FTD Memory and Choking

* I run a private FTD Patient Support Group on Facebook. It is open to those with a firm FTD diagnosis. The support group is a place where those with FTD can gather in a positive environment and realize there not alone. It's also a source of accurate information which is rare in the quick changing world of FTD. The director of AFTD, Sharon Denny is a permanent guest member. AFTD has been kind enough to open up there medical board to answer member questions. Please email me at howardglickftd@gmail.com to join.

Howard

Forcing myself out every morning early and spending most of the day and early evening outside. Usually go home for a 2-3 hours in the middle of the day. Hey, it's working.

Sunday I went to the sports bar Zipps to watch football. Ear plugs in, I was set. I only make to about half time. Just a bit to much stimulation. Didn't really care for any of the games on, so I wasn't really paying attention anyway. I was wearing my Seattle Seahawks jersey which was causing me all sorts of problems. All day long people were making comments to me. Go Hawks and various sayings and signals All day long I thought they were people I've met  and forgot. Kept looking in people trying to figure out if I know them or not. Memory impairment can be a bitch. Was thinking of getting a NY Jets jersey earlier in the day. $100.00 Nope, can't afford to contribute to pay for the 20 million a year salary for people to play catch. Then I was thinking of a NY Jets t-shirt. Now after a day of me trying to figure out if I knew every Tom, Dick and Harriet I doubt I'll ever wear the Seattle Seahawks jersey or any jersey. Might even retire my Yankee hat. I'm hoping of my "face" memory issues is because I'm new here and meeting so many people I can't keep up. Sounds good.

*One thing that was successful for me back in NYC was whenever I went to a friends house for a football game or holiday, I always made sure there was a "quiet room" available. A room where I could duck out at any time to rest and get my wits about me when overwhelmed.

One thing I didn't do at the Sports Bar was order the double burger special for $6.50 with onion rings. Still trying to de-walrus myself. Instead I ordered a chicken sandwich. Well, I had issues. I couldn't regulate the bites and was taking to large of bites. In fact, I wasn't choking, but on the verge. Actually, sort of on the verge but having problems breathing. Guess there's a word for that, choking. Hard to chew since I had so much food in my mouth. I know I do this quite a bit, but this was a large piece of hard fried chicken boob and was really scratching my throat up. When I took the next bite the same thing happened. When I eat cheerios I know I shovel the food in even before the mild soaks in. Swallow spoon fills  whole as well. I know choking and food issues come later on with FTD. Decided to Post about it to the FTD Patient Support Group. Yes, There is a consensus of this happening to to many of us is all sorts of stages. Guess later is now. Many of us shovel to much food into our traps and eat way to quickly. Lovely disease FTD, any takers?

Sitting across from my Starbucks buddy I'm typing and people watching. Watching "people's" of the feline persuasion. So I discriminate. In she walked, beautiful and breathtaking with an aura that has the world take a glance and smile. To me, there's beauty and then there's an inner quality that shines through in some. Don't see the physical matched with the spirit to often. We've all seen them. There existence makes the world a better place. Yep, full package. Beauty, body and a sparkling effervescence. Just seeing her stroll by made my morning. 

Of course this is FTD so we're now journeying from the sublime to the surreal. The walk-by never happened. She stopped, looked down and lit up a engaging smile. "Hi Howard". I knocked my coffee over. We went into a conversation of catch up with her asking me if I've found success in finding other speaking engagements. She also introduced me to her elder father. 

There happened to be one problem. I had absolutely zero recollection of ever having had met her. Yes, she looked familiar but I'd never had contact. When and how many times I spoke with her I've no idea. She'd also been effectively become FTD aware. We talked for a couple and then she took a table with her elder statesman like dad. 

I will remember her next time. My buddy who I hang out with was a bit startled. He's partially FTD educated, but was a bit taken aback I didn't remember. Told him FTD is a smorgasbord of revolving symptoms, swiss cheese memory being one of them.

He told me that I sat across from her a few weeks ago and had a full conversation. Even identified the chairs we were sitting in. 

This was a momentary ruffle in my FTD universe. Okay Howard, today we  introspect memory impairment. It hit me, Deja Vu, 2 years ago in the Monkey Room bar in NY. An exotic John Lennon sunglass laden stylish European planted a lengthy kiss on my lips, flashed a similar engaging smile, "Hi Howard". Had no clue then either. Okay normal FTD shit and I'm fine. Just another hiccup.

Howard