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, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween!!! … I woke up feeling much better today… I chatted with friends in the DASNI chat room… This afternoon we went to S.E. Oklahoma City to look at homes that were for sale. We only drove by to see if we liked the outside and if we did we will have our realtor show them to us later. We saw a couple that we liked… We went by David and Lori’s. Lori had made caramel apples and we left with a couple. Yummy!!! We got home just in time for the trick or treaters and to watch the football game… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, October 30, 2009

I have had a cloudy day. Tomorrow will be better… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, October 29, 2009

This morning I was woke up around 5:00 by a very bad thunderstorm. I was able to get back to sleep though. We got a couple inches of rain… I did laundry, helped fix lunch and supper… I need to get back to watching the World Series now. Go Phillies!!! Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

I woke up at 2:30 and had a terrible time getting back to sleep. I don’t know what is going on with my sleeping but I hope I get back to sleeping all night soon… I chatted with my online friends. I left chat early so I could go with Dave to run some errands. We both got groomed, got the oil changed in the car, and ran it through the car wash. Then we went to Aldi’s to pick up some groceries. When we got home I helped put away groceries and fixed tacos for supper… Now I am watching the World Series… No sunshine today, only rain showers… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Happy Birthday Kathy!!! Kathy is Kenny’s wife… I woke up at six this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep… At around 11:00 we got a call from our realtor saying that we had a showing this afternoon at 4:30. She said for us to take the dogs and leave for about thirty minutes. Dave had just started to defrost the freezer in the garage when she called so he finished that and we started cleaning the inside of the house. It was spic and span. We loaded up the dogs and took a trip out to Cashion. When we got back they were still here. So we stopped in at our next-door neighbors until they left… We are hoping that it was a good sign that they stayed so long looking. We can’t wait to get moved. We should hear from our realtor tomorrow… Tonight we were invited over to Kenny and Kathy’s for a spaghetti dinner then later had birthday cake and ice cream… It has been a long day… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, October 26, 2009

Yesterday I made two meatloaves so we could have one for tonight. I was waiting on the one to cool down a little so I could put it in the refrigerator. Well I got on the computer and forgot to put it in refrigerator and Dave found it setting on the stove this morning. GRRRRR…. I had to crawl out of the covers really early this morning because Dave and I both had appointment to see Dr. Davoloi. I got injections in my knees and Dave got an injection in his foot. Dave’s MRI showed arthritis in the spine. We are both feeling better tonight… After supper we got ready to go to the City Council meeting. We weren’t very happy with the outcome but we will deal with it. I hope how soon we can sell our house and get out of here… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, October 25, 2009

This morning Dave fixed us omelets… I watched church services on the television. Then I watched some movies, one of them was "The Grapes of Wrath" and I can’t remember the other one. While I was watching the movies I was bowling on pogo… Tonight I fixed meatloaf. Thanks to Sandy in Ohio for sharing her recipe, Dave loved it… It has been a dreary day rain and no sunshine… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Kenny and Kathy picked us up today. We went to see some open houses and it just so happened that one of them was the house they are building. It was so nice to see their house in person and not just look at the plans. It is going to be a beautiful home… Later we went to Kohl’s looking for birthday shoes for Kathy but she didn’t see any she liked. We will try again later. Then we went to Pizza Hut for pizza and hot wings. Then we went out to see their building site. They have started the foundation… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, October 23, 2009

Dave went for his MRI today. We hope to find out the results on Monday… The sun was shining today and I could see all the dust on the furniture so I began dusting… Dave bought the candy for the trick or treaters. I hope there is some candy left by the time they get here because I can’t stop eating the candy… David called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, October 22, 2009

It was a cold rainy day. I am missing the sunshine… I added another gabapentin three times a day and it has helped with the knees. It was okay with my doctor. I have an appointment next week to have injections in my knees… I folded yesterday’s laundry and chatted with my friends… We took dinner over to our next-door neighbor. Sean was in a bad bicycle accident last Sunday… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Today has been one of the push days. I had to push myself to get out of the bed, push to take a shower, push to clean the bathrooms, and push to do a load of laundry… It has been a miserable day outside rainy, cold, and windy… My knees are hurting so bad I can hardly get out of my recliner and walk… Tomorrow will be a better day… David called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

This morning Dave had an appointment to see John about his hearing aide. Come to find out that they gave him a new hearing aide without setting it. It is no wonder that he hasn’t been able to hear me for the past two weeks. GRRRR… My scooter quit on me again so today they came and picked it up and gave me a loaner… I have played pogo most of the day. I took time out for our DASNI chat… Tonight we had breakfast for supper… It was in the upper 70’s today with winds gusting to 40. I would like to go outside but can’t handle the wind… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, October 19, 2009

Dave had an early appointment this morning with the Orthopedic doctor. He said Dave has some serious spurs on his lower spine. They are going to schedule an MRI for him. I stayed under the covers till he got home… I hosted the DASNI chat, did laundry, and fixed supper… This evening we had another showing of the motor home. They left saying they would call us… We decided to take our home off the market next month since houses aren’t selling right now. We can go back to being sloppy. We will put it back on the market next spring… It was in the 70’s today with a lot of sunshine and 20 mph winds... Tonight I watched a beautiful sunset… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, October 18, 2009

This morning I watched church services on television… The couple came to see the motor home and really liked it. They were here for a couple hours and left saying they would talk it over. I can understand that because it is a big purchase. I just hope they buy it… We went out to Kenny’s twenty acres and a man was out there moving dirt for the pad… Later the ice cream truck came and picked us up to get ice cream… I finished the book that I was reading… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, October 17, 2009

This morning I watched a movie “Lonesome Dove” until it was time for the OU/Texas football game. Texas won this one… I fixed lunch, read some more of “The One Thousand Mile Stare.” I am a slow reader but I am half through the book. The author is a cousin to Chuck who is one of our DASNI members. It is a good read… I fixed supper then I helped Dave finish unloading the inside of the motor home and did some cleaning in it. That wore me out. We have someone coming to look at it tomorrow. I am not going to get my hopes up of selling it this time… George called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, October 16, 2009

This morning I did laundry… I had an appointment this afternoon with Dr. Corman. I found out he just got over the Swine Flu. I was almost afraid to go to the doctor because I was afraid of getting the flu. Lori and Madison have it now. I was lucky because I walked in and the office was empty which is very unusual. I still have the Urinary Tract Infection. This time he is treating me with a different antibiotic (Levaquin). I am to take it for fourteen days instead of the usual seven days. I hope this one clears it up because I am sick of feeling bad… We went to Tinker Air Force Base and picked up the antibiotic and then we took advantage of the beautiful day and took a drive in the country southeast of Oklahoma City. It is very pretty out in that direction with a lot of trees and rolling hills. The leaves were turning and I enjoyed getting out of the house… We stopped at Sam’s and picked up a pizza for supper… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Last night I had a terrible time falling asleep. I think it is because of the housing situation we are dealing with. It was after 11:00 when I woke up… I am happy to say that the sun came out today and tonight I got to see a pretty sunset… I have started reading a book that I received in the mail today. It won’t be available to the public until next year. The book is “The Thousand Mile Stare” Unraveling the Genetic Mystery of Early Onset Alzheimer’s. Gary Reiswig is the author… I hosted the DASNI chat. In case you don’t know what DASNI stands for. It is: Dementia Advocacy Support Network International. Here is a link to the web site http://www.dasninternational.org/ … Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

I am forgetting what sunshine looks like… I fixed potato soup for lunch, it is one of my comfort foods… I helped fixed supper and tonight Kenny and I went shoe shopping for his birthday shoes. It is a way I get to spend one on one time with my boys. After trying on about every pair of shoes in the store he finally found a size 13 that he liked. It was rainy so I walked in the rain and it wasn’t a nice warm rain either… They didn’t accept our offer on the house and we aren’t going to counter offer. We already have our eye on another one… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

This morning I folded yesterday’s laundry… Our realtor came around noon and we made an offer on a house that we like. It is on contingency that we can sell this one. We still haven’t had a showing. GRRRR… Dave went to town to run some errands. I had to stay home because we had someone coming to pick up the nebulizer that I no longer need… I helped fix supper and tonight Dave made us some slice and bake cookies… It has been a very dreary day… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, October 12, 2009

No sunshine today and it was another good day to stay in my pajamas… I fixed lunch, helped with supper, and did laundry… Tonight I brushed the dogs and brushed their teeth… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, October 11, 2009

I woke up this morning with terrible headaches. They finally stopped and I got up and took a shower… Kenny and Kathy came over. Kenny got a new iPhone for his birthday and he was showing us what all it could do. I was amazed. Now I want one someday, Kenny made it look so simple to use. They asked us to go to lunch with them for Chinese and we thought that sounded like a good idea. I came home with a to-go box… It has been in the 40’s today. It isn’t supposed to be winter yet… I forgot to take my afternoon medicines; I have been doing that pretty often… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, October 10, 2009

I have been lazy today, didn’t even get dressed… Dave and I watched the OU/Baylor game and OU won… We had a busy chat this afternoon. I think about everyone was there… I tried a couple times to watch a movie but I couldn’t follow them so I gave up… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, October 09, 2009

Happy Birthday Kenny!!! Kenny is our youngest son who lives here in Piedmont… This morning I was busy getting ready for the maids visit . They came and the house is once again nice and clean. I hope we get to show it this weekend… Tonight we went with Kenny to eat Mexican food. Kathy wasn’t able to go she was tied up at work but made it home in time for cake and ice cream… It is 46 degrees tonight. BRRRR… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Happy Birthday David!!! David is our oldest son in Norman, Oklahoma… It has been raining all day and I am getting tired of rain and I never thought I would say that… I took a whirlpool bath, helped fix lunch, went to the DASNI chat, did laundry, and made chili for supper… Kenny came by this evening for a visit… Jeanne and Josh called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

It was a rainy cool day here… The leaves are turning and I am thinking winter is on its way… I hosted the DASNI chat and I can’t remember what else I did today but I must have done something… My cousin Beverly in Wisconsin and Lori called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

It is a sad day for me because my Aunt Florence in San Antonio passed away this morning. She would have been 93 next month. She was a dear person and we will miss her… I did laundry and helped fix supper… The sun came out today… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, October 05, 2009

It has been a miserable day, cold and rainy. I want the sunshine back… I went to see the doctor today. I found out I have a urinary tract infection. With medication I should feel better soon… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, October 04, 2009

We woke up to rain this morning and very cool temperatures. We didn’t get out of the 50’s today. I turned on the heat… Kenny called to ask us to go with him and Kathy to meet up with a builder and view some of his homes. I am sure they will pick this builder. He is our realtor’s husband… We had lunch at Braums… I watched church services on television then I watched a movie “Witness” … Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, October 03, 2009

It is cold today, in the 60’s. I had to dig out a sweater and put on socks… I hosted the DASNI chat, folded yesterday’s laundry, and fixed supper… I played dominoes and won two out of three games… Dave fixed me a cup of hot-spiced cider that should warm me up… We will be watching the Oklahoma/Miami football game. GO BOOMER SOONERS!!! Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, October 02, 2009

This morning we left early for an appointment to see a house over by David and Lori’s. We really liked it. David and Lori met us there to see it also. Dave said we would be close to leftovers. He knows that Lori is a great cook… We left there and took them by another home that we like. Then we went to the pharmacy and commissary. I couldn’t believe we spent $300.00 on groceries. I don’t think it was that long ago that I got that many groceries for a hundred dollars… I fixed supper, did a load of laundry, dusted, and cleaned the storm door window… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Today I did two loads of laundry, chatted with friends, picked okra, and fixed supper… We went over to Kenny and Kathy’s and took the dogs. They miss seeing Sammy and Teddy. We borrowed their invisible fence. Since the rent house they live in now has a fence and they don’t need it. We need to keep our dogs from running up to their old house now that there are kids living there… We still haven’t had a showing of our house and it has been awhile since we have shown the motor home… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma