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!

I Forget. I Remember. The Cycles of Alzheimer's

Is this how it happens? This morning, for whatever reason, I began to wonder where I was born. There it was. I had no idea. I knew it was in New Jersey, but couldn't find where in my mind. Several cities popped up as possibilities, but I knew they weren't right. When I finally remembered I wasn't sure if this was really the town. 

Several days ago, I had a sudden memory of a good friend calling at dinnertime and I said I'd call her back as soon as we finished. It was like a distant memory so I asked my husband. He said that, yes, that was a couple of weeks ago. I felt terrible and called her at once. Thankfully she is a good friend and is learning to roll with it. 

If you read up about Alzheimer's, it states that if you eventually remember, you don't have Alzheimer's. Yay!! Just messin' here. Of course I have Alzheimer's. What's wrong with those people who write such nonsense. Yes, we remember one day and forget the next Just because we remember now and then does not proclaim us cured. Now wouldn't that be nice? 

Feeling antsy and anxious lately. I'm not sleeping well, to be expected, but I'm also bored even thought I am too busy to even begin to accomplish what I set out to do each day. I guess I can only describe it as waiting for the other shoe to fall. Life has, for most of us, been a series of challenges and trials to overcome and learn from. I suppose smooth sailing makes me a bit nervous. I just sense that another challenge awaits. If we are not challenged, however, I believe that it means our purpose has been fulfilled and there's nothing left to learn. I'm sure that's not the case. So, I wait for that shoe and I'm okay with that.

I sign up for class after class online. Enthusiastic and I begin plowing through with books, papers, and note taking. Joyful. Then, after a few days in, I'm off in a totally different direction and don't look back. This leaves me unfulfilled and feeling nervous and flighty. I think I get frustrated at my inability to retain what I'm reading or learning. 

I'm reading a book now that I know I've read before, but I remember nothing. We're watching a TV series that we've watched before, but I remember nothing. Getting frustrating.

On a brighter side:

So, did I mention that I've gotten into woodcarving lately? I have no idea where that came from except that it is something that I've never done, so.......