Sorry to be silent, but I’ve been both busy and a bit under the weather this last weekend. The short version on the latter is that the digestive track did something a bit new and different. Got it handled for now, and am keeping an eye on things around the world. Not to mention keeping an eye on myself.
To that end, I went back to visit the neurologist (separate from the neuropsychologist I saw a week or so back for the cognitive testing) today. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much out of her as I tend to be a bit underwhelmed by the field. It’s not just that my first neurologist was as useful as teats on a boar (and a personality more fitting to a boar); rather, it’s discovering that a lot of other survivors have also had less-than-positive experiences with them.
I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised at how well the visit today went. She was cheerful, helpful, even printed out some data from the cognitive testing that I needed. I’ve got a new book to buy and read (that she would like read soon even), and, even better, a referral for physical therapy. That’s something I needed four years ago but am delighted to have it now. We need to work on balance, dealing with side effects of the vertigo, and related issues. One of my goals is to get where I can do full prostrations by next Lent. Not to mention that dealing with the balance, getting up, etc. will let me get in fuller workouts.
This should also help with the reflexes. They blow right now, and a sloth could truly probably outdraw me in a gun fight. I’m much better off using a coach gun these days… It would be nice to get the reflexes back into better shape on many fronts. The physical therapy should help.
I’ve got the data I was after, though it is probably not all I need. It would be nice to get some functional MRI data, not to mention a scan to look for scar tissue in the body. As was pointed out to me by a wise person a while back, I didn’t have any scars/burns on the outside, but no one ever checked on the inside. Not sure how to approach that right now, but that is why I need to put in place a good research plan as I experiment upon myself. Remember, if you experiment on yourself, you don’t require human subjects committee approval. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
The voice lessons and massage therapy should continue, and if anyone wants to hit the tip jar please feel free! Music therapy has been very good for me, and helps with stimulating parts of the brain that aren’t being engaged by writing and other activities. The massage therapy seems to be helping as well, and am really hoping it continues to help not only with mobility (and even some flexibility), but also with some of the muscle cramps that became a part of my life after the strike. Tired of them. Looking at some other areas and recommendations as well.
And, before I forget, my voice coach has me singing Sinatra: about an octave lower, but doing a decent job if I say so myself. I want to see if we can set a couple of Warren Zevon songs into my range as well. That would make a heck of a CD, wouldn’t it?
Really do think now is the time to push on fixing as much of what’s left as I can. Some of the healing that has happened, like my heart, is truly miraculous. With a lot of hard work and prayer, I may never be what I was; but, I can work to become something better. Thank you all for your help, assistance, and prayers over the last four years. I would not have been able to do all I have done without you. Thank you. With your continued help, I think the best is yet to come.
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.