From The Mountain Tops - WE WILL BE HEARD!!!

From: Alana Rogers <ARogers@Biosector2.com>
To: JosephPotocny@yahoo.com
Sent: Thu, February 3, 2011 7:57:16 AM
Subject: National Family Caregivers Association Joins 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer's 

Dear Joseph,

Knowing your interest in Alzheimer’s disease and family caregivers, I wanted to share with you a recent update on The 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything campaign. 

To kick off 2011 – The Year of the Family Caregiver – the Alzheimer’s Immunotherapy Program of Pfizer Inc. and Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy today announced the addition of the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), an organization that empowers family caregivers to act on behalf of themselves and their loved ones, as a supporter of The 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything campaign. 

NFCA joins the campaign just as alpine mountaineer and Alzheimer’s disease advocate Alan Arnette successfully summitted Aconcagua in Argentina, his second climb of the 7 Summits.  From the top of the summit, Alan dedicated his Aconcagua climb to family caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s (you can listen to his audio dispatch here:http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2011/01/29/audio-dispatch-from-aconcagua-5/). 

As you may already know, Alan is seeking to climb the 7 Summits, the highest peak on each continent, in order to help raise awareness of the enormous financial and personal burden Alzheimer’s places on people with the disease, their family caregivers and society.  With two summits completed in just a few months, Alan is well on his way to achieving his ambitious goal. 

Alan was his mother’s caregiver during the time she lived with the disease and knows only too well that the burden of caring for these people often falls to family members and friends:

·         In the U.S., an estimated 10.9 million unpaid caregivers see to the daily needs of people struck by Alzheimer’s

·         In 2009, these caregivers provided about 12.5 billion hours of care 

·         Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming, and research shows that caregivers themselves are often at an increased risk for depression and illness

·         In the U.S. the indirect and direct costs of caring for people with Alzheimer’s are estimated to be more than $ 100 billion a year

Alzheimer’s disease, the nation’s 6th most deadly disease, gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities like bathing and eating.  Alan hopes to raise $1 million to go directly to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund™, and now NFCA to advance Alzheimer’s research and provide support for family caregivers, respectively. 

You can follow Alan’s journey and encourage people to donate to his cause by visiting www.Climb4AD.com orwww.Facebook.com/Climb4AD.  Additional information is included in the press statement below.  Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to speak with Suzanne Mintz, president and CEO of NFCA, or with Alan.

Best,

Alana

Alana Rogers

Biosector 2

450 West 15^th Street, 6^th Floor

New York, NY 10011

P 212.845.5627

F 212.845.5650

www.biosector2.com

*****************************************************

Below please find press statements issued on February 3, 2011 by Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy and Pfizer Inc. of the Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program about The 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything campaign.

National Family Caregivers Association Supports Advocate in His Mission to Raise Awareness of the Burden of Alzheimer’s Disease

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO (February 3, 2011) – Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy, together with its collaborator on the Alzheimer’s Immunotherapy Program, Pfizer Inc., is pleased to announce the addition of the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), an organization that empowers family caregivers to act on behalf of themselves and their loved ones, as a supporter of The 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything campaign.  NFCA joins the campaign just as alpine mountaineer and Alzheimer’s disease advocate Alan Arnette successfully summitted Aconcagua in Argentina, his second climb of the 7 Summits.  Through this campaign, Alan is seeking to climb the 7 Summits, the highest peak on each continent, in order to help raise awareness of the enormous financial and personal burden Alzheimer’s places on people with the disease, their family caregivers and society.  In addition, he hopes to raise $1 million.  The funds he raises will go directly to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund™, and now NFCA to advance Alzheimer’s research and support for family caregivers, respectively.  It is estimated that more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s and approximately 10.9 million unpaid caregivers see to their daily needs.

“The NFCA’s participation in this campaign spotlights the vital and expanding role of the Alzheimer’s caregiver, which is why we are so glad they have joined this effort,” said Stef Heylen, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research and Development for Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy, on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Immunotherapy Program.  “Through their participation in the 7 Summits campaign, NFCA will be able to reach even more family caregivers, providing education, support and a public voice.”

Prior to Aconcagua, Alan summitted the first of the 7 Summits -- Mt. Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica -- in December.  Coming up in April, Alan is planning to summit Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world.  The Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program of Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy and Pfizer Inc. is funding Alan’s climbs so that all money he raises from donations will go directly to the organizations he has selected.  You can track Alan’s progress or make a donation to one of his chosen charities by visiting www.Climb4AD.com or www.Facebook.com/Climb4AD.

“2011 marks the Year of the Caregiver, and as such, we are thrilled to join Alan in his efforts to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and the burden it places on family caregivers,” said Suzanne Mintz, president and CEO of NFCA.  “We applaud Alan for his commitment, perseverance and tireless advocating for the AD community.”

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, with another person newly diagnosed every 70 seconds.  The burden of caring for these patients often falls to family members.  Last year, these family caregivers provided about 12.5 billion hours of unpaid care.

Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program

The Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program of Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy and Pfizer Inc. is an equal collaboration committed to researching and developing selective products for the treatment and/or prevention of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease.

The Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program believes that it is possible to reduce the burden of disease through early intervention in the illness.  It is dedicated to delivering comprehensive and integrated solutions that help address the needs of people impacted by Alzheimer’s disease.

Its research focuses on the beta amyloid hypothesis.  Scientific evidence supports the idea that preventing the accumulation and/or promoting the removal of beta-amyloid may have the potential to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and help preserve function in people with the disease.  This theory is being tested inclinical trials.

                                                                                                         

Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy

Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy is researching, developing and commercializing selective products for the treatment and/or prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.  Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy is based in Dublin and has R&D facilities in South San Francisco.

National Family Caregivers Association

National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) envisions an America in which family caregivers lead full and productive lives, free from depression, pain, isolation, and financial distress.  NFCA provides family caregivers support, education, and a public voice.

Cure Alzheimer's Fund

The Cure Alzheimer's Fund is a non-profit public charity established to provide funding for targeted research into the causes of Alzheimer’s disease.  The Cure Alzheimer’s Fund exists exclusively to fund targeted research to hasten the slowing, stopping or reversing of Alzheimer’s disease.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ellen Rose                                                                                                           

Office: 650-794-2546

Mobile: 650-491-4901

erose@janimm.com                      

www.janimm.com

____________________________

National Family Caregivers Association Supports Advocate in His Mission to Raise Awareness of the Burden of Alzheimer’s Disease

NEW YORK (February 3, 2011) – Pfizer Inc., together with its collaborator on the Alzheimer’s Immunotherapy Program, Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy, is pleased to announce the addition of the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), an organization that empowers family caregivers to act on behalf of themselves and their loved ones, as a supporter of The 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything campaign.  NFCA joins the campaign just as alpine mountaineer and Alzheimer’s disease advocate Alan Arnette successfully summitted Aconcagua in Argentina, his second climb of the 7 Summits.  Through this campaign, Alan is seeking to climb the 7 Summits, the highest peak on each continent, in order to help raise awareness of the enormous financial and personal burden Alzheimer’s places on people with the disease, their family caregivers and society.  In addition, he hopes to raise $1 million.  The funds he raises will go directly to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund™, and now NFCA to advance Alzheimer’s research and support for family caregivers, respectively.  It is estimated that more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s and approximately 10.9 million unpaid caregivers see to their daily needs.

“As the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s increases over the next few decades, so too will the burden of this devastating disease on family caregivers, which is why continued resources and support are essential,” said Gregory Rippon, MD, MS, Senior Director, Specialty Neuroscience, Clinical Development & Medical Affairs, Pfizer, on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Immunotherapy Program.  “We are excited that NFCA has joined this effort, as their participation expands the reach of the 7 Summits campaign to focus on this critical audience.” 

Prior to Aconcagua, Alan summitted the first of the 7 Summits -- Mt. Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica -- in December.  Coming up in April, Alan is planning to summit Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world.  The Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program of Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy and Pfizer Inc. is funding Alan’s climbs so that all money he raises from donations will go directly to the organizations he has selected.  You can track Alan’s progress or make a donation to one of his chosen charities by visiting www.Climb4AD.com or www.Facebook.com/Climb4AD.

“2011 marks the Year of the Caregiver, and as such, we are thrilled to join Alan in his efforts to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and the burden it places on family caregivers,” said Suzanne Mintz, president and CEO of NFCA.  “We applaud Alan for his commitment, perseverance and tireless advocating for the AD community.”

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, with another person newly diagnosed every 70 seconds.  The burden of caring for these patients often falls to family members.  Last year, these family caregivers provided about 12.5 billion hours of unpaid care.

Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program

The Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program of Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy and Pfizer Inc. is an equal collaboration committed to researching and developing selective products for the treatment and/or prevention of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease.

The Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program believes that it is possible to reduce the burden of disease through early intervention in the illness.  It is dedicated to delivering comprehensive and integrated solutions that help address the needs of people impacted by Alzheimer’s disease.

Its research focuses on the beta amyloid hypothesis.  Scientific evidence supports the idea that preventing the accumulation and/or promoting the removal of beta-amyloid may have the potential to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and help preserve function in people with the disease.  This theory is being tested in clinical trials.

Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier world™

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health and well-being at every stage of life.  We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals.  Our diversified global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world’s best-known consumer products.  Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time.  Consistent with our responsibility as the world’s leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us.  To learn more about our commitments, please visit us at www.pfizer.com.

National Family Caregivers Association

National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) envisions an America in which family caregivers lead full and productive lives, free from depression, pain, isolation, and financial distress.  NFCA provides family caregivers support, education, and a public voice.

Cure Alzheimer's Fund

The Cure Alzheimer's Fund is a non-profit public charity established to provide funding for targeted research into the causes of Alzheimer’s disease.  The Cure Alzheimer’s Fund exists exclusively to fund targeted research to hasten the slowing, stopping or reversing of Alzheimer’s disease.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Victoria Davis

Global Media Relations         

Office: 212-733-3227

Mobile: 347-558-3455

Victoria.Davis@pfizer.com

www.pfizer.com

# # #

Read More

When Counting Blessings—Count Your Friends

I walked into church Sunday and heard someone call out “Hey, girlfriend!” Looking around, I spotted a woman from last Wednesday’s “Girlfriends Guide to Christian Living” class.

Her greeting made me smile with the memory of the evening spent with a new group of girlfriends of all ages. Last Wednesday, we listed the qualities of a girlfriend. The leader, Jo Perusich, wrote them on a whiteboard. The women called out: Honesty, Loyalty, Steadfastness, Can keep a secret, and Bathroom Buddy.

“Bathroom Buddy. I love it!” Jo said.

“Yes,” said the youngest member of the group, Bethany. “When you go to the bathroom, she gets up without you asking so you don’t have to walk across the room by yourself.”

Jo asked us several thought-provoking questions and we were to write the name of a friend and the incident. When we finished, she asked what we had discovered.

“I was surprised that I thought of certain people as friends,” said one woman.

“I noticed the same name came up several time in different roles,” said another.

The homework assignment was to connect with a girlfriend and tell her that you considered her a blessing, a gift of God, and how much you value the friendship. I thought about this and had an old friend in mind.

Sunday morning, I sat beside Sheila, the Memory Walk Coordinator, and shared the news that our walk total was now more than $18,000. After the services, she and I talked all the way to the lobby where we parted. We hugged each other, and suddenly I knew who I needed to share the message with. I took her hands, looked her in the eye, and told her that she was a real blessing in my life.

She got tears in her eyes and said, “You don’t know how much that means to me.”

I am so thankful that Jo challenged us to put into words how precious friends are to us and how much our lives are enriched through giving and receiving the love of friends.

When Jim developed dementia, I lost my best friend in the world. He was the person who always had my back, was always on my side, no matter how misguided I might be. Strangely enough, it was because of Jim’s dementia that my circle of friendship grew.

First, I became closer to my other female family members as they pitched in to help me. I became close friends with women I met through my Alzheimer’s volunteer work including three women I met in Washington DC. We called ourselves the four musketeers. My connection with these women—Jane from New York, Sarah from Virginia, and Kathy from Maryland—would never have happened if I hadn’t gone to the Alzheimer’s Advocacy Forum.

The friendship circle grows through my involvement in writers groups, in my business women’s group, and through work and work-related conferences. We have limitless opportunities to grow our relationships with friends. With each new friendship we open up our hearts to the blessing of giving and receiving.

In this busy, busy world we may not have as much time for friends as we would like. It is amazing how much a lagging spirit can be rejuvenated by squeezing an hour from our schedules to spend quality time with close friends.

copyright (c) October 2010 L.S. Fisher
http://earlyonset.blogspot.com

Read More

Yes Two Days in a Row.

Well I am not going to tell you why today, but will tomorrow.

I am having a fairly good day today, so I am going to enjoy it and share it with you.

Good Day.

God Bless & Keep You & This Country of Ours!!!!
joe

Read More

What is in YOUR Refrigerator?

A few years ago we had the kitcehn remodeled. New Honey Oak Cabinets, with black nobs with dark cherry wood centers, the walls in a chocolate color, and a Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Floor, Black Stove & Microwave and a Black & Stainless Steel Dishwasher.  Then there sat6 are very old but working fine White Refrigerator. So for years you know who has been bitching for one to match, yes me. Well we just purchased a new one. Reasons, much more energy efficient then are 15 year old one, quieter, it has crushed ice a must for me, but most importantly it is BLACK and matches the decor. Happy am I, yes, except for opening it.

You see the last one the bottom drawers were solid and you could not see what was in them. This one they are CLEAR and you see everything. So what you say, well let me tell you there are creatures in those bins. I open the door and they stare at me, I know they want me. I cannot look at them, sill y yess, but that is how my brain reacts to them.Lynn just says Joe, get over yourself and deal with it. Not so simple, things like this are creeping into my life now and I can only wonder what lies ahead. The part of my brain that still understands logic laughs at me, but there is that growing part that sees and witnesses strange things and seems to have more control. The stuff in thre drawers seems to have eyes and moves when I look at it, not anyone else, just me and that is what really counts is how I feel about it.Well I guess I will just have to outfit myself for hunting when I go to the refrig that way I am prepaired for any attack.

Thank you all for being here for me.

God Bless & Keep You & This Country of Ours!!
joe


PS: PLEASE NOTE IN MEMORY OF PHOTOS NOW HAVE THEIR OWN PAGE!!!!!!!!

Read More

Asking for Help & New Link Added.

I have added a new link, Nursing Home Abuse, for those of you that may have problems with a nursing home or need help in finding and how to look for one.  Do hope that this will be of help.

I am glad to see the comments of help going back and forth, this will help you I think and hope. This is what this blog has been waiting for.  Out of the avg of 179 people that visit each day, I think some of you have great wisdom to offer each other. For me, getting better is not taking place, getting worse is and will till it kills me.

You all know I just love the medical profession and researchers with great and profound moranity. I got a mailer the other day, Alhzeimers cured and the cause, medical book supposedly. AD caused by lack of insulin in other words diabetes of the brain. The gist is that extra insulin can halt or even reverse the damage. A lot of quacks out there, amazing that this one dr. has found this out and has not shared it with the medical community but is with the world.  I think I will go have to cokes so the caffine stops my AD.

I need some help or at least to know if any one with AD out there or caregivers have noticed this happening:
For a cpl of months now I have been experienncing pain in the brain, this is not a headache or migrane as one knows them to be.  It is like someone with really big hands is reachin inside my skull and just squeezing the hell out of my one brain cell, trying to make it smaller. This can last for hours to days, even longer once it is gone I notice that more of me is gone.  I guess the details I follow because of my employment was in the field of computers and data gathering and details, still with me to a degree. Have talke to my shrink and pyhsycologist about this and get a dumb look. So you folks my family if you have any info on this I sure would like to know about it, I feel alone enough now without being the only one with this bull shit.

Read More

I greet you this day not really knowing why. It seems that the days are starting to have little meaning anymore. I try to keep a sense of humor about things, but there is nothing humorous about what is happening to me or those around me. I find myself staring off into space or just at nothign these days nore amd more. Things seem to mean little anymore to me and I just do not know how to handle these feeelings and moods. Things keep slipping farther and farther away from me.

I have tried to make this blog as time has gone by a place for meeting and exchangin thoughts and felings on dementia in general. I gave the site a chat room for a year that I paaid for open 24/7 for whoever wanted to talk not just to me but to others a failure. I opened a direct chat line to communicate whichcost me over$80 a month so we could talk, 5 people, a failure. I invited over 25 people to blog here because of their involvement with dementia, that has been a failure, I even set up Yahoo Messenger for instant chatting that too went down the tubes, I even have tried skype without any success. Comments I have gotten, emails I have gotten, but I guess my expectations (premeditated resentments) should not have been. I have removed all of the about except comments and email.

I am trying to give u articles as I find them that maybe of interest. I have a feeling that will be of no avail. Bitter yes I am, angry and pissed, yes, at those who come and cannot even take time to comment yes, but most of all at ME, for especting and planning and most of all trying to plan the outcome.This fricken disease plays a lot of games with your head and sometimes I am not even sure of what I am writting, minutes from now I will forget and I guess for me that is ok. Keeping my angry under anytype of control is getting difficult, increase in meds is not helping, well so much for my bitching, like most things it will get me nowhere fast.

God Bless & Keep You & This Country of Ours!!!!
joe

Read More

My Forum

This is my forum to tell you how I feel and for you to talk back to me. It has always been my goal to make this not just about me, but about those that travel my journey before and after me. For you that care for us to tell how you feel. For those who contribute to leave posts on their take and views. I personally feel that my time to the line is close and I am having difficulty battling that.While I fight it, I know inside and have accepted the fact the fight is lost, but I am an honory bastard and just have to fight for the sake of it, win or loose does not matter, I just will not give this disease the satisfaction it wants. It is going to have to stomp on me and its shoes are getting heavier. Sometimes my posts are less than kind, but this is not a kind disease and I am trying to make people think about us in this world as real people not someone in a looking glass. This is my only forum to do that in. I feel caged and somewhat worthless at this point and that feeling will probbably woresen as time goes on. Well so much for now.

God Bless & Keep You & This Country of Ours!
joe

Read More

Me & April

Gramps & April

There you have it, the good looking one is in the blanket, the old fart well we all know who that is. Want to share some of the good with you also.  Number eight and not counting.

God Bless All,
joe

Read More

Happy Father's Day

To all you dads, grandpa's and uncles a happy fathers day.  Oh by the way one to you rascals that may not be sure if you are. To our father's in harms way our troops a very special day to you my friends.

This hopefully will be the first of two posts today. My eldest has gone to the hospital already this am to have what should turn out to be our eight grandchild.  She did it once on mother's day so why not. BBQs were planned for both these occassions.

A special prayer for those in the gulf, May God Grant You Peace and Show you the Way. Amen.

More later.

God Bless & Keep You & This Country of Ours!
joe

Read More

I Applaud The Younger

So I am late getting to this, what the hell my fingers needed to be dusted off. What follows are a couple of emails that I want to post, one with full permission, the other not so identity will be with held from that one.

My name is Jordyn and I am twenty years old studying occupational therapy.  My professor had us watch the HBO Living with Alzheimer's documentary for my class, functioning of the older adult.  I just wanted to let you know that I really respect you for opening up your life to the world and writing so freely in your blogs.  How great is it that people of all ages follow your blog!  People from 15 years old to 100 years old are reading your story and I think that is truly amazing.  Hearing you say that your life didn't matter in the great scheme of things broke my heart...I just wanted to let you know that your life does mean something and I hope to follow your blogs from now into the future.  It's a wonderful thing you're doing.  Have a great day!  

Sincerely,

Jordyn

Hi Joe,

I am so excited that you e-mailed me back!  I would be honored if you posted my comment.  I actually just found out today that I was accepted into my Occupational Therapy program at Western Michigan University and I plan to work with older adults in my future career.  I hope you are your family are doing well.  I will keep you in my prayers.  Thank you so much for e-mailing me back.

Sincerely,
Jordyn Bell
Hey Joe! 

I saw you on the Swedish Channel 2 today! I heard
you talking about your illness and I feel for you thou I am only 18
years old. I hope that you can have a wonderful life and be happy all
your waken time with your loved ones. God knows you deserve it!

Greetings from Sweden!
Dear Joe
I continue to be thankful for your help in understanding
what my dad went through as we lost him to AD. Although he no longer
knows me when he sees me, he often talks about his daughter and has
wonderful memories of our time together. Although I miss my dad
terribly it is some comfort that I was able to give him memories of
being loved and appreciated. I pray those memories of time with your
wife and family will remain. And that you will continue to find days
when you are with us all. Take care
These are emails from younger people, those that are coming up the line to care for those that will follow me and are caring. This is what keeps me posting knowing that just maybe, just maybe, we are reaching people and someday maybe just by complete accident one of these and the others in Brazil, Sweden, Chile, Argentina, Australia and other places that have writen by accident just may find out why this disease is. I am not talking a cure or a medicine that MAY SLOW things down, but what really causes this.  Then and only then will the real breakthroughs come and not before. I applaud you young folks, just for your interest not to mention the course you are setting for yourselves. I WELCOME YOU TO MY WORLD.
God Bless & Keep You and This Country of Ours!
joe
PS. To my friend Dr. Joe, I am a dumb SOB, ask those who really know me, God Bless and Keep You my Friend.

Read More

Last Night

Last night I found myself in very difficult and not likeable sitution.  It was a rough day for me as it was. We sat down for dinner and I put my food on my plate and completely froze. I had no idea what I was doing or what to do, my wife tired to help put I just told her leave me, she put my fork in my hand and it just fel from it, I was in a state of, in betweenness, between here and there. I finally started eating but with my fingers and slowly got back to where I should be. I am about 4 or so years into this and it is taking hold now as it seems to do about this time.

Now I am a beginning to become really concerned and not so humorous, but life will go on and so will I. I guess that line of no return is getting closer and sneakier about things.

Well that is it for now from: us here in Oceanside, CA.

God Bless & Keep You & This Country of Ours!
joe

Read More

From A Friend

Those of u that follow me know I love jokes about my condition, most are so true and funny. The one tha follows as many I got from a good friend who brightens my day often. Some may get offended but to damn bad, sit and think in through it is funny, our gov. would make this suggestion.

The phone rings and the lady of the house answers, "Hello."
''Mrs. Sanders, please"..
''Speaking."
''Mrs. Sanders, this is Doctor Jones at Saint AgnesLaboratory. When your husband's doctor sent his biopsy to the lab last week, a biopsy from another Mr. Sanders arrived as well."
"We are now uncertain which one belongs to your husband.. Frankly, either way the results are not too good."
''What do you mean?" Mrs. Sanders asks nervously.
"Well, one of the specimens tested positive for Alzheimer's and the other one tested positive for HIV. We can't tell which is which."
''That's dreadful! Can you do the test again?" questioned Mrs. Sanders.
"Normally we can, but Medicare will only pay for these expensive tests one time."
''Well, what am I supposed to do now?''
The folks at Medicare recommend that you drop your husband off somewhere in the middle of town. If he finds his way home, don't sleep with him."


see I would get lost.


God Bless & Keep You & This Country of Ours!!
joe

Read More

It Is May

Just in case you wer not aware it is May. I know the calendar and my computer tell me so and they would not lie to me. Well maybe they would cannot trust them buggers.  At least my brain doesn't, it really does not anylonger link days weeks or months together, let alone years.

According to the wife I have developed my own language, not heard on this Earth is billions of years. It seems that when I cannot get out what I want to say, let alone remembber what it is, I express myself in sort of a babble type lanugaggge. She seems to understand me, I sure the hell don't, I wonder who has the problem. Her or me?  Since she can remember days, what to do and what she is talking about, she has the problem, those type of people do not live in my World. What the title has to do with this is beyond my mind. Sounded good.

Well we got some new young koi, will see how they do. I have to do water changes on the ponds, and I do not want to, it is such a pain in the ass. I guess the fishes like it, but not one has given me a fin to shake and say thank you.  They remind me of gov. officials take it, shove it up my butt and not even a kiss. Yes I am in a mood today, have been for awhile, never kno when they will come or go, seem to stay alot longer these days.

Take care, who knows i MAY see you soon.  There that is why the title. If you believe that your brain is as blue as mine is.

God Bless & Keep You & This Country of Ours!!
joe

Read More

The Gift of Alhziemer's!

Yes I know what gift? You need to have the disease to understand. See because of this blasted thing, I learned something today that I did not know, even with it starring me right in the kisser. I was reading over some emails I got because of the HBO Documenttary.

It brought people I knew from over 50 years ago back into my life. Of course they had to tell me how, when, why, etc., before the old noodle could grasp it. This may get long and run in circles, but what the hell, if I can run in them so can you.

You see I wanted most of all to be a good husband, lover, friend, father and someone the Lord would be proud to call his child. Well I feld very badly in my own mind and soul. So as I re read an email from my first girlfriend, the only one nuts enough to date me, Cheryl, I really realized how fortunate I am to have AD. You see, I have invited her to guest blog, but no response, what an asset to this site she would be. Now remember she dated me (poor lady), her mom has AD and Cheryl works for The Alz. Org. in Colorado what a wealth of help.  But more than that, after we broke ups I had 16 years of a real messed up life.  So you understand and I am not sure I do, she was about 5'6"  115#, brown hair, brown eyes and nicely, well very pleasant to look at, not what a memory, she sent me a picture from that time, and a Leo. I always felt comfortable with her, but life goes on and people (me) screw up alot.  What does that matter to you or me, well I just described my wife of over 30 years. Now she is stuck with an AD patient and she is a Leo to, and I have asked her to post, but you know these lions the roar, but are really just pussy cats. Because of this and the special I have found that my family was my career and Mr. How Smart Am I, was not even aware of it. Cheryl and the rest of you have shown me that and I am well pleased inside.

Still confused and not sure what I will do from moment to moment but I am having quiet an adventure, and sometimes it is pretty rotten. Just spent a week isolated to my self and not really talking to anyone, without being short and less than Kind. I find that, at least i do, just wip back without concern of what I am saying. From those I tak with that have this disease seem to do that alot to. Well enough of me for now. Be good and take care of yourselves.

God Bless You & Keep You & This Country of Ours! (The World Needs Him To)
joe

Read More

May The Lord Bless You This Day & Always!!!!

From my family to yours a very Blessed and Happy Easter. To those of you who have entered this World of mine and do not celebrate the day, celebrate it with us for you are welcomed here.  To all I extend to you my hand so that YOU KNOW, THAT YOU, NEVER HAVE TO DO THIS THING CALLED LIFE ALONE EVER AGAIN.

Well I have started inviting some folks to be guest bloggers and we will see how this works. I have tried with a 24 hour chatroom for you, that was not used, different ways of talking not taken advantage of. See This is My Blog, but You are a part of it and I would like you to share in it. Only requirement is that you deal with dementia, as a caregiver, reasearcher or one on this road of unknown journey. Thanks Dr. Joe for being first to join in.

If you wish to join me and others here, just fill out the email form at the bottom of the right hand side and send me your email address and I will send you the info. Actually Blogger will send it for me.

Well the family has descended and I have found it necessary to retreat. I can only be a jungle jim for so long and I hurt. Body is definitely not what it once was, not that it was ever much to start with. My temper is much shorter and I have a hard time controlling me, so retreating works.

I feel lost today and not quite sure what the old brain wants besides to escape and be alone somewhere.

We may He Bless You All This Day and Forever.]

God Bless & Keep You and This Country of Ours and Yours!
Joe

Read More

A Favor to Ask.

My friend Mary, who's site is listed in my linkes, is having some real troubles health wise. Also her doctor is being a pain about meds for her hubby who has AD also. Please say a prayer for the two of them so that they get the right help. I would appreciate it. I am starting to loose to many friends to this disease.

They live in Canada and their whether is nowhere as nice as my haunts.

If I remember I will post pictures of THE POND, yes it is 95% done, need to get an electrician to run the out door cables for me. Me and electricity, not a good match, never was and even less so now.

Until later:

God Bless You & This Country of Ours!
Joe

Read More

Happy Turkey Day!!!!!!!

I wish to you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. Eat well and stay safe.




I was thinking of this now and felt I better post it before I drift away again this day. My thanks are for all of your support and comments.

God Bless You & This Country of Ours!



Joe

Read More

A Request

Many of you may not know, because the media does not care this is NATIONAL ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS MONTH. Let your local papers know, let us see if they have the balls to say anything.

Again I ask for pictures, birth year and year of passing of loved ones that died from this damnable disease. Two of you have heard. They need to be remembered for they are the faces of Alzheimer's.

(Yes I used spell checker, so I cheated)!

If you like this blog I ask you to click on the Wellsphere voting Icon on the right and vote for it. I know that many on Wellsphere do not necessarily like it, I am not a caregiver or dr. I just suffer from the disease and try to tell how my life is deteriorating and getting worse as we move to my physical death. Yes the 7th leading cause of death. Probably if death certificates showed the real agent that caused death I am sure that it would be higher. Most to feared diagnosis so it is said, is you have Cancer and You Have Alzheimer's. Help me spread the word Please.

Till next time thanks for your thoughts and help.

God Bless You & This Country of Ours!
Joe

Read More

When Will They Get IT Right?

The so caled pros that know everyghing, you know the PHDs, the ones with the Paper Hanging Degrees, they still know Jack Squat about this disease. Ant those of you out there withit, that write your wonderful books and taught your abilities to do so, you sure are a big help. Dr. Joe (not me) runs a blog that makes my fires burn, because he knows his mom died from it and still hears all the bs of 20 years ago today, with new hair brained ideas. You want the answers here we are standing ready to show you the way, but you alas are to stupid to realize that just maybe we hold the key and the lock.

Yes I am a tadd upset, because each day we help keep them boobs healthy and 15000 less a year die (which is good), more of us are let to go by the wayside. You see my world is getting worse each day, the one in my head, the one outside of me has been really fucked for just over a year now and going to get worse. Maybe it isn't so bad that I suffer from this Disease, soon I won't give a shit about any of you, because I will not know who the hell you are.

Well it is Turkey Month, this year I give it to the Medical Profession and The Do Nothing Politicians. Uncooked, ungutted, feathers and all, you won't be able to tell the difference any how.

To those I still love and care about.

God Bless You & This Country of Ours.
Joe

Read More

Alhzeimer's & Marriage

I received a comment from a gentleman whose wife has early stage AD. It seems this has affected his marriage quite a bit. Trust me that is an understatement, it has litterally screwed mine up. I have asked my wife to post her side on the blog, but she is reluctant for whatever reasons.

I know that she has one heck of a time with me, I am extremely moody at times, I get lost in conversations and I go off elsewhere in my mind on a dime. The other day we were talking and as usually Mr. Brilliant here got lost and could not even get a word out, the wife answered for me and was right. Her words to me were "Aren't you glad I know you?" my reply was yes someone has to because I do not know me anymore. This is starting to get scarey now. I have been going to post for the last couple of days, just does not happen. It certainly has messed up our sex life, I cannot even keep things going, because my mind suddenly goes off to War, or the Circus or some such fuckin thing and I am no longer involved in the situation or I just plain fall asleep.

I cannot even imagine how my commentor or my wife feel. I am not even sure how I feel at any given moment. At times I am on my game and then there is no game I have lost my processes and cannot get back. Yes I can write because I can stop and come back and start over, but in my real world it just does not work that way.

To my friend I am truly sorry for your situation, I will not say Hey it is ok it will be fine, because the truth is it will not get better only worse. I do hope the Lord continures to give you the strength you need for each day, we are a hand full.

God Bless You & This Country of Ours!
Joe

Read More