Kathy and I loaded up Nicole’s beef and headed for KC around 9:30 this morning. We stopped at the Pome on the Range apple orchard to see if they had Jonathan apples yet. They did not but they did have the most delicious apple donuts. It would be worth a drive just for those.
We got to Nicole’s house around 11:30 and loaded the beef into her freezer. We then went to Chili’s for lunch. We all had a wonderful lunch and even better conversation. Nicole treated me to lunch for my birthday.
Headed to Kathy’s doctor appointment at the KU Memory Clinic. We didn’t wait long before she was called back. The aide checking us in was fun. She asked what I was to Kathy and I said sister. She said something and I said – oh no, not that type of Sister.
The Neurologist came in shortly after the lady checking Kathy in was done. He was a complete nerd. I don’t think he knew how to take us. He doesn’t really have much to offer Kathy other than there is one other drug she can try. After more conversation with him Kathy decided against it. She is doing well on what she is taking and there is a high risk of brain bleeds due to a thing she has going on in her brain. The medication he suggested might give Kathy six more months with life as she is now but it really doesn’t change the long-term prognosis.
We finally told him Kathy had spent years as a nurse in nursing homes and fully understands the path Alzheimer’s takes and what is ahead of her. After that he kinda chilled out and was easier to talk to. I am guessing most people come in with lots of fear and questions. He was very cautious at first but loosened up a bit.
Not sure we accomplished anything today other than he submitted Kathy’s name for some studies they have going on. He also recommended she go back to the sleep doctor to see if he will write a script for a CPAP machine as he thinks they can be very helpful. She got the official diagnosis of Alzheimer’s but we knew that already.
We were at the doctor’s office about an hour. After a bit of confusion finding each other afterwards after we each found different bathrooms to use, we headed out and went to Costco.
I stopped at the service desk and asked them to have someone bring up four cases of water for me. I have done that before and they were always eager to do it. The lady I asked today looked a bit taken aback but did agree to do that for me. When we went to check out it took them a bit to find the cart but it was there. I went to the car and pulled it up and a guy helped load the water. He looked a bit put out to have to do it and didn’t help load the other heavy stuff. Our check out guy was a bit short and wasn’t too pleased he had to enter the water manually.
This is the first Costco experience I have had where the workers weren’t excited to help us. They must have all been having a hard day. The store wasn’t crowded and we had no wait time to check out.
I had ordered my own birthday cake and stopped to pick it up when we got to Emporia. We came home and got everything unloaded from the car. I think everything I got today weighted a lot. We were both hot and tired and breathing hard by the time we got everything in the house.
Just as we finished two dear friends stopped by to drop off a birthday card and some fresh garden produce. We invited them in for a piece of birthday cake. It was fun to get to spend a hot minute with them. They were on their way to book club.
I don’t think I will try to do anything this evening. I am wiped out. I have been gone four of the last five days and it is catching up with me. I am grateful I have the next three days to stay home.
I still need to put things away but that may wait till tomorrow. I am pooped. I wish it was time to go to bed as I could easily fall asleep right now. I don’t want to take a nap this late so will force myself to stay awake until closer to 9:00.
I get to go back to KC Monday to go to the lady plumber. It will be good to find out if I have to have surgery or not. Not looking forward to another trip to KC but a girl has to do what a girl has to do. Better Monday than the originally scheduled date of mid October.
Still struggling a bit today with a fast heart rate and higher than should be blood pressure. I didn’t hear from the hospital about the tests the doctor ordered Thursday. Didn’t really expect to though as it seems it takes them a week or more to get around to calling people. Good thing it isn’t too urgent I guess. My blood pressure was a bit lower today than yesterday at the doctor’s office.
My friends stopping by helped it feel a bit like my birthday. It has been a busy day so haven’t taken time to read Facebook yet. I will safe that for later tonight when I can take my time and read each greeting. I always take time and remember a favorite memory from all that take the time to greet me and wish me happy birthday. It is much appreciated and I can feel the love!
Looking forward to a quiet weekend. I have some paperwork to attend to that I have set aside this week. Trusting I will be able to make sense of it all tomorrow and get through it. Next week I have the trip to KC on Monday and a lunch with my friends on Tuesday. The rest of the week should be empty space time.
Grateful for all the love shown me today, grateful for 72 years on this planet, and grateful for a safe trip to and from KC today.