I don’t know if I got dementia, or just getting at that stage in life where I’m becoming more forgetful and getting those memory lapses seemingly more often. I read an article about the seven early warnings of dementia.
Needless to say, I was shocked and perhaps not as surprised to realize we all are in that stage, whether in our sixties, older or younger, that these signs of dementia symptoms may well be what defines old age.
As an example, I always had trouble communicating my thoughts, but lately it has become more apparent. I’m sure you, my loyal readers have faced the same issue—talking to someone and trying to come up with that certain perfect word or phrase, but just isn’t coming up.
I used to be able to see a fellow co-worker and right off the bat, state their name without blinking an eye. Anyway, I have struggled remembering people’s names or seeing that familiar person but forgetting their name and feeling inferior.
I know that you, my loyal readers, know my history that I’m a recovering alcoholic, who suffered a serious life-changing stroke that obviously affected me physically, and perhaps mentally as well. But these latest issues have arose quite subtly but suddenly to where I’m more than a little concerned, especially considering I have lost a cousin and an aunt to Alzheimer’s.
I know I will need to have my care provider refer me to a specialist to go through the regimen of cognitive tests to rule out Alzheimer’s, and hope that what form of dementia I may have is easily manageable. I can at least still write, and my thoughts are clear when I am writing though I continuously have to check my characters from the chapters before, so I don’t embarrass myself.
Jerry Schellhammer 