February 13th is Alzheimer's Awareness Day at the Georgia State Capitol. A lot of work has gone into a new state plan to address Alzheimer's in the state. If you would like to attend, you must register and you can do so by going here: http://act.alz.org/site/PageNavigator/GA_GA_action_center.html
All the information you need about the day can be found here and I would encourage any of you that can go to take a day and support this issue.
On another note, another Advocacy Day is coming up in the state of Washington and they need your help. I received an email from the Tacoma Alzheimer's group and to help them get a plan started they need help. You can help by signing their petition at http://www.change.org/petitions/washington-state-house-help-protect-those-who-protected-us
Sunday, February 02, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
This and That for January
A lot has been going on but I just haven't had my thoughts straight enough to jot everything down so I'm going to give it a try ---
1. Winter weather -- yes, the South was hit hard yesterday by snow and ice. Although Athens didn't get hit hard, Atlanta did. The snow really wasn't the issue as much as the traffic. People were stranded in their cars for as many as 8 or 10 hours (or even longer) trying to get home yesterday. It was a mess. When I lived in the North I would have been somewhat prepared -- we always carried an emergency kit if you will in our trunk to sustain us for a short time, but I am not sure if it would have sustained us that long. I was thinking that now, though, I would have had a number of panic attacks and not sure how I would have handled being stranded on interstate roads for that long. A silly think (or maybe not so silly) is that I still keep in my trunk, a duffel bag with "necessities" including water, make-up, and overnight essentials. I know that sounds silly, but I used to travel in my job at the spur of the moment so I always had a bag packed in my trunk. It came in handy even if I wasn't travelling. My husband gives me a hard time, but it is my "comfort", so he just has to deal with it!
2. Drug trials -- was disappointed that two drugs that seemed to hold some promise for those of us with Alzheimer's have not been proven in recent drug trials. This is so disappointing.
Here is an excerpt from an article published in US News and World Report: "Two experimental drugs for Alzheimer's disease have failed their clinical trials, proving unable to help patients with mild to moderate dementia, according to new studies.
Both bapineuzumab and solanezumab did not improve patients' ability to think and solve problems, according to findings published in the Jan. 23 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
The drugs were intended to help people with Alzheimer's by clearing the amyloid beta protein plaques that typically clog neurons in the brains of people with the degenerative illness, the researchers said.
Neither medication improved patients' ability to think. "We were disappointed there was no clear clinical benefit," said Dr. Steven Salloway, lead researcher on the bapineuzumab study. Salloway is a professor of neurology and psychiatry at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University." You can read the whole article here: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2014/01/22/2-alzheimers-drugs-found-ineffective-in-clinical-trials
3. On a better note -- A funding bill for the 2014 federal budged included the largest increase in funding dedicated to Alzheimer's and dementia - $122 million in funding for Alzheimer's research, education, outreach and caregiver support in history. You can read more about that news at: http://www.alz.org/news_and_events_122_mill_posposed.asp
4. On a bright and happy note -- my friend author Lisa Genova who wrote Still Alice announced yesterday the full cast of the film adaptation of Still Alice. It was announced previously that Julianne Moore would play Alice. Others cast include Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, and Kate Bosworth. Filming is set to start soon. I couldn't be happier for Lisa. Lisa lives in Cape Cod and this article appeared today in Cape Cod Today -- http://www.capecodtoday.com/article/2014/01/29/23796-hollywood-bring-chatham-authors-still-alice-silver-screen
Lisa was in Columbus Georgia this weekend, and unfortunately, I wasn't able to get to visit with her due to some other commitments. I was sad about that, but I am so happy for her that this film is closer and closer to a reality.
1. Winter weather -- yes, the South was hit hard yesterday by snow and ice. Although Athens didn't get hit hard, Atlanta did. The snow really wasn't the issue as much as the traffic. People were stranded in their cars for as many as 8 or 10 hours (or even longer) trying to get home yesterday. It was a mess. When I lived in the North I would have been somewhat prepared -- we always carried an emergency kit if you will in our trunk to sustain us for a short time, but I am not sure if it would have sustained us that long. I was thinking that now, though, I would have had a number of panic attacks and not sure how I would have handled being stranded on interstate roads for that long. A silly think (or maybe not so silly) is that I still keep in my trunk, a duffel bag with "necessities" including water, make-up, and overnight essentials. I know that sounds silly, but I used to travel in my job at the spur of the moment so I always had a bag packed in my trunk. It came in handy even if I wasn't travelling. My husband gives me a hard time, but it is my "comfort", so he just has to deal with it!
2. Drug trials -- was disappointed that two drugs that seemed to hold some promise for those of us with Alzheimer's have not been proven in recent drug trials. This is so disappointing.
Here is an excerpt from an article published in US News and World Report: "Two experimental drugs for Alzheimer's disease have failed their clinical trials, proving unable to help patients with mild to moderate dementia, according to new studies.
Both bapineuzumab and solanezumab did not improve patients' ability to think and solve problems, according to findings published in the Jan. 23 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
The drugs were intended to help people with Alzheimer's by clearing the amyloid beta protein plaques that typically clog neurons in the brains of people with the degenerative illness, the researchers said.
Neither medication improved patients' ability to think. "We were disappointed there was no clear clinical benefit," said Dr. Steven Salloway, lead researcher on the bapineuzumab study. Salloway is a professor of neurology and psychiatry at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University." You can read the whole article here: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2014/01/22/2-alzheimers-drugs-found-ineffective-in-clinical-trials
3. On a better note -- A funding bill for the 2014 federal budged included the largest increase in funding dedicated to Alzheimer's and dementia - $122 million in funding for Alzheimer's research, education, outreach and caregiver support in history. You can read more about that news at: http://www.alz.org/news_and_events_122_mill_posposed.asp
4. On a bright and happy note -- my friend author Lisa Genova who wrote Still Alice announced yesterday the full cast of the film adaptation of Still Alice. It was announced previously that Julianne Moore would play Alice. Others cast include Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, and Kate Bosworth. Filming is set to start soon. I couldn't be happier for Lisa. Lisa lives in Cape Cod and this article appeared today in Cape Cod Today -- http://www.capecodtoday.com/article/2014/01/29/23796-hollywood-bring-chatham-authors-still-alice-silver-screen
Lisa was in Columbus Georgia this weekend, and unfortunately, I wasn't able to get to visit with her due to some other commitments. I was sad about that, but I am so happy for her that this film is closer and closer to a reality.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Brotherly visit
My brother is going to visit this week. He is in the Southeast on business and happens to be close by. So he'll be here a short time, but I'm glad he is coming. He always makes me laugh and I need some of that right now.
Monday, January 06, 2014
The New Year
The New Year for me began by saying goodbye to a friend -- see post below. It was a hard day for me. Someone just a year older than I succumbing to Alzheimer's. A beautiful tribute was given to him on Saturday and I am certainly proud to have known him.
I love catching up with old friends and the holidays are always a good time to do that. I love getting everyone's Christmas photos and their Christmas letters. I know many people don't like to read them, I do. With social media the way it is now, we don't get all the details of what is happening with people and their families. Thanks to all who sent me something -- I really do enjoy hearing from you. And, thanks too, to old friends who have re-connected through Facebook or this blog. I was so happy to hear from a former (I'm not going to say old) neighbor who shared her time with us as well as her children with Alan. How nice to be remembered. Another friend, Dr. Mary Cail, who wrote The All Weather Friend's Guide To Alzheimer's, has revised this book and re-released it as "Alzheimer's A Crash Course for Friends and Relatives". (Note: Full disclosure -- she does have some excerpts from this blog in the book). She was kind enough to send me a copy over the holidays and I would highly recommend this book. If you want to know how to deal with your loved one with Alzheimer's, please get this book. It will save you a lot of frustration and time. Mary has achieved a great sense of balance in the book and will help you immensely.
I'm revising the bucket list and trying to shape my 2014 so I will be back shortly.
I love catching up with old friends and the holidays are always a good time to do that. I love getting everyone's Christmas photos and their Christmas letters. I know many people don't like to read them, I do. With social media the way it is now, we don't get all the details of what is happening with people and their families. Thanks to all who sent me something -- I really do enjoy hearing from you. And, thanks too, to old friends who have re-connected through Facebook or this blog. I was so happy to hear from a former (I'm not going to say old) neighbor who shared her time with us as well as her children with Alan. How nice to be remembered. Another friend, Dr. Mary Cail, who wrote The All Weather Friend's Guide To Alzheimer's, has revised this book and re-released it as "Alzheimer's A Crash Course for Friends and Relatives". (Note: Full disclosure -- she does have some excerpts from this blog in the book). She was kind enough to send me a copy over the holidays and I would highly recommend this book. If you want to know how to deal with your loved one with Alzheimer's, please get this book. It will save you a lot of frustration and time. Mary has achieved a great sense of balance in the book and will help you immensely.
I'm revising the bucket list and trying to shape my 2014 so I will be back shortly.
Wednesday, January 01, 2014
Happy New Year
I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted. I know in my head I have been posting as I have kept thinking of things I wanted to say. So, here goes........
The last few weeks have seen loved ones pass away, loved ones moving on to a different city, and old friends reuniting. It's a mixed bag of feelings. Word came this week to me that a friend in Atlanta had passed away from Alzheimer's. He was 59 years old. We had become friends many years ago through this disease and we shared things others couldn't. We'd laugh at ourselves, understood things only we would know about and share our families. Several times Bob and I shared a stage at meetings about Alzheimer's and he his wife were featured in Washington at one of the Public Policy Forums. Bob's wife, Trish, first contacted me through this blog and since we lived close we got together. Bob was only a year older than I was and we all seemed to get along well. One of their children was going to UGA at the time, so they came to Athens often and came to our Walk to End Alzheimer's here in Athens for several years. I always thought of Bob as a "gentle giant". He was not big, but he was tall -- I was always looking up to him (both literally and figuratively) and he was soft spoken, loved his family and was very aware of what he was dealing with. Unfortunately, Bob's type of Alzheimer's was definitely inherited and he had been dealing with it in several members of his family for some time. This type tends to be more aggressive than other types. Bob was a runner and his family shared his passion. I'm sorry he couldn't outrun this disease. We will pay our final respect to Bob this Saturday but he will never be forgotten.
The last few weeks have seen loved ones pass away, loved ones moving on to a different city, and old friends reuniting. It's a mixed bag of feelings. Word came this week to me that a friend in Atlanta had passed away from Alzheimer's. He was 59 years old. We had become friends many years ago through this disease and we shared things others couldn't. We'd laugh at ourselves, understood things only we would know about and share our families. Several times Bob and I shared a stage at meetings about Alzheimer's and he his wife were featured in Washington at one of the Public Policy Forums. Bob's wife, Trish, first contacted me through this blog and since we lived close we got together. Bob was only a year older than I was and we all seemed to get along well. One of their children was going to UGA at the time, so they came to Athens often and came to our Walk to End Alzheimer's here in Athens for several years. I always thought of Bob as a "gentle giant". He was not big, but he was tall -- I was always looking up to him (both literally and figuratively) and he was soft spoken, loved his family and was very aware of what he was dealing with. Unfortunately, Bob's type of Alzheimer's was definitely inherited and he had been dealing with it in several members of his family for some time. This type tends to be more aggressive than other types. Bob was a runner and his family shared his passion. I'm sorry he couldn't outrun this disease. We will pay our final respect to Bob this Saturday but he will never be forgotten.
Saturday, December 07, 2013
Cake Pops and Bakerella
Today I got to meet the talented lady behind "Cake Pops". She does some amazing things with cake and when I grow up I want to be her! She made a stop today at the UGA bookstore and did a book signing. Her books about Cake Pops and Holiday Cake Pops can be purchased through Amazon or at your local Barnes and Noble.
I wish I had the patience to decorate these little nuggets like she does, but mine never turn out like hers! Maybe one day............ but it exercises my brain and that is a good thing -- even if I can't make
the magic like she does.
Here are some examples of her work --
I wish I had the patience to decorate these little nuggets like she does, but mine never turn out like hers! Maybe one day............ but it exercises my brain and that is a good thing -- even if I can't make
Here are some examples of her work --
Thanks for your time today Bakerella I enjoyed meeting you.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone
I know I have been a little MIA lately. Lots of things going on and not able to get my thoughts together like I want to.
I haven't taken the opportunity to thank everyone who donated to the Walk To End Alzheimer's. And, those on my team that raised so much money. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for helping fight the fight.
Tomorrow will be a day filled with family, fun and laughter. We are heading to Atlanta to be with my son and daughter-in-law and her delightful family (including her sister who has flown in from San Francisco). We are blessed to be able to be all together because for so many years we were not. It makes it even more special for us.
This year, the Classic Center (where I used to work) has installed a portable ice rink which will be open for public skating in December. I'm excited about that -- I love to ice skate. I was a figure skater when I was much much younger! When I moved to Athens almost 34 years ago I thought it was horrible that I could no longer skate. There were a few rinks tucked away in Atlanta but they were not close enough. Although my husband had skated as a youngster, skating really isn't his thing -- you may remember several years ago when he decided to go skating with us (Alan, Jen and her family) and fell and broke his elbow -- no more ice for him. He is now a bystander! Anyway, I have found places to skate in Atlanta that are a little more convenient although I don't go nearly enough. But now that the rink is here for at least a few weeks I can enjoy it without having to go too far! Now, how many of my friends will join me on the ice? We'll see who my real friends are won't we? And, Carol -- if you are reading this you cannot come skating -- even if you wanted to. That poor boy you traumatized by running over him on the Rockefeller Center rink 15 years ago or so is probably still traumatized! To mark the occasion of skating in Athens I crafted a pair of skates out of scrapbook material.
I haven't taken the opportunity to thank everyone who donated to the Walk To End Alzheimer's. And, those on my team that raised so much money. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for helping fight the fight.
Tomorrow will be a day filled with family, fun and laughter. We are heading to Atlanta to be with my son and daughter-in-law and her delightful family (including her sister who has flown in from San Francisco). We are blessed to be able to be all together because for so many years we were not. It makes it even more special for us.
This year, the Classic Center (where I used to work) has installed a portable ice rink which will be open for public skating in December. I'm excited about that -- I love to ice skate. I was a figure skater when I was much much younger! When I moved to Athens almost 34 years ago I thought it was horrible that I could no longer skate. There were a few rinks tucked away in Atlanta but they were not close enough. Although my husband had skated as a youngster, skating really isn't his thing -- you may remember several years ago when he decided to go skating with us (Alan, Jen and her family) and fell and broke his elbow -- no more ice for him. He is now a bystander! Anyway, I have found places to skate in Atlanta that are a little more convenient although I don't go nearly enough. But now that the rink is here for at least a few weeks I can enjoy it without having to go too far! Now, how many of my friends will join me on the ice? We'll see who my real friends are won't we? And, Carol -- if you are reading this you cannot come skating -- even if you wanted to. That poor boy you traumatized by running over him on the Rockefeller Center rink 15 years ago or so is probably still traumatized! To mark the occasion of skating in Athens I crafted a pair of skates out of scrapbook material.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Superman
This past weekend we went to a musical that the Atlanta Bar Association put on. It was a fundraiser and we enjoyed the talent. Our son was Superman -- a "Super Lawyer" in the show. It was lots of fun and a good time.
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Friends that are like me
I have two friends in particular that are a lot like me -- maybe that is why we are friends! Anyway, it is not uncommon for us to buy the same presents for each other on special occasions. And, when shopping for these two friends, I know that what I like, they will like.
I met with one of these friends this week for a belated birthday celebration for me. This friend is always dressed perfectly, her hair is always perfect, her house is always decorated perfectly -- well you get the picture. If I didn't love her I would probably hate her. Anyway, I will never look like her and be as polished as she is. But, for my birthday she gave me some soap and cream that she uses all the time and swears by it. I have wanted to try it but it was expensive and I don't usually indulge myself in such things. My friend certainly looks no where near her age and I guess this has been her "secret formula". So now, although I won't be like her -- I'll smell like her and maybe get rid of some of these wrinkles in the mean time.
I met with one of these friends this week for a belated birthday celebration for me. This friend is always dressed perfectly, her hair is always perfect, her house is always decorated perfectly -- well you get the picture. If I didn't love her I would probably hate her. Anyway, I will never look like her and be as polished as she is. But, for my birthday she gave me some soap and cream that she uses all the time and swears by it. I have wanted to try it but it was expensive and I don't usually indulge myself in such things. My friend certainly looks no where near her age and I guess this has been her "secret formula". So now, although I won't be like her -- I'll smell like her and maybe get rid of some of these wrinkles in the mean time.
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
Still Alice the movie
I am so happy that my friend Lisa Genova's book, Still Alice is being made into a movie. filming begins in February and Julianne Moore has been tapped to play Alice. I am so excited for Lisa. If you haven't read Still Alice, you need to TODAY! It is a fiction book about a young Harvard professor that is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Lisa and I did not know each other at the time she wrote this book, but that is my life. It was eerily scary to read for me, but it is a fabulous book. Congratulations to my friend!
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