We haven’t heard from the Mayo Clinic yet, so I phoned to see what the usual wait is. The woman said she knew they were backlogged, but she couldn’t tell me how long it would be. She did say she recently talked to someone who applied July 3rd and hadn’t gotten an appointment yet. It’s a huge organization, so we’re not holding our breath. (I wouldn’t be surprised if billing and insurance turns out to be an adventure — practice what I preach and all that!)
In the meantime Andy hasn’t had any more episodes — his right arm feels a bit funny sometimes, but that may be a permanent effect — and yesterday he walked about three miles with a 600 ft (183 meters) elevation change. He’s now tapering off on the Keppra, down to one pill a day instead of two. Hopefully that won’t change things.
Tomorrow he will do the Cerro Grande walk again, about four miles round trip, 1200 ft (366 m) elevation change. And he’s hoping to go on longer walk with Beate and Tim before they leave for the summer. They took a long, strenuous walk in our area last Saturday, but Andy plans to avoid walking on those trails now. Because of the fire and erosion they’re just too rough — the last thing he needs is to fall or bump his head. Here are some pictures from the past:
As usual, fingers crossed, and enjoying what we have while we still have it.
oh good news. and sensible observations!
sending love and strong positivity.
our heat is now in the triple digits every day this week. ugh!
I’m trying to stay positive about that too. LOL
Thanks for the good wishes, but what yucky weather! Good luck!
Sounds like cheering news.
Nevertheless, I too hope an eventual testing and diagnosis by Mayo becomes possible.
The news is very cheerful indeed! 🙂
well what is the saying “no news is good news” – and I would imagine that Mayo Clinic would be busy – I have even heard of rare medical issues being on wait lists for the clinic from people in NZ…
and it’s great that Andy has understood the implications of what or might or could happen and not taking too many risks on his own. That must have been a hard decision to make for sure… especially that he has been so active for many years.
I seem to remember you said Torben, Kaitlin and Tempi, Zoe were to come visit, is that still on the cards? (hope I’ve got those names right)
Yes those names are correct — at the moment they’re planning to be here July 28, leave August 1.
Andy is having trouble realizing he shouldn’t go on those trails again — at a certain age even small bumps on the head or falls that jostle the brain can be life-threatening, and that knowledge takes some adjustment. On the other hand a friend of his, 88 years old, phoned tonight, and when Andy said he was 83 the fellow said, he wished he were that age again. It was so much better than 88!
Yes, it takes some adjusting.
yes adjusting is not easy – when you’ve led an fairly active life!
“do I just continue on at my usual pace and enjoy what time I have…OR…slow down and smell the roses?” both have pro/con to them. The second idea may actually work out better; because somewhere in those rose petals is a new way of life…
I’m a success story (most of the time) with 2nd ideal…in the early 1990s my normal, healthy life changed drastically; yes I survived, I’m still here 🙂 BUT adjustment was extremely difficult.
Then in around 2004, another drastic change, one that was linked to the 1990s but no doctor was acknowledging, let alone asking questions…
Another adjustment…some of which seem magical – BUT I may have taken the wrong pathway. Not serious but serious that the “rose petals semi-closed” for a while). In fact that wrong pathway had a firmly locked door at the end …
I may have found a semi-right pathway BUT again, much adjustment – and I have never gone back “dancing” which was the love I lost in the 1990s…too much has changed, maybe for the better!
He can still take walks, but it’s not a good idea to do it on rough trails where he could fall or bang his head. Those trails were fine before the fire, flash flooding and erosion.
I’m so glad to read there haven’t been more episodes!
Yeh!
And that Andy isn’t taking too many risks, although 4 miles sounds like a lot to me, but….
Yes! Enjoy want you have while you have it!
And I’m still keeping my fingers crossed!
xoxoxo
Thank you!
Andy appears to be making good progress. Please convey my best wishes to him.
I will. Thank you.