This is a follow up to my previous post in which I noted some of the changes in Kate’s memory. Since then, I have observed several other examples. One occurred at lunch when she asked, “Does this place have a name?” This was at Carla’s Trattoria where we eat lunch once a week. This afternoon as we were leaving for her monthly massage she asked, “Are we still in Tennessee?” Of course, this is the correct answer, but the question showed she wasn’t sure. And we have lived here almost 47 years. This is much more a commentary on the weakness of her long-term memory as opposed to her short-term memory.
When I picked her up from her massage, we drove directly to get our haircuts. As we were leaving from getting our haircuts, I told her we had a little more than an hour before it would be time to leave for opera night at Casa Bella. I asked if she would like to go home or stop by Panera. She said she wanted something to eat. I suggested we go to Panera and get a bagel. That suited her. Just a few moments later, she asked where we were going. She had already forgotten.
Once at Panera, I selected a table and she went to the restroom before taking a seat that was in a different section of the restaurant. Knowing that she would not immediately find me, I stood up where I could see her, and she might see me. In a minute, I saw her. She was looking all around. She had absolutely no memory of where the table was. I waved my hand, and she noticed me. Then she gave me a dirty look and shook her head as she walked toward me. She was obviously annoyed that I hadn’t made it easier for her to find me.
That reminds me of something else. On several occasions recently, she has asked me to wait for her outside the restroom at a restaurant. Those are the first times I ever recall her doing that. That in itself shows a greater recognition that she won’t be able to find her way back to where we were sitting.
