On the Go

I'm off to Atlanta in a few hours for a meeting there. And, next week I have meetings in Atlanta and Chicago so I will be gone most of the week. The week after that is THE wedding. Then I will probably collapse and rest for a few weeks!

A lot of events have taken place this summer with graduations and weddings. I haven't had much time to reflect on them, but as I do think about them, I wonder when those events will be a long lost memory for me. It's kind of weird to think of it like that, but what will I remember in the years to come of those events? It's anyone's guess I suppose. The words "living in the moment" seem appropriate at times like this. These events will be memories for some, but most likely not for me. Enjoy the time you have with loved ones!

I noticed on the traffic on this site that I have had a few people in the armed forces looking at my blog. My friend Josh is now serving "over there" and I hope it is he that is reading. If it is, we miss you a lot Josh and our prayers are with you to remain safe. That goes for everyone "over there" not just Josh.

Won't have much time to write until I return from Chicago next week. Alan takes the bar next week so everyone cross your fingers for him.

It's been busy here. Alan and Jennifer are back in Georgia. Alan is spending time back and forth between here and Atlanta. He was here for several days this week leaving the house full of laughter but also a mess! It's always good to have him home though. He is studying for the bar so we tried not to bother him too much. Some close friends held a shower this past weekend for them and it was a lovely event. There were about 25 people there and we enjoyed visiting with everyone.

The latest issue of the Georgia chapter's newsletter is out. Our trip to Washington DC is chronicled in there. The web address is http://www.alz.org/georgia/documents/Summer08.pdf

August 3rd the PBS channels will be showing the show "The Forgetting". If you haven't seen this before it is worth watching. It is based on the book by David Shenk and chronicles some families that have been living with this disease in their family as well as some of the technical aspects of the disease. It came out several years ago but it is worth seeing again. I'll also update you as we get closer to the BBC America series on Alzheimer's which is going to run at the end of the month. It will be on the BBC America newshour at 7:00 p.m. eastern time (check your local listings). It is a four part series dealing with Alzheimer's around the world. It starts on July 28th.

Pictured above are 11 members of our National Early Stage Advisory Group I wrote about below. This photo was taken when we were all in Washington in May.

A month or so I wrote about Jim Nantz' book, Always By My Side. After reading it, I wrote Mr. Nantz a note thanking him for sharing his story about his father who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1995. A few weeks ago, on June 28th, Jim Nantz' father passed away. Today, I received a note from him thanking me for my letter -- that's a pretty class act. Please read this book if you get a chance -- it's priceless.

I might have mentioned this before, but last month I rotated off of the National Alzheimer's Association Early Stage Advisory Group. It was very rewarding and a lot of work. I didn't really realize how much I missed it until this week -- when I realized I don't get as many emails as I use to! Having fourteen other people on the board with me and dealing with all the wonderful folks at the national office, it seemed like every day I was getting an email from someone about some thing that needed to be tended to for the day -- or just a friendly hello from my peers. Although I know we all share that special bond of serving for a year we will remain friends and support each other through our trials and tribulations with Alzheimer's, it's just different now and I miss it. A new board has been chosen and I don't know who has been appointed to the board yet, other than two friends that have told me they have been selected. They will enjoy their time on the board. I'm still involved with one or two projects that are a carry over from the Early Stage Advisory Group, but they are now independent of the group. I guess it is nice to know that you are needed and you can possibly do something to help.

Ralph and I will be going to Atlanta on Wednesday to meet with Jennifer and Alan to work on some wedding details. It will be here before you know it. I keep trying my dress on hoping that the few pounds I have put on won't stop me from getting into it come August. I guess it is a real motivator!

I've also been trying to clean the house since we will have out of town company for the wedding. It's amazing the stuff that you keep around. Our Memory Walk committee is having a fund raiser yard sale in September so I am trying to keep the stuff around long enough to sell it -- but I don't have that much space.

Some friends are giving Jennifer and Alan a shower this weekend. It's so nice of them to do that. I know it will be nice.

I'm going to try to play golf again tomorrow. We'll see if I can make it around the course without falling down!

Odds and Ends

Every time I finish a post I think of something else to write. Then, I forget it the next time I post! Guess it goes with the terriroty!

Another promising drug for Alzheimer's that was in the final stages of clinical trials has failed to provide enough data to end up being marketed. Here is a link to the Alzheimer's website for more information. Last year, the same thing happened with another drug. We just need to keep trying. http://alz.org/news_and_events_13918.asp

I played golf yesterday and with my balance issues I wasn't sure I was going to do so well. But, I did o.k. -- however, I did use my pull cart and my golf club as a cane. I had a few moments when I thought I was going to fall but I didn't. I think I must look like someone who is drunk! Today, it seems to be a little better.

Jennifer and Alan are on the move from California. They had some car trouble yesterday so they had unexpected delay (and somewhat costly) but I told Alan on the phone that at least they were not in an accident and they are o.k -- even though they won't be home on the day they planned.

My nephew that just got married, passed his dissertation for his doctorate in child psychology last week. Congratulations Jonathan! I'm so proud of him -- he has worked really hard for this and will be working at a school district in upstate Illinois in the fall. It's nice to have a "Dr." in the family.

Hope everyone has a great Fourth of July -- at least for the Americans reading this blog.

This and That

The weekend is over and ended with a huge thunderstorm. The wind blew over a tree about a block down the street and knocked down some power lines. We were without power for 6 hours. It was about 9:00p.m. when it happened. It was extremely warm in the house so we had to open all the windows. The bad part was that a fire truck was sitting idly in front of our house until the power company could come. The power company showed up around 2:00 a.m. with chain saws and started cutting up the tree. Finally the power was restored, all trucks left and I could finally go to sleep. The tree fell on a car parked on the street, but luckily there were no fires and no one was hurt that I am aware of. We think the wind blew the tree over but ther was some powerful lightning in the area but none of the neighbors heard anything that sounded like lightning striking the tree.

Balance issues were plaguing me a great deal this weekend. I'm not liking this one bit. I met three other ladies for brunch yesterday and had difficulty walking to the buffet line and out the door. I held on to someone to help me the rest of the way. Around the house I'm just sure not to "walk with sharp objects in my hand".

I forgot to mention that we had our captain's meeting for this year's Memory Walk about a week and a half ago. With the economy the way it is this year it may be a little more difficult to raise money but we are certainly going to try. A new friend of mine from Atlanta came over to speak to our group -- her mother is "young" like I am and has the disease. She did a great job.

Last week I went to an assisted living center about 20 miles away that has a monthly support group and talked to them. They were great and it did me good to get out and speak. I say that it is as much therapy for me as it is for them.

It's likely to be a slow week this week with the holiday. Jennifer and Alan are driving to Georgia from California starting today. They are hoping to be in Atlanta by week's end. Ralph wants to play golf tomorrow, but I'm not sure if I can play with the balance issue. Guess I'll have to wait and see.

Everyone have a great week.

I have been having some problems lately. Nightmares have plagued me for awhile now. Not only do I get them at night but when I take a nap. Most of the time someone is torturing me -- not sure what that is all about but it is very scary. It leaves me tired because I'm not sleeping well. Which makes me not to want to go exercise.....which leads to other things.

The other problem I have been having is a problem with balance. I know this is an Alzheimer's related problem and I haven't experienced it before. I'm falling down and having difficulty stabilizing myself sometimes. I am hoping that this is something that is off and on, more off than on!

I haven't posted in a while. Lots going on but can't seem to put everything into words. Plus, I'm fighting a cold so I haven't had much energy. I have a speaking engagement this evening so I will probably try to rest a good bit today. Don't have much else planned this week except for a couple of conference calls for Alzheimer's business.

Have enjoyed watching the UGA Baseball team in their quest for a College World Series title. If they win this evening, they will win the title.

Ralph and I are still dealing with Social Security. They paid us one of my disability payments but have yet to pay the lump sum of over $55,000 still owed to us. We were awarded our judgment at the end of January. One payment since then. It's a pretty pathetic system. I get confused dealing with them and the insurance company that still pays my long term disability payments through my last employer, so Ralph has to do most of the talking. I think it frustrates him as well.

Alan is in Washington DC this week interviewing for some clerkship jobs for the '09 year. Yes, he does have a job with a firm in Washington for the coming year and they know he is doing this. They work with those that want to take a leave for a short time to do clearkships and that is a wonderful thing. He and Jennifer leave California on Monday to head back "home". They are busily selling off things before moving.

More soon.

Tim Russert's Memorial Service

I mentioned in my blog a few days ago about how saddened I was at Tim Russert's untimely death. Of course, I didn't know him, but was very sad by his loss, as was it seems the nation. I have been watching lots of the coverage that has aired on all the stations recently and realize what a "larger than life" person he was. He touched so many lives. His son Luke, is a testament to his father. I cried openly yesterday as I listened to his son giving a loving tribute to his father. You look at a young man like that and realize his future is bright and going to be filled with great things. How proud his family must be of him. For someone to only be 22 years of age and command the respect he did is truly amazing. There are many wonderful and amazing young people out there that we don't get to see much of. They are making their way into the world and we will hear from them in due time I am sure.

I'm sure my son is reading this at some point and he knows how proud I am of him. I thought of him a lot yesterday while watching Luke Russert speak, thinking that he reminded me a lot of Alan. Alan has a few years on him and has not had the privileges that Luke has enjoyed but they both seem to have worked hard to get where they have gotten and are very mature for their age. I know that all parents are proud of their children and we probably don't tell them enough what they mean to us. It's never too late to tell them. Alan shared with us last night that he was ranked in the top ten percent of his graduating law school class at Stanford and for a class size of 180 that is pretty good.....it's actually better than pretty good! I think I used the word amazing last night but I don't think that is the proper word either! It is well deserved. You did good kid! Now go pay off that law school debt!!!

Comments

I continue to get lots of comments from the recent articles and many phone calls as well. Thanks for all your support. To "grits" -- if you will email me at krisbga@hotmail.com I will be glad to answer your questions.





One of our advisory board participants is interviewed by US News and World Report. His story appears here http://www.usnews.com/blogs/planning-to-retire/2008/06/17/second-career-plans-scuttled-by-illness.html



This has been a rough week for me. I have lots of unfinished business to take care of and I'm not able to get it done. This, too, shall pass.