AtlasCedar of Bluster

[ismo]

Tried to sleep more, but didn't really succeed. Ah well. At least I didn't have to do much today. The Sparrowhawk went to his regularly scheduled appointment with the neurologist. The doc made some adjustments to his medication. When the Sparrowhawk got his MRI in the ER, I may have mentioned that they saw a meningioma. This is not a crisis, because it's a benign type of growth, but it wasn't there in 2016 when he was first tested for Parkinson's. The doc wants him to get scanned again, with and without contrast, to get a better baseline picture of the meningioma. The doc also noticed that he has a bit more numbness in his left foot than before, so the brain MRI will include his neck, to make sure there isn't some type of nerve compression. The doctor says he is losing weight too fast. I was relieved to hear that, because it was my observation as well, but my observations are not taken as seriously as those of a neurologist. Weight loss and muscle wasting are typical of Parkinson's. Dyskinesia uses a lot of energy, and then there's the gradual loss of ability to process nutrients, and the fact that the medications make a person feel full earlier and reduce hunger. The Sparrowhawk needs to eat more, probably small meals spaced out through the day, and he needs more protein. I have suggested that he not observe Friday abstinence in Lent, and today he had some sausages and a hamburger. If I sometimes appear a little obsessive about cooking, there is a reason for that. He needs food that is nutrient dense, appetizing, and easy to eat. There is very little I can do to help, and providing this is one of them. If we cannot arrest the diminution of the Sparrowhawk, the doc will put him on Ensure or Boost, which to my mind is a horrid fate. Much better to consume things that actually taste good.

I gritted my teeth and got back to work on editing the child protection policy I'm supposed to be finishing. However, I ended up stymied, because there are sections that I don't think I have authority to determine, so I will have to kick them back to the guy in charge. Gosh, I hate editing. People always want me to do it, and I am good and skilled, but I don't like it. If they'd just let me write things to suit myself from the get-go, it would be fine, but editing, with everyone else poking their sticky fingers into the process, is a PITA. Thus, I have accomplished very little.

It was a dark, blustery day, with cold rain setting in shortly after the Sparrowhawk came home, and alternating with snow showers for the rest of the day. I knew this was going to happen, and steeled myself for the rapid collapse of Fool's Spring, but I can't say I like it.

Comments

[oracne]

If they'd just let me write things to suit myself from the get-go, it would be fine, but editing, with everyone else poking their sticky fingers into the process, is a PITA.

OMG yes this.

I am currently working on keeping Charlotte's weight up while she has chemo and I agree, it makes me feel like I am doing something useful.

[ismo]

It's a worthy endeavor and you are doing something useful! It's really hard for someone having chemo to keep themselves nourished. We found that out when Tron was doing it. You are a good friend!