"Early Onset Alzheimer's".......

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
41

I swear I’ve felt, over the last few years, like I should get diagnosed myself. My memory is definitely going to hell, and that really sucks for someone who has never had to search for a word in her life.

I give you a big hug and hope I hold up as well as you do, 'cause I sure had no idea. :slight_smile:
BTW, regarding the visit: I wouldn’t mention it until at least a little bit of time has past. Let them see how ‘normal’ you are, and then ask them to bear with you during moments of ‘offness’. I bet they’ll be surprised, and there’s no reason to set them up with an otherwise uninformed opinion of you before you even get there.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> HUG! <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

42

Agree with all of this. We’re ALL experiencing decreased cognitive powers/memory every day. So be patient with yourself … and all of us Olde Fartes.

And ditto on the “bring it up near the END of the visit”. They may indeed not notice.
And don’t get too sappy – they’re The Master Race, not a bunch of hippies. Maybe save the “I lovvvve you guys!” for the end of the trip, too.

43

Yeah, I know I repeat myself a lot. I don’t know how to help that.

Sappy? That’s a part of me too. Don’t know what to do about that either.

My patients used to love that side of me.

Guess I must be getting in touch with my feminine side, huh?

Oh well, We can’t be all things to everyone, can we? :wink:

Q

44

Hey, I love sappy. And I can be on of those “huggy” guys*. But it does annoy other people sometimes, and I have to watch other people very closely to determine well in advance if they’re the open, demonstrative type that’d like a hug, or appreciate me baring my soul… or if they’re the more reserved (Germanic) type who’d rather converse about food and the weather from about six feet away.

We ALL need that feedback loop that asks the question “OK, how did what I just said/did make that person feel?” It’s called being sensitive-- so ironically, NOT showing my feelings might be nicer to some people.

Have a great trip, and a great life… you got many good years left, just be patient with yourself.

*See, half of this board just clenched up, and are glad that I’m too far away to grab them in a big bear hug right now…

45

One other thing: I have been known to cry at weddings, divorces, renditions of “Danny Boy” (especially the late Johnny Cash’s) and the death of any of my pets…

And I don’t give a flying FUCK what you or anyone else thinks of me because of this.

Bill Craig

3.13.2010

Carrollton, Georgia

USA

46

We all think well of you, Quasi. Crying at weddings? What’s so unusual about that??
Please keep us posted about your travel adventures! :smiley:

47

Yeah, do start a “Quasi’s Excellent Adventure” thread here, or give us a link to a blog.

And if my post elicited The Big Blue F-Word, sorry! Just trying to help.

Bon Voyage!

48

Mythical?

49

It doesn’t matter.

“Nothing Matters, And What If It Did?” :slight_smile:

I guess what my poor addled mind is trying to do is give you, pretty much my only real-life friends, some idea of who I am, what my loves and hates are and what makes me tick, in other words.

Is this selfish?

It’s not rhetorical, I want an answer, please - and don’t worry, you won’t piss me off! :slight_smile:

I need very much to leave behind something other than just an urn of ashes dropped into the Rhein and Danube after I go, but I seem to keep fucking up so much, I think I’ll be remembered more for those things than anything else.

In conclusion, I know I must seem like the senile old uncle telling the same tales over and over and thinking it’s the first time, but I really don’t know I do that until it is brought to my attention here, where my friends are.

My family tends to ignore/humor me when that happens.

Is that a good or bad thing, when my dear D forgets herself and says, “I told you not 5 minutes ago!”

It’s not a “good thing” (IMO), because I don’t seem to learn anything from it! :slight_smile:

I don’t know what to tell y’all: If my repetetivity (?) bothers you, then just ignore me. My feelings won’t be hurt, I promise!

One of the advantages of posting here is that we can’t see each other (although I would very much like to). But for someone like me, who truly loves people - whatever their shortcomings - it is a handicap.

Well, it’s time for me to jack off. Hope I can get it hard enough for more than just a few pumps.

(Or maybe I’ll get lucky and my arthritis will set in in my dick - but then D might not be home!)

See? I’m fucked in all kindsa ways! :):):slight_smile:

None of them good!

And that’s why I like having y’all to talk to!

Thanks

Q

50

Don’t you go picking on one of my favorite people. Be nice to him, he’s a really good guy.

:slight_smile:

(That’s what my husband basically says to me when I call myself “stupid” or something!)

51

… in D.C. and I could use some moral support from my friends here. I’ll have about 10 minutes as an advocate to talk to him, and because words fail me sometimes, I am going to carry some notes on a card with me.

I am hoping not to have to refer to them and D will be with me to answer any questions about our home life should the occasion for a Q&A after my address arise.

I used to could “talk the horns off a billy-goat”, but this scares me a little. so thanks for any good thoughts.

Bill

52

That’s awesome news, Bill! Good for you for being an advocate! You ROCK!

53

You’ll do just fine, Quasi (sending all kinds of mojo your way). It’s good that the cause of Early Onset Alzheimer’s has such an outstanding advocate.

54

Good luck, Quasi!

55

Guess I’ll have a great story to tell 'em, huh?

Q

56

We are in the same hotel (Omni Shoreham - DC) as The Beatles stayed in 64!!! I was in the same room as they had the press conference in!!! I think I may have come in my jeans!!!

Quasi

57

… as far as the EOAD is concerned. Here’s how it’s going so far:

  1. Fumbling for words (D has learned to recognize when I make a circular motion with my right hand, I’m asking for help, so she does) more often that usual.

  2. Forgetting my phone number. I tried to report an apparent drunk driver today and couldn’t think of the correct phone exchange. Dondra helped again. This time rolling her eyes at me. I notice this, but try not to say anything.

  3. Misjudging distance. I’m used to a small ramp in moving the grocery cart toward the car. This time I stepped off a raised “sidewalk” and nearly twisted my ankle.

  4. Forgetting the groceries in the car. 15 minutes after we went in the house, D, wanting to put them away asked where they were.

  5. Left the outside door open. In this heat.

I’m having a very bad day and it’s tough to get a grip, but I’m dealing with it.

PS: I give y’all these little “updates” from time just to vent, but also give you a little insight into this disease so that if you ever become a caregiver, you’ll recognize the symptoms.

But I hope you notice that I participate in other threads as well.

Thanks

Bill

58

If it makes you feel any better, Quasi, I fumble for words all the time and can’t remember my (cell) phone number either. I mean, how many times do I call myself?

While I’m only in my early 40s and don’t think I have EOAD, I find Post-It notes worth their weight in gold for reminding me about important stuff. Less important reminders are written on non-sticky plain paper which is always lost.

Glad to hear you’re well and have someone who cares nearby.

Bri2k

59

Thanks for the update, honey, and I’m sorry you had a bad day (exes and ohs)
I thought of you the other day, was telling someone the sock story.

60

I’m sorry you had a bad day. We’re all hoping for betters days