My mom was diagnosed five years ago with Precursor Mild Cognitive Impairment.  She has tested positive for the gene that contains the disease, which we assume was passed to her by her mother who also suffered from Alzheimer's.  While she is retired, she felt forced to do so because the tau and tangles were effecting her abilities at work.  She still has fun, and enjoys life, and activities.

This past year was a big transition year for us.  December of 2018 was the last "normal" Christmas we would spend together, as a family.  She made her last visit to our home in 2018 and I fear that she will no longer be able to travel outside of Orlando.  In February 2019, my Mom has been placed into a Memory Care Unit where she can socialize with others who suffer from this disease.   Her agitation and rage episodes happen quicker and unexpectedly. This makes it difficult to keep her out in public for long periods of time.  She is receiving excellent care here and she is generally quite happy when we visit.  This is her new normal now, and will be for the foreseeable future.

She turned 68 this year, and we have been blessed that she still has her health now 4 years into her diagnosis.  This disease has an unexpected timeline and can take people quickly or slowly.  There is no way to predict its progression.

Please join our team, Nana's MOB, for the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's®, the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer's disease. Together, we can advance research to treat and prevent Alzheimer's, and provide programs and support to improve the lives of millions of affected Americans.  I'm encouraging all of my friends in Knoxville to walk with me on September 21st!  I'd like to take a huge group photo to send to my Mom showing how many people have support for her and others with Alzheimer's.  Click to donate or even better, to walk with me and be in a memorable photo for my Mom's 68th year of life!