Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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The
Menopause
Gang
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Menopause Corner
Menopause Moments...
Younger/Early Onset Alzheimers & Dementia
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Time for Reflection: Thank you Ellen for sharing your inner
thoughts. Someone will certainly gain insight from your article.
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Editor
Carole Sousa
Contributors
Caroline Ivaliotis
Monica Jones
Trish Wan
Ellen W
Disclaimer:
The information set forth in this pamphlet is not in ANY way (either written or implied) to substitute for and/or give medical advice. It is only intended to share the emotional aspect of going through menopause.
The Publisher
ContactTraceyCaswell
topurchasethesebooksat:
Email:tracey@logic.bm
By Monica Jones
Theres been a lot of excitement in our home about the Americas Cup. When It was first announced, I had an ear infection and was lying in bed. My husband came rushing up saying: WE GOT IT! Got what? I asked. The Americas Cup in
2017! Oh. Right. Id forgotten about that!
He wasnt making any effort to contain his excitement. He and my son Matthew have already got a tentative charter for
the event.
He explained that hes been following the Americas Cup since he was a little boy. He used to cut out photographs of the
sailboats in the Americas Cup and put them in scrapbooks. He loves boats. He loves paintings of sailboats.
And one of the reasons I like painting sailboats is because we did do one ocean crossing together on my uncles sailboat
Pie Crust when I was about 25 years old from Bermuda to Newport Rhode Island. It was quite the adventure and I could
write a few stories about that journey.
When we got to Newport, we saw the 12 metre sailboats that used to feature in the Americas Cup. The competition was
held in Newport Rhode Island for years and years before it started moving around the world.
Ive been thinking a lot about this event. Ive had to work hard within myself to detach from my own stinking thinking
about how some people will use this event as an opportunity to expand complaints. I dont listen to the radio talk shows,
but when I hear the odd snippet, or read the newspaper blogs, all I hear is the words that I sometimes feel are like a national mantra. It says: Theres nothing in it for me. When I hear this I feel like I do when I encounter an unflushed toilet.
It repulses me and I want to flush and retreat as quickly as I can.
Then I feel hopeless and frustrated. Hopeless, because I feel powerless to say or do anything to make the situation better. Frustrated, because I see so much potential in so many people.
And when I hear those words, I often want to put a grip on the person. Give them a shake or a slap and say: Youre so
much more than this!.
Im reining in my frustration as best I can. Im putting my energy, my heart and mind into a vision of us making a community effort to embrace with joy this wonderful event. Of all of us participating in some way to making it the best event we
can.
My challenge to myself and to anyone who doesnt see the personal benefits, is to
go out and research, search and find the benefits that will exist for all of us. And if
anyone needs some help, I have quite a few ideas, so contact me if youre stuck.
Let it be a confidence builder. Good news. Let it bring each one of us hope. Its just
as joyful to see someone really loving something as it is for the person loving the
event!
We all benefit from enthusiasm, realism and confidence building. These energies
create more of the same.
No, Im not a boat lover. But I love to paint boats because my husband loves them
so much and I love him.
Today and every day, expand the horizons of your joy and let them continue to get
bigger and broader as you travel through this journey that is called life.
Monica Jones is a Bermudian artist and writer. Monica paints in pastel, charcoal and encaustic. She lives in
Bermuda with her husband Arthur (lifelong sweetheart and supporter) and three ducks. Monica has three children, two grandchildren, a son and daughter-in-law and grew up in Paget, Bermuda.
Contact info: email runaway@northrock.bm if you would like to receive regular newsletters from the author and
be added to the mailing list.
Cell: 441-332-2753Website: http://www.monicajonesartist.com
Copyright Monica (Smith) Jones
TimeForReflectionContdfromCoverPage
I think I wanted to be wanted because when people cease to need you, then youre right back where you
started. Youre still drowning in unrealized expectations.
Worse, it leads me down very unwanted detours where ceasing to care about things that need to be cared
about...such as my health or my wellbeing. I know I am in a very dangerous position.
The Plan:
To concentrate on doing things that have purpose. I need to economize my emotions and stop wasting time
on things that are hopeless. Its hard for me to let go of hopes and even people, but if its not going to boost
me up, then its only going to drag me down. There is too much to do in this life to be weighted down. No
more drama, especially the kind that I bring on myself.
The Recipe is to lighten up in every sense of the word. Its time to reclaim my happy. I thought I had used up
all my allotted amount, that it could not possibly be limitless. As much as Ive tried to give it away to other
people, I am the only one who can control it.
TalesfromTrishContdfrompage3
viewees approximate height, a nonsensical game
that enlivened our viewing pleasure. As interviewees were allowed to speak for as long as they desired, without being bothered by such a thing as another question, Im curious to know whether the interviewing style has developed over the years, if the
green chair had been replaced and in whose living room our green chair now resides?
We learned to love these miniscule noisy critters,
and because they spoke to us of Bermuda, obviously tree frogs rule!
MENOPAUSE MOMENTS:
You get out of your rental car and inadvertently press the panic button on the key fob. The car is honking and you cant
shut it up. This goes on for a while. Youre pressing everything you can think of, nothing happens till your daughter
comes out, grabs the fob and presses the Panic button. Noise stops. The End.
You pull a sweater off over your head on the plane when you arrive at
your destination. You forget your reading glasses are sitting on top of
your head. Youre not paying attention so Im sure the glasses flew off
somewhere and you didnt notice. Where are they when you need them a
little while later???
You go to your favorite coffee shop and order your favorite java. You give
them your name so they can write it on the cup. Its very busy so you patiently wait. Eventually they call out your name and youre not paying attention. After five minutes it finally registers that they have already called
your name...embarrassed!
Alzheimers is not just a disease of old age. Younger-onset (also known as early-onset) Alzheimers affects people
younger than age 65. Up to 5 percent of the more than 5 million Americans with Alzheimers have younger-onset.
Who gets early onset Alzheimers?
Many people with early onset are in their 40s and 50s. They have families, careers or are even caregivers themselves
when Alzheimers disease strikes. In the United States, it is estimated that approximately 200,000 people have early onset.
Diagnosing early onset Alzheimers
Since health care providers generally dont look for Alzheimers disease in younger people, getting an accurate diagnosis
of early onset Alzheimers can be a long and frustrating process. Symptoms may be incorrectly attributed to stress or
there may be conflicting diagnoses from different health care professionals. People who have early onset Alzheimers
may be in any stage of dementia early stage, middle stage or late stage. The disease affects each person differently
and symptoms will vary.
If you are experiencing memory problems:
Have a comprehensive medical evaluation with a doctor who specializes in Alzheimers disease. Getting a diagnosis
involves a medical exam and possibly cognitive tests, a neurological exam and/or brain imaging. Call your local chapter
of the Alzheimers Association for a referral.
Write down symptoms of memory loss or other cognitive difficulties to share with your health care professional.
Keep in mind that there is no one test that confirms Alzheimers disease. A diagnosis is only made after a comprehensive medical evaluation.
Causes of early onset including genetics:
Doctors do not understand why most cases of early onset Alzheimers appear at such a young age. But in a few hundred
families worldwide, scientists have pinpointed several rare genes that directly cause Alzheimers. People who inherit
these rare genes tend to develop symptoms in their 30s, 40s and 50s. When Alzheimers disease is caused by deterministic genes, it is called familial Alzheimers disease, and many family members in multiple generations are affected.
Impact on your family:
Learning about the unique challenges of living with younger-onset is the first step in understanding the impact the disease will have on you and your family. While this may be difficult for you at first, it can help relieve some of the anxieties
and fears you may have about the future, and allow you more time to focus on things that bring you joy. While each family experiences the impact of younger-onset Alzheimers disease differently, there are common issues:
Stigma:
There are many myths, misconceptions and stereotypes about Alzheimers disease. Because of your young age, people
may not believe you have the disease, may question your diagnosis or dismiss it. Stigma can have a significant impact
on your well-being and quality of life. It may cause you to withdraw from your relationships and become isolated. Dont
fear stigma, fight it instead.
Plan for your future:
Prior to your diagnosis, you may have been saving for your retirement. As someone in the early stage of the disease,
you have the ability to put critical financial and legal plans in place. Be confident about the decisions your family will need
to make on your behalf when it becomes too demanding or unsafe for you to make your own decisions.
Talk with your family or consider speaking with a financial planner and an attorney.
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