My spouse exhibited symptoms of distraction, disorganization, forgetting appointments, and so on for many years. She always attributed it to stress at work. She was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and narcolepsy, all of which she began taking drugs for many years ago. Her symptoms didn’t clear up with retirement, however, and she also began getting lost when driving, leaving the house and garage unlocked (we live in a higher-crime urban area), and constantly misplacing important items like her keys and phone. Some days were more chaotic than others, so she still rationalized her behavior as situational and stress-induced. I began fearing that her long-term dependence on psychiatric drugs had affected her brain. After many hints and urging from me, she finally talked to her primary care doctor about it. The doctor referred her for neurological testing. She didn’t follow up, but after another annual checkup and a repeat referral, she did. The very thorough testing (I wasn’t there but read the lengthy report) concluded that she has “mild cognitive impairment.” The reassuring news was that there was no evidence of Alzheimer’s. She zeroed in on the word “mild” and ignored all the recommendations in the report for lifestyle adjustments, finding support, etc. Meanwhile, I was increasingly worried about her and feeling burdened by needing to be more vigilant and do more around the house. (Adding to our joint stress was our daily involvement in caring for her very elderly mother and her mentally ill brother.) Although we had discussed the report’s recommendation of the Mayo Clinic HABIT program, she forgot about it and didn’t follow up. After reminding her repeatedly, I finally took the initiative to look into it and get us enrolled. We had to wait a year for a vacant spot in the in-person program, but it was so worth it. HABIT was just what she needed to break through her denial and realize that her MCI was not just a little temporary inconvenience that will magically disappear someday when she’s no longer stressed. Now we talk about it, even joke about it, and manage together with realistic workarounds. Importantly, my resentment is fading because I gained so much understanding of MCI through HABIT and the going monthly support group online for HABIT alums. Knowledge is power, and the sad thing about denial is that it cuts us off from learning.