A Quick Trip to Portland

Kathy and I made a quick trip to Portland to see my mother and to see Cassie swim at the Chehalem Swim Meet.

We had intended to go the Portland at Christmas but were delayed by the weather. You probably remember the snow. And then work got in the way. Well, finally we got Grandma Beecher’s Christmas presents to her. She is still having difficulty with her short term memory and had to ask the same questions several times within the span of a few minutes. I’ve been concerned about the possibility of Alzheimer's and have tried to become more aware of the differences between normal age-related memory changes and possible warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease

The Alzheimer's Association has developed just such a checklist to help in recognizing these differences. I’m attempting to watch for these each time I talk to my mother.
1. Memory loss.
Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later.
What's normal? Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
People with dementia often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. Individuals may lose track of the steps involved in preparing a meal, placing a telephone call or playing a game.
What's normal? Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say.
3. Problems with language.
People with Alzheimer’s disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand. They may be unable to find the toothbrush, for example, and instead ask for "that thing for my mouth.”
What's normal? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
4. Disorientation to time and place.
People with Alzheimer’s disease can become lost in their own neighborhood, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home.
What's normal? Forgetting the day of the week or where you were going.
5. Poor or decreased judgment.
Those with Alzheimer’s may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment, like giving away large sums of money to telemarketers.
What's normal? Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to time.
6. Problems with abstract thinking.
Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are for and how they should be used.
What's normal? Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.
7. Misplacing things.
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.
What's normal? Misplacing keys or a wallet temporarily.
8. Changes in mood or behavior.
Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may show rapid mood swings – from calm to tears to anger – for no apparent reason.
What's normal? Occasionally feeling sad or moody.
9. Changes in personality.
The personalities of people with dementia can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member.
What's normal? People’s personalities do change somewhat with age.
10. Loss of initiative.
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities.
What's normal? Sometimes feeling weary of work or social obligations.

Mom is beginning to get check marks on more of these. More are beginning to fit. I hope it’s just me overreaching the reality of her situation. Like self diagnosing nursing students who seem to recognize in themselves the signs and symptoms of a new disease or two each time they study a new body system. I hope it’s only that. Still we’ve got to come up with a plan to prove or disprove the diagnosis just in case.

The second reason for going to Portland was to see Cassie swim and we almost missed it. Because of weather – it snowed from Olympia to Vancouver – and traffic - multi-car accidents in the south bounds lanes of I-5 on both side of the Interstate Bridge – and being introduced to family member I was unaware of – Karina’s daughter Gabby - we were late getting to town. Since the meet didn’t start until 5:00 p.m. we thought it won’t hurt if just a bit late. It does if what you want to see is the first heat of the evening. Cassie took part in the very first heat. We wouldn’t have seen her had it not been for her getting a chance to swim again as part of a team swimming the last heat of the evening. So we did get to see and capture on video what an excellent athlete she has become.
That was Friday evening. Yesterday, Saturday, she qualified for State in the Girls 800 Free-Style Relay.

Congratulations, Cassie!!

Errata: Actually Cassie qualified with two relays for the state meet - the 4 X 200 freestyle and the 4 x 400 IM with the freestyle leg.