Day 28 11/12/08
Better night, but not perfect. Fell in the shower, with 5 guardrails! Didn’t call the nurse, because she ratted me out to the doctors last time, which had something to do with the IV decision.
This morning, they came in as I was coming out of the shower Fortunately, they didn’t seem to notice the scrape on my knee. They had considered my (Jim’s) Valium hypothesis (I had mentioned it to Dr. Bing, my spinal proponent) and after tests on reflexes, touching my nose with my eyes shut (really officer, I’m not drunk, I have ataxia) they agreed that a spinal would be best for the last treatment. Stubborn wins again!
Actually, I’m amazed at their willingness to listen to the patient, something you don’t see very often from the tin god specialists in the states . I also think they won’t change their minds because they don’t see the results. I’ll tell my general neurologist, but I’m not trucking up to Columbia Presbyterian, waiting 3 hours, and paying $900 just to prove a point. I may be crazy, but I’m not stupid.
Anyway, I felt better today, but not 100%. This was reflected in PT. There’s nothing like therapy to tell you where you stand. You’re doing the same exercises, and how you do is a great frame of reference.
I met another newcomer today, Emanuel. He has a form of ataxia called SCA-3, or Muchado Joseph’s disease. Worse than mine. I tried to give him the heads up on things (lidocaine good, Valium bad) he’s a nice fellow, I hope this works for him.
Tomorrow, I go on my shopping trip with Jack. Jim’s wife Carolyn spotted eveything I want at the RT mall. So we’ll have a little KFC for lunch, get the bootie, and head home. Then, one last trip to the Holiday Inn buffet with some friends. Friday, some photos and gift giving with the nurses, therapists, interpreters and doctors, and the last spinal. Saturday therapy, rest and packing. And Sunday, I am outta here!
2 comments November 12th, 2008
