My First Co-Blog
I remember back in the 50's or 60's a song about I'm The One, a native son or something. Mary said I am the 1 in 9 who has ALZ. That's the connection. Gotta go to You Tube and look it up. I think it was a Bobbie Darin Song.
WOW! About a year ago Mary and I went in to talk with my primary Doc. I showed him a list of symptoms for ALZ. and stated I had every one of them. He said they were the same symptoms for sleep apnea. So we got another C-PaP machine and tried it for a couple months YUK! Set that aside and went to a Neurologist who gave me some cognitive tests in his office and thought it was great I answered 30 out of 30 memory questions. Over the next few months I was in and out of Dr's. offices, tested, advised and had to fight with the insurance company over CAT scans PET scans and such. 3 months ago I had a CAT scan of my brain. Two days ago I was told the scan showed my brain had lost mass on both sides, an indicator of ALZ. Another lobe on the back of my brain had shrunk also. This one controls balance and tremors. Explained why I have problems in both areas.
I spent a days worth of time studying ALZ. Sure enough when I got through I couldn't remember much of what I read. HMMM? Another pesky indicator to cope with.
Large monkey wrench in future plans. Looks like moving to Tennessee is off the table. Looks like moving to a smaller house is off the table too. Aren't condo's apartments on steroids with extra fees thrown in? Do I have a say in any of this? Seriously, whatever makes life easier for Mary is fine with me. The only thing non-negotiable is; I WANT A DOG!
So, I am typing this while lying in bed with the lap top balanced on my tummy. Mary asked if this is a difficult way to type. Not if you can remember how to do it, I said. Signing off for now. I'll be baaaack. jdc
WOW! About a year ago Mary and I went in to talk with my primary Doc. I showed him a list of symptoms for ALZ. and stated I had every one of them. He said they were the same symptoms for sleep apnea. So we got another C-PaP machine and tried it for a couple months YUK! Set that aside and went to a Neurologist who gave me some cognitive tests in his office and thought it was great I answered 30 out of 30 memory questions. Over the next few months I was in and out of Dr's. offices, tested, advised and had to fight with the insurance company over CAT scans PET scans and such. 3 months ago I had a CAT scan of my brain. Two days ago I was told the scan showed my brain had lost mass on both sides, an indicator of ALZ. Another lobe on the back of my brain had shrunk also. This one controls balance and tremors. Explained why I have problems in both areas.
I spent a days worth of time studying ALZ. Sure enough when I got through I couldn't remember much of what I read. HMMM? Another pesky indicator to cope with.
Large monkey wrench in future plans. Looks like moving to Tennessee is off the table. Looks like moving to a smaller house is off the table too. Aren't condo's apartments on steroids with extra fees thrown in? Do I have a say in any of this? Seriously, whatever makes life easier for Mary is fine with me. The only thing non-negotiable is; I WANT A DOG!
So, I am typing this while lying in bed with the lap top balanced on my tummy. Mary asked if this is a difficult way to type. Not if you can remember how to do it, I said. Signing off for now. I'll be baaaack. jdc
Comments
I think it's very cool that you've done a co-blog.
So sorry to read that your life plans are changing. And sorry that you've received difficult news.
I realized this morning that I only responded to Mary's email that directed us to your blogs. Many of us are at that age where the car keys vanish (or the name of a "thingy" escapes us) and we wonder...
I always figure that I've never won even a buck on a lottery ticket, so maybe I won't be one of the 1 in 9 either.
I'm sorry you won the ALZ lottery. I can only begin to imagine the thoughts that must swirl through your mind right now. I'm glad you have the love of family to surround you. I'm glad you have friends (some you've never met) who will lift you up in daily prayer. I'm glad you have Mary, who love you like she loves life itself. Enjoy each day, and keep blogging! Gotta exercise that gray matter!
Sending much love from PA. (Where in NY are your kids?)
Pam a.k.a. po