OT September Chit Chat

[Howie]

No...talk...now....chewing....gum.......

[Jeanie Z]

:) Hi everyone. This is not the first week I have mixed up dates. This time I am a week off. Luckily I still went to get Jamie at 11 and down to chemo. It was a hard day for her and she needed anti nausea drugs. She is also losing her hair and it is long and blonde. I did not get home until 6 tonight. There was a patient in every chair there getting chemo.

I went through the drive thru at KFC and got a chicken pot pie. They really are delicious. I am going to bed early tonight as I am beat. The heat and humidity here is awful. The van must be about 200 degrees when it sits in the sun. Getting in to start the engine wipes me out.

I like being able to come here and read about sll of you. We are like a family. Stay cool everyone. Jeanie :)

[agate]

I'm trying to get used to being very forgetful but I've had a couple of episodes that were scary. The other evening I had a second episode of something that happened about 10 years ago. This time at least it wasn't quite as bad. I couldn't remember what month or what year it was, or my phone number.

Probably just an aging thing, and I'm very very glad not to have something like Cherie's sister, with her brain tumor!

The first of the month is always a busy time for me, and this time it's a bit worse because tomorrow I'll be seeing a new dentist.

[Howie]

Joan, if your last episode of forgetting was 10 years ago, don't worry about it. You are the sharpest person I've ever known.....besides myself!

[agate]

Thank you, Howie. The most recent episode of forgetting was only about a week ago, and the only other time it happened was about 10 years ago. I did mention it to my doctor at the time, and she said that if it happened again, she'd like to know about it.

Since I've moved in the meantime and have a different doctor, I probably won't mention it to this new doctor, but I might run it by the neuro I'm supposed to see next week.

I feel odd turning up at the neuro's office when we had agreed that I didn't need to come back until late in 2016 but the primary care doc would feel more comfortable if a neuro was monitoring the MS. So I'll go.

He's a nice enough neuro and even eye-candy.

[Howie]

Eye-candy? Well, I see you still remember SOME things!

[SuzE-Q]

Agate/Jeanie,

Not sure about the phone # (except we never call ourselves, so I imagine it's not imbedded in our minds as well), but there seems to be a scientific explanation for forgetting what day it is.

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

I imagine for those of us who don't work, don't read the newspaper daily, or don't have regular plans, it's even more difficult to remember what day it is as we don't have many surrounding cues that enable us to keep track either.

Cherie, hoping for the best for your sister.

Parsi, hope the dust clears!

Ann, can't believe it's been a year either! Congrats...you'll be with him in spirit if not physically, I'm sure!

Sally, do what you're told! Hopefully, you'll be sprung soon!

Howie, don't do too much!

Gary, feel better!

Jeanie, don't overdo it!

(apologies if I forgot someone!)

[Cherie]

Spoke briefly on the phone with my sister this morning. She is still having 8-10 seizures/hour even on the dilantin. One actually ended our conversation. I did get more of the story, however. She said she was getting tired on the drive so stopped at a Taco Bell on I-91 in CT, just south of the MA state line. Went into the bathroom, sat down on the toilet and the next thing she knew she was on the floor. She started yelling "Help!" and after several attempts one of the workers knocked on the bathroom door and asked if she was OK. She said, "No! I'm having a seizure!" so they went and got a key , took one look and told her they were calling 911. She said she was lying in a puddle of blood (she thinks from hitting her head) but today she has a black eye and feels like her nose might be broken. She does not know if she has stitches and has not asked but her head hurts in several spots and she has heavy bandages on. They are keeping her there till they can get seizures under control enough to do an MRI but so far they have been every few minutes so they can't get her into the machine with that happening. This morning she remembered where she'd had her last MRI done and the intern called and they were sending the films and report to them. Her oldest daughter has taken the rest of the week off from work and went back up today. She says they are giving her excellent care. Intern or resident stops by several times daily (they are a Tufts Medical School training site).

MRI arthrogram is scheduled for the 22nd of September.

Jeanie, I am so concerned about Jamie.

[SalpalSally]

I think to myself....why can't I be as strong as Joan and Jeanie. They are my age and going strong. All of the rest of you too still keeping that precious strength to walk, pivot and motivate yourselves. I am so proud of you and happy for you, in your success.

Still doing my PT/OT and a bit stronger today. I hope I don't lose it at night. Last night an aide had to lift me to and from the toilet and back to bed. I was so sad. Then this morning, the aide was there but my legs were able to hold me this time.

In bed now resting and praying I don't lose the strength I've built and can even get stronger tomorrow. I'm afraid that I'll never get home again.

[stillstANNding]

Dearest Sally,

I am sorry that you feel somewhat helpless at times. Our legs don't always cooperate w what we want to do.

I think PT done consistently can help. It has helped me. I know you were doing exercises at home.
And OT should get you the assistive devices you need to make your home safer.

And on another subject, did that couch ever come?

Love and special chocolate,
ANN

[Parsi]

I went through the drive thru at KFC and got a chicken pot pie. They really are delicious. I am going to bed early tonight as I am beat. The heat and humidity here is awful. The van must be about 200 degrees when it sits in the sun. Getting in to start the engine wipes me out.

KFC has pot pies? I'll have to try one of those.

Have you tried those sunshades that you can place at the windshield? They do make a difference in temps because the amount of sun coming in is reduced.

[Jeanie Z]

:) Hi everyone. I know today is Wednesday the 2nd because Andy came to bring in my trash can and recycle bins. I get days mixed up a lot. I am going to check my cell phone daily now.

Sally just keep doing the OT and PT to get your strength back. I cannot walk more than a few feet with a walker. I use the scooter for everything. Taking Jamie to appointments has been difficult some days as I don't always sleep well and wake up tired to start a day. A lot of days I stay in my pajamas. But taking Jamie and waiting with her has been okay but I would love to have more energy.

Jamie's Mother is a non-stop talker and on the days she goes with us it is difficult for me because you cannot even answer as she just talks over you. Jamie talks very softly and it is impossible to hear her with her Mother talking. She means well but she does get on my nerves. Andy has the hospice nurse coming on Friday to evaluate Jamie for hospice. Jamie's catheter has been in a month. The Humana nurse has not gotten a new one for Jamie.

Cherie I have added your sister to my prayers. Happy Anniversary Ann. Jeanie :)

[Howie]

Jeanie, I never know what day it is....usually! But tomorrow is PAYDAY!!!

I've done something I seldom do. I made a pretty complete grocery list. I usually just use my brain, but that darn thing has been forgetting lately, and last month, I had to make 3 trips to the store in one day. I don't want to do that again.

Friday, I'm going to try to mow the whole yard. I'll have to stop a few times, but I always cheer myself on. Plus I hope I've gotten a little stronger. The guy that was doing it that broke his leg, got his cast off, but he's not up to mowing yet. I've asked Sam, and well, you know how that went. Darn cat.

My bag of trash going to the dump is at the front door, grocery list in my billfold ready, let the shopping begin......tomorrow!

[agate]

Cherie, you're probably very concerned about your sister. I hope her injuries will turn out to be less severe than they looked.

Sometimes don't they have to keep tinkering with the Dilantin dosage until they get it right?

Sally, no fair comparing!

I think to myself....why can't I be as strong as Joan and Jeanie. They are my age and going strong.

You've had a setback, and it takes time. Rest, especially sleep, as much as you need, seems to help. If you can make sure you can always eat and sleep well, your recovery will be faster. At least that's my opinion, unsolicited as it is. (Well, the message window was here and I couldn't resist.)


SuzE-Q,

Not sure about the phone # (except we never call ourselves, so I imagine it's not imbedded in our minds as well),

My phone number is something I'd expect to remember. I'm asked for it typically several times a day. I wouldn't have been concerned about forgetting it as I did recently except that I was also forgetting lots of other basic things, all at the same time--what year, what month, what day. For perhaps 15 minutes all of that basic information just wasn't there. I think I was just tired and overloaded.

Howie, I would never go shopping without a list. I'm astonished that you've managed without one all this time, apparently.

Do other people shop without a list?

[stillstANNding]

Mr. ANN shops w/o a list < wrote "lust" first> because he forgets it or loses it in the store. I bought shocking pink file cards that would be easy to spot if he dropped it or left it in the car but that was no help.

The solution is that I text him a list if we aren't together.

Howie, do you have a cell phone w a notepad or stickies or memos?