My Brush with Dementia

 My grandmother, Memaw, died in 1966 after suffering years of mental decline. I always feared what she had for myself and for my mother. Mama said the doctors said Memaw had hardening of the arteries. 

Later, in the 80s my mother saw some popular talk show that described Alzheimer's. She said it described her mother completely. So, we were convinced she died of Alzheimer's. I still fear it.

At one doctor's visit in 2020, I complained to my doctor that I had trouble reading aloud. I attributed it to the swelling of my tongue and inside cheeks. She said I should go to a neurologist and referred me to one. So, I have spent over a year fearing that I had dementia. 

When I went to the neurologist a week ago, he wanted to know why I was referred to him. I explained to him that I can speak perfectly well. I can read silently. But, when I read aloud I stumble over words and leave out syllables of words I know. I told him I thought the other doctor thought I had Alzheimer's and that I feared it because my grandmother died, diagnosed with hardening of the arteries long before Alzheimer's was identified. 

I also told him I feared the test where I might be given five disparate words and be asked later what the words were. I told him I made a mental list of 3 grocery items, a list I made, and could not remember two of the three! Well, he laughed. I also told him I often called my children by their sibling's name. But, in all fairness my father called us by a half-sister's name. So, I came by it honestly. He asked me if I knew my children's names. I thought that was an odd question--of course I do. This calling by the wrong name started when I had the second child, way back in my twenties. 

Finally, he said he had listened and talked to me for thirty minutes and did not detect any signs of mental decline or dementia. He said that at this point I did not have any worries. Whew! 

(By the way, I bite my tongue and the inside of my cheeks all the time!)

So, there is my brush with dementia. It is exciting to me that nothing is wrong. 

It was too cool and damp today to spray the cardinal, but I sprayed it anyway and brought it directly inside. So, maybe the paint job will hold up. This will be my friends' Christmas present. 

So, I suppose my brush with dementia was all in my mind. And, I guess it would be in my mind if I had it...lol.

Dinner tonight was baked chicken breast with spices, leftover carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery, leftover coleslaw. 

I am mailing my last batch of Christmas cards today. So, Christmas is on the way.