Missing Word

missing-wordThink About It. Missing Word. A short year ago Mary and I had chosen to go shopping for a few things needed around the home. First item, devices for hanging pictures.  Mary found the box called Picture Hanging Assortment. My cursory look indicated a variety of hooks from large to small, with only two sizes of nails (large two-inch and thin ones less than one-inch). Bemoaning the lack of completeness I proceeded to look for the additional size(s).  When attempting to explain the problem, none of the words even similar to nail (brad or tack maybe) would come out (or even be mentally identified).  I said, seemingly endlessly, “the device that holds the hook to the wall” or something similarly descriptive.

For the next few minutes I was unable to identify the word, although I searched for the device, and would have recognized the appropriate one. Now being somewhat blocked, I failed to find the location of the common Lowes item.  I continued to “block” as we looked for other items in that store and while attempting to identify other stores by name in order to find more items on our list.

Mary didn’t seem to notice, although I wondered if she was in fact concerned, choosing not to mention it.  I decided that I would wait to discuss what might be an anomalous occurrence.

After searching the internet for references to the subject of missing words in thought, writing and speech, I chose first an article from the COGNITIVE NEUROLOGY AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE CENTER of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Largely on the topic of PPA, generally termed Aphasia, it seemed most benign and at the same time more inclusive for a brief, not startling look at the topic. An internet blog produced delightful exchanges between various friendly folks sharing their experiences in an offhand manner.

The previous paragraphs were not  originally for publication, but to share the experience accurately with our primary care physician.

He used that as a ploy to refer me to HATS (Healthy Aging Transition Services). For no particular reason at the time, I was reading Oliver Sacks’ “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat”. Why am I the only one who thinks that’s funny?

With a large family and Thinkers around the world, some of whom seem to be more than casual readers, I had long-since decided to share any evidence of pending loss of life or mental acuity. Although I suppose you would be among the first to recognize the latter. You may have noticed that my health has not been my preoccupation for the last few months, and will not be under any circumstances.

Preliminary physical and cognitive studies (more later) showed a happily healthy 84-year old male with more good fortune than seems quite fair. For now, I guess I may as well continue playing competitive bridge, attempt to rebuild my neglected body with a new-found trainer at LA FITNESS and forget the Missing Word. Think About It.

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