Alzheimer’s/Dementia

Behind the storm…

3 Positives:
It snowed here in the valley and in the mountains
delicious soup on a cold spring evening
repaired the zipper on T’s heavy winter coat. He can now wear it today.

Our Journey Notes:
T’s eye appointment went as expected with just a bit of good news. Both eyes have stabilized, but the left eye pressure is still a little on the high side. Right eye is 20/80 and the left eye didn’t have a reading listed when I checked the visit notes. He’s down to two meds instead of the 6 he was on prior to the surgery. From the sound of things — he’ll continue with those for the long term.

I heard from my doctor about a med that he’d suggested stopping this year. His recommendation was to continue taking it until our next appointment this fall. I agreed and called in for a refill. The new health app makes it a lot easier to get answers and fairly quickly without having to call in and ask for a callback and have to go through a list of questions before getting to the real reason for the call. It’s like one and done with the app.

I’m still using lists to help with memory stuff. Routines are definitely helpful – and if I get out of sync, I can generally fall back to the routine fairly easily or check the list and start there and not get freaked out about having “lost my way.” Still tweaking the planner/calendar thing to tighten a few things up, but for the most part, we’re doing good at the moment.

illuminate

3 Positives:
ramp repair complete
help from the grands and a son was very nice
the weather was awesome – not too warm even by late afternoon

Our Journey Notes:
T couldn’t find a pair of readers yesterday that helped sharpen things up a bit. Sounds like he’s just going to have to wait a few more weeks for something that hopefully will open up his options.
Had a bit of an off day for me — dizzy and balance off. This morning, a bloody nose and slightly elevated BP – but not so high I needed to go to the ER. Back to watching things again for a week to see if there’s a trend.

be happy

3 Positives:
sanding completed
ministering cards ready to put in the mailbox
last of the monthly bills paid

Our Journey Notes:
Another post-op for T this morning. Hopefully, all will be good and both eyes stabilized and ready for new lenses.
I got a message back from my dr. regarding bloodwork done on Monday. We’re on the right track in stabilizing the TSH again and the A1C is on a downward trend. Both good things.

true treasures…

3 Positives:
Lovely walk yesterday morning – the weather was perfect
visited with a friend
started the prep work to paint the ramp

Our Journey Notes:
My doctor appointment went about as planned. Got a couple of answers and an offer for a referral to a change in headache meds if needed. Declined for right now. Blood work results are in – expecting a call this morning from the office. TSH levels are up a bit — so that’s better. Still have some complaints, but there is some improvement since February. Just need to give it a little more time. The other blood test shows a higher level, not good, but grateful we talked about it so we have a plan in place for next steps – for now, we watch.

it can be puzzling…

3 Positives:
a bit of yardwork
satisfaction in the results
family helpers

Our Journey Notes:
Notes from T’s Thursday post op visit finally posted and thankfully, we weren’t far off on the number of drops he was supposed to do over the weekend. PHEW! Hopefully, the left eye will look much better at his next appointment this coming week.

Best reading in 5 days for the BP in the am. Not sure what made the difference, but I’m grateful it was down in the normal range again. I’ll celebrate that this morning. We’ll see how the next two readings go for today — Fingers crossed they’ll stay in the same range. Migraine and insomnia are still major players in the daily mix, however. Hoping that changes soon.

have hope…

3 Positives:
fans are working
ideas are forming
BP looking a bit better

Our Journey Notes:
BP numbers are definitely looking better, but still on the high side in the am and at bedtime. Lunch time has the best overall numbers. Today’s to-do list is a fairly short one for a Friday — so that’s a good thing and I should be able to spend some time in the studio working on a birthday card design. I’d like to try to get it done today if possible and have it checked of next week’s list.

T’s left eye is still swollen – but they were able to get the flap loosened a bit and the pressure down a bit more. Change in his meds again, and I fear that this will be something that happens every week until he’s released from his post op appointments.

slow down…

3 Positives:
I haven’t thrown the printer out – yet!
Stack of ministering cards have been completed and are ready for mailing now
3 Spring Tags Reveal begins today

Our Journey notes:
T has an appointment this morning to lift the flap on the bleb. Let’s hope that goes well.
Blood pressure scare for me yesterday… much too high, but I think we discovered the reason why and hopefully, the next couple of days will give us a fuller picture. Good thing I have a dr appointment on Monday.

find the sunshine today…

3 Positives:
new version of some digital creative software and a little playing time
NEW! daily check in with a friend
it’s almost planting season – T spent time in the garden plot doing a little clearing with a rake and getting it ready for the boys and the roto-tiller. That means I need to get a couple of things ordered from the local farm store.

Our Journey Notes:
All those pesky issues of an out of whack thyroid are back. I had a couple of days of no problems, but every single thing is back again along with a migraine that just doesn’t want to fully fade away. UGH! I fear we’re going to have to readjust the med again before the 6 weeks trial on this dose is up. This is really getting frustrating.