Tuesday Turns for the Better

[Harriet]

Good morning. Until I typed that topic title, I didn't notice that it is a complete sentence if you consider "turns" a verb! I like it that way, too!

But I was thinking of all the turns our days take - often because we direct them - and head in better directions.

Although turns for the better aren't always health-related, we've certainly had some in the village lately.

Our bodies are always healing, of course. We look at that scab and think, "yuck!" But up underneath there, little miraculous "betters" are happening!

Along with getting operations done, having good reports from tests and starting new programs that aid health, we have plenty of ways to notice turns for the better in our households.

Snow is being helpfully plowed. Paid-work progress is happening. Plants are being purchased, and (most) plants are being saved from pests. Good grades and Student of the Month (for the whole grade) awards are being earned.

I had a "turn" yesterday (lol) when, after completely changing my plan for the day, with "something on the stove" literally, I got a very late afternoon call back to come to appt after all, if I could get there right away. A bit of a scramble, but with dd43's help we all managed. So, I'm on track after all, to have a finish today and say my goodbyes there.

[CathyS]

It's a gorgeous looking day here, but the trees are getting blown around pretty good. Absolutely no idea of what we are having for supper.

[Nancy]

Morning peeps:
I saw the full moon in the nite.
Had strange dream was upset at Lh when I woke had to shake that off.
Thinking of Easter not to far in the future 4.9.23 this year according to siri.
Made the bed.
Got the trash out to the curb in my pj's.
Made coffee.
Took 2 of 3 Rx not time for the other one yet.
Journaling later
next up.
s2s*
Bible study class*
Good weather sunny F28* 28*.
----
Lunch
Waving.

[Twins' Mom]

We're continuing our run of nice weather here, too. High 74 and sunny! I took the ddog to a nearby park for her walk. We walked a loop around the baseball/softball fields that run along the river in part. I think she enjoyed the change of scenery. I didn't want to walk too far - hadn't had brunch, and I workout this afternoon too so I'm "saving" myself.

I don't have to cook dinner tonight because dh is out bowling! Thank goodness he can lift a bowling ball again! So I get the evening free to "work" on genealogy.

[blessedw2]

good morning!

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

J&C updated

Not good news but dh is stable and sedated so doesn't know what is happening.

Dgs is healing. He slept through the night (basically 7:30 p.m. to 6:30 a,n, with a 45 minute cuddle around 8:30.)

He is cheerier today and we went for over an hour without the soother (until he needed it at the clinic.) I was able to steam him while taking my shower today so I'm rather proud of 1. having clean hair, and 2. getting him steamed. I sealed off the vent in my bathroom, hung a tablet from the medicine cabinet (in a plastic zip lock bag) and played Miss Rachel. With the door shut, the room steamed up nicely. He's coughing more today but not the deep cough, more a breaking up the sinus draining stuff.

He's been seen by a doctor and it is just a cold, lower lungs are clear. That will go on his MyChart and his mom will hopefully relax and enjoy her last couple of days on holiday.

I'm desperate for sleep as I had a rough night of worry because the hospital never called, up late waiting for the hospital, plus a heavy coughing spell where I wondered if I was going to throw up. No wonder dgs wanted to sleep upright in arms on Saturday night and all day on Sunday.

On the other hand, I am taking meds to try and beat this faster so that when Dh is conscious I can see him.

[lucylee]

(((Kathryn)))

I’m at doctor’s office for wellness check up.

[Ramblinrose]

Woke with a headache so my day is off.

Well wishes to all who are in need of them.

LadyM… can’t believe how tall you ds14 is!

Harmony… we went to a place in Ft Myers that is a non-profit center. It’s main goal is to educate people
about dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases. They also provide information on how to continue this journey. They gave Sweetie a quick 15 minute evaluation which were questioned based on a 30 point goal.

Missing 4 questions would make you score a 26, which is considers normal. Anything from 21- 25 is considered first stages of dementia and any thing below that is considered more sever. Sweetie scored 21 and is right on the edge.

This test is simply a baseline to show the social worker where Sweetie was in the range. They are not drs so all they do is suggest what and where to go next. She gave us a listing of neurologists in our area along with a memory center in Bonita Speings that deals exclusively with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

We have not decided which Sweetie once to do. As you know the center in Bonita Springs is an hour away from us. Once we decided where to go, the drs can prescribe meds for Sweetie such as anti-depressants and anxiety meds and will also order a brain MRI to see which part of Sweetie’s is being effected.

Thankfully I attended the Alzheimer’s workshop while I was living in Mesa so I know a lot more about dementia than most people starting this. Having been a special Ed teacher I have a good working knowledge of which parts of the brain controls which part of our thinking and behaviors. Trying not to project myself into worrying until we have a much better understanding g of what is occurring with Sweeties brain.

There is NO physical Alzheimer’s Asso here in either of our counties which I find very strange considering the age population. I did ask about how people can get evaluated without one, cause I was thinking of others here. First step is to see your GP, all about what is occurring with the person who you are concerned with. They usually can do the same simple test that was done with Sweetie. From there your PG can then suggest a neurologist to make an appointment with. You can also directly contact a neurologist in your area to see if they can help. I know my neurologist in Mesa who helped me with my cluster migraine also did those types of evaluations and in fact one of her partners was my best friends dad’s dr who has Alzheimer’s

I figure I might as well let y’all join me in this journey. Sweetie and I are not going to hide what is happening to him because we feel it’s much easier to be straight forth honest. So anything useful I learn I’ll let y’all know.

[blessedw2]

that is very strange that there isn't a Alzheimers Association there! I am actually very surprised!
Hope you find the right place for your dh! I am thinking of both of you as you go further on this journey.
I have dealt with Alzheimers three times - I like that you can get an MRI to better find which part of the brain is being affected the most. I wish they would have had that a long time ago.
I am sorry you have a headache d rose - praying it goes away.

I have to head out for dh's eye appointment. He is draining me a bit as he is refusing to do the breathing he is supposed to do to keep his airways moist. Moist airways means that there is a less likelihood of scars tissue breaking in his esophagus.

alrighty see you soon

[Harmony]

RRose, thank you for the information. I'm surprised that there is no Altzheimer's association in either of our counties. My CPA had his wife in a memory care unit when he became unable to care for her and he and I have talked. He claimed there are no really really good neurologists in our county. I don't know about that. I use one lady for my brain meds simply because I figure she's better versed in what these meds can do. For instance, when I began having problems with my sodium levels, she knew it was because of that medicine. My GP was puzzled and did not know why it was happening, until I told her. She also took care of DH when we thought he was having a stroke that time. After all the tests, she diagnosed the problem as a virus that had traveled up a nerve into his brain...and he recovered. But the guy I know had taken his wife to someone he thought was really good up into Sarasota.

I've talked with my neurologist about our problem and she said to bring him in. I haven't been able to talk him into that yet. There are tests online and I have printed one out but haven't sat down to give it to him. One is supposed to read the questions to the person and write down answers and then grade. His GP was useless. He did say something to him about his short term memory and the dr. said to take B12. I researched that and a long time ago it was thought brain problems were from a deficiency. Later they discounted that completely. Evidently the GP didn't have that further information. So we know he's not going to be much help. One thing they say to try: hand the person a tablet and tell them to draw a clock. If they can do a semblance of a circle and numbers in sorta the right space, all is ok. DH was able to do this pretty well. Anyway, this was online suggestion, so who knows how accurate that is, but we tried it.

I mentioned it to his cardiologist, hoping somebody would help... and he said all HE could test was his carotid arteries, which he did with an ultrasound or something and they are surprisingly clear for somebody his age. So no help there.

Ok, that's where we are and I am very confused by mixed signals here. DH "does not want to know" so for now we are in limbo. You are very lucky that your DH is approaching it the way he is. Our problems are all mixed up with DH wanting to still work. If he admits to this problem, he knows he will have to quit working for good, and he can't bring himself to do that yet. So we have more than one things going on here.

___________
All I've done so far is have lunch and worked on this week's study. I guess I will begin to set up my spreadsheets for this year as I've not done this yet. We might get some rain later today or tomorrow. Crossing my fingers. I agree, blessed. We had a guy once who gave us a big batch of local maps he was part of creating... and he was active in the association, as there were lots of papers in with the maps...and I always thought it was here somewhere, now I wish I had asked.