Mary's Place

A web page about the life of a lady who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Name:
Location: Piedmont, Oklahoma, United States

I live in Piedmont, OK, with my Husband of 50 years who has been very supportive. We have 2 sons,David and Kenny, 6 grandkids, and 6 great grandkids. I enjoy feeding and watching the birds and squirrels. Before I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, I ran a Licensed Day Care Home for Infants for 15 years. I noticed I wasn't able to remember important things and having problems with my speech. I was experiencing severe headaches. I would get lost. I didn't know how to use the computer. At the age of 55, I told my doctor. I was sent for an MRI. which showed a large amount of shrinkage. I went to a neurologist who sent me for two days of testing. I was diagnosed with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. My husband and I were both in shock. I had to give up my job. I went to see a social worker. I've taken Aricept for 11 years. I can now use the computer and even do this web page. I also host a chat room for dementia patients. This is a very lonely disease. I don't want anyone to feel as lonely as I did when I was diagnosed (I thought I was the only one over 50 that had Alzheimer's). In 2006 I started taking Namenda. Also I was told I have a mixed dementia, Alzheimer's/Vascular.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Happy Anniversary David and Lori!!! David and Lori are our kids in Norman, Oklahoma… Happy Birthday Larry!!! Larry Rose is our friend and lives in Arkansas… It is the last day of September. I don’t know where the time goes… It has been very warm today and to be even warmer tomorrow… Dave woke up with a terrible cold. He didn’t sleep well last night because he was so stuffed up. He wasn’t even able to wear his CPap mask. I am hoping he doesn’t share his cold with me… I hosted the afternoon chat and fixed lunch and supper. Also went through a bunch of mail and got caught up on some reading… Tonight I sat out on the back porch watching Dave and Kenny fly their planes… Goodnight All Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, September 29, 2006

Thanks to Nancy in Topeka, Kansas for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book at http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mari5113/index.html … Last night I went for a walk with Dave and Josh and I thought I was going to freeze. I had jeans and a sweatshirt on but I could have used a pair of gloves. My hand got so cold driving the scooter… It was really a beautiful day today. I was out on my scooter this afternoon checking on the garden and seeing what trees had died. The dogs love following me around the acreage. I fed the mums and roses… I fixed our lunch, a big salad. Then tonight I only had to cook some potatoes and fix some broccoli to go with last night’s leftover meatloaf… Tonight is my night to host the DASNI chats… It was six weeks ago that Dave had his kidney surgery. He is really doing well… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, September 28, 2006

While Dave was gone with the motor home today getting a tire repaired. I got in the pantry and threw out all the stuff that was outdated. It is such a waste but I will not eat anything that is past the use by date… I cleaned the bathroom, picked up in the bedroom, did laundry, and fixed supper… Our new washer and dryer that is less than a year old are messing up. At least they are still under warranty. A year ago my new refrigerator quit working… We have decided to just keep our Honda CRV for now. There is nothing wrong with it and it only has 44000 miles on it… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

We stayed home today and it felt good because we were both tired of running around the past couple of days… I did laundry, helped fix supper, and took care of the plants inside and outside… I watched for the school bus and waved at Josh when he got off… It was a gorgeous day and Dave and I spent most of the evening out on the back porch enjoying the weather… Kenny and Josh came down and Joyce called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Today was just about a repeat of yesterday. Only thing I didn’t do any laundry. I should have but I didn’t. I hosted the afternoon chat and then we left to do some more car shopping. We are having fun doing this. We stopped by the Aldi’s store and picked up a few groceries and then had supper at the Mexican Restaurant in Piedmont… Tonight I am enjoying Dancing With The Stars… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, September 25, 2006

Dave and I got out and looked at cars again today. Still haven’t found what we want… I did laundry and that is about it for today… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, September 24, 2006

I watched an old movie “Written In The Wind” this morning before I got out of bed… This afternoon Dave and I got outside and washed all the windows. It was a perfect day to do it. I love sparkling clean windows. They won’t stay clean long out here in all this dust and wind, but I sure am enjoying them today… I have been busy taking care of DASNI stuff and answering emails… Our DASNI chat room has been down all weekend and I am sure missing chatting with my friends… Kathy invited us up to eat supper with them… I rode with Kenny to pick up Josh and Josh drove us home… David called. Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, September 23, 2006

A beautiful first day of fall… I did some yard work, swept the back porch and fixed us a country breakfast for supper and we ate outside and listened to the OU/Middle Tenn. football game. OU won 59 to 0… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, September 22, 2006

Dave and I got out today and enjoyed the last day of summer… We went to Tinker AFB to pick up our drugs and did some shopping at the BX, Kohl’s, and Target… We stopped at a dealership to check out some new cars… We got gas for 2.04 a gallon. Some places have it for 1.96… Kenny came down… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, September 21, 2006

I had a terrible time getting to sleep last night. I don’t know if it was all the fun I had or the coffee I had for dinner… Since I played all day yesterday I had to play catch up today. I picked up around the house, took care of the plants inside and out, and got caught up on the laundry. I got to see the bottom of the hamper… I hosted the DASNI afternoon and evening chats… Joyce called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

I have had a busy but fun day… Lori came this morning and we went shopping for her birthday shoes. We shopped till we dropped and enjoyed a nice lunch. Lori found the shoes she wanted and I really enjoyed spending the day with her… When I got home I got ready and Dave and I went to Alfred and Martha’s and they joined us in a nice dinner at Eddy’s Steak House. This was both of our Wedding Anniversary celebration since our Anniversary’s are close together… Dave saw his Urologist doctor today and he got a clean bill of health. The doctor sent Dave an email of his kidney cut in half and you could see the tumor really well. Dave and I are so happy it is gone… I am tired tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

It has been a fabulous day here. The windows are open and I wish I could bottle this weather and keep it. No wind at all, temperature is in the 70’s… Dave and I took the dogs into the vet for their shots this morning. She examined Cindy and said she has cataracts in both eyes and she also has heart problems. The doctor started Cindy on heart medication. Cindy weighs 10 pounds and 2 oz. Karmelita was just fine. She weighs 3 pounds and 2 oz. Shiloh did not need shots but she examined her and we talked about her shedding problem. The doctor thinks she is between two and four years old. Shiloh weighs 6 pounds and 2 oz. She has gained over a pound since we got her in June… I cleaned the bathroom, did some yard work, fixed a salad for our lunch, hosted chat, and helped with supper… I remembered to watch for Josh and Heather to get off the school bus and waved at them… I called Kim, Lori, and Martha… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, September 18, 2006

It was a beautiful fall day today… I unloaded the dryer and folded clothes and put them away. I cooked a pork chop supper but before I could finish I had to call Dave in to finish up. My back was killing me… After supper I sat outside on the back porch enjoying the dogs playing with the neighbor’s dog, birds at the feeder, butterflies flying around the Passion Vine, and Dave and Kenny flying their planes… Wesley called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Last night Kenny and Kathy came down and we started talking and I completely forgot about doing my journal… We woke up to rain this morning and cooler temperatures… I have had a lazy Sunday. Watched a movie “The Paper” and went to chat… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, September 15, 2006

The maids came this morning before I was out of bed. I hate it when that happens. I have to jump out of bed, strip the bed, and hurry to get dressed… I haven’t done much today. I hosted both afternoon and evening DASNI chats, and deleted a lot of emails… Lori called and George and Carole called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Yesterday was a cloudy day for me so I didn’t do a journal. I was having a lot of pain and was so tired I was in bed way before 9:00… Dave went with Josh on his walk last night. The doctor wants Dave to walk so that was a good thing for both Dave and Josh. I told Josh that tomorrow would be a better day for me and I would walk with him then… This morning I wanted to just get dressed and not take a shower but I talked myself into getting in the shower. I don’t want to be one of those Alzheimer’s patients who don’t take showers. Anyhow I always feel so much better after a good shower… I washed a few windows and that wore me out. I just don’t have any energy anymore. I am wandering if it could be the Namenda that is causing it. I haven’t had energy in a long time but it seems to have gotten worse since I started the Namenda… David and Lori called this morning and we had a nice chat. I still haven’t bought Lori her birthday shoes and her birthday was in June. We made plans to get together next week to do that. Something for me to look forward to… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma Yesterday was a cloudy day for me so I didn’t do a journal. I was having a lot of pain and was so tired I was in bed way before 9:00… Dave went with Josh on his walk last night. The doctor wants Dave to walk so that was a good thing for both Dave and Josh. I told Josh that tomorrow would be a better day for me and I would walk with him then… This morning I wanted to just get dressed and not take a shower but I talked myself into getting in the shower. I don’t want to be one of those Alzheimer’s patients who don’t take showers. Anyhow I always feel so much better after a good shower… I washed a few windows and that wore me out. I just don’t have any energy anymore. I am wandering if it could be the Namenda that is causing it. I haven’t had energy in a long time but it seems to have gotten worse since I started the Namenda… David and Lori called this morning and we had a nice chat. I still haven’t bought Lori her birthday shoes and her birthday was in June. We made plans to get together next week to do that. Something for me to look forward to… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

It has been another busy day for me. I made some nectar for the hummingbirds, did two loads of laundry, fixed lunch, hosted the afternoon chat, and fixed supper… We went into town to pick up groceries and to Camping World to get a part for the motor home… Tonight Josh and I went on our evening walk. He walked two miles and I went right along with him in my scooter. I had to wear a jacket because I was cold. The high today was 76 degrees… David called and said he had some fish for us from his fishing trip on Sunday… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, September 11, 2006

Dave and I got out of the house today and ran a few errands and stopped by to visit Martha and Alfred. While Dave and Alfred visited Martha and I went to Sam’s… Tonight I fixed cornbread and took it up to Kenny and Kathy’s where we shared a delicious Ham and Bean supper… Later Josh and I went on our walk… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Happy Birthday Allison!!! Allison is our great granddaughter in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky… Thanks to Richard in Smithville, Tennessee for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book at http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mari5113/index.html … I did a little yard work today and fixed supper… I have had a very hard time talking today. Nothing comes out like I want it to. Saying the wrong words and typing the wrong words also… I got on my scooter and the dogs and I went up to visit with Kathy. We sat out on their back porch and watched Dave and Kenny fly their planes. Later Josh and I went for our evening walk… Lori called and Kelly and her daughter came by… I am thinking we must be going to get some rain because my joints are sure hurting… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Happy Birthday Karen!!! Karen is our niece in Huntington, West Virginia… I watched a TV movie “The Bride’s Son” and watched the OU/Washington football game with Dave. We (OU) won 37/20… I deadhead the roses and pulled weeds until I got tired then came in and hosted the afternoon DASNI chat and also did a load of laundry… Tonight Josh and I walked up and down our street while Dave and Kenny used the runway to fly their planes… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, September 08, 2006

Happy Anniversary Honey!!! Today is Dave and my 46th anniversary… We got up early this morning and headed to Lawton to attend Louise’s funeral. It is always tough to lose someone you loved… We will celebrate our anniversary another day. Dave and I were both too tired to do any celebrating tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, September 07, 2006

It was almost three o’clock before I was able to get to sleep this moring. I just know it was that large moon… I stripped our bed including the mattress cover and washed them. Hung the pillows out on the line to air out and cleaned the refrigerator… I went to see Dr. Rowlan and then we took Kenny, Kathy, and Family out to eat… Later Josh, the dogs, and I went for a walk. Of course I was on my scooter but we did have fun… Today has been a better day… David and Lori called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

I did absolutely nothing today. I am just so tired. I am blaming it on to the full moon that is coming up tomorrow… We went up to Kenny and Kathy’s and ended up staying for supper… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

I have willed my body to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. All I had to do was fill out the paperwork they sent me and have two witness sign it. They mailed me a card that is to be kept in my billfold. The only thing I have to worry about now is that they don’t take obese people. Maybe I will lose some weight before I die… I deadheaded the roses in the rose garden. The roses are so pretty right now. I would post a picture but for some reason I can’t get a picture to post here anymore… Kenny is taking the week off work to be with Kathy. Kenny and Kathy had to make a trip to Lawton so we invited Josh to eat with us. Heather had gone to a friend’s house. I hosted the afternoon chat, did a load of laundry, and did some computer work… Dave is continuing to do well… Tonight the dogs and I followed Josh on his walk down the runway. I was on my scooter. It wasn’t long till the mosquitoes tried to carry us away. Josh said who says Grandmas can’t have fun. A beautiful moon tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, September 04, 2006

Happy Anniversay Jim and Faye!!! I have been lazy today. Watched a movie “The Thorn Birds” on TV again. We fixed a pot of beans and cornbread for supper and invited Kenny, Kathy, Josh, and Heather down to eat with us… I am really hurting for Kathy as she is having a very hard time right now… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Our condolences go out to Kathy and her family on the loss of her Mother Louise last evening… This morning I saw Kathy sitting out on her back porch so I went up to give her a big hug. We both cried and it is going to be tough on Kathy as her Mother and she were so close. We are all going to miss Louise very much… I had a hummingbird fly into the house and I caught it and let it go back outside where he belonged… It has been another beautiful day here. I have been sitting outside enjoying all the beautiful butterflies and watching Kenny and Dave fly their planes… I love this time of year when we don’t need heat or air conditioner, especially after this past electric bill… I cleaned the bathrooms, picked up around the house, did laundry and fixed supper. We have had our last supper brought in and now we are on our own and just when I was getting spoiled… Goodnight All... Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Yesterday was a very busy day for me. David and Lori came and brought Madison and Macey with them. I called in an order at the local Chinese Restaurant and asked them to pick it up on their way here. Madison wanted Chinese… We had a nice lunch and visit. After they left I laid down to rest then when Kenny got off work we went to the hospital in Lawton to visit Kathy’s Mother and my friend Louise. It was so sad to see Louise. She has had three strokes and I am afraid to say that she won’t be with us much longer… Josh drove us all the way there and back. He is learning to drive and is doing a great job. It was his first time to drive in a rainstorm. It was after midnight when we got home so instead of doing a journal I had going to bed on my mind and that is just what I did… I think Dave enjoyed his ME time while I was gone. But Shiloh missed me. She didn’t like the thunderstorms. Poor thing is scared to death when we have storms… Kenny cut our grass today besides cutting his ten acres. It took him most of the day to get it done. Thank you Kenny. We sure appreciate it… I folded laundry that I found in the dryer from a few days ago and hosted the afternoon DASNI chat at http://www.alzinfo.com/community/chatrooms/ … Looking forward to watching the OU football game tonight on TV… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma