Chapter 361 - Briefly

To West Beer last Thursday for the noon appointment with Dr F who told us that a number of those present at the Monday conference we attended some weeks ago believe she does not have PD but "neuro-psychosis" (I think that is what he said, and Dr G does not provide a good explanation that I am able to understand). He laughed when he saw the expressions on our faces, saying he didn't believe that. He thinks she has a narrowing of the tunnel in her vertebrae, and that squeezes her spinal column to cause her leg problems. I did not catch the word he used. He inspected the recent MRI scans of her lumbar region as well as a CT scan taken some time ago. He will arrange for her to visit the West Beer PD nurse for a sales pitch about Duodopa which he thinks will stabilise her PD better in time for possible surgery on her spine, about which he will arrange a referral to a suitable expert in Hot Air City.  At the mention of surgery, she asked "Aren't I too old for that?". He didn't agree. Dr F was running over an hour late with his appointments so we were ushered out of his room before being able to collect our thoughts to ask questions. She came away feeling very disappointed, having hoped for an "answer"; perhaps she has been given one even so. On the way home we had our Wild Dog driver stop at McD for a birthday lunch, for the next day, Friday was her 72nd Birthday.

While researching Dr G for the term that Dr F may have used  for her possible spinal problem I came across a Latin term meaning "horse's tail" which reminded me that she had damaged her coccyx in a fall some years ago. A search of this blog found that she had fallen off her ergonomic stool (she stopped using it and gave it away; it was only $300 when bought in 2000) in October 2009. The local GP at that time said nothing could be done about it, telling her to take Panamax to ease the pain; which took 6-8 weeks to go away. We must tell this to whatever spinal expert she sees.

I had intended to order pizzas for her birthday but since she was reasonably mobile, we went down to the Club instead for an evening meal on Friday. I wheeled her in her walker in which she remained for the meal.

Her leg symptoms are worsening, This morning she was standing for some 5 minutes at the kitchen bench top, sorting odd items, when she said "My leg is going" so while I supported her she hobbled the few paces to her rotary chair. A close call for a fall.