I have always liked the song Roar by Katy Perry. Since I have found out I have Alzheimer’s disease I find the lyrics to be very fitting for what I am going through.
“You held me down, but I got up (hey), already brushing off the dust. You hear my voice, you hear the sound. Like thunder, gonna shake the ground. You held me down, but I got up, get ready ‘cause I had enough. I see it all, I see it now.
The last few months have been very difficult to for me as I published in my recent blog, titled I May Be Down But I am Definitely Not Out. But as always, I have recovered and I am back swinging for the fence. My husband and I just met with my Alzeheimer’s doctor and I am happy to report that in her view my condition has not deteriorated a bit over the last six months and that I am doing remarkably well. She paid me the greatest compliment when she said “I wish all my patients were like you”. Why would she say that?
We discussed the difficulties I am having with my memory and what coping strategies I have identified to allow me to work around those memory issues and allow me to continue to function effectively. She was impressed with my high cognitive reserve. I explained to her that when I am really struggling we notice a distinct link to when I am under stress, not sleeping well, , not eating a strict MIND diet and most importantly, not exercising. When I don’t do those things I am a complete mess. My new motto is exercise and diet are my full time job. I do it as if my life depends on it, because quite frankly my quality of life depends on it.
Even though my prognosis looks bleak, and I do not qualify to participate in any Alzheimer’s trials, and I have a myriad of other medical conditions that are very disconcerting, I am NOT going to let this disease win any sooner than it has to. I am a firm believer in MIND over MATTER. I truly believe the reason I am doing so well is my positive attitude. The more I move and get the blood flowing through my heart and to my brain the better off I will be.
“I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter. Dancing through the fire. “Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna to hear me roar. Louder, louder than a lion. “Cause your gonna year me roar”.
My Alzheimer’s doctor said she never seen a patient so determined to beat this condition. We discussed the fact that I truly do understand what I am up against since my Mom died from it, but I don’t have to go down easily. She was fascinated by how pragmatic I am and how I am working regularly on accomplishing my Alzheimer’s Business Plan. I explained to her that in the IT industry I was in “we plan our work, and work our plan”. My Daily Alzheimer’s checklist is my plan and I am following it religiously. What are you doing to keep your brain and body healthy and moving?
Not today, Alzheimer’s. Not today!
If you would like to sponsor me in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s to help find a cure for this disease, it would be greatly appreciated.
Living My Best Life With Alzheimer’s 