Diagnosed with Dementia and Alzheimer's, this blog is to help keep my mind active. I'll share my thoughts, current projects and interests. Negativity is not wanted, so all comments will be monitored.

Monday, November 25, 2024

Creating New Brain Pathways with Alzheimer's

I just finished my second eye surgery for cataract removal. I can't see too well right now but I am so thankful to have finally found a doctor that listened to what I was saying and took the time to find the problem I am a happy person.

 I do forget things, like this blog even, and I noticed it on the top of my computer bar and thought I should make a post even though it appears that nobody can find it. I did contact blogger and they spent several months to give me a reason that I can't as a non-programmer even begin to understand. So, I suppose I'll just have to do this for myself. I really hoped to reach others and be useful, but for some reason, it's not meant to be. 

When I looked, I saw that I had started a post weeks ago and never finished it. Don't remember.... so: This is copied in part from a post I did on Instagram:

“High achievers, we imagine, were wired for greatness from birth. But then you have to wonder why, over time, natural talent seems to ignite in some people and dim in others.” -  Nancy Gibbs

When I went back as an adult to finally finish up my college degrees, I was struck by the fact that even though many of the students grasped the areas of study far easier than I, most of them were too overconfident to bother with assignments or to pay attention in class. I had to work so much harder than anyone. However, I walked out with three degrees while most of the smarty pants dropped out. Why? Well, I believe it’s only worth something when you have to struggle to get it.

Now, with the Alzheimer’s, the doctor told me to learn new things. He said that if it was easy it wouldn’t do my brain any good. Research has discovered that some people, when autopsied had all the markers of advanced Alzheimer’s but no symptoms. Research indicated that people who had developed a larger bank of pathways (we create them each time we learn something new) had them  to fall back on when the Alzheimer’s plaque shut down a familiar path. Great article on kinetic health AZ from July 14, 2018.  https://www.kinetichealth.ca/post/2018/07/14/preventing-dementia-independence-is-the-motivation To keep the brain muscles growing they must be worked hard.  Maybe good advice for all?

 

 

 

 

Still carving and enjoying it. But, it certainly is a messy hobby!

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