Once in a while I will go from one room in my apartment to the next, only to forget why. I wasn't too worried about this. Talking with others of my vintage and even younger, I find this is fairly common. But there were a couple of things lately that make me wonder if I have started on the downward slide toward total memory loss.
Today, Thursday, my grandson Chris is having surgery to repair damage to one of his fingers due to an accident at his place of work. (His mother, my daughter, called to tell me the surgery went well and is successful.) So yesterday, Wednesday, I called my daughter to find out how the surgery went. Daughter said I must have lost a day somewhere, for the surgery was the next day. I thanked her for giving me back my lost day and hung up the phone with the sound of her laughter ringing in my ear.
About suppertime yesterday Duane showed up with a club sandwich and fries from the little restaurant in our neighborhood. He knew I had been feeling a bit off all day so he brought my evening meal so I didn't need to cook. Bless him!
Anyway, while he was here I asked him if he had noticed any changes in my memory capabilities lately. I told him about calling his sister a day early for surgery results. And I said there was one other thing that made me wonder, but I couldn't remember what it was. He just laughed and said as far as he could tell, I still had all my marbles.
Later in the evening I messaged him on FB...
"The other thing was yesterday I couldn't remember how to work my apple peeler. Peeled all those apples by hand. Remembered how it worked this morning. Plink - plink - plink- the sound of marbles hitting the floor."
His response was a cartoon picture of some sort of little animal, rolling on the ground, laughing hysterically.
Deep, exaggerated Sigh along with a grin. :)
Opus 2024-395: Built, Not Chosen
5 hours ago
We've all been sliding for years, Vicki. Luckily, it's a LONG, slow slope. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI don't know, Gorges...I once told my daughter that my goal in life was to live long enough to be a problem to my children. She said, "Mother, your work here is done." My slope may be a bit shorter than yours! I don't worry about memory loss. It gives me a laugh or two once in a while. :)
DeleteI often forget why I went into a room....lol I hope my slide hasn't started yet!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't wouldn't worry too much about it, Jenn. Now, if you forget how your camera works, then I might be somewhat concerned. :)
DeleteGod created man, who created paper and pen, so his children would write things down. Have the kids buy large packs for large sheet sticky notes. Put all in the same place so you can read them often. Or large cork board, large index cards and push pins. Don't forget the pens too.
ReplyDeleteRob...Don't think I am at the stage just yet where I need to wallpaper my apartment with sticky note reminders. But I will keep it in mind for when I go completely senile. :)
DeleteI keep forgeting to take some of my meds. Drives the family nuts. Some I take with meals 2x a day. the others at bed time. Simple right??? not a chance.
DeleteRob...I got me one of those pill cases that have day of the week compartments, one set for morning and the other for evening. I have 5 pills - some twice daily, others at bedtime. That pill case helps me get it right. Even then, once in a while I forget the night dosage.
DeleteVicki
ReplyDeleteCertain medications (Statins, High Blood Pressure) can cause memory issues) as can some medical treatments.
Red
Thanks, Red...No, this was meant to be a tongue in cheek post, laughing at myself a little bit. I figure when I forget my computer passwords, then I can start to worry. :)
DeleteKnow exactly what you mean! Taking a shower the other day I couldn’t remember whether I had already washed my hair and so to be on the safe side I did it again.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, Sue...I find myself double-checking things, too. I guess if we can remember the important stuff, like our own names, we are ok!! :)
DeleteMom, I can remember a day when I was 6 years old, but sometimes am unable to remember which kid my wife told me this morning to pick up on the way home from work this afternoon. I like the idea of great big post-its for you. I would be lost without our family calender on every electronic device I use!
ReplyDeleteLove you.
Welcome to Middle Age, Son...I, too, remember things past with clarity and then mistake Wednesday for Thursday. I really don't know how you do it - keeping track of your three kids and all their activities at different times and days. I have seen your calendar on your phone. With everything you and Staci have going on just with the kids, well, it would make my head explode!!
Deletedaughter researched the forgetfulness when going from one room to another.
ReplyDeleteapparently it is a survival device.
for example, when leaving the cave the brain stops what you were thinking of so as to be aware of any saber-toothed tigers lurking.
so it still works centuries later when the brain detects that a door has been breeched.
how's that for an answer.
take vitamin e, all natural tocopherols, not the manmade kind.
when the estrogen goes the brain often follows. somehow vitamin e helps make up the lack of estrogen in brain function.
also read that statins are basically useless and they do affect brain function.
thought my mom was going demented but cleared up after statins deleted.
she eventually became demented, years after recovery from statin induced brain malfunction, and died at 92.
deborah...The survival device makes sense to me. Even now, if we are so focused on the job at hand that we fail to note our surroundings, it can be lethal. Especially with the world around us in such turmoil. I really am not too concerned about my memory just yet. This post was just one of those silly things that hopefully would make someone smile.
DeleteRe: Vitamin E. If you have had cancer, especially breast cancer, avoid soy based vitamins. They aid in estrogen production.
DeleteRed
Red...No signs of any cancer so far. Good information to add to my notes.
Deletevicki, i want to email you. i filled in the microsoft thing,but don't know what to do now.
ReplyDeletehow do i email you?
i am 'hymenopterid@gmail.com'
we buried my husband on monday after an emergency operation.
please pray for us as daughter and i have no other family and very little cash, no property.
the house went with his job and we have to be out in 60 days, which will be a herculean task. thinking of renting a storage space from uhaul but still must find a place for us and dog and cats.
very scared. feeling desperate. probably normal afer bereavement but have the pressure on to get out. they say make no hasty decisions after being widowed but some must be made soon in this case.
security really does not exist as anything can happen to any of us, but if we feel secure the stress factor is gone.
please pray for us. thanks. you might want to delete this.
a few other web loggers have the microsoft email and i don't know how to use it.
thanks.
deborah...I am so sorry for your troubles. Email me at vickimiller63@gmail.com
DeletePraying
Deborah Harvey,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of the death and loss of housing!
Vicki,
My neighbor who died at 94 worried about her memory as she would forget what day of the week it was, why she went into the next room. I told her that I at 44, would not be accused of being senile, just over-stressed with grad school. I did not think she had a problem at all. For one week a few weeks ago, I could not remember what day it was...for a whole week. As long as we can blog, we are all okay. I hope.
Linda...I have lost days here and there as well. I think because I don't work a job any more, the days of the week aren't all that important. Like I told someone else, when I can't remember my computer passwords, then I will start to worry. :)
DeleteHey there Vicki...
ReplyDeleteI have a habit of talking to myself... They say it's ok to talk to yourself, and ok to answer yourself...just don't say, huh?... LOL... I am testing out that theory daily... Thanks for the laughs!
wyomingheart...OK. That's funny! I was always told I could talk to myself as long as I didn't answer myself. It is good to know that I am not completely bats quite yet. :)
DeleteRight there with you.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I'm managing my meds along with MrDog's. I make notes on a pad of paper that lives on the kitchen counter.
SJ in Vancouver
SJ...Ah, the things we do to stay out of the nursing home. :)
Delete