Letter to all

Dear Everyone,
I'm writing to share the news that my mom, Helen, has been diagnosed with symptoms of Demnetia/Alzheimer's disease. We've all been noticing changes and are relieved to have an explanation. Helen has begun treatment to slow the disease's progression and is unfazed. She still thinks that there is nothing wrong with her and her behaviors at this time.
Please know that Helen is still the same person she was before this diagnosis. Although some activities are more challenging and her short-term memory is poorer, Helen 's general health is now back to where she was priviously. Doctors explain that this disease affects everyone at a different pace and in different ways. It usually progresses pretty slowly. Our hope, of course, is that my mom remains stable for years and, with everyone's love and support, continues to live a happy life. There is no cure today -- but we remain hopeful that there will be one in time to help my mom and millions of others. Please keep us in your thoughts at this difficult time -- and don't be a stranger. Helen still likes to play cards, take short walks and see friends and family. She'll enjoy short visits to talk about old times. Alzheimer's experts say families, too, need the support of friends and family as this disease progresses and takes up more of our time and energy. Your continued
involvement will cheer all of us. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions or want to know specific ways to lend a hand. I'll keep you posted on her condition and changing needs. Thanks for caring.
Sincerely,
Laurie

In Minya

Old Friends in Minya. Some of the women returned again to hear us speak!

Starting the Medical Mission In Egypt

We began our Mission April 19, 2010

The train to Minia.
Our group, Laurie, Lucinda, Nancy, Minia our translator, Ragaa and Brooke
Cairo. A view from my room of the Nile and the surrounding city. Always busy, a city that never sleeps, there is always someone up driving around honking thier horns.
When I first arrived to Maadi outside of Cairo, where my cousins live, I was wisked away for a wonderful, relaxing trip to Ain Sokhna on the Bay of Suez. Ain Sukhna, the Arabic for "hot spring", was named after the nearby sulfur springs. The springs originate at Gebel Ataka, the northern most mountain in the Eastern Desert. As we sat on the beach, the cool wind blew and we could see the Sinai across the beautiful blue water. The young ones got into the water, but I was just too cold to attempt it.