Wow! That totally blew me out of the chair.
Mostly likely because that is exactly what easy child is worried.........insert here very worried.........might be going on with me. Of course mine wouldm't have the same cause. Mine would be the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). And I have to say it worries me as well because she doesn't know half of what I deal with daily concerning memory ect.
Now what is supposed to cheer you up about that is............I'm also the one who just graduated nursing school. LOL
My point? Stay as active as possible. Read a lot. Stimulate your brain to keep it working as much as possible. The good news about this is that there is a cause to it and that cause has been treated. You could spend forever in the "beginning" stages of dementia without ever progressing any further. Know what that means? You're forgetful. You might get confused at times and under certain circumstances. (usually high stress) Honestly, at this point after what you've been through, I don't think it's that big of deal.
You're a highly intelligent woman. You've kept a schedule for years that would've left me dazed and confused even before the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I've been in awe of you for years.
Want me to be honest with you? I really would like to be neuropsychologist tested due to the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I know there are issues, some more severe than others. And I do plan to try to get it done at some point. Yet another part of me is scared to death they're going to tell me my brain is really mush and my short term memory is toast and it's functioning is going to go straight down the tubes just because they said so. lol So that part of me would much rather keep on coping as best I can and pretend there is no problem.
Just remember Linda.......a label doesn't change anything. But I would sit and talk with your doctor to see if there may be possible services it could get you just to make everyday stuff easier. And a service dog??? OMG! I want a service dog!!!!
((((hugs))))