Momo and I met with my neurologist yesterday to find out the results of my PET scan from a few weeks ago. My regular doc thought that, since I failed my cognitive test so badly, I may have Alzheimer’s disease. Well, Dear Hearts, my neurologist was so pleased that he gave me a high-five. I was in the negative range, -195. My scan was better than his, and he admitted he has never seen anyone my age (almost 77) without any markers indicating future oldtimers. so he says, I will never get oldtimers, but, and that’s the key word. I could still be developing Dementia, and I do have excessive fluid buildup on the left side of my brain and will have that removed in about six months. That explains the falls, the goofy walk, forgetfulness, and a number of other things. He says he uses all Craftsman tools, and the surgery is guaranteed for life; that’s a relief. He said I could keep the fluid, and it looks really cool mixed in with the oil in those 1960s bubble lamps: we still have a few around here somewhere, just not sure where. He said to keep playing music every day; it stimulates the brain and helps you learn new things that old dogs shouldn’t be able to. My wife was so excited; she now wants her on a PET scan, but can it come with a little French Bulldog?
Momo and I joke around about our daily moments of forgetfulness, sometimes funny, often not. She forgets things; I forget more. I haven’t found my car key FOB in the fridge yet, but I did find it in the freezer. I told her the freezing temps preserve the battery life and help keep my leg cool.
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As a professional who specialized in dementia care through the majority of my nursing career, I’ve never once thought of you as having Alzheimer’s type dementia,Phil. Dementia isn’t a diagnosis, it’s a group of symptoms that can be caused by various illnesses and traumas. Your skillful use of words is one of the things that would stand out as definitely “not” Alzheimer’s. Oops there I go into training mode again. (I taught staff and caregivers across our province for several years). At any rate – the fluid. Do they know what caused that and will your op involve placement of a permanent shunt to keep it drained off ?
Not sure, Terry. Momo is a retired cath lab and EP nurse and knows more than I do. My neurologist did say that he would do a spinal tap ( minus the music) to remove it. Likely the 4 concussions, with the last one being severe, caused it. She did mention there might be a shunt involved if the spinal tap can’t resolve it.