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Hi Leah, You are indeed brave to persue your diagnosis, to learn as much as you can about it, and to ponder the affect that it will have on your family. I would be remiss if I failed to mention your wonderful supportive husband. You will make this journey together and it will be challenging for both of you. I'm hopeful that advancements in medical science will provide a cure for these conditions, or at least a medication process that will slow the advancement of the symptoms for many years.
Because your memory will decline over the months ahead, perhaps you could begin a diary of "notes to self" that will help you to remember important details in your own handwriting or saved on a computer disc. Being able to read those notes back to yourself will help to keep those memories intact, perhaps by re-learning them... even if only for the moment. In time, your diary will be useful to your family who may be wondering what kinds of things are really important to you. They could use it as a resource for refreshing your lost memories and a keepsake of your finest thoughts. Be sure to include some pictures. Visual memories of special places or events will give you comfort also, I hope.
I'm feeling sad that you have to face this problem, but it helps knowing that people who love you will be there for you. You won't be facing this alone. God bless you and your family. Best Wishes, -- Joe
You have such wonderful ideas. It is true that it helpful to have something to refresh one's memory. My family/friends keep saying, "..., you remember. Right?" And I have to increasingly say, "No, I don't". I will certainly begin to write notes. Thank you so much for your kind comments. God bless you!
Hi Leah,
I am a third year university student, and I am designing a product for someone who has been diagnosed with the early stages of dementia. I have a blog where I am collecting research and any thoughts and comments that people have along the way. I would be so grateful if you could have a look at it, and maybe help me out by adding a comment to it; I am finding it difficult to find me to make comments. I want to design a product that suits the needs of someone with dementia, and not just what I think someone should have. I am hoping that in the future this design will be made a reality. Many thanks taking the time to read this. By blog site is: http://mobilelifesystems.blogspot.com/
Clare
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Leah,
Thank you for this wonderful post. You are brave. It is indeed helpful to know the diagnosis. Not many people have the courage to think like you. People normally don't like to admit it. At times some people just don't understand how to approach this situation.
Thanks for the guide.
Take care,
Nina
I know I am probably pretty unusual, Nina. I just hope that I can give others pause for thought...
No matter what it is in life, it is always better to just face whatever must be. So often, we tend to make the problem much bigger in our mind until it is a huge demon not to be reckoned with instead of attacking it head-on, de-mystifying the problem. With knowledge can come solutions. Knowledge is power.
God bless you, Nina!