The last time you heard from me was two and a half years ago (see An absurd question from October 2019.) Mom has shared lately that it has become much harder for her to keep track of what she has written, and writing itself has become tiring. So when I offered to start sharing more…
MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment)
On this blog, I share my story of coping with an MCI diagnosis, how it has affected my lifestyle and the tools I've learned to preserve or improve my quality of life. Click here to learn what the condition is, and click here for my introduction to MCI.
An email to a friend
This post is inspired by an email I wrote recently to a close friend. It seems I’m getting ‘tired’ of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, along with knowing I will not get better—only worse. My ego reminds me of ‘what I was’ and the other side of that ego reminds me of ‘what I no longer…
Continuing decline
April 21, 2022 It seems as if my decline is increasing each day (perhaps I’ve written this before, if so I’m sorry). But I’m writing this as a reminder for my readers, as well as for myself of the fact that I have a disease that cannot be cured. A disease that feels frustrating, humiliating,…
Once again…have I written this before?
April 12, 2022 Oh, my confusion continues to increase. I can’t remember the day or the month without checking my calendar. Even as I’m typing, I’m wondering if I have written this before. I will try and write about a new topic of my current state and condition. Every day seems to bring a decline…
From the editor: Another perspective on what memory loss feels like
My name is Michelle Urbick. Virginia is a dear friend of mine, and I have served as her editor for this blog since she began writing it in 2017. I visit Virginia regularly, and we often touch on topics that relate to her writing. The last time I visited I “surprised” her a bit with…
Thoughts on a gloomy spring day
April 2, 2022 I haven’t written in a while, at least not at this computer…my laptop. But then again, what do I know? My memory condition is like a hole in a dam that expands as more and more water washes through it. I’m aware of the lapses, but these days I just brush them…
Negative thoughts and reframing my thinking
Every day I realize another ‘slip’ in my memory. Of course this is disturbing, but I do my best to brush away those thoughts as quickly as possible and replace them with positive thoughts, such as what a beautiful day it is today; the sun is out, the River is blue, the birds are feasting…
Did I write…or didn’t I?
March 1, 2022, 10:30 AM I’m so confused—again. Did I write or didn’t I? Have I had my breakfast of not? Am I still reading a book…and if so, what and where is it? My days are filled with questions, that no one can answer…even me. At times these struggles to ‘remember’ wear me out….
My enchanted valley
February 20, 2022 The landscape outside my window can only be described as a black and white picture of beauty: enough snow to cover the ground, while the trees on the bluffs stand sturdy, upheld by their black trunks against the contrasting pure white snow at their feet. Even the frozen Mississippi appears still, although…
The winter days pass slowly
February 16, 2022Note: it took me three starts to correctly type the date. Oh my! Ever since learning to type in high school, I’ve not needed to look at the keys. Yet another sign of increasing dementia. The winter days pass slowly. Until this winter, I would have bundled up and taken my walks down our…