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For my post this month, I want to highlight and recommend this recently released book by Dr. Rebecca Chopp. It is, in my opinion, a must read for patients who have been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment. I also felt it was of great benefit to me as a health care provider supporting individuals with MCI and I'd be willing to bet that partners and loved ones will like it too. The book is an honest but hopeful accounting of Dr. Chopp's experience being diagnosed, accepting, and then living with MCI. She is very realistic about some of the challenges she's facing as well as fears for the future, but ultimately her message is one of empowerment and gratitude. The book covers a 5 year period from her unexpected diagnosis, to navigating telling others about her diagnosis, to finding new joys, to finding new meaning and purpose. I've recommended it to several of my classes of patients with MCI who have participated with me in the HABIT program since the book was released. I just recently received a message from one of them who agreed I could share it with you:
"Hello Dr Locke,
I finished the book “Still Me” that you recommended, and I loved it. Many very good ideas and suggestions (some of them hard — no ice cream, like EVER??— don’t know if I can manage that one). It made me feel understood. This is valuable to me! I cried at the end on an airplane full of people and I didn’t care. Thanks for the suggestion!"
Below is a recent interview with Dr. Chopp discussing her book and her journey. Her personal website with more information is here. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the book if you've read it! Are there other books like this you would recommend?
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Please see my Amazon review of Still Me by my dear lifelong friend Rebecca Chopp. I’m recommending it to everyone I know.
Thomas Frank
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7 Reactions@thomasfrank -
Hi Thomas, welcome to Connect. Way to support your friend! What about the book did you find most helpful? Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with MCI?
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7 ReactionsI have been diagnosed with MCI, it was very enlightening to listen to your interview. I as well was devastated, scared, afraid to share the diagnosis and did not know where or who to turn to. Thank you so very much. It is very interesting about incorporating art into therapy. I had to quit working because of struggling with performance and the first thing I did is go out and purchase many different types of art media. I find I need to spend a few hrs a day doing some form of art and it makes me feel much better. I will be ordering your book and cannot wait to receive it!
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6 ReactionsI'm sorry that you had to quit working. That must be a difficult adjustment for you. I love that you bring up different types of art. Are you familiar with Neurography?
The Art of Educational
University:
https://theartofeducation.edu/2021/08/how-the-brain-and-art-connect-with-mindfulness/#:~:text=What%20is%20Neurography%3F,nerves%20and%20the%20nervous%20system.
Some folks in my Pain Management Group practice the art and have said wonderful things about how meditative it is - a good form of mindfulness. Is this a type of art that you have tried?
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4 ReactionsThank you Thomas! I left her a similar positive review on Amazon as well.
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2 ReactionsThank you so much for this book recommendation! We are on our long trip home from several days of tests at Mayo, so I immediately listened to the podcast and ordered the book so it will arrive when we get home. Perfect timing! Thank you for the continued support and education for those of us with the MCI diagnosis!
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3 ReactionsI have never heard of Neurography but upon reading about it it sounds very interesting and relaxing. I live in a rural area and unfortunately my resources are very limited.
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2 ReactionsI am a bit perplexed as to why Rebecca Chopp is inferring that she has Alzheimer's yet relating to MCI.
I have not read her book.
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1 ReactionHi @kathryn1harpist
If I understand what you are asking, perhaps the blog post below would help?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/living-with-mild-cognitive-impairment-mci/newsfeed-post/whats-the-difference-between-mild-cognitive-impairment-mci-and-dementia/
Basically, Dr. Chopp has indicated that the severity of her disease is a that the stage we would call MCI (not dementia) but that the disease itself is Alzheimer's disease. Hope this helps
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