. While it sounds promising, we need to remember that more trials are needed to determine if this is truly effective. Let's hope for the best -- we'll keep our fingers crossed.

Our Walk To End Alzheimer's is coming up in a month. Hard to believe that it is already here. you can still make a contribution if you follow this linkhttp://walktoendalz.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=454828&lis=1&kntae454828=4D7AE01A5EA5463FA8C3FF9F86D75AE0&supId=48686180 . I would appreciate your support whatever size it is!!

I've been extremely anxious these days and hard to settle myself down. I don't know the reason. I have a lot going on with the walk and some other things, but I just can't seem to get things together in my mind. I know I am a pain to live with -- I'm not liking myself that much these days, let alone know what I'm doing to my husband and others around me.

On a brighter note, it is getting closer and closer to when my son and daughter-in-law move back to the Atlanta area. I'm so glad they are moving back. My son finishes his federal clerkship next week in Washington DC and has taken a law firm job in Atlanta.

The day after our Walk to End Alzheimer's I'm heading to LA and then on to the trip of a lifetime. I am going to Australia. I can't believe it actually. This is something I have wanted to do my entire life and I'm a bit overwhelmed to think that I am actually doing it. It's on my bucket list and I have been trying to tick all those things off. This will be one big thing off that list for sure. Thanks to my son, this is happening. We have looked at going for some time, but there was never a right time. He was always in school or moving or working. But, we have a little window of opportunity before he starts his new job and we've taken it. I couldn't do it without him and I just can't believe that it is finally going to happen. It will have taken 56 years to get there and I'm sure it will be worth the wait!

Tomorrow Begins World Alzheimer's Month

This year, help us in spreading the word by participating in World Alzheimer's Month. September 21st is World Alzheimer's Day, but the whole month is being highlighted by the Alzheimer's Association.

Click here to see what you can do to help. http://www.alz.org/wam/wam.asp It doesn't take much -- just adding an icon to your facebook page or any of your social media outlets is one simple thing you can do.

Help us spread the word, because The End of Alzheimer's Starts With Me. And You.

Big news day

I've received so many emails and calls today.

As many of you know, I am a big women's college basketball fan. We've lived in Athens for 30 years and have followed the UGA Lady Bulldogs since moving here. Our head coach, Andy Landers, also starting coaching the team at the same time, so I like to consider Andy a friend of mine.

When I was first diagnosed with early on set Alzheimer's, I sent an email out to all my friends. Within a matter of hours of sending that email out, Andy called and said he was coming to pick me up for lunch, to hear all about it and wanted to know what he could do to help. Those are the kinds of friends that we all need.

So, I thought of that today, when I heard the news that Pat Summitt, head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols was diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer's at the age of 59. Coach Summitt has been a big adversary of ours, but she is also to be admired for what she has done with her teams over the years. She made a video statement on the Lady Vols site today talking about the diagnosis and being very upfront about it. She sensed some relief in knowing what she had and now know what she is facing. I felt the same way -- I wanted to know what my problem was and then to deal with it. Coach Summitt has a lot of support, from her family, her fans and her UT family. She plans to continue coaching and I'm sure she will try to live as normal of a life as she can. I know she has great assistance and will get the support she needs from them and the University. I hope, that she, like myself, will have many more productive years ahead of her. She's tough, she's strong and she will make the best of her life.

I have had lots of people reach out to me today -- wanting to know if I heard about Coach Summitt and what I thought. No one wishes this on anyone, but I wish her the best.

Also, tonight, Glen Campbell was interviewed for the ABC News -- his full interview will be played tonight on Nightline. Mr. Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and is speaking out about it for the first time.

In other news, people inquired as to how Alan did with the earthquake in DC. He said that his building which is right across from the Capitol was evacuated and then they were sent home. He walked home as the traffic was bad because everyone was trying to get home, and the metro system had slowed down. I told him he should have had a big one like this when he was living in California not Washington DC. Tonight he and Jen went down to take a look at the new Martin Luther King memorial. He said it was pretty impressive. Comedian Dick Gregory was there tonight -- he wasn't sure who he was as he is a little old for Alan to know him. But lots of people were taking his picture and he called to see if I knew who he was. I guess moms are good for something.

Busy

I'm not MIA -- although I'm sure it seems it. I've been busy. I was in Atlanta a few days, then in Chicago for a few days, then to a friend's cabin at Lake Russell (Thanks Suzanne for a quiet relaxing weekend) and then in Atlanta again for a few days to watch two days of the PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club. It was all great fun, but I need time to relax and rewind. Although -- I'm off again tomorrow to another Alzheimer's meeting in Atlanta.

When we were at the golf tournament, I couldn't remember anyone's name. I saw the golfers and knew them, but then couldn't remember their name. On the practice days the golfers do not have people following them around with little signs with their names and scores on them. Their names usually only appear on their bags. And, if the caddies are carrying them the way they are suppose to (and they usually do) you don't see the name because the name part is always facing the ground. If the caddie stands the bag up on the green, you have to be lucky enough to have it facing you. Luckily enough for me there were enough people around that I usually overheard someone saying their name. I know I was tired when going but it was really bad. Once I get the photos from the camera downloaded I will try to post some. Sometimes I have a hard time doing that on this blog.

More soon -- and hopefully sooner not later.