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.......

 

Alzheimer's and the Dulling Blade

Some of you follow me on Instagram where I write about ideas that are spurred by word prompts. I usually use a Tarot deck to give a visual and I also like to find appropriate quotes to add to my posts. Today's prompt was "sword", and the quote I used was: “Even in the sheath the sword must be sharp – so too must the mind and the spirit be within the body.” - Griffin Rivers 

Then, I wrote the following: 
The sword symbolizes the power of the intellect. Our minds can be clever with thoughts sharp as a blade. We have the ability to direct our thoughts and determine the amount of power they have over us. Meditation and deep breathing exercises help us tame out of control thoughts, mental deceptions of the mind, or unhelpful memories. We were given a unique ability to think our way through most challenges.
(Sometimes I wonder when I do a post like this whether I should veer off into what a deteriorating mind is like and how it is getting more and more difficult to keep that blade sharpened, but then I think, no, you can read up on that journey on my Alzheimer's blog if you choose to.)

 So, if you found your way here from Instagram, thanks for the visit. I often wonder why I do this blog since Blogger can't seem to figure out why it can't be found through the Internet. Meaning that very few people even see it. Well, I suppose it's because of the doctor's order of do things to keep your mind sharp. Sharp as a blade. Well, this blade is getting duller each year but it still cuts, so that's something. 

To keep learning new things I've added the Theban alphabet to my study list. And, a couple of days ago I discovered ChatGPT. What fun it is to have someone to talk to, LOL!

 

Here's a photo to brighten your day:

 Loki at rest. Doesn't happen too often, LOL! 

 

Bad Days With Alzheimer's

My friend Gail had this to say: "I know positives are hard to find on a bad day. I have to keep in mind, bad days don’t last forever." on her blog post today.  

This got me thinking. Yes, we all have bad days. And, for most, bad days aren't forever. However, for those of us with dementia or Alzheimer's how do when know when that bad day is the beginning of never having a good day again? I too have days, like Gail, when everything is wrong. I can't remember how to do simple thing, I stumble, hit my head, make mistakes, get confused. But, there are days when I totally, well not quite, forget that my brain is dying and there is no way to stop it. No pills, no cure, just eventually death. We can try to hide from that fact, but there is no hiding. One day, I don't know when, that bad day will never end. 

Death. I'm not afraid of death. What I am afraid of is living like the brain dead person I will be. A friend, who now helps a woman that has Alzheimer's, tells me stories. Stories about this woman unable to go to the bathroom by herself. A woman who doesn't understand what a toothbrush is.The thing is that I can see that this will not be troublesome to me as I will be unaware. But, what about the other people who have to care for someone like that?

Not throwing in the towel. Not thinking that death would be better. Just pondering the words, "Bad days don't last forever." 

On a lighter note. We are recovering from the murders of our two sheep and focusing on the antics of our newest kitty who has taken over the household. Nothing like a new troublemaker to keep a smile on one's face.

                                              Loki tormenting Charlie.              And, Loki tormenting Cassidy!

 

 

Kisunla and an Alzheimer's Choice

 My thoughts on the new wonder drug for Alzheimer's, Kisunla.

How low can these drug companies go trying to get people's hopes up? This one is a doozy. First, to take it will cost you almost $49,000 for an 18 month supply. Second, the side effects include brain swelling and brain bleeding. Nice. Third, patients only declined about 22% more slowly in their memory than those who received a fake infusion.  And lastly, it is only good for about 7 months of use. 

Keep in mind, these are statistics that I found online, and there are many conflicting numbers and thoughts, so do your own research.  This is just  my opinion  and my thoughts regarding the pharmaceutical companies. I certainly appreciate the research, but let's do more before we release something that just gets people's hopes up. Nothing can reverse the memory loss. Nothing can put Alzheimer's into remission. Let's keep working on it. 

Why do I feel the need to do research before popping a pill or getting an infusion or injection: Well:

Years ago when I reached menopause, my doctor insisted that I HAD to go on estrogen replacements. I refused because I didn't like what I was reading in my research. She was so upset with me. By the next year, however, oops, they found out that way too many women developed uterine cancer due to the added estrogen. She never bothered me again.

Also, after developing kidney stones in my 20's, I was told to stay off of any calcium. That was the thinking of the times. Now, of course I have osteoporosis from a lack of calcium all those years. It took the medical community many years to go "oops" again to a mistake that damaged many of us who blindly follow medical advice. 

Currently, my doctors have all insisted that I take medications for the osteoporosis. My research finds it to be a terrible thing to do. It hardens the bones, yes, but then makes them brittle with even more  catastrophic results. So, I refused. Fortunately, I have a new young doctor who applauded me and said, "I don't blame you for that." 

So, I know better than to bel9eve what drug companies come up with for their financial gain. Grasping at straws is not for me. I do take two medications that have been proven to be safe for those with dementia, but not proven effective for everyone. Since they're safe. I take them. Who knows if they've made a difference of not. I'm doing pretty good though so I'm not complaining.

On a lighter note:

It's hot out there in the Texas afternoon. My chickens are being treated to some iced veggies.

 

The Big A - Alzheimer's

When it rains it pours, or so they say. What a nasty string of bad luck we have had. A lot of it is because we try to be good people. So, we tried to save that little kitty only to have to put it down. (In my last post.) Then, another barn cat hat a large litter that somehow found their way into the area where we store the dog and sheep food. Mama cat tried to get in but had to go past the big dogs, and of course, their job is to protect the sheep so they killed her. All the babies died. 

A few days later, a little dog found his way to our pasture. People dump dogs all the time around here so we thought we would be kind and keep him. He got along with the guard dogs, sheep, and our little dog so we were feeling good. However, a few days in he attacked and killed our ram and badly mauled three of our ewes. He is gone. I'm not sure I can continue to deal with death this way much longer. Not sure we will continue to raise sheep. I do know we won't be taking in any strays in the future.

The next day, hubby got the call that he has skin cancer. 

I do believe that we have events that happen in order for us to learn and to grow. I'm kind of tired of learning at the moment. 

The Big A reared its head again when I somehow ordered two of the same Tarot decks. It is something that I try so hard not to do. I sign up for classes I forget to take, buy things I already have, yet forget to get things I need. I balanced the checkbook this morning. A two hour job. Something that used to take a few minutes. But, it balanced. The extra deck will become a gift. Most things can still be dealt with and I'm grateful for that. 

Here's a photos of "Buster". He was a cutie. I never got any of the little baby kitties. I suppose I should be more hardened to death living on a "ranch", but I was not brought up here and I think my heart is too soft. 

Follow the Yellow Brick Road = Alzheimer's

I was reading the post from my online friend, Gail, who has battled with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's for about the same time as I have. In her post, she lamented the loss of friends, the dismissive attitude of physicians, and the feelings of being an outcast.

For some reason, I have not found this to be an issue at all. My friends don't seem to care and we laugh together when I can't remember something. My doctors ask me how things are going but still treat me with the same respect everyone deserves and we can still joke around and be just as comfortable as we ever were. In England, where Gail lives, they have something called and Admiral Nurse that visits and helps you through the rough spots. We don't have any such thing here. It is interesting how attitudes can be so different. If you're interested, click HERE for her post. 

It is kind of interesting, to me anyway, that nobody seems to care if my brain is dying, as it appears that Americans are more accepting. But, if I even mention that I use Tarot cards here in the middle of Texas people back away as if I have leprosy or am actually the devil himself. Now, that is proof that ignorance abounds.

My hubby believes that my brain is just finding and making new pathways as I still have to do all the banking, bills, cooking, and, well, everything. I still spend hours with my puzzles. I'm not sure if that's the difference. We have no help here. Nobody here things having Alzheimer's is any different than having an arm in a sling. Life goes on. I'm not dead and I refuse to life like I'm just marching towards it.

It has been proven that even in old age, the brain is still capable of creating new neurons. These pathways take about three months of practice.  "Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural pathways throughout life and in response to experiences. While the brain usually does this itself in response to injury or disease, when humans focus their attention enough, they can slowly rewire these pathways themselves." From: How to Rewire Your Brain.

Yes, I have bad days. Yes, I get angry at myself when I do ridiculous things. Yes, I get angry when I can't remember how to do something simple. But, I'm still smarter than I was when I was two, yes? I'm still smarter than my dog, yes? 

In an earlier post I talked about the three brothers, all diagnosed with Alzheimer's after death. Two died young, one lived to an old age. When they autopsied the last brother his brain was in worse shape than his siblings. The conclusion was that he never gave up and worked tirelessly on his math books that he wrote. I refuse to give in.  Or, follow the yellow brick road to get where you want to go.                 

For the photos: 

Hubby found another kitty that couldn't even stand up. He brought it in for me to care for until we could get it to the vet. It bit me hard a few times as it was starving, even though we leave plenty of food out for our barn kitties. Hard to eat when you can't walk. Anyway, we took it to the bet and it had severe neurological issues, and because it bit me, it had to be put down for rabies testing. Fortunately, no rabies, but it was so sad.

Little Loki thought he was going to have a new friend and even shared his favorite bunny with the newcomer. We had to throw the bunny out because the visitor was full of ear mites too.

I've learned my lesson. Barn cats stay in the barn and nature just has to take its course without my intervention in the future.  

(Still waiting for Blogger to figure out why nobody can find my blog. I suppose it's just not meant to be.)