Just an observation

Stan2 · May 14

So, 30 minutes after we called our son to tell him happy birthday DW forgot that we had talked to him , but she remembers to the penny how much we spent at the grocery store yesterday. I know I am not supposed to try and make sense of all of this but sometimes it just amazes me.

JJ401 · May 14

DH has played in a competitive card league for years. He still plays well. But, he can’t remember that he played (and he won his games) last night.

wose · May 15

Thanks for the observation….Everyday I think he’s playing me and then something drastic happens to trust myself again. It’s mind contorting 😳

trottingalong · May 15

I like the term “mind contorting.” It truly is.

Carl46 · May 15

We don't understand memory. A caterpillar weaves a cocoon, turns into a liquid, reassembles itself as a butterfly, and remembers things it learned as a caterpillar. Go figure.

Jgirl57 · May 15

yep! Mind contorting for sure

Bridge4 · May 15

Sometimes it seems that if they get really upset about something (like maybe the grocery bill), that negative emotional link makes it easier for them to ruminate about it. When things go well (like talking to son on his birthday), they don’t recall it because that negative emotional link is missing. One of the best reasons not to argue with my DW about things she is obviously wrong about is because if I do, she will remember to keep bringing it up again, but if I don’t, it’s soon gone and forgotten.

Bluebird · May 15

Glad you posted this. This happens all the time with my husband. Most of the time his short term memory is down to a few seconds but then he’ll surprise me and remember something from the day before.

Bridge4 - interesting observation. I still remember a couple of things from when I was a baby that at the time I found very upsetting. I always felt I remembered them because of the upset they caused me. I wonder if it is the same for PWD. It’s easier for them to remember things that cause an upset.

Carl46 · May 16

I think numbers are stored in a different part of the brain than conversations. Some people remember numbers really well, others remember other things. A friend of my mother had a stroke and could no longer speak, but she could sing. Different part of the brain.

Just an observation

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