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Virginia Laken

A blog about living with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment)

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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.

Dear reader, where do you look for online support?

November 10, 2020 By Virginia Laken

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your feedback on my latest posts about my change in diagnosis from MCI to dementia. I was surprised and moved to hear how my story has helped you understand your loved ones with memory issues, and so energized by your encouragement to keep writing. Your feedback…

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Dementia is only a word

October 21, 2020 By Virginia Laken

During the days following my new diagnosis, the word dementia swirled around in my mind like a brewing thunderstorm—dark, threatening clouds looming, winds toppling my inner landscape. I was fearful of the approaching devastation, knowing I have little power to stop the oncoming storm. I can’t count how many times during those first few days…

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A change of diagnosis from MCI to dementia

October 14, 2020 By Virginia Laken

I’ve put off writing this post until I knew I could do so with clarity and without crying. In early September I received a detailed transcript of my most recent visit with my psychiatrist. I’m accustomed to getting these medical follow-ups; it’s the norm at Mayo Clinic. But I wasn’t prepared for this one. After…

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Q&A with my daughter

September 29, 2020 By Virginia Laken

A few months ago, I wrote I was going to interview my family and post their responses. I had forgotten that promise until today, when I was going through a folder I keep labelled “Possible Post Topics.” In that folder I found a typed interview I had with my daughter Beth, but had forgotten about….

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Another plateau

September 8, 2020 By Virginia Laken

I know I’ve written about acceptance before..but as the title suggests, I feel I’ve reached another plateau in my journey of memory loss and and cognitive decline: an attitude of more acceptance, characterized by a lack of remorse and even, sometimes, with a tinge of gratitude. This was clearly apparent to me last week as…

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Good conversations

August 19, 2020 By Virginia Laken

My last post was about some challenges of living with MCI. Today I’m going to write about the frequent and uplifting telephone conversations I have with my sister, Karen. She lives in Florida and is six years older than me. She’s been a wonderful big sister and friend. Oh yes, I failed to mention she,…

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Dreams versus nightmares

August 14, 2020 By Virginia Laken

I am not perfect, nor is my experience of life. I am not always happy. I often feel resentful, sad and afraid. I silently and frequently ask, Why me? Have I done something to cause this? Will I become a burden to Keith and my children? Will I need to be institutionalized? Last night I…

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Dealing with nightmares and more

August 4, 2020 By Virginia Laken

For a number of months (of course, I can’t remember the exact time period) I’ve been experiencing persistent nightmares. Horrid dreams which wake me up in a cold sweat, my heart pounding, and my mind replaying the fearful dream scenes again and again. Even as I try to recall the nightmares I can’t bring back…

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Q&A with Keith: Part 2

July 28, 2020 By Virginia Laken

Along with Part 1, this post was inspired by readers who asked me to interview my husband, Keith, as well as my children as to their reactions, feelings, concerns, and fears regarding my MCI. After reading Part 1, my editor asked for more Q&A from Keith! Here we go… Question: If you could go back…

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Q&A with Keith: Part 1

July 20, 2020 By Virginia Laken

This interview was inspired by readers who asked me to interview my husband, Keith, as well as my children as to their reactions, feelings, concerns, and fears regarding my MCI. To my readers: two days ago, while sitting at our kitchen table drinking coffee, I interviewed Keith. The following is a partial transcription of that…

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Filed Under: MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment)

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Welcome!

Virginia Laken Blog - Aging, Sexuality and MCIMy name is Virginia Laken, and my journey into intimate storytelling began during a crisis in my marriage. Follow along on my blog to read my thoughts on coping with a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

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Recent Posts

My interview with Keith (a “piler”)

Filers and pilers

Thoughts on interacting with a loved one who has memory issues

Solitude

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