5200-5198

Been a busy few days. Saw all three doctors. The neurologist prescribed the next level of PD medication (stalevo 150). Will see over the next few weeks if that dosage level keeps the tremor in check (the lighter dosages reduced but didn't halt the tremor fully).

Was asked about reducing the anti-anxiety and insomnia medications and we agreed that we'll keep them at the same level until I experience what the increased PD dosage is taken. Once we have that data, we'll look into reducing the other drugs and look into getting me driving again. All of this will happen about mid-March.

Saw the PCP and will not revisit him until May. Will check-in with the psychiatrist again in April.

The big news--I've gained weight! I'm now about 150 lbs! BH's lunches are doing their job.

Had an acupressure session this morning. Walked a lot over the last three days. Walking is a little creaky, but is getting smoother. I'll call next week about starting physical therapy which should help.

Will be going to BH's house Sat evening for a preview of a theater piece that GH is previewing. Will be doing a bayland's walk on Sun with RM. Starting to be on the move!

5202-5201

Did morning exercises (yesterday and today) and went for a walk both days.

Have appointments with two doctors tomorrow--a third one on Thursday (he called and moved his appointment one day).

BH came by yesterday and fixed a hearty lunch. She'll be here again tomorrow--with another feast! I'll see if I gained any weight with the doctor's visit on Thursday.

Finished one of the short story books I got from the library. First one I've finished in a few months. Was a quirky set of of tales set in Europe--they were well done and made me want to read more by the same author.

Sadie Hawkins day at the end of this week (2/29)--Leap Year leaves an extra day!

5204-5203

Gung hay fat choy! Year of the rat! Weather's been variable! Slept some today.

Picked up some ice cream yesterday--been craving it--vanilla bean (yum!).

Did my exercise routine this morning. First time in a couple of months. Will resume doing them each day. Hopefully, can get back to doing a daily walk--that will be great!

Defrosted a batch of the soup that M made when she was here a few weeks ago. Good dish for the rainy, cold weather that's been happening.

Have appointments to see all three doctors on Wed of this week.

Oscar's tonight!

5205

BH made an incredible Thai soup for lunch. Spicy and delicious!

Got an acupressure session today. Felt wonderful! Can feel the energy levels in my body moving up the scale. Set up the next session for next week. Was nice to walk over to the session and back. Looking forward to more body work as time unfolds.

Rains and winds coming this way! Major storms! We made a grocery run so I don't have to get out unless I want to do so. Will try and get in some walking in between raindrops.

Slept well last night--didn't want to get up but did so to get to the acupressure session. May hit the horizontal early tonight.

Gung hay fat choy! Is Chinese New Year this weekend? Will be a wet one if it is!

5206

Rain and sleep! Managed to get out in between the storms and walk to the market to pick up some bananas and milk. More winds and rain tonight and tomorrow!

It was good to get out for a while. Will be nice when there's less weather to deal with.

Ate leftovers from the feast that BH made yesterday. Was good and filling! Will be interesting to see if I'm regaining any weight.

Saw a diffused version of the eclipse last night--it was cloudy!

I'm taking three drugs for my medical issues--stalevo, ambien cr, and ativan. Here are links to the sites for these items:

http://www.drugs.com/pdr/stalevo.html
http://www.drugs.com/ambien.html
http://www.drugs.com/ativan.html
http://www.stalevo.com/
http://www.ambiencr.com/

5208-5207

Full lunar eclipse and delicious apple crisp! BH made a wondrous lunch today including a dish her mother (bulgar, mushrooms, pasta, onion and seasonings) used to make and a from-scratch apple crisp. What a treat!

I didn't awaken to take my sleep medications until 2am--so I slept in this morning. Rains last night were thunderous. Went to bed early and read myself to sleep. Slept about 4 hours before awakening around 2am.

Scheduled an acupressure session with Luca on Friday morning. Looking forward to that once again. Eclipse about to happen! Will see if I can see it from here!

5209

Happy Prez Day! BH came by with a lot of food--chili, guacomole, salad, fruit, soup, and other goodies. I am stuffed! She brought enough for today and tomorrow.

I slept late. Day went by quickly. Almost time for dinner now. Whoa! Too soon--too soon!

Just took my evening med and can't eat (thank goodness) for 45 minutes.

Went to bed early last night--read myself to sleep. Awoke later and took sleep meds. Getting into a rhythm and getting some good sleep.

Feeling like I want to resume doing my morning exercises once again. Will give them a roll in the morrow. See what I can remember. Onward and onward!

5211-5210

Happy Presidents' Day Eve! Took the bus yesterday to pick up a prescription. Walked into town to get mail and withdraw some money from bank. Then rode bus to TJ's to pick up some groceries. Was out and about for nearly three hours. Came home and slept.

Today, slept in late and haven't done much of anything. Just awoke from a nap. Took my evening medication and settling in for the day. Picked up some library books that I can start reading.

Will call Luca in the morrow and set up an acupressure session for later in the week. BH will be here tomorrow--I just finished up the food she left here Friday (chili, veggies, etc.). Been craving a milk shake!

Dreams have been active--very detailed and movie-like. Got to bed late last night, but still awoke around 1am to take my sleeping meds. Slept deeply and well! Ah, yes!

5213-5212

Made it to the doctor's yesterday via the bus. Very convenient! Doctor said I looked good--more present and not as anxious-looking. We went over what I was doing with the medications and he felt that all was proceeding as expected.

I've got three appointments with all three doctors on 2/27--a marathon of appointments starting at 8:20am, then a 9am session followed by an 11am meeting. Should be in even better shape by then. Am going to resume my acupressure sessions next week and will look into restarting chiropractic work. Have to also begin PT work--will do after the 27th.

Newer PD medication seems to be keeping the symptoms moderated--more so than first round of PD meds.

Waiting for B to arrive and make lunch. Then off to the library and some errands, perhaps. Slept really well last night. Feeling good!

5214

Took bus to TJ's this morning. Tried to get a bus pass, but couldn't find any still in stock (Feb pass). Got a haircut! Looking like a normal person once again. B fixed a great lunch--soup, salad, mushrooms and orzo, and fish. Biggest meal I've had in a while.

Turns out she knows RS! I figuered so since she's a friend of Phyllis.

Newer meds seem to be evening things out. I'm feeling energetic and ready to start moving more. Trip to TJ's involved some walking. Tomorrow I'll do doctor's visit via bus as well.

Got a nice note from my daughter--she's in good spirits!

Still full from lunch--can't think about dinner. Slept well last night--took sleeping pills around 1AM--slept deeply and well. Step-be-step, little by little--and onward I go!

5246-5215

It's been a month since I've posted anything. Jan 11th was the last posting--the day I saw my PCP with my list of health issues. Happy to note that I've been sleeping. Been taking Ambien CR with Ativan and the PD medication. Lots has happened over the month I've not been posting. Son from SoCal and his family stepped in and helped me (are still helping me) sort through the chaos that I created by not sleeping for over a month.

I'm weak but back on track now--seeing the doctors, taking my meds, sleeping and resting, getting assistance several times a week with food, shopping, getting to appointments, and so forth. Have a delightful friend of the family coming by on M-W-Fr who fixes a hot lunch and visits for a while.

I'm starting to walk some each day and hopefully can start taking the bus to stores and appointments.

We (my son and I and his family) decided that I would hang here in my apartment for a while before contemplating a move. Rent was raised only $25/mo. and place is near everything.

Got a bed so I'm not camping out any more and have someone coming in to clean once a month and handle laundry. So, I'm back on the healing path, but with meds this time around.

Not sleeping really sent me into a spin. Don't want to go there again.

Lots of details missing from this catch-up note--but onward and upward! Will retrace as it arises!

Friend P dropped by today. We went to Shoreline Park and had lunch at the lakeside cafe. I had a patty melt (was good). We ate and walked and talked. Hadn't seen her for over 2 months--right before my meltdown. Was a bright and sunny day!