Messing Around

Well, I went to the Dermatologist Monday, and other than a small flareup of my Acne Rosacea, he didn't find anything worrisome. He did say I had some sun damage on my forearms ... But I've had almost 65 years to accumulate that damage, so it's not really surprising. I did the sunbathing stuff in high school and college, but that's just about it. I did have some pretty bad sunburns during that time period. Of course, there were no sunscreens then.

I'm finding the cervical collar to be very helpful, but it hurts to wear it. I've made about all the adjustments that I can to make it work better on my short neck, but it is still uncomfortable. Let's face it -- I have a small face and CPAP and Collars were just not meant for someone my size. It's a shame my hips and tummy haven't figured out they are supposed to be petite, too! LOL

I'm not getting as much use from the TEN's as I thought I would, because it's trouble to hook it all up. That old apathy thing going on again. I need to get in the habit of putting it on before I eat lunch or ride in the car. Those seem to be my worst triggers for pain. It's the leaning forward with no support posture that makes mealtimes hurt. For breakfast and supper, I'm usually on the computer on the sofa, with the laptop in my lap, eating in between typing. Yes, my keyboard needs cleaning out something terrible, but I don't know how.

I'll try to do better by the TEN's today. It's rented for one month, and then, if I think it helped, insurance will pay for it. Seems fair enough to me.

I got just plain disgusted the other day, and told hubby I'm going to go off of all my PD meds for awhile, just to see how I do. I made a short experiment with that right around Christmas, but the holidays weren't really a good time to be experimenting, so it was a very, very short time that I was without the meds. I intend to stick this out for at least a week, maybe longer. I just want to see once and for all if the meds are doing me any good at all.

I worked hard all day yesterday getting more of our plush animals and dolls into our own Plush Animal & Soft Doll Shoppe, so I can more easily sell directly. I'll still be on eBay, but I need to wean away from depending on that source completely for sales. EBay messes with things too much, and changes things at a whim. At least with my own site, I know exactly what's going on. Course, right now, not much IS going on!

I started working on tax forms I have to fill out for the paid caregiver we had with Daddy. Once I do all his taxes, and the Estate's taxes, and pay what is owed to the IRS, we can close out the Estate bank account, and invest the money. It will be good to see the end of that chapter of my life.

Hubby continues to be supportive and helpful, I feel better, I don't have any signs of skin cancers, and I'm accomplishing something with our sales. I'd say that's a pretty good sign that the apathy is lifting. I sure hope so.

7+ Hours Sleep Again!

I was able to stay in the recliner for over 7 hours last night! I'm still getting up several times to go the bathroom, but at least now I'm able to get back to sleep. I figure I'll try turning the screw to advance my lower jaw maybe one or two more nights, and that should be enough. I'm making the Sleep Study appointment today to see if it's controlling the Sleep Apnea properly. If it's not, I can always advance it some more while they monitor it, until I find the right spot.

I will get an appointment for the flu shot today, too.

I'm also going to make an appointment with a Dermatologist today. I don't want to ignore the fact that Parkies have a higher rate of Melanoma than the general population. Particularly since I've inherited a tendency to have lots of moles, some quite large, from both of my parents.

I've never been to a Dermatologist before, but I've learned my lesson and intend to get one who uses the hospital I like. There is a lady Dermatologist associated with my preferred hospital, and I think I would be more comfortable having every square inch of me examined by her, rather than by a man.

My inability to control my emotions is still a very aggravating problem. I started looking for some important insurance paper work this morning, and couldn't find it. I've kept up with that stack of papers for several years now, but when I started to make a phone call referring to it, it was nowhere to be found. After searching everywhere I might have filed it, then looking in places I should not have filed it, I fell apart. Blubbering like a baby and getting DH all upset trying to console me. This awareness of my mental abilities deteriorating right before my eyes is extremely disconcerting.

I finally did find the insurance papers I needed, stuffed in the file folder with the information about Pop's monument that I had worked on the same day I had been working on the insurance. This is some paperwork left over from when DH's Pop died, as we were the executor of his estate, too. Not long after he died my dear hubby had colon cancer surgery, so some of the less urgent parts of settling Pop's estate just got pushed to the background. Now I'm trying to finish all of it up, and get my Daddy's all finished, too.

So, all in all, it's been a productive day, as I was able to get done what needed to be done toward cashing the insurance policy, and I'm going to call and make the appointments just as soon as the doctors' offices get back from lunch.

Once this insurance policy is dealt with, the only things left to take care of are the monuments. Pop's should have already been engraved, so when I talked to the cemetery people, they were extremely apologetic that it had not already been done. And I haven't even started on getting Daddy's information added to the headstone.

I'll be glad to have all this paperwork finished! Daddy's estate will get out of probate at the end of November, and I need to be through with everything by then, so I can quit stressing over it.

Requesting Your Prayers

One of the Parkies that I have become friends with on the Patients Like Me site has just had a positive diagnosis of skin cancer, and she is to have surgery on the 14th of November for a lesion slightly bigger than a half dollar.

Now another PWP on the Patients Like Me site has posted that she is getting the results this week on a biopsy for a possible skin cancer on her leg. That's 2 out of less than 700 who have reported it from the PLM Parkinson's membership.

The increased risk of developing Melanoma is one of the characteristics of Parkinson's that few people are aware of. I certainly was not.

The one to have surgery goes by the name of knoxgal, and the one to get the biopsy results goes by pokie too. I know they would both appreciate your prayers on their behalf.

Looks like I'll be making an appointment with a Dermatologist to get checked over from head to toe! Great, another doctor!! But I do think it is wise to have it done, under the circumstances, as I am covered with moles, thanks to my parents.