More Doctor Appointments

Kevin’s 50^th birthday was Thursday, but we celebrated it on Friday.  I don’t understand how he has gotten so old J  But then I think of my actual age so I guess that must be right.  He grilled steaks, we had french fries, some had a salad, and we had cupcakes for desert.  Ryan and Stephanie were both there to celebrate.  They also included Father’s Day since both of them have to work.  Stephanie has her 24 hour shift today on the life squad.  Ryan is working his regular weekend job.

Last night we had a horrendous storm.  Some places had trees come down and people lost power.  As bad as it was, we were lucky that none of that happened here.  We really need rain.  I wish we would have a day or two of just really nice soaking rain.  Everyone is losing their plants and trees.  I know we are.  Hopefully, this rain will help, but it is going to be hot and dry again starting on Sunday.

Yesterday Kevin mowed all of our backyard grass.  Nickolas mowed Kevin’s front yard grass.  They planned to mow mine today, but it was too wet. I have been told they are going to mow mine tomorrow.  I hired Nickolas to pull some of the weeds in front of my deck.  I will put roundup on the rest of them.  He was able to clean out the azalea bush, but it doesn’t look very healthy.  In fact, the two in front don’t look too good either. 

I filled the birdfeeders (the birds sure are happy about that).  Didn’t need to fill the birdbaths – the rain took care of that.  The birds sure do like the birdbaths also.  I trimmed some of the dead stuff off my plants in front.  I hope that helps them.  I am really worried about the dawn redwood (Jim’s tree).  Even though I’ve been watering it, it looks kind of sad. 

Sunday Kevin and Bruce mowed my front grass.  Kevin also set up sprinklers to water my trees.  The dawn redwood tree does not look good.  It has lost a lot of its needles.  This really has me worried.  We plan on watering it every day for a while to see if it comes back.  I have already lost several of my plants.

Monday was just a normal day.  However, Tuesday was back to the Columbus Speech and Hearing Center.  It seems they do a lot more than just speech and hearing.  That is where I am going for my dizziness and balance problems.  I met with the physical therapist today and she took me through a whole series of tests.  It seems I have some problems.  I will be taking therapy for eight weeks once they get approval from Medicare.  She also gave me some “exercises” to do at home.  I sure hope this works!

Wednesday was my appointment with Dr. Verson the neurologist.  I learned many things.  First of all my brain is beautiful; except it is shrinking.  However, it is within the normal range for my age.  (I just love how they say for my age J)  Also some of the blood vessels are shrinking, but that is also within the normal range for my age.  This is what is causing my problem with words, etc.  Also I have an artery in my brain which is not straight, it is curlicue (is that a word?). 

Next I was told that, yes, I do have a problem with the connection between my ears, eyes, brain and motion.  It seems that are not all working together.  So, I will be taking physical therapy to correct this (they hope).  This is part of my problem with the dizziness and lack of balance. 

The other part of the problem is my blood pressure.  It should not drop 20 points or more when I stand up.  This is also causing the dizziness and balance problems.  Dr. Verson is going to get with Drs. Miller and Bennett to get my blood pressure medicine straightened out. 

I have numerous appointments set up for July (physical therapy), August and September.  At least I now feel like we are making progress to find out what my problem is, and, hopefully, get it fixed.  I am tired of feeling like this.  Apparently, I will not be going to Ohio this summer.  I had planned to go for two months, but that is not going to happen.

Today, Friday, I went with Renea.  She had a lumbar puncture procedure.  It was a rough procedure, but she did fine.  She is now spending the rest of today and tonight in bed.  The doctor’s office was supposed to call in some pain pills for her – they still haven’t as of 6:00 p.m.  So she is taking Tylenol. 

Bruce fixed a shrimp boil for supper tonight and invited me.  It was awesome!  Now I am home for the evening.