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Danielle Hatfield

Inheriting Alzheimer’s

April 15, 2015 By Danielle Hatfield Leave a Comment

15 Apr
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Since childhood, I’ve known about the fact that inheriting alzheimer’s could be a reality for me. For nearly 30ish years I’ve pushed the knowledge that alzheimer’s was rampant on my biological mother’s side of the family out of my head as best I could. She had it, a few of her siblings had it, her mother had it. In an act of willful ignorance, I refused to even entertain the idea that I too could have it one day. . . that was until she passed away last year.

That’s when I began wondering ‘Is Alzheimer’s inherited?‘ I agonized over the knowledge that “Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.”

I will say that reading that statistic made my heart sink.  Coming to terms with the possibility that I may inherit it (no,I have not been diagnosed), has made me reevaluate my  priorities in life. I’m incredibly selective who I choose to share my time with, thoughtful as to what I spend my time doing and investing what time I do have as wisely as I possibly can. Now, I’m not wallowing in self pity – but I am making some necessary changes so that I can live a life I won’t ever forget.

Awareness does change you.

Since the traumatic conclusion to my biological mothers life, there were days that I would forget seemingly simple things and burst into tears – I couldn’t bear the thought of eventually forgetting my husband, the love of my life. I look at him a little longer now. I linger on the sound of his voice. I am committed to memorizing his every laugh.

Brandon comforts me and continues to encourage me to face the possibility head on. The more I know the better. He shares new research articles and comforts me when I get a little choked up. It’s up to me to come to terms with and understand the probability of my unlikely inheritance.

I hope this video and the links I’ve shared below help you and your family. If you find any articles on Alzheimer’s treatment or news – Please give me a tweet. I’d love to read them.

Okay – so you’re still here. GREAT!

If you are concerned about a family member or yourself having Alzheimer’s, there are 10 warning signs you should look for. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you can search by state and join a support group in your area thanks to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Alzheimer’s Association is an amazing resource and shares the following helpful information:

“Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.”

  • The basics
  • Symptoms
  • Changes in the brain
  • Plaques & tangles
  • Research

Additional Reading: 

10 Warning Signs and Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Standard Treatments, Treatment Horizon, Prevention andClinical Trials.

Early Onset Alzheimer’s and Risk Factors.

Visit http://alz.org for tons more information.

You may also want to listen to the RadioLab podcast Vanishing Words.

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About Danielle Hatfield

Owner/Chief Dirt Digger at Experience Farm - DIYs, recipes and sharing my 2 cents on social media

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I love to share recipes, DIYs, and my two cents on social media.

I am also proud to be the Chief Dirt Digger at Experience Farm where I have worked with my partner and husband Brandon Pierce since 2009.

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daniellehatfield

I love #DIYs, #recipes, and sharing my 2 cents on social media.

My next #FurnitureRestoration project! 😍 My de My next #FurnitureRestoration project! 😍

My dear @thebrandonpierce found it at the local #HabitatReStore and it’s a near match for a desk he inherited that once belonged to his great grandfather. 

I have BIG plans for this beauty!

It will become home to my new @singersewingcompany heavy duty sewing machine and all of my sewing notions. 

This means I can *finally* begin sewing curtains, cushions, and tackle a few other upholstery/restoration projects. 🤗
#HomemadePastaSauce > store-bought #PastaSauce. #HomemadePastaSauce > store-bought #PastaSauce.
Practicing #WorkLifeBalance with some quality time Practicing #WorkLifeBalance with some quality time outside this morning. 

With temperatures in the mid 60s and a cool breeze ahead of the thunderstorms forecast for tomorrow - it is the *perfect* weather to show our #GardenLove.

This #Iris is one of many transplant successes … I moved it a few years ago and it is nearly waist high! 

Is our #CottageGarden picture perfect? No. 

But slowly, with patience and hard work, it’s more lush and colorful… I dare say it’s well on its way to resembling #BeatrixPotter’s beloved garden. 

Now, about those children’s books I’ve been meaning to write and illustrate…🤔
A #watercolorportrait I painted of #ElvisPresley l A #watercolorportrait I painted of #ElvisPresley last year. 

I didn’t share this #watercolorpainting before because I thought it was mediocre at best. I still feel that way - but that’s okay. 

#WatercolorPractice never makes perfect…it makes improvement. 

I’ll probably paint another portrait of him this year to see if I’ve improved my fabric, skin, and hair painting skills. 

I’m thinking maybe the next painting will be a still from his 1968 One Night With You special...or of him in uniform from WWII. 🤔

Do you have a favorite memorable photo/video of #Elvis?
I’ve been encouraging the #dandelions. I’m I’ve been encouraging  the #dandelions. 

I’m harvesting leaves for sandwiches/salads and transplanting volunteers into pots in our small #CottageGarden.

Some see a weed - I see Clara’s #DepressionEra salad and #DandelionRoot tea. 😍
@thebrandonpierce surprised me with the sweetest # @thebrandonpierce surprised me with the sweetest #springflowers from our #cottagegarden. 😍
#SpringFlowers found on our walk tonight. 😍#Wha #SpringFlowers found on our walk tonight. 😍#WhatIsThisPlant?
My dear @thebrandonpierce keeps the birthday month My dear @thebrandonpierce keeps the birthday month surprises coming with TWO books by @jamesgurneyart! 😍

If you need me, I’ll be sipping coffee and getting lost in a wealth of #ArtInspiration.
#PracticeMakesProgress 🙌🏻 The first #waterc #PracticeMakesProgress 🙌🏻

The first #watercolor #painting (on the left) I finished last year. Good, but a bit dull. 

After receiving all of my new #artsupplies this month (thank you @thebrandonpierce 😘) I *HAD* to paint it again… isn’t she a beauty?! (on the right)

I’m slowly working to improve mixing skin tones, painting eyes that have a bit more depth, and a fabric that doesn’t look splotchy…

This #watercolorpractice is inspired by the February 1927 #PictoralReview #CoverArt by  #illustrationArtist #EarlChristy. 

#WatercolorPaint & #Paintbrushes: #KingArtCompany 

#WatercolorPaper: #cansonpaper 140lb cold press
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