It was well past time for me to make a new post. Of course, that lets you know that once again I did not remember to get'er done until now. My beloved bride had surgery on Wednesday of last week ... actually she had two procedures at the same time, so she is very uncomfortable. She is recovering nicely by now, but the first couple of nights were tough as I was up most of the night getting her medication on time, then trying to get back to sleep once she was comfortable. We decided to start reading our bible from cover to cover, so Monday evening I read Genesis Chapter 1 and last night Genesis Chapter 2. I found this to be a great comfort and instead of being glued to Facebook or the TV, we disconnect from the world and reconnect with our Heavenly Father for a while. We plan to make this a lifetime change, and I invite others to consider it, as it is important to take a break from technology and reconnect with those we love in our life. If you're shuddering at the thought of parting with your gadgets for even an hour, you're likely not alone -- but giving yourself some time away from technology can be good for you. According to Jessica Padykula, at SheKnows Living, URL: http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/844969/how-to-disconnect-from-technology-and-why-you-should - "You'll set a good example for your kids. Kids are increasingly spending more and more time in front of a screen and not interacting in ways they would have before computers, video games and a TV in every room were standard in most homes. If your kids see you engaging in activities outside of technology, they will be much more likely to follow suit. You'll build better bonds. There's only so much of a connection you can make with people over digital correspondence. Facebook, texts and email are great for keeping in touch and making plans but in order to really bond you need to see and speak to others face-to-face. You will get your point across much better, build intimacy and nothing you say will get lost in translation. You'll get more done. Think about how much time you spend online and in front of a screen. Now think about all of the other things you could be doing if you weren't on your computer. From chores that have been neglected to books you've been meaning to read, giving yourself even an hour a night of tech-free time can help you get a lot more done." I personally can't wait to have our own farm again and chase chickens, grow herbs and vegetables, and fish in our ponds instead of sitting in front of the laptop trying to remember the last time I wrote this blog ...

Today my daughter informed me that her first cousins had located her. These are the children of my ex-wife's sister. I won't go into the details, but these children have had a tough, tough life thus far. That they have sought us out is a testimony to the need we all have to belong: the need to feel a part of a family. For those of you reading my blog for the first time, I hope you feel a little bit like you are a part of my extended family. It is tough enough to live with diminished mental capacity; to learn that you don't remember things that are truly important to another is gut-wrenching. This too shall pass, and soon it will not matter as I will not remember it ... more is the pity.

I have been terribly, terribly, terribly queasy all day. Medication for it did not help, so just sitting here on the couch again today, feeling awful. I have homework to do and cannot get after it, because every time I sit up I want to throw up ... ugh ... wah! wah! wah! I reckon I need some sleep to see if it gets better, but I have been like this off and on for more than a week ...

October 2012

Good morning! I can't tell you what day today is, so I will just say, good morning. I have taken up cigarettes again after being quit since 1985. I attribute this to the impulse control issues I have been having lately, particularly with food and other things. Naturally, I have not been feeling particularly well of late, although my energy is still up. Will have to quit the smokes again and get my body moving to get the weight off of me that I picked up in this oral phase, whatever it was.

Sunday, 11 March 2012

My family records Jeopardy on our DVR. It gives my wife and me a family activity with my stepson, who is very bright and permits me to exercise my memory. We challenge each other with respect to who can answer the questions quickest, and in correct "Jeopardy Form."

I usually have the most depth of knowlege (benefits of a classical education, I suppose) but not all the time. Tonight we watched a few episodes from the past two weeks while we brewed some beer (another activity that I share with my wife and son). I was able to answer many of the arcane/obscure topics, but the common topics "locked me up" as I could not find the correct word or phrase (God give me strength on the anagrams - I despise how foolish everyone else can make me feel with those!!)

Great weekend and more to follow about puzzles and other mind exercises.

Thursday, 16 February 2012

That I know the day of the week, and date show that I am at least oriented for date most of the time. I've not yet had a relapse of telling someone the wrong year, which I have done a time or two ...

Today was a day of ups and downs. My wife and I went to an appointment she had this morning, then ran a whole bunch of errands to Staples, the US Post Office, and other places to help my daughter with her wedding planning. We then went to the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (COBC) in Mount Vernon, Missouri for my routine protime (usually it is monthly but I have been going weekly of late).

At the pet food store, VA COBC, and grocery my wife and I both noticed I was shuffling my feet, and she had me grab onto the cart for stability. I did not mumble nor do any of the other neurological things that normally seem to accompany shuffling, but I was exausted when we got home.

We just collapsed in the living room at home, me in my chair, until our son got back from work - he is staying with us while he recuperates from surgery for his hand, about another four weeks.

I had the realization today that my younger brother, age 50 and another Army veteran, is currently caring for my aging mother. She still works, but she has had a few falls and if he had not been there, we likely would have gotten a call from the police or the coroner ...

Anyway, I called my younger brother in Milwaukee, age 51, tonight just to see how he was doing and talk about how to help our mom. We were talking about how to get our brother a break now and again as well. In the middle of this conversation, I had about a one to two minute petit mal seizure, and was really slow to rouse. He thought I had drifted off into what I was doing on the computer and was a bit miffed, but I swear I did not remember a thing other than staring at the door to the office when I finally realized where I was again.

Later I called the younger brother to offer him solace if he wanted it (he did not) and to amuse him for a while. We talked for a few minutes and I think I was coherent most of the time.

Time is now 2049 hours local, and I am so tired I must be off to bed.

Addendum Sunday 12 February 2012

Hello again. I just sent an email to the Association for Frontotemporal Dementia to inform them of this weblog and to ask for recommended markers or other information for me to input into the blog. I have incorporated a link to their site and encourage my friends to consider donating to this cause for research ...

Sunday 12 February 2012

Today has been a good day. I have been preparing class materials for the graduate course that I teach and am behind, however. I also do not have my letter of appointment yet, and cannot see the class roster at the university's faculty portal, so I am hoping I do get paid sometime.

I have been reading a bit about another one of my health conditions and am concerned that NASH may make my mental deterioration come faster. I hope to be able to continue going to the gym so we can improve my liver enzyme values when tested next. I am scheduled to see the Endocrinologist/Diabetes specialist in August 2012 at the Washington University Medical Center's Diabetes Center.