Thursday, June 17 , 2021 Dementia is a terrible disease—truly terrible at least in the early stages, when one realizes what they don’t remember. I know this sounds strange, but it feels even more strange. I have bits and pieces of memories, but few details. Adding to the frustration, I not only know that I…
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.
Musing about dementia
Thursday, June 10, 2021 Writing after a hiatus is more difficult with each post. This morning (almost noon) my mind is once again in a muddle. It feels like disconnected pieces are floating around in my head—not landing, but swirling as though they are trying to find where they belong. Obviously, my dementia is increasing—or…
Reflections
May 25, 2021 A very disturbing morning. Confused, sad, tearful, shaky; did I say sad? Yes, sad. I met Steven in the kitchen, getting coffee and then he went off to a phone meeting in his room. Now I’m sitting with coffee and tears. Bad dreams last night; fear and anxiety this morning. Things are…
Spring mood, part II: Feeling sorry for myself
Part I can be found here. This post is the “downer” counter-part to last week’s post about my thoughts on a glorious spring day. Together, they help create a balanced picture of what my moods have been like lately. This post might be particularly suited for caregivers, who want to read one description of what…
Spring mood, part I: Thoughts on a glorious spring day
After I wrote this post, I questioned whether it sounded too bubbly, flowery and positive. I said so when I sent it to my editor for feedback. A few days later I sent another post, written in an entirely different tone. She pointed out that maybe these two posts were created to hold hands with…
My interview with Keith (a “piler”)
Since my recent post about Filers and Pilers has created such interest, I thought it might be interesting to ask Keith to speak about being a “piler”—and living with a filer who has now developed significant memory issues… Keith’s words: These are some of my natural tendencies as a piler: I have many ideas of…
Filers and pilers
Before MCI and dementia set in, my most recent career was consulting with businesses and organizations regarding employee and manager relations. One of the consistently helpful and popular presentations I did was on the topic of “Pilers and Filers.” I focused on this topic because it was a universal pain point for employees and manager….
Thoughts on interacting with a loved one who has memory issues
I keep a list of topics that I want to write about next to my computer. Recently one topic caught my eye: Write about what/when/how to visit with someone who has dementia—from my perspective and experience. In some ways this topic is an ongoing, ever changing learning experience, as COVID isolation and social distancing is…
Solitude
February 2, 2021 Most of the world is practicing social distancing, a new and extremely difficult experience for humans, who it is said cannot survive without human contact and communication. As witnessed by the worst punishment foisted on a prisoner—solitary confinement—and the detrimental decline it can have on the elderly and disabled. Every day I…
Fortitude. Forecasting. Future.
Fortitude. I adore this word. I like repeating its three syllables; they sound strong as I say them aloud, and unconsciously I find myself standing straighter. I easily recall my Mother’s fortitude when she was dying of stomach cancer. No complaints, whining or feeling sorry for herself. No, she was strong and stoic. I so…