Reflections on memory, marigolds and More

By Olivene Godfrey

The patio flowers have that summer "droop" except for the marigolds which are at the peak of their blooming. Son Barry made pictures of the marigolds so we could share them with you.

I read an interesting article last weekend in USA Weekend written by Madonna Behan. She wrote that "neuroscientists are making great strides in unlocking the mysteries of why we forget--and Identifying techniques to help us to remember. The article lists seven ways you can improve your memory now. I was interested in an insert which asked, "Is it Alzheimer's?". and told the differences between signs of Alzheimer's and typical age-related change. In recent years, I sometimes forget which word to use. And, according to the chart, that is an age related change. The sign of Alzheimer's is "difficulty having a conversation." I guess all seniors worry that forgetting things may be early signs of the dreaded disease.

One of the seven ways to improve your memory is to get a good night's sleep. A study at Stanford University suggests that even getting a full eight hours of sleep can impair your ability to remember if that sleep is fragmented or frequently interrupted. The authors wrote that,"Regardless of the total amount of sleep, a minimal unit of uninterrupted sleep is crucial for memory consolidation. "And I've found that to be true. Sometimes I only get about six hours of "dead to the world" sleep and I feel better than when I sleep eight or nine hours.

I use a mental association with a word I"m having difficulty remembering. An example is the word,"vertigo", which I have trouble remembering since my "vertigo fall" awhile back. I think of the name, "Verne", and the word vertigo almost always pops into my mind.

Son Barry and I think of our wonderful helper, Tam as a family member now. Tam's beloved mother, Sue, is bravely fighting cancer and we are praying for her and family. We'd also be grateful if you would add Sue and her family to your prayer lists.

Barry is still enjoying his new job and especially likes the shorter work week. And its always rewarding when your work is appreciated by your employers.

See you next time.

Exercise is medicine & do what I say, not what I do.

By Olivene Godfrey

Since I started working out at Benchmark, Barry started thinking he should exercise again as felt he was out of shape. (He still weighs now the same as he did when he was 20 so he isn't too much out of shape). He has a bunch of weights in the garage and the riding bike in the house. I am supposed to be doing leg exercises here at home and walking some . But, what with IBS and other distractions, I haven't done much. I have vowed to do more from now on though.

There's a large sign on the wall at the Dalton Benchmark gym that reads Exercise is Medicine. And, at age 83, exercises causes a lot of pain itself. Maybe after a while I'll benefit from the exercises. The therapist help work out at Benchmark or I doubt I'd ever be able to do some of the exercises. I understand now why some rich folks who work out hire personal trainers who prod them to do the exercises. I have a lot of will power and have been able to do the exercises at the gym but it is hard work. They let me take as many breaks as I need and are very kind and nice.

Barry and I had a lot on our minds recently and when he bought a sugar free apple pie, we forgot to check ingredients on the pie box. The pie was delicious and I ate a large piece.
To my regret, as I had an adverse reaction to the pie. Barry checked the ingredients and sure enough, it contained a lot of blood sugar alcohol which taste delicious in a food but plays havoc with my stomach. I was sick for several days. I remembered I had asked that readers check the ingredients. So, do what I say, and not what I do. I want to stress that the blood sugar alcohol doesn't bother some people. For instance, it doesn't bother Barry. But, he inherited his late dad's "cast iron stomach" and rarely has any kind of problem digesting food.
See you next time.

I'm just plumb wore out.

By Olivene Godfrey

As we Southern old-timers say, I'm just plumb wore out,
translated that means, I'm physically and emotionally exhausted. So much has happened to me in a short period of time and has left me drained of energy. Son Barry said one recent day,"It seems that you are a nervous basket case when good things happen to you just as much as bad news." And that seems to be true. And most of what has occurred in my life the past two weeks has been good news. Go figure!

When little things start sending me into a frenzy, I know it's time to try to slow down and not do too much for several days.
One important thing to be scheduled is a visit to the audiologist who tested and fitted my hearing aids. I've had a scary loss of hearing and my hearing aids hasn't helped me much. I saw my family doctor last week for a mini-check up, and she examined my ears and said I had a lot of ear wax. Her nurse spent quite awhile cleaning out my ears. I had hoped that would improve hearing but it hasn't.

As I write this, on Sunday afternoon, I'm trying to take it easy and not do too much. I already have two appointments for this week. Thanks to our wonderful helper, Tam, Barry and I haven't had too many chores to do. She's a jewel and helps Barry and me so much.

See you next time.

Intensive workouts at Benchmark physical therapy
By Olivene Godfrey
"You're stronger than you think you are,", son Barry has been telling me. Then the physical therapists told me the same thing at Benchmark's Dalton clinic when they gave me an intensive workout last week. All the same, over the past weekend muscles I didn't know I had were aching. Fortunately, our wonderful, helper. Tam, had the house shiny and clean so I could rest a lot. I went for the therapy two days last week but won't return to the clinic until tomorrow.

BenchMark is a regional chain of Out Patient Rehabilitation
services. My doctor referred me to the Dalton clinic. The physical therapists who worked with me last week said my balance was actually quite good. She asked if I had fallen during the past year. I told her about the vertigo fall when I fell flat on my back with no warning and when I opened my eyes, the room appeared to be spinning.

At the end of my first session, the therapist said she thought I was afraid I would have another vertigo fall and needed to regain my self-confidence. And that is what therapist at the clinic will be trying to do for me. At the end of my second session, I was walking without my cane while the therapist held belt that was attached to my waist.

Tam drove me to the clinic last week and will take me back this week. Already I am feeling stronger and have been astounding Barry and Tam by walking with my cane more often. I haven't needed the wheel chair since I started the therapy

I also have a couple of other appointments the next few weeks so I am getting out more often. Barry wants me get like I was before I had the vertigo fall when I was able to do more things for myself and we could out of the house on weekends again.
I thank God for helping me be stronger.

See you next time.