In the last year I have been increasingly aware that things are not good with my short-term memory. Constantly forgetting to do things I said I would do was highlighting it. Leaving things out because as soon as I’m distracted I forget what I was doing. It was getting bad and I was ignoring it.

I was asked if I’d take part in a study of movement around the home. This was a Parkinson’s based study so naturally I agreed. Part of the initial questions of the trial was a cognitive test. I failed the memory section. I was advised to mention it to my GP. It was strange I actually had an appointment that afternoon for an unrelated problem. I brought the subject up with my GP and before I’d finished explaining she had the cognitive test printed out. Yes I failed that one too. I’ll refer you she said and here’s a blood test to rule out any other anomalies.

A few weeks later I had an appointment through with the mental health unit for the elderly!! It felt wrong but I was happy it was being investigated. In the mean time my catch up with my neurologist was coming up.

There I was waiting to see my neurologist. Where had that year gone!? I had a whole list in my phone to ask him including memory problems. He asked loads of questions about my memory. His conclusion, I was developing Lewy body as a result of the Parkinson’s. His advice was get my affairs in order. Get power of attorney in place. Stay active with exercises and keep socializing and do as much mental stimulation as possible. He then said I’ll see you in a year.

Next came my appointment for the mental health unit for the elderly. Hang on a mo I don’t fit the criteria.  I saw this guy who asked some really strange questions, like can I cook for myself and can I dress myself and do I do drugs! He is obviously used to some crazy OAP’s and it seems to have rubbed off on him.  He said he wants me to have a head CT scan.  I have the scan on the 5th of August.  My research tells me a CT scan will show nothing except that I have a head.