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Leah Living With It has vascular dementia A former teacher, majorette. A wife, mother of one, grandmother of... Send Message Subscribe: Leah

Monday, September 24, 2007
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My name is Leah, and I was diagnosed with dementia just a short time ago. At 58, going on 59 years of age, I was totally devastated with the news and decided to throw myself a pity party lasting almost a month. I wailed inwardly, "What have I gotten my husband into?" (We have been marr...

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thank you
Cathrynn
Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 03:31 PM

Thank you, Leah, this really is so insightful. I have a fear, lately, that I could have dementia later on, as it is so in the family - vascular dementia like you - my memory is not as it used to be. But I wont think of that just now - I just will look so much forward to reading more in your blogs.....

Cathrynn X

re: thank you
Leah
Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 05:04 PM

Bless you, Cathrynn. I'm glad you enjoy reading my blogs. Hope to keep you informed and entertained!
Leah

re: re: thank you
Cathrynn
Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 06:15 PM
..........in touch soon.....Cathrynn X

Compliments to you on your recent blog...
Anonymous
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 01:23 AM

Dear Leah,
     Who, but an educator would take such a difficult turn-of-events and flexibly craft an opportunity to make them a "teaching moment"? Good for you! Speaking about the subject from the "inside out" takes a large dose of heroism, from my perspective. I appreciate your candor and bravery.
     I, too, have spent my adult life in the education of others' children...36 years, pushing real hard on number 37 in January. I'm not sure how many more I have in me as Congress discusses NCLB's positive and negative issues. Teaching is just not as much fun as when I began, in many respects, but it continues to be an important skill to share.
     I hope to read another of your blogs in the near future. Until then, I bid you God's blessings,
Penny

Teaching
Leah
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 03:02 AM

I believe you've hit the nail on the head and in such a succint way. I ate, slept, breathed teaching. It's all I ever wanted to do. There was such a void in my life when I left it. I tried to keep in touch by substituting, but this dementia got in the way. I hadn't really thought of what I am doing now as teaching...but you are right. Writing gives me such peace and pleasure. Yes...I am teaching!
Thank you for that insight!
Leah

Leah&#39;s dementia
nick tompanis
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 05:59 AM
Leah, I too am an elementary teacher with more than 30 years teaching experience, and understand your frustration with what is currently taking place within our public schools. It is our children that I really feel empathetic towards because it is they that must face the dire consequences of what is now taking place. While much can be done to reverse this No Child policy, the good news is that much can also be done for what you are currently experiencing with dementia through holistic therapy. While there are no guaranteed cures, altering many nutritional and lifestyle habits that deter our optimal health may and can help improve your current status. Please go to my website: www.curiouslife.net/nickforhealth and send me an email if you wish. Best of luck, nick tompanis

re: Leah
Leah
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 09:23 AM

Thank you, Nick. I will be checking out your website soon!
Leah

re: re: Leah
nick tompanis
Sunday, September 30, 2007 at 09:28 AM

Leah,
Few folks realize what a tremendous impact your lifestyle habits have on your overall health, including whether or not one succumbs to dementia. Let me know what you ate yesterday for breakfast, lunch, dinner and what you had for snacks - every thing you ate and drank for the day, as well as what you did for exercise. That will give us a baseline for assessing your eating habits. If you can tell me your current weight, height (without shoes), and if you know your cholesterol numbers including Total, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides, that would be very useful as well. Improving your nutritional and exercise habits has a DIRECT effect on how you feel each day. By eliminating foods you should not be eating and eating foods you ought to be eating, you can go a long way to improving your health and how you feel. Fees? Sure - buying and eating the foods that prevent disease and preserve your health - directly from your local grocery store. It's time to begin enjoying your retirement, nick :))))

re: re: re: Leah
Leah
Sunday, September 30, 2007 at 11:54 AM

I am trying real hard, Nick, to watch what I eat. Since I am diabetic, I am keeping a pretty good eye on carbs, etc. Now as for exercising...that is something that I am going to start this week, so you should see references to it in upcoming blogs. You are so right about diet and exercise...Thanks for your correspondence! I hope to hear from you as the blog progresses!
Leah

re: re: re: re: Leah
nick tompanis
Sunday, September 30, 2007 at 02:14 PM

Dear Ms. Leah,
I'm wondering if you've had a chance to go through my website at www.curiouslife.net/nickforhealth If you would allow me, I would very much like to work with you to help you improve both your dietary habits and exercise habits. I can offer you many stratgies that will allow you to drop any unwanted pounds - without feeling hungry, while you learn to make exercise as part of your daily life. I would need you, though, to correspond with me using my regular email address which is nicktompan@gmail.com in order for me to attach a number of readings to guide you in making these lifestyle changes. I have consulted with many clients that have literally changed their lives because they have made these changes. I am not asking for anything in return, other than an improvement in your current health. That is what would make each of us most happy, and this can be accomplished by allowing your body to recieve the nutritional and physical support that ALL folks need in order to experience a more healthful life - that minimizes changes of dementia dominating the remainder of your life. I would like to know your current weight and height, and if you know your Total, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride numbers, those too, would be helpful. The best of luck, with or without my support. It's been good chatting with you, nick tompanis

re: re: re: re: re: Leah
Leah
Sunday, September 30, 2007 at 04:57 PM

HI, Nick. I have just visited your website and enjoyed it very much. There are many people out there in web-ville who need help such as yours. I hope you will continue visiting OurAlzheimers.com to find the latest each week.
Leah

My Sister
Janice Stephens
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 07:54 AM

A year ago in August my sister broke her tail bone and pelvic bone and since has been diagnosed with 5 bulging disks which cannot be repaired. Since the injury she has spent much time in bed and is now on disability retirement. She has been on dedicated pain medication since her injury but also on pain medication off and on for many years because of different injuries. She was a secretary. She is bipolar. I am extremely concerned because she is having memory problems. Her daughter is accusing her of abusing the pain meds (which she has done because of the pain - I think she is not right now) and also of lying. I think she is having memory problems that make it seem as though she is lying. I don't want to scare her by suggesting "dimentia" because she is already very upset that she can no longer work. But she is going to live with her daughter and her daughter is definitely not sympathetic - she just accuses her of lying. I frankly am beginning to think it goes deeper than lying. The bipolar aspect has caused chronic and pathologic "lying" for many years. I am concerned about knowing where the line is - lying or dimentia. I know they are different; but at this point, are they?? She is almost 60 (on November 8th). Given her history of drug use - and abuse - is it possible to consider the dimentia factor?

re: My Sister
Leah
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 09:30 AM

Hi, Janice. I am sorry to hear about your sister, but she is lucky to have an advocate in you. I am no expert but can suggest that you go with her to her doctor to talk about your concerns. People can have more than one mental thing going on at a time, so I see no reason not to approach the situation with the doctor. As for your sister living with her daughter: from what you have written, it sounds like a caustic relationship. As her sister, you will want to keep close contact with her in order to assess the ongoing situation.
Hope I've helped! Good luck!
Leah

LEAHS BLOG RESPONSE
mary neddo
Sunday, September 30, 2007 at 03:50 PM
HELLO LEAH, Let me start by saying you are amaizing! It takes a lot of strength and courage to share this experience you are going through. I hope you know how many people you will affect in a positive way by letting us in to your life. My name is Mary, I am the social services and activities director for an Alzheimer's and Dementia unit at a long term care facility. I have dedicated the last four years of my proffesional life to learning and understanding all aspects of this disease process. I believe as a care giver the most important skill to obtain is the ability to put yourself in their position and truly feel what they are going through. I think what you are doing is wonderful! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Keep your head up, you are making a difference!

re: LEAHS BLOG RESPONSE
Leah
Sunday, September 30, 2007 at 04:54 PM

Thanks, Mary. I appreciate your kind words of encouragement. I hope you will continue to read and respond to my blog and to encourage others to do the same. May God bless you for you are doing a wonderful service to those in need.
Leah