Slurpee Day – 7/11/12
Yesterday – 7/11 – was Free Slurpee Day.* I was on a journey to Dr appt with my daughter, Beth. We were silly updating my files. “Problem with erection” – we answered ‘yes’. “Premature ejaculation” we...
View ArticleJumpin’ Jacks – Stop Me if You’ve Heard it
Somewhere in a drizzly February I forgot how to jump. It was one of those rainy half-snow days, my son was here to take me to my endless doctor appointments. “Mom,” he pleaded. “You KNOW how to get in...
View ArticleFrom Jim Coyle: Long-Distance “Caregiving”
I’ve mentioned before that I live a few-hours’ drive from Vicki, so I don’t have the opportunity – or the privilege – of being with her and providing concrete support and care on a daily, or even...
View ArticleMy Daughter Moved Out Today
I remember when she was 20 and so excited to get her degree and a tiny apartment. As I moved thru the years, she especially loved my Ridgeway house (800 sf) and how she mourned not having something...
View ArticleSt Petersburg, FL Remembrance
It is now – what? 8-9 years ago? I cannot remember. I lived in the perfect house blocks away from a job I loved, but would challenge me to the max. My best friend, Carol, and her grandson, were coming...
View ArticleSeasons Change
I have a sense – and I hope I am wrong – that there are more sunsets than sun rises coming my way. I might be very wrong, and I hope I am. The last two weeks have been difficult to speak. No, very...
View ArticleFree eBook: Living with FTD
Our dear friend Susan Grant, also a person with FTD, has written an eBook with information about living with FTD and practical steps that persons who suspect they might have dementia, or have been...
View ArticleWeathering the Storms
This past weekend, Winter storms kept me from visiting Vicki; it’s been too long since my last visit. In a separate blog I’ve started, last month I wrote about something we experienced during my last...
View ArticleSpeedy Thinking, Speedy Action
FTD is a strange disease in so many ways. In the 3-1/2 years since Vicki was diagnosed, I’ve seen her have ups and downs more extreme than any roller coaster. It can be hard for her to accomplish tasks...
View ArticleSo little time …
I write to you, my friends, daily in my heart and mind. Yet I never quite get to a keyboard. So, in the next few weeks I will try to catch you up on life as seen through my puffy eyes ;o) Today is the...
View ArticleForbes: ‘It’s Not Me, It’s The Disease’: Making Sense Of A Brain Disorder
Vicki and I recently read an excellent article about one man’s signs and symptoms of FTD – and the need to keep pushing for an accurate diagnosis. Brandt Henderson was 58 years old when the article was...
View ArticlePrepare for a good end of life
“End of life” is something constantly in mind but not spoken of too much on Vicki’s journey. Most of us don’t like to talk about death, even when it’s clearly going to happen. Since finding out about...
View ArticleA Wedding Celebration!
On Friday, a mutual friend and I escorted Vicki to her oldest grandchild Zack Whaley’s wedding – the family’s first wedding of their generation. The weather couldn’t have been better for the ceremony...
View ArticleAnd life goes on…
This week I have been blessed to have my good friend and co-blogger, Jim, here for a visit. God could not have picked a better time. A few weeks ago we survived my grandson Zack’s wedding along with...
View ArticleFrom Counting to Prayer
I count things. How many touches on my iPad. How many items I am harvesting on FarmVille 2. How many houses are ready for collection in Megapolis. I just keep counting. At first I thought it was my way...
View ArticleJuly 17: Anniversary of a Diagnosis
Four years ago, July 17, 2009, Vicki Wells Bedard and her daughter Beth were at the doctor’s office to receive results of Vicki’s recent medical tests. On that day, Vicki wrote this and more in her...
View ArticlePeanut Gringo
It’s a beautiful August Summer day. I have 2 friends coming to visit today and I am feeling good. Beanni actually used the pee pad. I don’t think it gets much better than this. Understanding....
View ArticleElbow Texting: Call for Help
I’ve been visiting Vicki for a few days. When I arrived, Vicki was having one of the best days she’d had in quite a while. I haven’t seen her with this much energy in a long time. She told me she’d had...
View ArticlePlease wait … shutting down
Huh. Life is funny. I wrote this amazing (my words) post and only the headline was saved. I am 2 hours away from posting ‘rabbit, rabbit’ on my children’s and close friends FB or text. Years ago, my...
View ArticleCaught Up In The Meat loaf
For 4 years I have won the battle with FTD (Frontotemporal Dementia) and, all things considered, including all the potential threats, I’ve had a good four years. But lately, Papa, I am afraid. Not like...
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