Living with Dementia: Enjoying the Present Moment

I just came back from a run with my husband, Dave. It is an absolutely gorgeous fall morning–sun is shining, with wispy clouds and a feel of coolness in the air. Perfect for running. As we are heading towards the sun, I look up to see many layers and shapes of clouds, on a backdrop of the deep blue sky. What is interesting, and particularly beautiful, are the colours around the sun–shades of mint green and fuchsia-almost like a rainbow but without the rain. I mention it to Dave, who isn’t... 

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Magic Moments

Living as a carer for my husband, Dave with dementia (frontotemporal dementia) is a challenging and life changing experience. There have been times (too numerous to count) when I have wanted to hand the job over to someone else. This isn’t what I had planned for the years when our kids left home and we were still young enough to travel, hike and bike wherever. But this is what life is handing us and I finally figured out that I can’t fight it and I had better learn to accept it. This... 

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Living with Dementia: Organized Chaos

Organized chaos…it must look like my life is busy from the outside with balancing work, home, family, caring for my husband, Dave, with frontotemporal dementia, and fitting in ‘me’ time, but I found a secret for staying calm–most of the time. It is called exercise. Sometimes it is a bike ride, a run, Nordic hike, kayak or gardening. Whatever it is–without exception–I feel better afterwards. This morning was a good example… [Read The Full Article]  Read More →

News-fasting is Healthy

The other morning my mother-in-law phoned me at 6 am (she knows I like to get up at 4 am and read, meditate or write) to ask me how the wildfire was. What fire? She said…”the one in your part of town”. We live in the country among sage brush, miniature cacti and pine beetle (dead) trees so summer fires aren’t uncommon. Anyway, I looked outside and saw a bit of smoke but knew we weren’t in immediate risk of evacuation. We chatted some more, I thanked her and then checked... 

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Working through moments of sadness

This morning Dave had just left with the dogs for a walk and I was getting ready for a run. I was sitting in the den when I noticed how tired I was feeling. It was emotional fatigue from a week of household challenges—the furnace breaking down, the central vacuum not working and a whole electrical circuit out. Since my husband, Dave, was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia 3 years ago, I have gradually taken over his chores; chores that came easily to his ‘male’ brain. I had no idea how... 

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Walking in my shoes–living with a spouse with frontotemporal dementia

Every time  my sister or children come to visit, I learn a little bit more about how I am managing my new life—a life with my husband, Dave who has Frontotemporal dementia. I am more aware of how I speak to him–including my tone and patience. I am also more aware of how I ‘respond’ or ‘react’ to comments from people who step into our lives for a few hours or a few days; people who have good intentions, but aren’t walking in my shoes. A good example was the other night… Dave was... 

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Insights on frontotemporal dementia from Jill Bolte Taylor’s video-’Stroke of Insight’

The more I read about the brain, the more I realize that scientists are just scratching the surface of  its’ potential. In many ways it is comforting because it opens the door to possibilities for my husband, Dave, with Frontotemporal dementia. In fact, it opens up the real possibility that we don’t have to accept declining brain function and memory with aging. Last week I watched a great video on Ted.com called a ‘Stroke of Insight’  by Jill Bolte Taylor. She is a neuroanatomist... 

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Living with Dementia–The Magic of a Ginger Cat with White Boots

I am amazed at how quickly a stray, ginger cat with white boots–purring on my lap– can lift my mood. It hasn’t been an easy 2 weeks since my husband, Dave, received a medical driver’s form to be filled in within 45 days–or he loses his license. There is a .001% chance he will be allowed to continue driving. 3 years ago Dave was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia and the specialist warned us this day would come. Dave has a remarkable attitude toward his dementia. He hasn’t... 

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Stepping out of my Comfort Zone–Overcoming Adversity

I often wonder why I have trouble erasing certain events in my life–events which didn’t feel very good at the time and continue to haunt me today. For example, in grade 7, we were asked to stand up in class and the  music teacher went up and down the rows while we sang a song. She tapped the chosen few on their shoulders to be in the choir. You can probably guess that I wasn’t chosen. Even today I am self-conscious about my singing and the only place you will hear me singing... 

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Great new book: Overcomers Inc.; true stories of hope,courage & inspiration

  Later this month a geat new book  titled ‘Overcomers Inc.: True stories of hope, courage and inspiration’ is being released. Here is a summary of the book: Overcomers, Inc: True stories of hope, courage, and inspiration will give readers the knowledge and emotional resilience to face the most difficult times of life by sharing inspiring stories of triumph. You will find this a book of diversity. There are many authors, from many walks of life. However, they all share a common bond.... 

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