CSue
Local Chapter Leader
There is a reason my motto is, "Never say die!" in 1997 I was diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disease that killed my twin sister 6 months later. She had been in a nursing home for 7 years before she passed away. Thanks to my cousin and some great doctors and therapy people, I'm still "on the outside."
It isn't the physical problems that bother me. It's the cognitive impairment. Some days I do well - almost like a 'normal person.' but more days over the last 9 months have been what I call "bad brain day." The doc even tried me on (not sure of the name) ?namenda? for Alzheimers patients. Didn't help. During my last Pen Show - LA in Feb, I was having a lot of trouble - even having to have my clients add up their stuff for me. With one thing or another I've only been able to make a few pens. I had to teach myself how to do things all over again.
Some days I remember and recall things okay. But most days not. There are times my cousin has to tell me what to do - and HOW to do it. In my mind I KNOW I knew. I just can't remember. They say it is a type of dementia. It could be the Corticobasal syndrome. It could be small strokes. I understand everything I hear and read - if I've known it for years. I just have difficulty recalling it independently and communicating. If I don't recall something and I hear it spoken or see it written, then I have a better chance of remembering a moment.
The reason I'm telling ya'll is because I have not been able to participate in this forum as much as I'd like of late. Seeing all the progress people here have made really thrills me. I will be coming around as much as I can. And I will continue to participate when I'm able. You all have helped me so much to 'keep on keepin on.' If not for the physical demands and skills of penturning, I might not have been mobile as long as I have. I definitley would not have had as much fun!
So, for when I can't say it anymore, thank you all for being my friends. And in the mean time, I reserve the right to be a casual commentator and post an occasional pen or two. I am not going to be able to keep up with greeter team regularly. It's been difficult for me to keep up with that.
But for now, I have a pen to finish - while I remember what I was doing to it. :biggrin:
Never say die! Never quit. Keep on keepin on even when you don't know what
It isn't the physical problems that bother me. It's the cognitive impairment. Some days I do well - almost like a 'normal person.' but more days over the last 9 months have been what I call "bad brain day." The doc even tried me on (not sure of the name) ?namenda? for Alzheimers patients. Didn't help. During my last Pen Show - LA in Feb, I was having a lot of trouble - even having to have my clients add up their stuff for me. With one thing or another I've only been able to make a few pens. I had to teach myself how to do things all over again.
Some days I remember and recall things okay. But most days not. There are times my cousin has to tell me what to do - and HOW to do it. In my mind I KNOW I knew. I just can't remember. They say it is a type of dementia. It could be the Corticobasal syndrome. It could be small strokes. I understand everything I hear and read - if I've known it for years. I just have difficulty recalling it independently and communicating. If I don't recall something and I hear it spoken or see it written, then I have a better chance of remembering a moment.
The reason I'm telling ya'll is because I have not been able to participate in this forum as much as I'd like of late. Seeing all the progress people here have made really thrills me. I will be coming around as much as I can. And I will continue to participate when I'm able. You all have helped me so much to 'keep on keepin on.' If not for the physical demands and skills of penturning, I might not have been mobile as long as I have. I definitley would not have had as much fun!
So, for when I can't say it anymore, thank you all for being my friends. And in the mean time, I reserve the right to be a casual commentator and post an occasional pen or two. I am not going to be able to keep up with greeter team regularly. It's been difficult for me to keep up with that.
But for now, I have a pen to finish - while I remember what I was doing to it. :biggrin:
Never say die! Never quit. Keep on keepin on even when you don't know what
