On arrival in Vienna yesterday, even though The Altstadt Vienna hotel is beautiful and we are quite spoilt being able to afford to stay here, we had a few teething problems, and I had a dreadful night with little sleep. The manager of the hotel has been nothing short of brilliant in her efforts to heal all of our tooth aches, and today we were even relocated to another room to ensure our comfort. Now, the prices are nothing like The Dorchester in London, or somewhere like Princess Diana would have stayed, but it is a really delightful little hideaway in the city. We arrived late, only for me to have another mild dementia meltdown, and it probably (hopefully) just means there has been too much noise, too much traffic, too many people, and definitely too many cars. The four days south of London at Hailsham where we took things slow and easy and really chilled before we arrived back into London for the Sting concert, seem not to have made any difference to my wavering brain. We did smell lots of roses Richard, (well, they were just coming into bud!), and we are trying to be as relaxed as possible Jac, and my dear husband is working his arse off to pave the way for me almost every moment of each day. He went on his daily jaunt of an early walk again early this morning, setting up his own internal GPS, as this not only keeps him fit, it helps my stress levels when we are out and about in new places. When I am in unfamiliar places, if he also seems not to know where we are, then my panic button sets itself off, so this simple act is profoundly helpful to us both. It keeps me calm and him sane!! We went for a delightful ride in a horse and carriage this morning, rather than the open air hop-on-hop-off tourist bus as the sun was shining gloriously, and DH thought I would prefer it to the bus. We both loved it, and it was a unique way to look around a busy city for the 21st century. Behind one wall, we were told there are over 400 different types of roses, so it would certainly be good to come back when they are in bloom. Cake and coffee followed our required shopping trip this afternoon in the homely saloon of the hotel. It seems we have brought the sun with us, as it has been 22C today, much higher than any locals would have ever expected, and much hotter than our wardrobe could cope with. The thermals, thick jumpers and overcoats have just not been needed, and this also means today is the first time I have not done the thermal dance in a public convenience! Anyway, glorious sunshine and clothes that were unsuitable for the unexpected burst golden rays; what an excuse to take my husband shopping, one of his favourite treats of all time. Now all I need to do is convince him to buy the watch he has been looking at every day since we first met, either online or in a shop window somewhere!! Tomorrow night we have lucked out, as there is a concert playing Mozart and Bach in the famous and truly beautiful St Stephens Cathedral for a total of €5 each, a delightful way to see the Cathedral without the hordes of tourists taking photos every 3o seconds. Let’s hope the weather holds and we get to wear our new clothes.
let me know kate if you received the story above that says its waiting for moderation? or explain to me what I am doing wrong as Im new to all this face book etc etc and sorry for the spellin errors as didnt have time to correct them getting ready to do our presentation about the vConvention with our ALZ”S support precious folk and the CEO etc… will be giving yu and Richard some fines inspiratioanl “pluggs” as your now on my faviourite people list.
Have the group breaky photo of us all that richard sent through. OOh had an email from Christine Bryden my lovely friend first aftermy diagnosi she supported me thorugh some of my darkest harshes hours during those early months and couple of years. She tookj sick with a chest infection and spent time in hospital etc… like myself took ill in Boston couldnt stop vomiting and spent time in hospital also.. for me it appeared it was due to my mixing up in my medication.. but the hospital was amazing exrayed me took every blood test etc etc… but I was then sick all the way home and only this week have been able to live a better quaility of life…. travel for me appears to be in one of my past pleasures.. As so many other changes have caused theough my journey… a dayily struggle to keep positive keep my faith and Overcome those symptons that want to take me away from everything I once so enjoyed.. ME… especially…. holding onto ME.. I used to enjoy ME most of all.. 
.. hopw y get this one? love alwqys from the ME . x
Hi dear Carol, I have a number of your replies showing up on my blog as approved, so not sure why you can’t see them. This is the second one today I have added, to hope you see it. I was however having trouble with being able to see them when we were in Vienna, and left a message for all saying this as a response to my own blog. Keep searching, they will appear soemwhere for you I hope. See you in Canberra in May I hope. Loads of love and healing hugs always, from ME too xxxxx
Hi Kate I keep responding to some of your writings BUT never see then “Again” on any of your ‘reply’s so where do they go and have you received any of them? or have I been too overwhelming in my thoughts about everything ? let me know IF you have received ANYTHING I have sent. Richard is a blessing eh? On our way this am to share a power point re- cap about the convention at our lovely support group at the WA ALZ’S . i GUESS I know a lot of my discouragemnt from the other speakers on that Saturday am apart from richard and yourself was due to my friends here in the group are all well in to their “dementia” journeys.. and are unable to live frutifull lives like the perople I met at the convention who were living their daily lives self satisfied almost in their disease and their communication about their world with it just didnt fit happily within me due to me viewing the “Dementia” journey mostly from a ‘care’rs aspect from my fatrhers “traumatic” world with me in it. and also now me and me ‘challenging” daily struggles in it and my friends truamatic lives struggling to even be able to fulfill one full sentence in their communication and some NONE. and all younger than me…. thats where my heart is with them and my focus is with them in supporting them and fighting against anyone who says living in “Dementia” is acceptable… WHY becwause none of YET are living in “Dementia” where on our early journey into it.. thats the difference and that why our communities dont understand. Whe we say I am a person living with “Dementia” where saying as the word DEMNENTIA clearly dictionary describes IS that we have lost our minds… We havent got Dementia YET I lived with my father on his journey but when DEmentia arrvived then that medical term that the world is looking at us and “questioning” ?? in because we have not got it yet… I bleive this is where our “stigmas” lie and cant be changed unless we change our medical diagnosis arround that deffinant discription of what “dementia is.. and it is loss of mind loss of brain skills… none of us at the conference have reached our destinations thankfullly yet. and PRAY for a long “train journey” as you share
b3fore reaching that final stn stop. love to yu xxx let me know if this one reaches you ?..
Hello, I am delighted to read and read between the lines of your lines that you are edging back rather than falling forward with your dementia. We can’t stand up straight as we formerly did, but we can stand up and continue to speak up. I so envy your night in the cathedral. My hope is to visit Vienna this Summer and enjoy the same musical experience as you. Enjoy yourself and your wonderful husband.
Richard
Thanks Richard, Yes, wobbling, teetering at times, but edging back from the crevices of dementia once more. It seems ‘our’ ground keeps moving, and keeping up with, as well as understanding and managing the changes is occasionally overwhelming, and also very tiring. I will think of you tonight in the Cathedral, and try to send you some magical music and atmosphere online. Kate
I’m testing my own comments, as there are a few from my friends I have approved, and they show up in my comments section behind the face of the blog, but are not appearing when I go to find them following the blog they are commenting on… apologies for this, I have not blocked, deleted or forgotten you, but appear to have a glitch in my system. I’ve sent for help from WordPress, so now we wait!