Re: Short Term/Long Term Memory and Sarcoid to Tony

[Guest guest]

What an awesome way to put the whole memory thing into perspective. I've also started putting certain things in the same place all the time to alleviate the stress of looking for them later. I always put my bus tickets in the inside pocket of my purse, my house and car keys in my zippered change purse, scissors and tape in a basket in the hallway closet, both shoes that are on my feet in the closet instead of kicking them all over the place, etc. Sometimes it's a pain (literally) to put these things back in their spots, but I have to remind myself that I may not remember where the item is if I merely lay it down somewhere. There are also Post-it notes all over the house to remind me of things to do. I am constantly sticking reminder notes for myself on the front door and I snatch them off on my way to work each morning and read them on the bus. Thanks for making me laugh about the "Dory" moment. Loves It! It's funny how you learn to keep going no matter what happens. Naa Koshie Tony wrote: This post on short term memory hits close to home. The drive to work this morning

was...interesting. I didn't get lost; it just was no longer clear where I was going or why. After all, real men are never lost (ladies, feel free to roll your eyes if you must) hence there is never a need to stop & ask directions. I've been down this road before...at least I think I have. On the more serious side, the short term memory lapses come & go. The long term stuff is usually still in there but can typically be coaxed out if needed. Names, faces, dates, etc are often lost in the labyrinth of neurons. Write the important stuff down in a consistant place so you can find it as needed. Other memory joggers (colors, smells, associations) stimulate the mind making recall easier and having a special place to keep keys, phones, etc helps minimize the stress of searching for misplaced objects. BTW, changing your door locks to deadbolts will keep you from getting accidently locked out...I've lost count of

how many times I forgot my keys.The DDs & I affectionately named these memory challenged times "Dory" moments, after the absent minded fish in "Finding Nemo". It's not a bad thing. After all, how many other folks get to start each day afresh...didn't you see "50 First Dates"? I'd undoubtedly look forward to the prospect of a clean slate each day if I could hold that thought for more than a moment or two. In the meantime, I've posted a sign on my fridge reminding me to do as Dory suggests and "Just keeping swimming". I hope that each of you is able to do the same...stay well my friends. Tony"How far you go in life depends on

your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these."

~ Washington Carver __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Naa Koshie and Tony, thanks for all those good ideas on how to remember where all your stuff is. I am definately going to try them. Now to get everybody else in the family to follow suit! Actually I have been getting more organized since I've been sick...out of necessity. I have also been more actively making my mind think harder for info, spellings, etc. People were actually making comments like I was getting stupid or something and I will not have That with two twenty-something year old sons to contend with...lol. hugs S."Naa Koshie O. Mills" wrote: What an awesome way to put the whole memory thing into perspective. I've also started putting certain things in the same place all the time to alleviate the stress of looking for them later. I always put my bus tickets in the inside pocket of my purse, my house and car keys in my zippered change purse, scissors and tape in a basket in the hallway closet, both shoes that are on my feet in the closet instead of kicking them all over the place, etc. Sometimes it's a pain (literally) to put these things back in their spots, but I have to remind myself that I may not remember where the item is if I merely lay it down somewhere. There are also Post-it notes all over the house to remind me of things to do. I am constantly sticking reminder

notes for myself on the front door and I snatch them off on my way to work each morning and read them on the bus. Thanks for making me laugh about the "Dory" moment. Loves It! It's funny how you learn to keep going no matter what happens. Naa Koshie Tony <dancingangelsfarm (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote: This post on short term memory hits close to home. The drive to work this morning was...interesting. I didn't get lost; it just was no longer clear where I was going or why. After all, real men are never lost (ladies, feel

free to roll your eyes if you must) hence there is never a need to stop & ask directions. I've been down this road before...at least I think I have. On the more serious side, the short term memory lapses come & go. The long term stuff is usually still in there but can typically be coaxed out if needed. Names, faces, dates, etc are often lost in the labyrinth of neurons. Write the important stuff down in a consistant place so you can find it as needed. Other memory joggers (colors, smells, associations) stimulate the mind making recall easier and having a special place to keep keys, phones, etc helps minimize the stress of searching for misplaced objects. BTW, changing your door locks to deadbolts will keep you from getting accidently locked out...I've lost count of how many times I forgot my keys.The DDs & I affectionately named these memory challenged times "Dory" moments, after the absent minded

fish in "Finding Nemo". It's not a bad thing. After all, how many other folks get to start each day afresh...didn't you see "50 First Dates"? I'd undoubtedly look forward to the prospect of a clean slate each day if I could hold that thought for more than a moment or two. In the meantime, I've posted a sign on my fridge reminding me to do as Dory suggests and "Just keeping swimming". I hope that each of you is able to do the same...stay well my friends. Tony "How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these." ~

Washington Carver __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

, please let me know if you figure out how to get everyone else

to follow suit. My favorite show these days " Monk " , mostly as we

both have OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), or at least that's

what DD #1 tells me. I can always find the kids' jackets, shoes, &

book bags as these are typically dropped by the door. I can blame DD

#2s ferret for some of the small items but where the bigger stuff

ends up is often a mystery.

Naa Koshie, you made me laugh about the post-it notes. And I thought

that I had the market cornered on those. They work, most of the time

but I'm no longer sure what color the fridge actually is. I stuck a

post-it to the milk bottle I intended on returning today so I

wouldn't forget to do…?something?…the milk bottle & the note are

still on the kitchen table so I suppose I'll find out what is was

when I get home. Now I remember why the real important stuff gets

put on paper & pinned to my jacket or back pack.

Learning that the world won't stop if I forget something was an

adjustment…realizing that I'm not stupid just because I forget once

in a while was a blessing. Technology is a wonderful thing. Most

cell phones have built in organizers & calendars these days. I've

gotten use to using an older hand held organizer (PDA) that I picked

up at a garage sale for all my important appointments. The alarm has

saved my bacon on more than one occasion & the notepad is invaluable

for things as simple as where did I park. I used to use the alarm on

my watch but the ferret took a shine to it…I'm sure it's around

somewhere.

Peace & happiness to everyone on this fine day. Tony