FAMILY

FAMILY
I fight for a cure for me & our amazing children❤️

Monday, May 20, 2019

Never a dull moment ๐Ÿ˜

Happy month of May and happy spring to all of you. Happy Mother’s Day too ๐ŸŒทOur spring has included a ton of rain, but we are hoping for sunshine very soon! It’s been another busy few weeks, but I’ve had plenty of down time to spend time with my friends and sort through old family photos! I also started writing what will eventually be a book! I’m using the StoryWorth app. Every week they ask you a question and at the end of the year - or whenever you are done - they print all the stories into a book. I’m excited about it because I am able to talk about my mom and my family and what my life was like growing up. And it will be something my kids and grandkids will have forever. It’s been fun looking for old photos of my mom, or of me as a baby๐Ÿ˜ƒ

I spent some time at UCSF for the Eli Lily clinical trial at the end of April and was qualified to move forward to the next step. Last week I had a PET scan. In order to see the Tau in my brain they have to inject me with radioactive dye. I’ve had this procedure before and it doesn’t hurt. The PET scan is ok for me too. Only because it’s like a huge donut and my claustrophobia doesn’t kick in - thankfully!! This test is the most important part of the trial qualification. There are parameters in order to proceed so I am a little anxious about the results. I can’t have too much Tau, or too little Tau. It has to be just right. Sounds like Goldilocks and the three bears with their porridge! I should get some feedback this week so keep those prayers coming๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป If this trial doesn’t work out I’m hoping there will be something else very soon. I am not in control and I will do my best to take the information without having a breakdown. 

I had a meeting at the Alzheimer’s Assoc office this month and flew to Chicago by myself! I felt very comfortable and was able to navigate the delays and gate changes. I had a great dinner at the hotel and had a great chat about God and faith with a sweet waitress. I guess the cross necklace I wear every day gives me away!

The meeting was great and I always enjoy seeing my fellow Board members.  We did some good work talking about what’s changed in the past 14 years since our Mission & Vision statement was created. I look forward to our next meeting in June and in the mean time will be doing my best to come up with some good language for our new mission/ vision! I’m extremely happy to be part of this and to have a ‘job’ of sorts. It definitely gives me a purpose and keeps my brain active. 

My extended birthday celebrations continued too and I had lunch with my friends and did some shopping and chatting and a lot of laughing! I like it when my birthday celebrations carry into the next month๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ˜

I was really excited to be interviewed via live video chat this month with Deborah Kan, the founder of  ‘Being Patient Alzheimer’s’. Her mom has Alzheimer’s and she is a former author and columnist who is using live video chats to educate and inform others about Alzheimer’s. She has done many interviews and they are all great. Check out the link online if you are interested. My video is online as well and on my Facebook page. I was happy to share my story and to do my best to inspire others to get involved in fighting this disease!

So as you can see I’ve had another busy month. This weekend we had my daughters bridal shower and it was lovely and perfect! I gave her a cookbook that my mom had given me and I wrote in it so that when she uses it she will hopefully feel my love ❤️ She’s not much of a chef right now but she has plenty of time for that. My niece hosted it and it was so much fun to see some of the Bonnington’s and spend time with Kristen’s friends and bridal party. My sister and one of my best friends drove up too from Modesto!

Today is my sweet grandson Michael’s birthday! He’s nine and I can’t wait to celebrate with him. He’s getting so tall and really growing up but he’s still a goof ball and makes us laugh. It was so nice to talk with him and sing him a happy birthday song๐ŸŽ‚

Rusty is here with me and continues to be an amazing care giver๐Ÿˆ He really does lift me up when I’m having a bad day.

Bob and I are traveling together this weekend to see Phil & Elizabeth and our sweet grandson Benjamin. I’m very excited about that!

During the down days I’ve been listening to books on Audible. I’ve read some amazing books and am happy to share them with you. Most have been psychological thrillers but one of my favorites was ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’. Check it out if you can. Listening on Audible has been much better than reading and for some reason I seem to remember things better that way.

So that’s my update! Now it’s time for a rest. And thankfully Rusty is here next to me to keep me warm. Thank you all for your continued love, support and prayers.  And for all the local folks please
join us for our Alzheimer’s Assoc Longest Day event at Gianni’s Italian Bistro in San Ramon on June 10th! Reservations are required through Yelp or by calling the restaurant at 925-820-6969! They are donating 10% of all sales and 100% of the tips๐Ÿ’ฐ I will be the hostess that night and all the servers are volunteers or staff from the NorCal/NorNevada Alzheimer’s Association ๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰ It will be a great evening.

Much love and blessing to you๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ’œ