I am afraid of losing my memory. My father had significant memory loss and, when he died at age 88, had been showing signs of Alzheimer’s for about 15 years. That would make him about my age when his condition was noticeable.
I am significantly healthier than my dad was and….so far so good. I haven’t been stashing my wallet in the refrigerator. I can find my way home. I’m not so good at finding my car in parking lots but I never have been. I ace those tests all Medicare patients get when they visit the doctor–I can draw a fabulous clock face. Some of my friends are worrying about losing their memories, too. We compare symptoms: “I lost my car keys twice today;” “I forgot my next door neighbor’s name;” “What’s the name of that thingy that…does that stuff…you know.” Or my personal favorite: “What were we just talking about?” And neither of us can remember.
To date, there isn’t much to be done to stop progressive memory loss so, besides keeping up with the literature and participating in medical studies, what is to be done? I figure the best approach is to appreciate what we have while we have it. And deal with the problem if it presents itself.
Memory Test
Do you remember that pathetic indoor lemon tree I thought was dead a few years ago (see blog of May 16, 2016)? The photo at the top of this pages shows it as it is now, in our garden in California, flourishing with age!
