Monday November 3, 2008

 

 

Dear Blog….

 

I received many emails and birthday greetings yesterday and today. I wish I could answer all of them in person but that’s impossible. I appreciate all of them. They’ve all meant a lot to me.

 

However, I got one email which was disturbing. It was a happy birthday wish but it also said, “Enjoy it while you can because your Lewy Body Disease will catch up with you very soon and you will be dead in just a few years. It goes fast you know. This could even be your last birthday.” Now, I really don’t know how to handle this one. Very uncanny. I had just started to read Dr. Thomas Graboys’ book, “Life in the Balance” yesterday afternoon. Reading about the severity of his illness and then opening up that email about an hour later wasn’t good timing. I think the writer probably meant well but I don’t think it was probably thought through to realize the negative impact it had on me. But the optimist in me has already started to overcome that. I’ve learned to expect most anything when dealing with people. Basically, I like to think people are good. Maybe it’s just that I’m too sensitive right now and took it the wrong way. I’ll just move right along, though. And Pam is very optimistic too. She tells me I will live many many long years! That helps a lot, believe me.

 

Speaking of Pam. She and I had our regular primary care Dr. visit today. She’s been tired and lethargic for sometime now but it’s been getting worse. She is so fatigued that she can hardly move and she sleeps alot. Low and behold, she is deficient in potassium, iron and vitamin D. The vitamin D level was real low. No wonder she’s tired. So she came away with a hefty dose of potassium, iron and a new preparation of 1x/week vitamin D…I think 50,000 units. So I help all this stuff begins to help her soon.

 

Dr. gave me some samples of Enablex. Since I don’t have any other symptoms consistent with diabetes or prostate disease, she’s not totally sure if the frequent urination is part of the Lewy Body Disease or not. One of it’s claim to fame is that it isn’t supposed to affect the central nervous system. Hope it works. Getting up 4-5 times/night is a pain. And I need good sleep to stay alert.

 

Got to thinking today. I miss working with Howard and George in the Medical Director’s Office. They are 2 of the finest, conscientious psychiatrists I know. Hope they are doing well. Howard works so hard but I keep telling him that he needs to retire and to enjoy life. George is enjoying life since he’s now retired. We used to work sooo hard together but had fun laughing and joking at the same time. I think it kept us sane. Thanks, guys. Hope you’re both doing well.

 

Tonight is Monday, time for the LBD chat on Yahoo. I’ve tried to get into the chat room for a couple of weeks but to no avail. I’ll try again tonight and see what happens.

 

Thanks to everyone who sent the uplifting and encouraging emails……….

 

Trivia which I learned today:   Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable.

 

I’m having all kinds of thoughts and feelings as I read Graboys’ book. Will be writing them down soon.

 

David