The idea of something wrong
First signs
I don't have any clear recollection of the exact time I noticed conversations with my mother were a bit different. Our relationship has never been simple so I try to keep telephone calls and face to face meetings to simple topics that would not involve debate, too much discussion or anything that could lead to a difference of opinion.
We lived 45 miles away so mostly speaking on the phone, during these calls I realised mum was repeating herself, telling me something she had already mentioned in the same conversation, however this didn't seem to be the case when we were with her. It seemed she would be much clearer if we were in the same room.
At the age of 72 I thought she was perhaps becoming like my grandfather, he had no mental impairment whatsoever but had trouble remembering family names. He would run through all of his children and grandchildren before he got to the right one, he was repetitive but perfectly well with just the usual old age niggles.
Our family are not ones for talking about meaningful things, sharing personal information, feelings or worries. I let things go, didn't speak to my dad about it and I think just buried my head in the sand, deciding it was fine and there was nothing to worry about.
Early signs