This and That

I wanted to mention another friend, Jane, who has been helpful with rides to shows I am covering, even though she lives on the opposite end of town.  She contributes to my column and helps me track down set lists which make writing my reviews much easier.  We have seen Dr. John, Tingstad and Rumbel, and Meshell Ndeogeocello together.  Her husband Rhodes also provided a quote I could use at Tingstad and Rumbel.

Carol and I went to my wonderful HD doctor, Dr. Bird.  I asked him if I could switch to another medication, since the tetrabenazine I take isn’t being all that helpful at the dose I am able to take , because of side effects.  Dr. Bird says there are some other medications I can try.  We are starting with Haldol.  It will take a few weeks to get it up the level where we would expect improvement.

I have heard a joke about Haldol:  “My patients on Haldol thank me twice, when I put them on it, and when I take them off it.”  I hope I don’t have to ask to be taken off it.

The preset moment is warm inside and frosty outside.

Another Standing Date

     I also have a fun standing date with my long-time friend Richard.  He helps me cover shows Carol isn’t available for.  He gives me rides, help tracking down set lists and erudite comments I can quote in my column.  He is particularly qualified, because his father was a jazz pianist.  Recently, we have seen Rickie Lee Jones, Chick Corea , and Poncho Sanchez. He also helps with things like changing the bulb on the porch light, since we had gotten behind on doing that.

     The present moment is cool.

More Damage

    On Christmas Eve, I broke the universal remote.  We had to run the dvd player manually.  I had a moment asking Carol if I should stop playing dvds.  She said no.
    I forgot to mention another friend Barbara has a standing date taking me to my hair cut, important for my sanity.  Also Kathy is doing pharmacy runs for me.  Very helpful,
    The present moment is cozy.

More Memory Issues

    Since Carol sensitized me to my memory issues, I asked her to start paying my bills, and keep track of things like tax documents I don’t want to lose.  I am lucky to have a partner I trust who is willing to do that.
    Also, another friend Nancy has started having a standing date to go to the gym with me.  She responded to my wish list on the web site Alice set up.  I thought the web site would let me know when I had a message.  It didn’t, but Alice noticed and passed it along.  The combination of the formal and informal process worked.
    The present moment is surprisingly sunny.

Changes

    I have been having some unpleasant side effects with a supplement I was taking, creatine, so I stopped it.  That happens to be the one I have to drink a lot of water for.  It’s a relief not to worry that I will forget to drink enough water with my memory issues.  Nice to just drink when I am thirsty
   The present moment is peppermint flavored.

Memory Problems

Carol tells me she is observing some memory problems, such as leaving the front door unlocked, and the basement door completely open after letting Pearl out.  I had my credit card phished by a phone call that sounded like my company but wasn’t.  I had to cancel that card and get a new one.  I had been paying my bill online.  I am afraid I would pay on the cancelled one.  I asked Carol to do that as well as write out the few checks I still do by hand.  She said she would, which will be more work for her.  I sure am lucky to have her help.

The present moment is cloudy.

Arguments

I forgot to mention on Halloween, I was supposed to keep Pearl in the bedroom, while Carol gave out candy to the kids.  I had trouble operating the TV and had to ask for help several times.  Carol got frustrated because the doorbell would ring and she had to keep going back and forth between me and the kids. She finally realized she was not going to be able to pass out the candy and help me at the same time. She gave up passing out the candy and had me do it instead. She was disappointed because it’s something she enjoys doing and was unhappy that she couldn’t have one night of uninterrupted time to participate in Halloween.

Recently, we were going to see a performance in Kirkland.  It was dark and rainy of course. Carol had come from work in rush hour traffic already and she found the driving to be difficult.  I said we could go home, but we continued.  She said she didn’t like being the driver all the time.  I said I wished I could do it.  My sense of direction isn’t good.  I can’t see the street signs well.  I can’t read maps. I didn’t get directions. Carol ending up feeling like the chauffer.  I responded to her expressions of frustration by saying, “I know” repeatedly.  She told me that wasn’t very helpful.

We had had dinner together before the show.  Carol had been talking about her work.  I thought I had been being supportive.  She said she didn’t feel like I was actually interacting.  I argued back a little, saying I thought I was being present.  She said, “When do I get to say how I feel about my experience and have you accept it?”  I told her I was sad there has been a loss in my listening ability, because that used to be a strength I prided myself on.

The present moment is full.