¡CHEERS!
First of AWL I found a really great Neurologist who is very engaged in Melissa’s case; even to the point of figuring out why this happened. Of course I know, and Melissa will say she was trying to keep up with the younger crowd. What WE want to know is how to continue to move forward to make her quality of life better than it is now as far as balance and any gains in short term memory. That remains to be answered because we cannot put a percentage or time line on the healing process of the brain. The brain can reconnect in ways but it is based on many factors which tie into personal data; like age or genetics. The Neurologist has no definitive information or case histories known. Simply put, the brain can reconnect circuits in unknown ways so it is a “wait and see” have faith in the healing power of the body and universe. I BELIEVE she has just a bit more progress to squeeze out of the process, because I see clues AWL the time. I remain optimistic and positive for this wonderful person in my life.
Yes it is funny, in a human way, that I can tell her something and 30 minutes later she has forgotten. It age 60 plus it happens to anyone. So she loves my lists I give her and then she checks them off when accomplished. Of course this has to be done on her terms of doing her Word Search Puzzles. Don’t mess with that laser focus and competitive spirit of beating her best time of completing the puzzle. HAH
Reiteration time: We are talking about a person who had to learn how to breath, swallow water, talk, eat and walk again (she currently uses a Black Diamond Trekking Pole now; only when she is outside). Tough duty for most of us, but something kept her moving forward despite fevers, sepsis and pneumonia (there were some other weird viruses in there that I had to gown up, glove up and mask up for WAY before the Pandemic). She says she did this for me, but I known it was her strong will to live and enjoy our life together. Maybe it is the same thing; we can debate. You can draw your own conclusion.
Melissa currently is beating me at Scrabble 36-27 games; those are the most up to date standings. She routinely defeats me and she keeps score flawlessly. She listens to music on her phone and reads articles suitable for People Magazine or Us (HAH). She can remember long term events with ease. She loves her new home and community, hopefully in the coming months we can socialize more her at The Arboretum our community. It is still the Wild Wild West here when it comes to pandemic rules and protocol. WE like to be safe. No need to push our luck. Many people are still getting infected with the latest issue of "the plague".
Melissa’s big goal is driving. That will take much patience and professional evaluation. She is nowhere near getting behind the wheel of a car. No reaction time and the process of dealing with decisions is still a bit cloudy. And if she could go to the store, how long could she walk and shop? She has a current fitness level of about 30 to 45 minutes of walking and she is pooped. She does well in her physical therapy sessions, but those are on hold as she is at a point where the facility wants to bank sessions for later this year. Just in time because the gas is pretty high here in SWFL. But we have a hybrid and I fill up every 35-40 days; don’t drive much. We may get a "EV" vehicle this fall.... It is up to her to do her 5 or so sheets of exercises with balance board and foam pad.
So not to make this too long—3 years I have seen some wonderful things from Melissa in her recovery. I am hopeful that in another 3 she will show continued progress to her balance and memory. And maybe, just maybe, she will be able to drive with AWL these SW Floridians who are a bit unpredictable; it’s crazy out there on the roads sometimes. The driving experience her is like they hand out stupid pills to a select few every day. I am sure you see this in your own driving experience. Add a bit of age and distraction and you have a cocktail of mayhem like the TV commercial Character. Scary stuff.
