Capitol Hill Blue Forums Life and Moral Issues Issues of Aging Just thought I would carry on a bit.......

I just turned 90 years old. Its very, very strange. I have been checking deaths in port angeles newpaper. EVERYBODY is less old than I! that one makes no sense at all.

People ask me how old I am, I tell them, everybody says; "You're kidding", "you don't look that old", "How you doing", etc.

The VA is setting up my annual brain test. This test has shown that my brain is, every year, a bit less functional than the previous years. I find it very strange in that I keep thinking that its not changed at all. I can still remember my name, my wife's name and the names of my kids (youngest one is now 60 years old). Then there is the simple word, that, every year, I have forgotten about this brain test. I think the worst is when I cannot remember the problem = ie. "DEMENTIA". My problem with simple words that I understand, can explain, etc. yet I cannot say them outloud. This is frustrrating but, over time, I seem to have accepted, and when it happens I just explain the word I am trying to say and, usually, somebody will say it out loud and then I can too. Seems most of those I know also are aware of what is going on when I goto explaining a word I cannot say without me even saying that's the problem. This whole thing is very strange. I know, I keep saying it, but its true!

Just thought I would mention my state and capacity. Both, I suspect, are going a bit down hill but I don't know it unless I am giving it thought (doesn't happen all that often).

Happy birthday jgw. I am glad you are here to share your thoughts with us. I hope you still have a long time to continue .