Interesting day

[Sailorsong]

First off since I haven't been able to report any wildlife lately. I saw 5 deer on the way to the VA today. One deer crossed only about 15 feet in front of on the Trace.

I arrived about 1/2 hour early for my Shrink appointment and was informed that he was not there, but I could see another Shrink if I wanted to. The VA had just called me the day before to confirm this appointment. So I agreed and am glad that I did.

While waiting to be seen I picked up a copy of Neurology Today. There was an article in it about the Med. diet and how it helps people with cognitive problems to not become worse off. But there was a catch. Those with diabetes it does not help at all do to something with their brains which I can't remember. The article had more to do with AD than anything else so I'm not sure if that would relate to our cognitive problems or not.

Anyway about 40 minutes after my appointment was scheduled for the Shrink lady finally called me back to her office. I found her very easy to talk to and it was a nice session. I wonder why it is easier for me to talk with female doctors than male ones?

So she started off by telling me that the VA is now offering acupuncture treatments there in Nashville and asked if I wanted to try it out for quitting smoking. Of course I told her yes.  So she is putting in a consult for the treatment for "smoking, PTSD, and anything else it might help me with". I kind of chuckled to myself with the last part.

The next part kind of shocked me a little bit. Tracy had posted here recently about what we would do if we would no longer take care of ourselves. Well after talking with the shrink for a while she brought up assisted living for me. And she was really pushing it a lot.  The shrink had asked me about my flares and how I manage during them. I had told her I stay in bed except to eat and go to the bathroom. I guess since she knew I lived alone and had no family or friends that assisted living would be better for me.

But I was not about to do that route at this time. So far when MS is beating me down it has only been a few days at a time that had me staying in bed. I'll be bad off for more time than that, but only those few days will it be too bad for me to do anything at all.

Dennis

[Sailorsong]

Like I tried to convey I don't think I'm anywhere near needing assisted living or any thing like that. Though when I do get bad I sometimes wish there was someone around to get me breakfast/lunch/dinner in bed.

I forget to mention some other things from the trip to the VA.

As I was talking with the shrink she was going over my physical problems and I mentioned to her that just about anything she mentioned I probably have. She laughed that off with "I can think of a lot of things". But then she asked me about my missing teeth and I told her I also have Sjogren's.

She told me that it seems to her that more and more MS patients seem to end up having that as well.

Oh I also mentioned that I bought a home in ME and she told me 2 other of her patients had also just moved to ME. I wonder if they also had MS now and are trying to escape the heat of TN.

Dennis

[Lulu54]

Keep counting that wildlife, or at least looking for it.  I am a big proponent of acupuncture for muscle spasms and pain relief, but don't know about smoking cessation You might as well give it a try....  

As for assisted living, if it comes to that, I would push for inhome care. It is more cost effective and better physcially and psychologically for us.

[SarahL2491]

I personally will fight assisted living as long as possible.  I would think that home care would be a better option ,

sadly I have not seen any wildlife but have a picture to send you, Dennis, taken in ME that will make you drool.........a friend of mine took it.
  
oh, DH did take a hawk picture this morning in the yard, I guess that counts...........
Sarah