Journey Notes

hold on…

3 Positives:
Studio time — and a little productivity
Finished another book and opened another
The shunt is working

Our Journey Notes:
T’s appointment went well. Pressure is down – a lot! Eye drop regimin has changed and he will be off the post op drops next week if things are still looking good. He’s had a little more pain than in the past following surgery, but Tylenol seems to work just fine. Fingers crossed that the shunt continues to work well.

Nothing further on the MRI at this point. There’s always that part of you that hopes you won’t have to wait the weekend for the findings and next steps, but that’s not happening. I’m hoping they’ll review Monday or Tuesday and next steps in place and an appointment set to meet sooner rather than later. Fingers crossed.

Yes, please…

3 Positives:
T’s surgery went well (more below)
No dizziness after the MRI (more below)
Everyone got a much needed early afternoon nap

Our Journey Notes:
T’s surgeon was able to use one of the buckles that keeps the retina (surgery pre-2000) in place as a “holder” of the shunt. Let’s hope things are working as they should when he goes in this morning for his first post-op. We’re back to 4 x a day eye drops for the next month starting today after his appointment to remove the dressings. Fingers crossed that all is well.

MRI – was interesting. 25 minutes in the tunnel without contrast and another 5-7 minutes in the tunnel with contrast. I wasn’t expecting that, but then again, I’ve never had a brain scan before. The radiologist had the images read and a report written within a few hours. Not sure what it all means at this point – so now the wait for the “team” to decide what’s next. The techs were great btw, and I’d be willing to do another at their site any day rather than the other setting.

the gift of today.

3 Positives:
Scrapping all plans for a current project and starting over and not feeling bad about it
T’s surgery time was moved to an earlier time
a few treasures were found in the consolidation of some boxes downstairs

Our Journey Notes:
Today’s the big day for both of us. Hoping T’s surgery is a success and the shunt works as it should and we’ll be done with surgeries and procedures on that eye for an extended period of time.

MRI for me today. Hoping the scan will provide some answers and while I know there will be more questions, I really hope we’ll be able to develop a plan for the immediate future moving forward when the results are in.

possibilities exist!

3 Positives:
progress on two fronts – basement pantry and garage
one of the boys being to help with transportation next week for T’s upcoming surgery
blessing set up for T

Our Journey Notes:
T’s appointment didn’t go as we’d hoped. IOP is still way too high in the left eye and another surgery is on the calendar for next week. They can’t push it out any longer — this go round they’re going to try to put a shunt in. Not sure if they’re going to try to use the same flap area or cut a new one to insert the shunt. Let’s hope that scar tissue from previous surgeries including the buckles from the retinal tear (1990’s) won’t prevent a successful result. This surgery won’t restore what he’s lost, but may prevent things from going totally black in that eye. Thankfully, the insurance has been picking up all but the co-pay at the surgery center for his other eye surgeries this year. We hope they’ll do the same for this one.

8.5.26

3 Positives:
quiet reflective time
boxes checked off on the to – do list
a sweet note from a friend via snail mail

Our Journey Notes:
T has an eye appointment today. Hoping the pressures are down as he hasn’t been to the office in nearly 3 weeks now. Maybe today will be the day he gets the scrip for his new lenses.

“Forgetfulness” is happening more frequently, drats. Thankfully, T and A are being helpful with a few reminders — but not nagging. Yesterday was a good day overall… including checking off most of the list for the day. Really hoping for some answers next week and hoping the report findings for the upcoming MRI won’t be dragged out over the following weekend.

become…

3 Positives:
another birthday card front made
all but one load of laundry including putting away done
paperwork for Tuesday’s appointment nearly completed

Our Journey Notes:
Yesterday was not a good “memory” day in the kitchen for me. I really hope today is a better day all around. New list on the desk – hoping it helps today.

shine

3 Positives:
spent a little time in the kitchen, no bakes and a fancier than normal dinner
attempting a new tatting pattern for a lace edging (brain exercise) – so far, so good
Price check before heading to the office supply store got a few dollars off. SWEET!


Our Journey Notes:
T’s eye is still pretty bloodshot. A student made a comment yesterday His eye is still a bit sore and tires easily. I really hope it’s healing properly. He doesn’t have an appointment with the surgeon this week.

PT exercises are coming along and I think they are helping. A little soreness after a PT session at the clinic and for a day or two, but there are a couple of positives. Headaches, still have them frequently, but they aren’t as intense. YAY! I’ve only had to take one Maxalt in the last 9 days. So that’s really good. Tylenol is sufficient. Next week is the consult with the surgeon and a decision as to whether to complete the series of appointments with the PT.

look forward

3 Positives:
cooler temps – just a few degrees, but noticable
kindness
time in the studio – August cards coming along

Our Journey Notes:
T is struggling. News yesterday wasn’t as hoped. Swelling hasn’t gone down as much as hoped and IOP pressure is once again too high in the left eye. Dr added another drop to help with the irritation and inflamation with hopes that some additional healing will help. Another appointment on the calendar for early Aug. He was really hoping for some progress. Let’s hope this new plan of drops and healing will work.

every day is a new beginning.

3 Positives:
Found some interesting things while looking for a document
Good news that all of the scheduled PT appointments will be covered by insurance
tried a little more tatting — not the worst of outcomes, but not the best either. LOL

Our Journey Notes:
T is really enjoying unlimited audio books in the app we got for him. His library is filling fast and he’s going through several books a week. Although he’d rather hold a book in his hands, this is also satisfying to him and is sparing his eyes some strain as he listens late into the night. His next appointment with the eye surgeoncoming up shortly. Hoping we’ll get more info on the next steps regarding the glaucoma — and when he will get a corrective lens for the right eye and/or if he’ll get a low vision designation or not.

I’ve been experiencing some additional discomfort in the left shoulder this week and on the right side of my neck. Ice packs to the rescue and I’ll be starting with those shortly from the way things feel. Continuing the 4 home assigned exercises as instructed and have already completed the necessary check in forms for Monday’s am PT visit. Still have the tingling. I’m wondering if that will go away or lessen by the time I see the spine surgeon later this month. My fear is that it is a sign of Alzheimer’s and that additional signs will become more prominent as the year progresses.

it’s a RAK sort of day!

3 Positives:
1 creative project completed, 2nd underway
Quick and easy dinner on the table just as T and A walked in the door
another round of PT exercises at home logged

Our Journey Notes:
T is struggling with much of the smaller print on his required to complete forms. Last night we spent a while catching up on last week’s reports. They’re done and he was able to sign off on all of them.

PT went well. Lifting, pushing and pulling weights for a majority of the time. He did some manual traction on my neck and shoulders again, but a little longer and deeper. I’m sore. Didn’t sleep well last night as every time I moved, it hurt. He said it might. Well, it did! LOL