| Events du jour or how about the last 24+/- hours...! First, yesterday went without major magnetic incident -- BUT, they were running late, and I was admitted into the area an hour late (ugh) and then the actual MRI ended up taking 2.5 hours!!! Ouch! Suffice to say I'm out of sorts today, and need some R&R to recuperate. Maybe later today? That is all the detail I'll share, but for those that may need to make a decision re: MRI open or closed, I want you to know that there are factors that they may not explain fully. For future reference, I now know that there is some degradation when using an "open" MRI v. a closed one, so that the procedure takes longer to get a good image. So, depending on the machine and calibration, what took 1.25 hours each hand, might take 20 minutes each hand in a closed system. Now, what isn't apparent in the open MRI, is that depending on what part(s) of your anatomy is being scanned, one might (as I was in this case) find their head directly under the "dome" and have the feeling of a closed machine. I had to close my eyes and tell myself to breathe and pretend it was more open than it actually was. A closed system has a fan that can remotely be turned on by the tech, and the audio system is in the machine as well. The open one relied on the "boom box" method and a standing fan. They each have their pros and cons, and I recommend you weigh them before choosing, and now I know some of the right questions to ask, and how to ask them. ////////////////////
Today was day one with someone coming in to meet with Mom as companion,aide /care-giver. I liked her!
She is also a "cat-lady" which is always a plus -- therefore, no judgement re: my care of Zach and Olivia . She and Mom seemed fine, and I left them to get to no eachother. They were in her room, and Gordy and I went upstiars. I heard Mom's voice raised. Then I heard drawers SLAMMED. Then I cringed and played the old tapes in my psyche of tantrums past, and hiding so she wouldn't notice me...shhhhhhhhh. I debated if I should go down or not. I decided that either Mom or Cheryl would get me if they needed interference. It was a very VERY tough choice, but I figured if they were to fork at all, they had to work it out between them.
Then A bit later, Cheryl comes up, we chatted. I find out the source of Mom's anger and distress. I will not share this part, suffice to say Mom was embarassed and felt pushed and /or threatened in some way. This caused her to lash out and not do well, but she listened to some of what Cheryl wanted her to do, and did it, albeit grudgingly. I offer to Cheryl that she might want to take a different tact on part "B" of what she wanted Mom to do by soothing her, letting her get her dignity back, be gentle with her and "encouraging" and "coaching" her to do part "B", even though Cheryl is correct. Apparently they did have a reconciliation, and hopefully part "B" will be accomplished tomorrow when she returns! Thank god /dess she is coming back, and that they have worked out the "bone of contention". I am thrilled that they both gave it a chance. I even heard Mom later apologize for being curt to her (understatement, but I'll chalk it up to memory problems -- she at least remembered it!). Phew! Tomorrow we have a session with Dr Little who, FINALLY, is back! YAY!!!
I dunno, the Doctors these days ... taking (much needed) vacations...the gall! ;-) BTW, Dr Little phoned us immediately when he came back to work! He's so caring! So...Cheryl will be back tomorrow, catching up with us after we return from the appointment. I hope they bond some more. Next week, unfortunately, Cheryl will be on vacation, the first in 5 years -- oy! Timing is, if not everything, a heckuva lot! This is a start, I hope. [Especially in anticipation of my upcoming surgery]
Happy Healthy New Year -- and a year of Peace!
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