This is what our parking lot looked like this morning:
And this was the view from my bedroom window:
A cold, gray day, but it was still a good morning.
The trip to the neurologist, Dr. Jensen, was well worth it. He talked to Andy for a bit, reviewing Andy’s history…we had seen Jensen before, two years ago as a follow up after Andy’s hospitalization for a brain bleed. Then Jensen had Andy first walk down the hallway, then sit on the table while Jensen gave him a cognitive exam, tested Andy’s eye-hand coordination, tapped him in various spots to check his reflexes, etc. Andy noticeably reacted to being tapped and Jensen asked me if I had ever noticed any twitching. No. Jensen also said he was glad I was there. Had I noticed anything different lately. I said Andy was slowing down, but he was 85 years old. Jensen said Andy seemed more like 60, so Andy clearly did fine on all the tests.
We still don’t know what’s happening… the scans didn’t point to any one area, but Andy will get a lumbar puncture to see if that indicates anything, and Andy is supposed to stop taking Plavix (which is good for preventing strokes from blood clots but bad for bleeding) and start taking baby aspirin instead. That should still be some protection from clots.
We had had trouble scheduling the lumbar puncture, so Jensen said he would have his nurse do it. When she phoned she said they had phoned in a prescription for Keppra, an anti-seizure medicine, to our pharmacy, and Andy is supposed to take half a pill every night at bedtime for a while.
The next appointment is a telephone one on September 30. Jensen should have the results of the lumbar puncture by then.
One thing we noticed was how empty the building was…we only saw a couple of other patients. When we mentioned it the nurse said they are doing most appointments by telephone. Jensen had left the door to the office partly open after checking to see if we minded. It would have been less private if anyone had been in the hallway, but he said it was supposed to be better for ventilation… they are clearly trying their best about Covid.
September 9, 2020
now that all sounds promising … that it is just part of your journey – and the comment that Dr. Jensen thought Andy was more like a 60 year old. I don’t think the number that we associate with our birthday is necessarily an indication that’s how old we are…
oops forgot the snow…isn’t that a bit early!
People age at different rates. Part of it is genetic, part of it is lifestyle. Clearly his projects and all the exercise he gets has made a big difference. He thinks that at his present rate of decline he will still be able to go up to the land for another four years.
And yes, the snow is a few weeks early. It’s very unusual.
Oh! This all sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?
I think it does!
I’ve been holding my breath for you both and now I can exhale.
If the next visit is via phone, I’d think that’s a good sign.
I’m glad you didn’t see many people, the less exposure the better!
And glad you are back home, safe and sound.
XOXOXO
Thank you! We felt safe there because there were so few people. And his exam couldn’t be done over the phone.
♥💕♥💕♥💕♥💕♥
All of this sounds like good news! Aging less than your years is great! I know you are relieved. oooh! Snow! I think a nice little snow would do my heart good! But it might knock out my chance at fall leaves, so… I will leave it up to a better Planner!
Andy’s more concerned about his fruit trees…we didn’t expect much fall color because of the drought. We’ll have to see. Don’t bother asking why anyone would try to raise fruit trees at almost 9,000 feet. 😀
My cardiologist told me aspirin is just as effective as Plavix for blood thinner, (preventing another heart attack..
in Andy’s case, stroke). So that will be a bit better…I think long term use of drugs affect our cognitive & physical functions…don’t you?
Be well, and hope improvement is just around the corner.
Snow? oh dear.
Thank you, for both the good wishes and the info about the aspirin. We’re happy about that change…we try to use as little medication as possible.
The snow was unusual this early, and it will warm up again before winter.
Still no answers to the problem but all was good news so that’s a plus.
I would not be happy about waking up and seeing snow on the ground. Then again there isn’t anything you can do about it so I’ll work on trying to be positive for when I wake up to that here. 🙂
Getting snow this early is a fluke. It will warm up again before winter really sets in.
I am thinking that some cool air came in with that snow and right now I’m wishing for some cool air here. I can’t decide if this is good news it kind of sounds like good news that they couldn’t find anything. But then it’s also bad news that they couldn’t find anything. I’m glad that you went to that doctor he sounds like he knows what he’s doing and and like a good one and all of our doctor’s offices here are just like that and when we take big boy to the veterinarian’s office it’s the same way we’re the only ones in there. Prayers that everything will be okay and that the meds he gave him will help.
Thank you. We’re happy about the move from Plavix to baby aspirin considering this is probably a bleed rather than a mini stroke.
Watching the news, I was wondering if y’all didn’t have snow. (Color me, envious.) I’m so encouraged to hear Dr. Jensen’s ‘take’ on things; that he’s not rushing to conclusions. Oh, and what a nice thing to say about Andy’s looking 60 y/o! Was he floating on air? 🙂
No, I’m not sure Andy noticed, I had to point it out to him later. He’s not worried, on the way there he said he’s decaying (getting older) but expected he had another four years of going up to the land. I’m not worried either…this in an ongoing thing and we’ll be prudent but we’re not letting it take over our lives. We have a good thing going and aren’t going to throw it away by worrying.
SNOW! the time for lighting the corners and feeling cozy! it’s beautiful.
I was also taken off Plavix. they have chosen other blood thinners.
but Michael only takes a coated low dose aspirin.
Andy and he both are such men to keep themselves active and in good shape! that will always be to their benefit.
I’m wondering if the altitude might be making some difference. I hope not!
your time with Jensen seemed encouraging indeed. and he’s watchful.
I want Andy to have more than “4 more years!” tell him he might have to give up lugging the chain saw around and cutting up huge trees though! lol
bless you darling Monk. xoxo
😀 Andy mostly can use his little electric saw, which isn’t too bad. The big one may be too much sooner. One reason for the brush cutter he got was it was lighter than one guaranteed for our altitude, and when we buy appliances we look at the weight. We are aware of our limits and try to plan accordingly.
I could not believe the snow! I do not envy that yet. I thought that sounded so good about Andy’s age…I do think being interested in things and having projects keep us young.
Yes. Going up to the land by himself is a bit dangerous, but it’s essential for his mental and physical health. That’s why we have the internet, cell phone for me texting him, and the Garmin satellite tracker so I can know where he is and so he can press the SOS button if he needs emergency help.
Snow. At first I was afraid it was soot, from fires. ~sigh~
Wonderful that he is getting such good treatment, from this Doctor, whom you want and trust. Let’s hope this all gets figured out, soon.
Because if the Democrats get elected, we will lose medical choice. We will not be able to choose our doctor. The federal government is going to dictate what is paid to doctors, and many doctors are gonna go, and not participate. So, your doctor may go.
Please be fully informed. This is huge, for old folks, like us.
It might be more complicated than that, but who knows? I’m with Ashleigh Brilliant, “I feel so much better now that I have given up hope.” Our job right now is to keep as happy and healthy as we can so Kaitlin doesn’t have to worry about us. That’s more than enough to occupy our little minds. 😀
Fingers crossed for a quick test results and a good out come.
And that snow? Keep there as long as you can. I don’t want any this year, thank you.
Thanks for the good wishes, and 😀 about the snow.
Well, the visit seems to be encouraging. We are hoping for the best. Andy is a very strong man to do all that he does at that age. Hugs.
Thanks. Jensen started off with saying no sense in putting Andy in the hospital. Yes! We’re all on the same page there. First do no harm. He may not figure out what’s going on, and that’s fine too. We are all being prudent and playing our part well.
So far, good news. And here I thought I was old. Tell Andy to keep on keepin’ on!
He intends to. 🙂 I’ve told him I don’t care how much money he spends on his projects as long as (1) he’s happy, and (2) he brings me pictures once in a while. So far that has been working just fine.