Mother Nature's Return Visit

Dear Readers,


Mother Nature decided she wasn't calling an end to winter yet.   It started snowing early this morning , we have about 3 inches of snow on the ground with strong winds wildly re-arranging snow.   We have a pretty, colorful flag which you can barely make out in the picture because the wind is whipping it around.   I was hoping the flag would show up better as it helps brighten up the day with the new snowfall.  Tonight the temperatures will fall below zero.  Hopefully Mario will really snuggle in bed because that little guy acts like a furnace - you don't get cold with him next to your back.


A funny thing happened while grocery shopping this morning.  As I was headed to check out, Don took off and was shopping in the "card" section.   I made the statement to the checkout girl that "I seemed to have lost my husband."   She replied with - "That's okay - another one will be along shortly".  ha ha! Sure enough, a couple of minutes later a man fell in line behind me at which time the checkout girl stated "See - I told you."   Now at this point I burst out laughing because it was so funny.   The man behind me had no clue why we were both laughing, and neither did Don when he finally caught up with me.  It's probably the most fun grocery shopping trip I've had in months.  ha ha - doesn't take much to make a highlight in my day.


I continued to laugh until I was presented with the total bill.  Talk about sticker shocker!   When are those rising grocery prices going to stop.   


I have another post planned for tomorrow and it's pretty exciting, but today I just had to share something fun for a change.   I'm having some good days this week - thanks to a Cortisone shot in each of my sacroiliac joints on Monday (right where your "sitter" is).   I've been able to get rid of the pain pills for now anyway, and just go with 2 Tylenol three times a day. 


Until tomorrow - hope you are snow free and having a great Friday.


Mary

Flat Mario on a Cruise to Alaska - Blog Hop

Flat Mario on an Alaskan Cruise

Dear Readers,

Last May 2011,  Don and I and our daughter and her husband took a cruise to Alaska.   At the time, Mario, our cat, had a Twitter friend visiting from Germany.  Lippi, a stuffed bear, was on a world tour of various Twitter animal friends.   When we found out about the cruise, we asked Lippi's human if maybe Lippi's schedule could be changed slightly so he could go on the cruise with us.  Fortunately it could be arranged and we ended up getting Lippi 3 days before leaving on the cruise.  Lippi was in Chicago at the time visiting @BusyButtons, and Buttons was gracious and sent him on to us early so he could go on the cruise.

Lippi had all kinds of adventures.   You might enjoy reading about them in Mario's blog at http://www.mariodacat.blogspot.com/2011/06/lippe-arrives.html.   This is the first of several posts, but you can go to the bottom of each post and click on "older post."    We had some great adventures with Lippi.

Now why did I talk about this now?   Because I've joined a Saturday Photo Hunt and the subject this week is "Flat."   Well, Flat Mario went on the cruise with us because the real Mario couldn't go.   Here's the link to the Photo Hunt:  

Whistle Stop Photo Hunt.

Would you believe Lippi is still on that world tour and is visiting, I believe, the State of Washington.   I hope Lippi writes a book because he really had some great adventures.   Shhh, don't tell anyone, but Kim and Ken taught him how to drink Beer and he had a couple of hang overs.  Silly bear.  

Thanks for visiting today.  

Mary

Parkinson's and Skin Issues - Leprosy?

Dear Readers,


Did you know that it's very common to have skin issues with Parkinson's?   Yes, I know, it's typical anyway as we age.  But I can tell you I have noticed many more skin blemishes on my body in the past year since being diagnosed with PD.   In fact my family doctor had mentioned (when I had showed him a couple of moles) that I can plan on getting many more of them too, along with other skin issues.   I used to wear makeup to cover up all the skin things, but have finally decided this is "who I am" - take it or leave it.


A couple of days ago  I went to the beauty shop for my monthly trim, after my guardian angel of hair coloring (A special friend who colors my hair for me monthly) had applied hair coloring the day before.   My beautician noticed  a couple of areas of dry, sand-papery skin on my forehead.  (See picture with arrow in the middle of my forehead).  I know it doesn't show up very well on the picture, but it is very noticeable in person - looks like dirty skin that just won't scrub clean.  Or somewhat like a birth mark.  


My beautician had a name for the skin condition, and typical me, I can't remember what she called it.   But she did show me a product that she uses on her face as a moisturizer (she has severe rheumatoid arthritis) and also has skin problems.  She recommended Cocoon, which is full of Amino Acids.   Now it's too early to give a report on how it works because I just started using it a few nights ago.   I will keep you posted though.  But, already, after only 6 nights  my face does not feel so dry.     

It is pricey, but will be worth the price if it works.  None of my other moisturizers worked for this problem.  (No, I'm not being compensated for mentioning this product or the product mentioned below in any way!)

I meant to ask the doctor about something to use on my face, but forgot because I didn't have it written on my list.  But for now the Cocoon seems to be helping.


According to The Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book by J. Eric Ahlskog, M.D., what I have on my face probably is Seborrhea Dermatitis.  "The jury is still out as to what really causes skin problems with Parkinson's patients, but it is suspected that the various medications are the cause."   If i were to make a guess -  YES - IT'S THE DRUGS!!   What is that old saying - "Better Living Thru Modern Chemistry!"  


By the way, I saw my family doctor two weeks ago and showed him all my moles (just to be safe).   I'm happy to report none of them are cancerous.  That's another thing that has worsened since being diagnosed with Parkinson's.   The amount of moles on my skin has increased two-fold in 1 year, along with little bumps that look like warts.   


Overall my skin is extremely dry - to the point where it's very itchy.   I was talking to a friend on Twitter one day, and she suggested using "Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula, with Vitamin E."  Let me tell you - that stuff works magic.   I do have to apply it daily, and if I don't, I really pay for it big time with excessive itching.  Cocoa Butter is an old product as I remember my mother using it when I was a kid.  It's also Fragrance Free for anyone needing that feature.   I don't know why it didn't work on my face, but it didn't.  You can also pick it up at the local drug store.  


Now dry skin is typical in the winter if you live in a northern climate.   Our houses are dry with the heating unit running full force in the winter.  But my skin is dryer than it has ever been before, and this is the first year I've had the itching to go with it.   I also drink a lot of water, but that hasn't made a difference either this year.  The Palmers Cocoa Butter takes care of the itching for almost 24 hours.


Would you believe I even looked up  Leprosy on the internet to see what that looked like?   Horrible, don't even bother to look.   ha ha - at least I don't have that!


Thanks for visiting once again, I know this is a boring post - guess it's reflective of the mood I'm in these days.



Mary

Fluffy - The Saturday Photo Hunt

Dear Readers,


I've joined the Whistle Stop Saturday Blog Hop and this week's assignment is FLUFFY!   The fluffiest thing in our house is our cat, Mario  When I started this blog my intentions were to keep it separate from Mario's, but here I am using one of his 400 pictures! Guess you can tell who ranks in this house.  Sorry, but he is the fluffiest thing we have.


I started out hunting for a good article on the importance of pet therapy.  Well, of course when you want something specific, you can't find it.   But I know you have all seen the articles at one time or another:   Having a pet is good for mental health, lowers blood pressure, good therapy for depression, good for overall health, etc.   Even nursing homes/assisted living facilities are getting with the program and allow residents to sometimes have a pet.   


Mario is all of the above for us.  He's not the most beautiful cat in the world, but he makes up for that by being super friendly and loveable and is good therapy for both Don and myself.   And, the fluff on his belly is super soft!


He is good therapy for both Don and I - gives us a reason to get up in the morning.  He shows unconditional love


It's nice to see more and more nursing homes/assisted living getting on board and allowing their residents to have a pet.  

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEUfAmIlVl8mDdtHOmmc3Pi1j1e0GpJasMLZQveNL9xH41lEnIKBYxAxRGtTS4aWNS_wS4ry-Yt_jtMKDKfGJhHwLH2tUzYmhBT5dK1Dae27aah2_vARKlr-9i3GFCIRC6Aai24I_NMyR/s1600/photohunter7iq.png

Now - why don't you join the photo hunt.   


Mary 

Shining Star Award and Liebster Award

Dear Readers,


I was deeply touched the other day when one of Mario's Twitter friends, Prudence over at A Coonhound's Tales  presented me with an award - not Mario.   I was very surprised and touched because my blog is so new and still in the "making" so to speak.   Receiving that award reminded me that Mario hadn't acknowledged his awards received since Thanksgiving either.  Thus we've decided to do a combined post and present some of the awards to followers of my blog and some to followers of Mario's blog.   Whenever we get an award, we like to present to some of our friends that haven't had much exposure yet but have good and interesting blogs.


This afternoon Mario updated his blog and we presented the Shining Star Award (pictured above)  to a young lady suffering from a debilitating disease she was born with.   Nicole at Crippie's Corner is an inspiration to me as she always seems upbeat and keeps her sense of humor.  To view her blog, just click on her name.

Mario actually received the Liebster Blog Award about a month ago from Abby at Manxmnews Blog and then I received it just recently from Prudence over at A Coonhound's Tales.   Therefore, we are taking 5 blogs from my list and 5 from Mario's list.  This same information will be posted in Mario's blog.

"Liebster" means favorite or beloved in German, and this award helps to draw attention to blogs that aren't too well known.

Here are the rules for this award:

Upon receipt of the award, one is to:

1) Link back to the blogger who gave it

2) Paste the award on the blog

3) Choose 5 blogs to pass this award to (they must have fewer than 200 followers)

4) Let the recipients know about their nomination by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Mariodacatsmom presents the Liebster Award to: 


Day By Day With Beth Marie - Beth lives with a life-threatening disease - day by day.


Life Your Way  -  Living with a chronic illness.  When I'm feeling down, she's another one who can cheer me up.   

Notes For My Next Life  - Works in the music industry in Los Angelas, CA - interesting experiences in her lifetime.  

RamblingOn  - Breath-Taking photography, human for @Katiebella2 and for @AdmiralHestorb, who is now OTRB. 

Starting My Collection  -  Granddaughter of dear friends who happens to love to cook and is good at it.  Has posted several good recipes.   



Mariodacat presents 5 awards to:


http://nerissa-the-cats-life.blogspot.com/

http://meoweh.blogspot.com/2012/01/mellow-fellow-eh.html


http://whisppy.blogspot.com/2012/01/monday-madness-with-merlene.htm


http://teamtabby.blogspot.com/


http://jazzydacat.blogspot.com  --  Mario and I are hoping she'll come out of hiding and post again, so we just had to give her this award to entice her!




Enjoy your award friends,


Mary & Mariodacat   

PART 2 - "M.S. And Me" by Guest Writer, Jane - HuMan to @JessieJaney

Jane's home city

Dear Readers,

Now, back by popular demand, here is Jane, huMan to @JessieJaney.  (If you missed Part I, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Previous Post.)

"Heat and MS: This is my version of hell! Late one night, about 7 years ago I was sitting in a lovely lilac scented hot bath when suddenly I could no longer sense my legs. They weren't numb; it was like they had disappeared! I was terrified as, at that time, I only weighed 45kg (about 99lb) and did not have the strength to get out of the bath to a phone. With a pounding heart I pulled the plug and sat there. Jessie's predecessor Zoe (another black cat) sat with me for the next 3 hours. Gradually my legs awoke and I was able to flop out of the bath and drag myself to my bed where I fell into an exhausted sleep. The next day it was as though I'd had a nightmare but, as I was still wrapped in my towel, I'd knew that it wasn't. A few hours later, I saw my GP and he explained that MS sufferers often have what is called a pseudo-exacerbation which occurs when the core body temperature rises.

Imagine living without the luxury of having a hot bath or shower! Imagine living in a country where the average summer daytime temperature is over 30oC (86oF)! Imagine living with the fear that a slight infection might raise your body's temperature! If you can imagine this then you know the apprehension that is my shadow. This summer has been a bad one for me as a new symptom has raised its wicked head. Not only is the temperature causing me problems with its regular "pseudos" but they now bring with them cramps. Enough of the whining, Jane!

Negative Side-Effects: I have gone from a relatively healthy and happy woman to one who hides from the world. I gave up work 10 years ago when I no longer had the ability to concentrate for the periods required to continue to be a successful Office Manager and for 4 months of the year I'm a virtual prisoner in my air-conditioned unit. Air travel is now a thing of the past as I am unwilling to risk the effects of air pressure.

Positive Side-Effects: I am fortunate that my disability pension, inheritance and superannuation enable me to live a relatively comfortable existence. I found the internet and over the years have played in such games as Palace, Second Life and now, Twitter. I have made many wonderful friends, people who I will never meet but who have touched my heart. I've learned the wonders of Adobe Photoshop, although I do prefer using JASC Paint Shop Pro (now owned by Corel Draw who have completely stuffed up the newer versions of PSP). I have had the joy of being accompanied by two wonderful cats (first Zoe and now my fearless Jessie). In Twitter Jessie displays my real personality. I guess that the staff of anipals really do take on the image of their employers … or is that around the other way? Most importantly, this year I've learned to be less selfish with now having to be the carer, in a small way, of my carer, my darling brother, Hugh.

So that's my story and I hope that it has given you a small insight into "MS and me."



Jane

Mary here: Jane your story has been so valuable in teaching us all what it is like to live with M.S. How scary it must have been to be trapped in a bathtub and not to feel your legs or be able to pull yourself up.   I can't imagine. 

To quote one of our mutual Twitter friends "Jane is so brave to come forward with her story." Thank you Jane for sharing your story with us so we could get to know you better and understand through you just what it's like to live with M.S. I do hope you will come back again and update us on your situation. My thoughts and prayers will always be with you as you bravely battle this disease.

"M.S. And Me" by Guest Writer, Jane - HuMan to @JesseJaney

Our guest writer (Jane) in an overlay of Melbourne, AU,
her home city

Dear Readers,


I have been so blessed to have such great guest writers, and I'm equally pleased to introduce another one to you today.   This gal also has a debilitating disease that there is no cure for.  When I heard a piece of her story a week ago, I knew I had to ask her if she wished to guest write. 


Jane's story:


"Hi I'm Jane, the huMum of @JessieJaney, and I'm writing this in answer to @Mariodacat Mom's kind invitation to provide her with a "guest post" for her blog. I do not have Parkinson's Disease but I do have a degenerative disease of the central nervous system too and its called Secondary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Oh goodness me where do I start with writing about "MS and me"? I feel such a fraud, as at this moment in time I'm basically healthy.



What is MS: It is now generally accepted that MS involves an abnormal response of the body’s immune system that is directed against the fatty sheath (myelin) that surrounds and insulates the nerve fibres in the central nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves). It affects different people in different ways with symptoms being mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. They do know it affects more people the further from the equator they reside. It is presently incurable. It has many types - Relapsing and Progressive and the variations in between. The worst being Primary Progressive which seems to mainly affect those diagnosed at an early age (in their 20's) and invariably leads to an early death from such complications as pneumonia.

My History: The first thing that hit me was depression at the age of about 40. My wonderful GP and I both agreed it was probably the beginning of the "change". After numerous and various anti-depressants (plus sessions with psychologists and psychiatrists), I just wasn't improving and it had got to the stage I had to crawl off my bed to get to the bathroom because of the "lightening strikes" firing off in my head. For about 2 years I gave up on the medical world but my worried boss and dear friend phoned my brother (Jessie's Uncle Hugh) who, in turn, insisted I go back to my GP after he visited him to itemise my symptoms. The result was an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) that showed extensive demyelination and the resulting frightening initial prognosis of Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis. Things moved quickly - days later I was seeing a Neurologist and hours after that I was hospitalised for the first of many times. I was prodded and poked, scanned and x-rayed, eye-tested, spinal tapped (ouch) and then for three days I had a shunt in my hand and a twice daily infusion of high dose corticosteroids as at that time I was suffering from an exacerbation (meaning, I'd relapsed) and steroids were needed to kick-start the body into remission, or as we say in the MS world into remitting.

To cut a long story short - that first visit to a hospital occurred 10 years ago. Since then I have been through the relapse/remit cycle so many times I can't count. Three day stays in hospital for corticosteroid treatment have become an annual norm in my life. For this post I looked at my MRI scan history and see that I have had over 30! It's a wonder I'm not a magnet by now! I've spent 6 years on Interferon Beta-1b (called Betaseron) as these 2 times a week, self- administered injections are supposed to delay the onset of relapses and progression. This has not yet been proven in Clinical Trials to my satisfaction. The side-effect of this drug is "flu-like symptoms" so, with the begrudging approval of my Neurologist, I decided to quit. I am prepared for the consequences of my actions but I do not fear them, as living with the flu for 6 years is the pits.


I now have Secondary-Progressive MS but have been on a plateau for a number of years. I do have a permanent limp and peripheral damage to the sight in my right eye. I suffer cognitive dysfunction, meaning I no longer have the ability to quickly problem-solve or perform calculations. My balance is "crappy" and I often have falls, usually in the most embarrassing places like the supermarket car park, so it is rare to find me without a scrape, bruise or bandage of some kind. At times I'm reduced to using a walker to get around and at other times you could pass me on the street and only notice a slight limp. I do try to eat a healthy diet and get my 1/2 hour of sunshine a day (my Vitamin D hit) but find that summer is hellish."

  

@JessieJaney

Mary here: I'll give you the second half of Jane's story in the next post.  Be sure to come back and find out why Jane's Summers in Australia are hellish!   I have learned so much about MS from Jane.

PD Drugs (brand name vs generics) and PD vs Weather

The other day one of Mario's Twitter friends asked him if the change in weather bothered my Parkinson's Disease.    I then did some research both thru "The Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book" by J. Eric Ahlskog, M.D. Mayo Clinic Parkinson Specialist, and thru http://www.parkinson.org/.   I could not find any reference to weather playing a role in Parkinson's Disease.  It doesn't seem to affect me either - but read on......

However, i do have arthritis in many of my joints and spine.   I can tell you without a doubt that weather does impact my arthritis.   The past couple of mornings I have awaken to a very sore, stiff body and it has been difficult to get moving.   So, thank heavens for the Tramadol and Tylenol combination my family doctor prescribed.   

While doing the research on Weather/Parkinson's, I happened on an article published in http://www.parkinson.org/.  In an article (half way down the page on the left hand side) - click on:

• Generic vs. Branded Drugs for Parkinson’s Disease

The following paragraphs were copied from that article:

"Currently, there are multiple pharmaceutical companies that manufacture a generic formulation of carbidopa/levodopa, dopamine agonists, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and anticholinergics. If you have Parkinson’s, are taking brand name medication and then are offered a generic substitution for one of your Parkinson’s medications, you should know that the FDA requires that generic drugs must show an “essential similarity” to the branded drug prior to market approval, but that in some cases, this standard is not high enough. A review supported by NPF chronicles compelling evidence that if you are in more advanced stages of the disease, switching from branded drugs to generic, or from one generic to another, may have adverse effects. The authors, including NPF National Medical Director Dr. Michael S. Okun, believe that the standards for approving generic drugs for Parkinson's may not be strict enough to demonstrate that the generic alternatives are equally effective."

"Work with your physician to develop a tailored treatment plan. Using generic drugs may provide a cost savings, but they may not be appropriate for you, especially if you already tolerate the branded drug.
If you make the switch, be sure to follow these tips:

• Report to your physician how effective the drug is
• Carefully keep a diary of any side effects
• Record dose adjustments that your physicians make (higher or lower)
• In general, try to stay with a single drug manufacturer for your generic medications (You may need to ask your pharmacist to special order for you)

When attempts to tailor drug therapy with a generic drug have been unsuccessful, have your doctor appeal to the insurance company for a branded drug. It is important to include meticulous details of the various adverse side effects with the generic medication in your appeal letter."

So this article supports the problems I experienced when the doctor switched me from the Brand name Mirapex to the generic one.  My system couldn't tolerate it and it wasn't my imagination.   Many of my readers also confirmed they many times they have had problems with generics.  This is not to say that generics are bad.  They are not, but if they don't work for you, then they don't work for you.  Tell your doctor.   This may be why I had problems with the generic levodopa/carbidopa drug that the doctor tried me on, which was also a generic.   I will be talking to him about that and am printing off a copy of this article to take with me.


In my opinion, doctor's are beginning to prescribe more and more generics because


1.  It does save the patient money. but, more importantly......
2.  The Insurance Companies prefer the use of generics to save money.  If a brand name is prescribed, the doctor has to jump through hoops to request the brand name.  They are already over booked with patients and just don't have time for the added paper work.   Strictly my opinion, not based on fact but seems to be what happens in my case.  


Thanks for reading about this subject again.  But I had to document what I found to back up my comments on the problems I was having.  


Mary

Happy New Year 2012

Dear Friends,


WOW - another year over - where did it go.  When I retired 4 years ago, I wondered what I'd do with the rest of my life!!   I'm still wondering, but here I am just shuffling along each day.



When I started this blog in September, I had no idea what direction it would take.  ha ha - I still have no sense of direction, but am shuffling along with this too.  I do know that you, dear readers, are the ones who keep me going.   


I am so very thankful for each of you.


....You put up with me when I'm down.
....You provide encouraging words that pick me up again.
....You sympathize with me when I need it.
....You provide helpful, useful information in your comments and on Twitter.
....Your support is SO VERY APPRECIATED!


Thanks for "hanging" in there with me.


We celebrated New Year's Eve in typical fashion by going to a movie - "I Just Bought A Zoo" with friends, which is very good and worth seeing.  Then out for a sandwich, and home by 7:30 p.m.  Woohoo!    The New year's Eve pawty at  #nipclub on Twitter was great fun but I had to call it a night at 10:30.   I can remember when we were in our 30's we'd stay up all night and top the night off with breakfast.   Guess we've really slowed down over the years.  


Then of course today is FOOTBALL - GO PACKERS - GO BADGERS!!   It will be a happy day in Wisconsin if they both win!   Most of my friends in town know I don't especially care for football, but even I get excited when our state goes to the Rose Bowl and the Green Bay Packers might just get to the Super Bowl again this year.   My fingers are crossed, and Mario's paws are crossed.  We're hoping for a win-win for both.   


Our New Year wish for all of you is that you ...


...find a job if you are looking for one (so many are these days),
...have good health in 2012 - if you have good health, you have all the richness of life
...have enough $$ to keep you in food and shelter 
...have a warm roof over your head
...find happiness from within
...find a reason to laugh daily- for laughter is the best medicine of all and no side-effects except maybe a sore side!   (get it - splitting your sides from laughter!)


Happy New Year and love to each and every one of you.


Mary

Visit With Neurologist - Merry Christmas

Dear Friends,


Wish I could say I have some good news after visiting with the neurologist yesterday, but I don't.   I clearly believe he doesn't know what to do with me.   I did catch him on a day where he had 10 patients waiting in the same waiting room to see him.   Maybe it was a bad day for him.  Usually he takes whatever time you need, but not yesterday.


I am more shaky again.   He wants to add another drug to my cocktail.  Sorry I can't give you the name because he's having it called in to our mail order pharmacy so I can get a 3-month supply.  (Hope it works)!   If i would have been thinking clearly when I saw him, I would have had him phone to a local pharmacy to try for a month, but as usual, I wasn't comprehending fast enough to keep up with him.


He did make the comment tho that if this didn't work, he'd put me back on the Levodopa/Carbidopa combination again.  He asked me what ever happened to various drugs that he had prescribed, and was I taking them.   No, I'm not taking them because they were doing strange things to me - a combination of being dizzy, losing my balance rapidly, and/or making me sick to my stomach and throwing up. Each time I stopped a drug it was because I called his office, told them the side effects being experienced, and he said to stop the drugs, thru the nurse I was talking to.   I would think my chart should have been noted as such, but clearly it was not - or he was too busy to notice.   I am going to sit down and write him a letter on Monday right after Christmas reminding him of all this.  Then I will take a copy of that letter with me on my next visit in 6 months - if I don't call sooner and ask to get in to see him.


I also brought up the fact that I had gotten sick to my stomach about 3 times in the past 2 weeks, and i thought it was from one of my drugs.   I also mentioned to him that my family doctor had prescribed the pain killer for my back along with Tylenol.   I think the added drug is what is making my stomach upset.    


I'll be seeing my family doctor the first week of January, so plan on having a long talk with him on the best course of action.   I'm very tempted to get an appointment in Milwaukee with Don's doctor (not thru the VA tho, because I'm not a veteran).   That doctor is a Parkinson's specialist working out of Froedert Memorial Hospital.  But there is no point in trying to get an appointment with her now because of winter driving.  It will have to wait until spring/summer when there is no worry of a snow storm making a 2 1/2 hour drive into a 5-hour, nerve-wracking trip.  It's nerve wracking as it is just driving in Milwaukee.



The above picture is the front of our house - taken last Christmas.  This year we are minus the outdoor lights and have snow on the ground - thanks to mother nature delivering an inch yesterday.   I have to laugh because the weatherman has been saying for a week that it looked like we would have a brown Christmas this year.   Wrong again! he he - I still think they sometimes predict the weather by shooting darts at a dart board.   


Our daughter and her husband are coming early afternoon today and will spend the night here.  After we give them breakfast Christmas morning, they'll leave for Ken's family.   We were invited to do down there too, but have declined due to the hour's drive back home in the dark.   Neither Don nor I are up to that anymore.   I think we just may take in a movie tomorrow afternoon.  Or, we'll stay home and get ready for the Packer game in the evening.


GO GREEN BAY PACKERS!


I hope you all have a blessed Christmas, Holiday Season or Happy Festivis, as the case may be. 


Sorry for the "down beat" post at Christmas, but I wanted to document everything that happened at the Neurologist's appointment last Monday while it was fresh in my mind.


Thanks to you my faithful readers for taking the time this busy season to read my blog.   It is so appreciated.


Mary






  

Christmas Brain Fog

Dear Readers,


The tree is up, the cards in the mail, and Mario is a happy kitty to be the added decoration under the tree - his favorite hangout place during Christmas season.  All the kudos go to Don for decorating the tree, and doing such a great job.  Other years, the job was usually mine after the tree was carried up from the basement and set in place.   It's amazing how things change in a year.


Getting the cards and letters out was a big job this year.   I've always relied on address labels and keep a current list ready to go in the computer.   This year Avery changed their template numbers - at least for the 8160 that I've always used.  Of course I had bought a new package of labels.  I can't tell you how many times I printed the same set of labels trying to get them to line up correctly.   I fiddled with the margins, changed settings, stood on my head, said a few choice words, called Avery, stood on my head some more, and said more choice words.  The air was turning blue, and even Mario didn't want to be in my office.  After Day 1 out of the 5 I worked on cards, brain fog was setting in, and I really didn't know what I was doing for the remaining 4 days.    


The long and short of the story is that some friends might get 2 cards and some may have been omitted by mistake.  I clearly didn't know what i was doing anymore.  Today Don confirmed one error after talking to his sister, who mentioned she had received our card and letter.   When Don was talking to her he was holding the envelope and card in his hand that we were going to mail out later today.    YIKES!  That's one we know about - how many others were duplicated and how many have been missed!


I hate living with this brain fog and feeling like I don't know what I'm doing.    Yes, it's probably the meds, but I still don't like it.  There are so many days where I feel like i'm mentally losing it.  A Twitter friend once told me 'Getting old "ain't" for the faint of heart.'    How right she is!!


ha ha- so if you are a friend who received two cards, count yourself lucky and save one for next year in case you are missed at that time.  If you were missed this year - well, what can I say...............maybe next year you will get one!


Mary

Random Acts Of Kindness

Dear Readers,


The past two weeks I was out and about more - dentist one day - short shopping and errands on other days.  My faithful companion - the walker - was with me on each of those outings.   


Walkers on wheels are a great invention, but they are a little cumbersome to use, especially when going in and out heavy doors that don't have the automatic opener.  Going in isn't to difficult, but you do have to position your self off to the side of the door, open the door with the right hand, then slowly navigate the walker thru the door while holding the door open with your right hand or body - or butt.


Going back out when the door is heavy is a real challenge.   Again, you have to move yourself to the left of the door, hold the walker with the left hand, use the right hand to pull the door towards you, then swing your butt over to hold the door open while you grip the walker with both hands and turn the walker in the right direction to go out the door.   (Big rumps do help. he he)


I was pleasantly surprised at the dentist's office recently when a gray-haired man (probably close to my age) came over and asked if he could assist me.   I was struggling with that door - a room full of people all waiting to see the hygienist or dentist, and ignored by all except the nice elderly gentleman.   I was very grateful and thanked him profusely.   It was a random act of kindness that was so appreciated.


Then on Saturday we were invited to a birthday party for the granddaughter of a friend.   It was a rainy, drizzly day, so Don pulled in the driveway to let me out.  I didn't bring a walker because I knew it would be crowded in the house, and I usually don't need it in a house anyway.   Much to my surprise, the son of my friend walked out to greet me, offered me his arm for assistance, and helped me up the steps to his home.   Their entry way has wooden steps leading to a deck like platform - there is no railing.    That was another random act of kindness that was so appreciated.


When we got ready to leave, the other son of that friend asked me if he could assist me to the car where Don was again waiting in the driveway.   Another much appreciated random act of kindness.   I mentioned it to their mother the next day and told her she could be proud of her sons for their willingness to help.  So very thoughtful of both young men.


Then this morning I was attempting to get into Barnes & Noble's store and again was faced with big heavy doors that had to be manually opened.  Along came a lady who appeared to be my age and perhaps even a year or two older.   She said "Here, let me get that door for you!"  Another random act of kindness!


Thru the years I have tried to do the same for people struggling with a door and a walker or wheel chair.  I guess what goes around eventually comes around.


You never know when an opportunity will present itself so you too can perform a random act of kindness.  I do hope you will take the opportunity and "make some one's day" because, in time, you too will be in need of the extra help.   These wonderful people certainly did "make my day" and I'm so appreciative.


Mary

Chance Encounter

Photo from Blog of Dr.  Jefferson

Dear Readers,

I'm always amazed at the chance encounters available in the Blog World and Twitter World.   You just never know who you will meet along the way and from what country.

I'd like to introduce to you today Dr. Duncan Jefferson who lives in Australia.   I was searching thru the blog world a couple of weeks ago and happened on Dr. Jefferson's blog  http://duncanjefferson.blogspot.com.  I immediately took a liking to his blog and followed it.   He writes on medical issues and non-medical issues, and i have found his blog most helpful and easy to read.  


There have been times when I've touched on a subject, and a couple of days later he has expanded on that same subject.   I'm honored that I can provide him with some post ideas, and he certainly has helped me with valuable information.   So thank you Dr. Jefferson for reading my blog and taking an interest in the subject matter I have talked about.


Please go over and take a look around his blog - I think you'll like what you see.   http://duncanjefferson.blogspot.com.


Stay tuned later this week for my next post on "Random Acts Of Kindness."


Mary

Dementia - Not Yet

Dear Readers,

The last of the leaves have been cleaned up, lawn mower put away, and snow blower ready to go, thanks to Don.   The above picture was taken about 10 days ago, the leaves have since fallen and the tree is bare.   Tonight we are to have snow!  Mentally, I'm not ready.


Well, there is good news and bad news for the week.   My 6-month checkup with the psychologist  was this week.   After testing, he asked me how I felt I was doing.   I said, "mentally I've slipped a notch - just in some areas".   He said he agreed with me.   I did slip a little in some parts of the test, but remained good on other parts.   It's an exhausting test as you are mentally challenged on every question or problem.  He didn't do the entire battery of tests.  Only did those that I scored poorly on 6 months ago.


Now 6 months ago I clearly remember the psychologist saying that I have a little Dementia.   This time I brought it up and he said "Oh, you don't have Dementia."   Now I know mentally I have declined a little since 6 months ago and the tests indicate I have declined, so did he make a mistake when he said I had the start of Dementia 6 months ago?   I can only suspect that was the case or he didn't clarify enough as to what he did mean, and I didn't question enough and accepted what he said. 


Why is this important to me?   Well, my mother's side of the family is full of Dementia/Alzheimer's history - starting with my grandfather (Dementia), followed by my mother, two of her sisters, and her remaining brother - all diagnosed  with Alzheimer's.  Because of this history,  the psychologist wants to see me every 6 months just to keep a handle on things and I agree.


The bad news is that I have declined a tiny notch mentally, but the good news is that clinically speaking, I don't have Dementia!    I can tell you that I'm in a mental fog a good share of my day, which I believe is from all the drugs that I'm on - most of which make me tired.   I can't seem to even prioritize things that need to be done.  Yes, I've tried making a list, but never am able to check off more than a couple of things a day on that list.   Several times a day I can wander into a room and wonder why I went in there.   I know this is somewhat normal as you age, but I think with me it happens more than what would be normal.  I'm talking several times a day.


The other thing I've noticed is that I've slowed down to a snail's pace physically too.   It takes me so long to accomplish anything.  Much of the time I feel overwhelmed at all that needs to be done around here leading up to Christmas.    The slowing down is no doubt the Parkinson's kicking in, and the drugs only magnify the problem.


To complicate matters, my back has been painful lately.  The MRI taken a week ago showed the arthritis in the spine has increased since 3 years ago.   My family doctor said I'm not a candidate for surgery (nor would I want it at this stage of the game), and the back doctor yesterday confirmed everything.   He did offer to give me a shot in the spine, but I'm not sure I want to go thru that.   I know it's risky to start fooling around with the spine.  I really can't stand upright for very long - about 3 minutes is max, then I have to lean on something or sit down.   So trying to accomplish anything standing up is about impossible.  Walking from the far bedroom into the kitchen is tiring on my back.   Don has been wonderful and has assumed so much of the physical work around here.  He does it willingly and without complaint, but i feel guilty not being able to do my share.  The spine doctor feels the weakness in my back and legs is due to the Parkinson's.    He's probably right.


Now on a good note - I bought a Nook, color, touch e-reader yesterday.   It's not the tablet, but one step down.  I'm able to navigate around it quite well, but typing on that tiny keyboard takes awhile as I keep making mistakes.   Kim says I'll get adjusted more after I've used it several times.   I do like it tho.   Now if i can only stay awake longer at night when I try reading.  Why don't I read during the day you ask?   Well, any time of day when I try to read, it puts me to sleep.  So, there is no good time of day for reading.


I called Kim for help and she walked me thru the process of getting the WiFi set up, something I've never had to do before.   She gave me some mini instructions, and now I should be able to read tonight.   It will be fun playing with a new toy!   I spent the extra money and bought the hard covered book that was available because I have trouble remembering things after reading.  All the information is on the device, but you have to remember what you read, leave the page, and do the steps involved.   It was just easier to buy the book for $8.00.


Stay tuned - next week I have an appointment with the Neurologist (I think it's next week).

We Are Grateful - Happy Thanksgiving

Dear Readers,


Just a quick update on my last post about the episode I had with freezing.   I'm sure now it was the drugs, so I've stopped taking the Gabapentin.  I'm sure that drug, combined with my Mirapex (which makes me sleepy) and with the Tramadol (which also makes me sleepy) I was just over drugged.  By noon on Saturday I was back to myself once again.     I believe the doctor prescribed that drug to help with the RLS problem, which is what the Mirapex also does, but wasn't quite doing the job any longer.   For now the Tramadol is helping with the RLS, so we'll leave things alone for now.


I'm so looking forward to dinner today.  We're invited to our daughter and son-in-law's house for Thanksgiving.   Our son-in-law loves cooking this special meal for his parents, his brother and girlfriend, and this year the girlfriend's parents, and, of course, Don and I.   He does a fantastic job, and this is his 12th year to treat us with this wonderful dinner.    We all bring a dish to help  out, but Ken does the basic meal along with special pies.  (Can't wait to see what pies he bakes this year - usually there are two kinds and sometimes three).   I always tell him that Kim's marrying him was better than marrying a doctor because he not only cooks, but keeps our computers in top shape too, and is so very good to our daughter and to us.


I'm very grateful for my wonderful family (especially Don who has been taking over with so much of the household duties and our wonderful daughter and son-in-law, and of course Mario.   I'm also very grateful to for our dear local friends and those wonderful friends I've met on Twitter and the blog world.  I am truly blessed.


Thank you dear readers for reading my blog and leaving your great comments.


Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.   I'm so blessed to have you in my life.


Mary

OMC - That Was So Scary!

Permission received from KokoroPurrs to use this Cartoon
http://kokoropurrs.blogspot.com/2011/11/why-cat-need-faster-computers.html

Dear Friends,

What a horrible night I had.  So, to cheer myself up and my readers, I just had to post this delightful cartoon by @KokoroPurrs.    His mom is a cartoonist and does wonderful work.  Her cartoon drawings of her cat  always makes me giggle.    Please take a minute and go over to their blog site and look thru some back issues of the blog.    She very graciously gave me permission to use some of her delightful cartoons in my blog.  (Mario is going to be so jealous).   

Now back to last night.   I went to bed at the normal time of 11:00 p.,m.   Some time during the middle of the night I felt the need to make a bathroom trip.   I tried to turn over on my side to get myself out of bed.   My body would not move.   I couldn't roll over nor could I sit up.   After struggling for a few minutes to get myself up, I started yelling for Don (who sleeps in the room next door).   He's hard of hearing, so he didn't respond immediately, but did finally come in to help me.   He had to help me up out of bed, and it was all I could do to lift my body with his help and to grab on to the walker.   Then my legs didn't want to move.  I felt like my body was frozen in time.    Finally I got them to take tiny, tiny baby steps to get myself to the bathroom.   After I finished what I went in there for, I had all I could do to raise my body to start walking again - well not really walking but taking tiny dragging steps to get back to bed.  Talk about scary.   If it would not have been the middle of the night I would have suggested going to the emergency room.   Something was drastically wrong.

This morning when I woke up, I could move enough to get myself out of bed, but my feet were still taking the tiny steps, and I really had to hold on to the walker for dear life.   After choking down some cereal, I went back to bed and slept until 11:00 a.m, and was more like my old self when I got up.  Still not real stable on my feet, but at least I could take my normal, usual steps.

I began to wonder if I was experiencing Bradykinesia that Debra discussed  in my last blog post.   Or was I progressing to the next level of Parkinson's?    It really scared me and I think it scared Don too.  

Then I happened to think today that I had seen my family doctor on Monday for back problems.   After getting the results back from the MRI and finding my back had worsened since 2008 (no kidding - I knew that before the MRI results were in), he gave me 3 new drugs to add to my cocktail!!   One of those is Gabapentin 300mg 2 x day.   This drug is sometimes used to treat seizures and used for RLS (of which mine has been getting worse).  I'll be calling the doctor's office Monday morning to tell him of these latest developments, but in the meantime, I dropping that drug.  

He also prescribed Clonazepam 0.5 mg 1 x day at bedtime.   This is used to treat panic attacks (I don't have that???).  The PAL says it clams your brain and nerves.  YIKES.     Now I'm not sure which one gave me the immobile symptoms, but I'll be stopping that one too until I talk to the doctor.  Fortunately, I had only started those drugs on Friday and it was Friday night when I had the problem.  So at least I don't have to go thru withdrawal symptoms.

The other drug he prescribed was Tramadol  HCL 50 mg 3 times a day with Tylenol - used for pain.  I'm sure Tramadol didn't give me the symptoms I experienced, so it has to be one or both of the other drugs.   I will take Tramadol before bed tonight along with Tylenol.

Oh how I wish I didn't have to be on all these drugs.   "They shoot horses - don't they?"  I've tried to maintain a sense of humor thru this entire time since being diagnosed with Parkinson's - but I must be honest - the humor is running out.

Mary

What Exactly Is Parkinson's Disease, by Guest Writer - Debra

Photo by Debra - location Northern Florida 

Dear Readers,

I'm so happy to have Debra of @Manxmnews back as a guest writer again.  
You'll remember from her post here on 10/8/11 her husband was diagnosed with PD in his 50's.   Debra has managed to sum up PD very well, as you will see.  

From Debra,

"Parkinson disease is a slow progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that occurs when nerve cells, called neurons, in the brain called the substantia nigra die or become impaired. These neurons normally produce a substance called dopamine. Dopamine is the chemical messenger transmitting signals in the relay stations of the brain, allowing for smooth, coordinated fluid movements of the body’s muscles.


The 4 main motor symptoms of PD are:

(1) Shaking and tremor Tremor is present in approximately 70% of people diagnosed with PD. The tremor in a hand or foot at rest is called a resting tremor. In 75% of cases tremor only affects one side of the body, especially in the early stages of PD.

(2)Slowness of movement, called Bradykinesia
Bradykinesia, is a profound slowness of movement, and a loss of automated movement, and is often a very disabling symptom of PD.

(3)Stiffness or rigidity of the arms, legs or trunk

(4) Trouble with balance called postural instability This causes people diagnosed with PD to develop a forward or backward lean and to fall easily.

Secondary symptoms of PD -Micrographia which is small cramped handwriting
-Reduced arm swing
-Slight foot drag on the affected side
-Freezing, a term used to describe being stuck in place when attempting to walk
-Hypomimia, loss of facial expression
-Dysarthria, low voice volume
-Retropulsion, tendency to fall backwards
-Festination, walking with a series of quick small steps

PD can also affect other body systems, resulting in non-motor symptoms. Some of those symptoms of PD include:
-decrease in automatic reflexes such as blinking and swallowing
-increase in dandruff or oily skin
-constipation
-sleep disturbances
-anxiety
-depression

Not all of the symptoms will be present in every individual, and the rate of progression will also vary from one person to the next.


Neurologists usually do not diagnosed PD until at least two of the four main symptoms are present over a period of time. The disease is both chronic, meaning it persists for a long period, and progressive, meaning it’s symptoms may gradually worsen over time.


PD is in most forms of parkinsonism, the label for a group of disorders with similar features. PD is also called primary parkinsonism or idiopathic Parkinson Disease. Idiopathic is a term used to describe a disorder for which no known cause has yet to be found.

The loss of dopamine producing neurons in the brain results in difficulty with movements. When the brain losses 80% of the dopamine producing cells in the brain, the main features of PD become evident. The cause of cell death is not known.

One theory about the cause of PD is free radicals -- damaging molecules generated by normal chemical reactions in the body -- may contribute to nerve cell death and lead to PD. Free radicals lead to oxidation, which is thought to cause damage to tissue, including neurons.

Another theory is PD may be caused by certain toxins, such as pesticides that destroy dopamine producing neurons. But there is no conclusive proof that external toxins are the cause of the disease.

Research is also exploring the role of genetic factors in PD. While several genes are known to cause specific forms of PD, the majority of the cases do not have a genetic link to PD.

One other theory proposes that PD occurs for unknown reasons associated with the normal age-related erosion of dopamine producing neurons in individuals. This idea is supported by the loss of antioxidant protection that is associated with both PD and normal aging.

There is not a clear understanding of PD, nor is there a current cure.

Debra


Thank you so much Debra for summing this up so well.  It's a complicated disease as you and I so well know.  And thank you for being such a good friend.   If I can ever manage to get back to Florida, I'll be anxious to meet you in person.


Mary