STILL ALICE

Oh my.....everyone needs to read this book.....STILL ALICE  by Lisa Genova.   I laughed and I cried, and I'm still tingling!  You can check it out at this website:  http://stillalice.com/

I actually met Lisa Genova in the chatroom several years ago...and we enjoyed many lovely chats.  Now I should mention that several years ago I was advised to make a photo book, so that when I could no longer speak, I could point to a picture of what I was wanting.  So I had this really neat photo book on my computer, called Mary's Things.  It had pictures of rooms in the house, including the toilet, clothes I liked to wear, places I liked to visit.  I even had pictures of my favorite food, along with the recipe to make it.  However, after reading STILL ALICE, it dawned on me that at some point I may not remember how to use my computer to point at the various pictures.  So I purchased a 3-ring binder and some plastic inserts, and I'll now start cutting out the various pictures I need for my new Mary's Things book.  Oh yes...my new binder has Butterflies all over it...and you'll understand the significance of that after you've read STILL ALICE!

Brain Meltdown - Again

I guess my busy life has caught up with me again.  None of the filters in my brain are working.  The drapes are closed to keep the room dark and my headphones are on to deaden the sounds.  (Too bad they won't silence the tinnitus too.)  I can't even try to carry on a conversation, and I certainly can't do any brain exercises.  Trying to think makes my brain feel like its shuddering. 
Jim was saying the last few days I've been very high strung, and that should have been a sign to us of what was happening.
So....I'm heading back for my third nap of the day...and rest my brain!

Changes

After the Changing Melody Forum, a woman was discussing her husband with me. She said one of the things that’s particularly bothersome is his inability to control his swearing. She said it’s particularly bad because he used to be in the Navy, so he has a fairly extensive vocabulary.

With the start of Alzheimer's disease two major factors are going to increase the likelihood that the person will swear or use other forbidden words when they become stressed or frustrated. First of all they lack impulse control. If they think it, they will say it or do it. They can no longer control an impulse. That part of their brain is damaged.

I’m using swear words I wasn’t even aware I knew! All I can think is I should probably be buying large quantities of Duct Tape!

Only women would understand

Over the past few days, vague memories keep popping into my head of people who spoke to me after the Changing Melody.  In particular, a young lady who I think may have been part of the Planning Committe, came and hugged me and asked if she could be my daughter, since I only have five sons.  For the life of me I can't imagine why I didn't abduct her right right then and there and bring her home with me.  I had been lamenting earlier to my sister and sister in law, that I had no one to pluck the errant hairs and whiskers that seem to plague us women once we reach our senior years.  So far I'm still able to recognize and dispose of these unsightly tricks of nature, but the pictures I'm envisioning of myself when I'm no longer able, are not pretty!

Thank You

All the special hugs, prayers and wishes from you all indeed did the trick yesterday.  After sharing "My Changing Melody" with everyone at the Changing Melody Forum, I got a standing ovation.  I was totally amazed.  For the rest of the day people came up to me, hugging me or shaking my hand, and thanking me.  Of course by this time my brain was rather full and overflowing, and I have no idea if the right words came out of my mouth or not!  It was indeed a very special day, with a bunch of very special people.

 

My Changing Melody

I was asked last fall if I would consider being one of the keynote speakers at this Forum, which is to be held this coming Saturday in Kingston.  You can click on this link and see what it's about.  Changing Melody 

Hopefully some of my insights will be helpful to others on this journey.  I really have my fingers crossed that Saturday is a good brain day!

HAPPY EASTER OR PASSOVER

The weatherman has certainly given us a treat this weekend.  In between visiting with various sons, including a surprise visit from son Dave from Nova Scotia, we've been enjoying some time at our trailer.  Johnsons RV Park isn't officially opened until May 1st, but the owners don't mind us wandering in and enjoying the first tastes of summer.  Jim was even able to sneak in his first kayak ride of the season.  I'm afraid our mice visitors took up residence, so we had a few hours of cleaning up their various nests.  Jim's favorite pair of slippers made a perfect nest, and have been relegated to the dustbin.   We're going to head back out this morning so Jim can get some of the spring raking done, and we'll be back home in time for more company this afternoon.  I'm finding the hour drive back and forth is letting me "recharge" my brain, and I'm managing all the visiting really well.