Happy Thanksgiving

Lest anyone be concerned by my last post -- and I doubt anybody is as there really aren't a lot of visitors here and only a couple who I actually know -- there have been no more incidents of Transient Global Amnesia or anything like it. My mind doesn't always feel as swift as before, but that's been creeping up for awhile and is probably just old age.

I finally entered the 21st century a couple of days ago and bought my first smartphone. I didn't really need one, but so many companies and medical types that I deal with only want to communicate via text nowadays that I felt pushed into it. My old flip phone wasn't meant for that. I could receive texts, and if pushed I could even answer them, but that 10-key pad wasn't worth the trouble. And I could definitely not open attachments. So I spent some $$ for a smart little toy that'll rarely be used. I don't make/get many phone calls, but I am learning to text with my daughter and a local friend, so that's kind of fun. I also appreciate the camera, as it's lightweight, doesn't require any tech knowledge, and takes good photos. And I like being able to post photos directly to Twitter, which I couldn't do with the camera. So, there's much to enjoy with it, though I prefer the iPad for everything else, as it has a much larger screen.

Today is the first day I'm supposed to drive again. I cheated a few days ago, and for a couple of days, going on long walks with my hiking buddy a few times and driving my car one day with her along. The issue wasn't whether I could drive or walk, my fear was that I'd be out walking or driving somewhere alone and have another incident and not know who I was or where I was or how to get home. And nobody -- including me -- wants me driving under those circumstances!  The docs said it was unlikely to ever happen again, and I hope they are right. I have a grocery run to make. And maybe some other things.

Be well, everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving. The photo is from a group photo at some event at Beringer in the 80s. Someone sent the group photo to me not too long ago, and I carved this one out at the request of that someone's daughter as part of an upcoming birthday surprise. As always, my fashion choices astound me.

Oops!

So -- had my first old-age ambulance ride to the hospital on Wednesday. I'd apparently been acting odd outside in our garden area so the friend I was talking to called 911. I don't remember any of this, but she told me that the EMTs weren't sure what was going on, suspected it could be a stroke and weren't going to leave me here. I doubt that I resisted, though again, I don't know. Long story short, in ER I had bloodwork and an MRI to evaluate my old brain for a stroke. All tests were clear.

The first thing I remember from all this is being in my room on the Observation Deck where I spent the night, and another friend here coming into the room. She's my local 'go-to' person at the building office, to be called in case of emergency. She has relevant contact phone numbers, copies of my DNR and cremation contract, etc. She gave me some info, but I was still hazy. I know I stayed awake until after midnight, which is not my general wont. Slept fitfully, awake early. Typical  hospital stuff. Had another blood draw, plus a physical therapist who had me do some stuff, walk around the ward, balance tests, etc. I passed all those just fine.

Eventually he hospitalist Doctor came in and after some conversation and having seen all test results, said they were going to send me home, recommended I stop one of the meds I'm taking. A nurse from my doctor's office called this morning to set up an appointment there, told me I shouldn't drive yet until I see the doc on Tuesday. Otherwise, keep on keeping on.

Also spoke with the neighbor I was talking to in the garden. Memories of the last week are vague, but I had some memories of wanting to transplant a perennial in my garden and wearing my rain pants out there because it would be a messy job with wet soils. I even vaguely remembered moving my car so I could unload the two bags of soil I'd purchased. Wasn't sure when all that happened. Receipts tell me I bought the soil on Tuesday, and it was Wednesday that I was out there trying to do the job before it rained again. It seems that I walked over to my friend, who was at her car, asking about someone who might want some of that perennial. I'm pretty sure I never unloaded the soil or moved the plant, because my rain pants were clean. But I moved my car back to its spot and parked head-in, which I never do. I don't remember doing that, or anything that came after that until later in the day when my other friend arrived.

All they can say is that it's some kind of transient memory loss, sometimes happens in older people, and isn't likely to happen again, and they told my friend at the hospital that I wasn't likely to remember any of what was happening, so in that sense this is normal.

Other than being tired, I've been OK since I've been home. Got a good shower right away, as I felt grungy. Watched more TV, dozing a couple of times in the process. Had some decent sleep. Just had lunch and enjoyed that. Even spent some time with the NYT Spelling Bee game this morning and reached genius level, and that's a good cognitive sign. But -- then I tried to put a new duvet cover on my new down comforter, and found out that while everything seems normal, my brain wasn't up to that task. I put it away until tomorrow. It was rather funny, really.

I am glad to be home, and hope I don't make a habit of this. Old age sucks, and certainly isn't for sissies.

Hello

 Hi, all,

It’s still fall out here, at least for awhile. This tree is outside my window, and each fall I patiently — more or less — wait for it to turn this brilliant red. And then … wait until a random ray of afternoon sun hits it just right to set it on fire. This ray wasn’t the brightest, but it still looked pretty good and I wanted to be sure I got a photo before the leaves disappear. We’re having a lot of rain right now (thank goodness!), so the leaves are already falling. 

I’ve been a bit under the weather the last few days, though today was better until my temp hit 100 again, a few minutes ago. I’ll take some Advil in a minute to make it go away. Still, better is better, and I’ll take that. Don’t worry .. it’s not a Covid kind of thing. More like a bladder infection, if you must know.

This is my first time trying to write a post from the iPad I’ve had almost two years. Likely to be the last, cause it doesn't work very well.