Your Low-Stress Guide to Leveling-Up Your Bedtime Routine
Are You Burnt Out or Depressed?
I started having problems with my memory 17 years ago, when I was 49 years old.
I definitely had a lot of irons in the fire.
My instinct was to hide my memory problems as best I could.
I started taking extensive notes to cover up my faulty memory.
But it wasnt always easy to hide.
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Or someone would ask for prayer and I couldnt remember exactly what it was they were going through.
It was really mortifying at times.
I got in the car to drive to the cemetery and couldnt remember the way.
Whats worse, I couldnt even remember the name of the deceased.
I started feeling panicked, knowing that there was a grieving family waiting for me to start the service.
Ultimately, it prompted me to make an appointment with my doctor to find out what was going on.
Could it be a head injury?
He had all sorts of theories, none of which ultimately checked out.
Even though Alzheimers runs in my familymy mother had itit wasnt considered at first.
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Ultimately, it took eight years for me to get a diagnosis at age 57.
They measured everything from my neuro-cognitive functioning to my processing speed.
It was a humbling experience.
When I got that news, I just started to cry.
It was a lot to think about.
What was most important to me was that I not be a burden to my kids.
I decided that Alzheimers was something I better learn more about, considering I had it.
I started taking classes withThe Alzheimers Association,which were held at a local community center.
I drove there for my first class and just sat in the parking lot and cried.
It all felt like too much.
Some of my classes have been in-person lectures, others have been on-line.
I do as many of the assignments as I am able.
This helps break down stigma and other barriers.
The dean was so kind to me when I told her about my diagnosis.
Something that I am no longer able to do now is read books.
I used to love reading so much.
But now, every time I pick up a novel, I cant remember what I read before.
There was still a lot Icoulddo to focus on instead.
The more scientists learn about the brain, the better.
I enrolled in an observational study in 2010 called the Alzheimers Disease Neuro-Imaging Initiative (ADNI).
Its a longitudinal study and it involves state-of-the-art MRIs and PET Scans.
I also opted-in for additional lumbar punctures and have signed a consent for a post-mortem study of my brain.
Other than participating in these studies, I am not pursuing any specific types of treatment.
After preaching the importance of faith during hard times for decades, Im living it now.
My relationship with my kids has changed since my diagnosis.
We talk about the future more.
They know that after I die that I want my brain to be donated to science to be studied.
We didnt really talk about those sorts of things before.
And a few years ago, Emily and I had a wonderful trip to Toronto.
It was just as wonderful to experience them again.
If you have Alzheimers, my advice is to look for helpers along the way.
Thats a lesson straight fromMister Rogers Neighborhood.
There are amazing organizations that can offer support and advice for you and your loved ones.
And people in your life can be helpers, too.
I no longer hide my diagnosis from others or give a shot to cover up my memory problems.
If I cant remember someone or something, Im honest about it.
This is another reason why its so important that the condition is studied.
There is still a lot of hope and life left for us yet.
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