Well, it's Wednesday.

Some of you know that Monday was an important doctor's appointment for my mother and me. It was to talk with her doctor about the results of some tests conducted to rule out certain things that might have been causing her memory loss and lack of spark and confidence. The doctor suspected a particularly insidious condition that afflicts the elderly, mostly, and the results of these tests would rule out everything but this insidious condition... and they did. So, she's got it - Alzheimer's Disease. Early, early stages, but the path is set. Medications can slow the progression, but there is no cure.

It is hard to see right now. It's just the little things. Unfortunately, they add up to some mighty big things. She is still fully functional. She just forgets you had that conversation, two, three, four times already. She is beginning to put things where they used to belong - in her old house - and just sometimes. When asked a direct question, she sometimes comes up completely blank or looks puzzled, as if she doesn't understand the question. Small things, when gathered together, look like big things. Things that were enough to concern me, to concern her doctor and her sisters and my sons and her friends... so There You Have It.

I've been debating sharing this here. I'm not looking for sympathy. It will be a part of my landscape for some time to come, so I thought I should put it out there, and not try to hide the 1000 lb gorilla in the room.

I'm cranking up my research so I know where we might be heading. Both of us will be finding resources through our Office of Aging and the Senior Centers down here in the County. Her doctor suggested support groups for both of us. It's a very good idea. I'm thinking we'll need them more a little farther down the road than now, but getting established early is a good thing.

Phew - got that off my chest!

Now to share some GOODIES!

My SP12 Pal continues to spoil me. Do you think she knows I need to lose weight and keep my strength up? Look what she sent:



Nah, I'm just joking! She DID send me the box... but is was filled with these lovelies:



Yarn, needles and pattern for a Quickie Cowl and delicious nutty, salty, nougat-y candy! :)

Thank you, Secret Pal! It was a delight to get some fun mail today. Of note, my SP12 mailed this from the West Coast on Monday and it arrived at my door on the East Coast on Wednesday!!!! WooHooo for the West-to-East Postal Employees!