Don't 'ya just hate it when...

[Pauly Walnuts]

Okay, it's one thing to forget an appointment or crap like that, but this is the 3rd time in a year that I've forgotten a significant event.

First time, apparently I had to get my yearly physical. Then I went to a place called Valley Heart of Dr. Medical Center. I asked the wife why I was there. She told me that during my physical the Dr. did an EKG and didn't like what he saw so he sent me there.

I said, I don't remember that and asked when that was. She said it was a couple weeks ago. You don't recall flirting and joking with the nurses?

No. Wait, were they hot? I'd remember that!

Dr. did another EKG, did some kind of scan where they put dye into your blood to look around and the next thing I know, the wife paid some hit man to slice open a carotid artery and steal some plaque from me. THAT I remember everything, including how cold that damn hospital was.

Got a call yesterday from the thug's office that tried to take my life, saying he wants to schedule another ultrasound for the other side of my throat.

Asked the wife. You don't remember do you? Nope! Why are they calling out of the blue? Wouldn't they do a consult first? They did.

That's fucked up and scary. And I'm told it's the early stages?

 

[MisterSadister]

Maybe less scotch will help.

I think it is cool that you share your story here. It might help you later to remember parts of your live.

 

[Pauly Walnuts]

remember parts of your live.

Life? What life? I don't remember anything from the past few years of my life. I remember shit from my late teens and early 20's. Mention something and it'll spark a memory. I remember late teen's or early 20's on a city buss, when I went off on a buddy for saying about how perfect the human body is and asking why my ass-hole is below my nose... WTF, a courtesy sniff?

I remember the bus driver pulling over, so he could listen. Someone telling me I should be a standup comedian. Me, asking what, so I can stand up on a stage, bunch of ass-holes waiting for me to say something funny?

And them laughing?

Come to think of it I don't remember jack, since I got married. Hmmm... I do remember an incident where my oldest boy and I camped along side of the St. Lawrence, just pats the Sue locks in upper Michigan... And my youngest grandson and I camping in Yellowstone early spring, running from a moose cow and her young.

I'll post 'em soon. but really, say just about anything to spark a memory.

 

[Pauly Walnuts]

Well, it seems I did it again!

Got a call from my Dr. telling me he wants to do an ultra sound on the right side of my neck of my Carotid Artery this time. This time? That implies it was done on the left side.

I don't recall having one on the left side before surgery.

Wife insists I did.

It's one thing when the wife asks me to do some laundry, I finish making my coffee without doing the laundry... 3 times in the same day, but these are not insignificant events I'm forgetting.

 

[Hellena]

Oh, I hear you on this one. It can be pretty unnerving when the forgetfulness isn’t just about laundry or coffee, but actual medical stuff. Please don’t be too hard on yourself though—it happens to a lot of us, and stress or even just everyday life can make it worse.

Something that helps me is keeping a little notebook or using the notes app on my phone. I’ll jot down what the doctor said or what tests I had done. That way, when I start second-guessing myself later, I have something solid to look back on.

Also, since your wife remembers some of these details, maybe let her “tag along” mentally by being that extra set of ears during appointments. Sometimes it really does take two of us to keep track of all the medical bits and pieces.

And honestly? If you’re worried the memory slips are happening more often or getting more serious, it’s worth bringing it up with your doctor directly. Better to get checked and have peace of mind.

You’re definitely not alone—it happens more than people like to admit. Sending you a little reassurance—you’ve got this.

 

[Pauly Walnuts]

Maybe less scotch will help.

At least before I go to the Dr., right?

See, there's another one. I remember taking the 1st, sip, but when it gets so cold on the porch I wake up freezing, and there's an empty bottle on the ground beside me!

I can only assume I enjoyed it!

 

[Pauly Walnuts]

maybe let her “tag along”

I can't go near a Dr. without her "tagging along". She's a retired Critical Care Registered Flight Nurse, with 43 years in the field.

Uh... Actually I can't even GET to the Dr. without her. I don't drive!

She used to teach Advanced Cardiology Life Support. She starts talking about the heart and I have no idea what she's talking about.

Anyway, yeah, talked to the Dr. Says I'm likely in the early stages of dementia, but it could be alzheimer's. He wanted to send me to some local Neurologist. My wife said, "No way! I know him."

Next spring I have an appointment at Stanford University. Soonest I can get in. 90 miles away in San Fransisco. (freaking armpit of a city) I have to get another MRI before I go.

So, here's the deal. The last MRI I had showed a very little plaque NEAR the location of the brain but not the exact location that involves dementia. Said it's probably nothing to do with the issues I'm having but there are many types of dementia with as many causes.

Then he said Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia. WTF? What's the difference? Tried reading up on it, but I understand computers, not people. 'Specially the female variety.

Long and the short of it, my pa had alzheimer's, so I'm betting I do too. One thing I DO understand from my research is that the life expectancy of dementia is half that of alzheimer's.

So, what are the symptoms? Pretty much the same for either disease, but the treatments are very different. Dementia progresses faster, and in fact there is a drug (I have a lot of experience with those) that significantly slows fuck it, oldtimers disease.

Early stages. Grasping for words. Saying something, and can't find the word I need even though it's simple. Then I forget what I was saying anyway. Reading and comprehension. Gone to shit. I use to average 50 to 60 books a year. Haven't picked one up in about 2 years. Forgetting events. NOT generally recent significant events though. More like the events of old.

That's why, when I remember something from "back then" I like to talk/post about it.

It's not unusual for someone my age to have to sniff his crotch to see if he remembered to wipe. So far (I don't think) I've forgotten any jokes I've ever heard, made up or embellished the hell out of... Told the wife. When I take my last few breaths, remind me to tell my little Suzy and her magic penis.

DO NOT feel sorry for me! Unlike you, I soon won't remember everybody has to die!

Hey, I just remembered something! See you in another post!

 

[MisterSadister]

Maybe less scotch will help.

At least before I go to the Dr., right?

See, there's another one. I remember taking the 1st, sip, but when it gets so cold on the porch I wake up freezing, and there's an empty bottle on the ground beside me!

I can only assume I enjoyed it!

Sounds to me like you drink too much

 

[MisterSadister]

remember parts of your live.

Life? What life? I don't remember anything from the past few years of my life. I remember shit from my late teens and early 20's. Mention something and it'll spark a memory. I remember late teen's or early 20's on a city buss, when I went off on a buddy for saying about how perfect the human body is and asking why my ass-hole is below my nose... WTF, a courtesy sniff?

I remember the bus driver pulling over, so he could listen. Someone telling me I should be a standup comedian. Me, asking what, so I can stand up on a stage, bunch of ass-holes waiting for me to say something funny?

And them laughing?

Come to think of it I don't remember jack, since I got married. Hmmm... I do remember an incident where my oldest boy and I camped along side of the St. Lawrence, just pats the Sue locks in upper Michigan... And my youngest grandson and I camping in Yellowstone early spring, running from a moose cow and her young.

I'll post 'em soon. but really, say just about anything to spark a memory.

Did you hit your head or something. Fuck, you are messed up

 

[Pauly Walnuts]

Did you hit your head or something. Fuck, you are messed up

Well, now... I guess you could say I bumped my head. Into marijuana, acid, coke, Quaaludes and uppers, T's and Blues, cocaine... Few others I don't recall. I thought I bought some meth, but I think it was Ajax...

 

[Pauly Walnuts]

Lets start with the Soo Locks. They are critical in getting 86 million tons of cargo from Lake Superior to the lower Michigan Lakes.

Kid and I camped along side the locks of a day. Not a campground, just a great view. Used to be 20' falls. Now, a ship enters a lock, going from lake Superior to lake Huron. "gates" close behind it and water is pumped out. Opposite from Huron to Superior.

'Bout 4:00 am. some damn look out musta seen our tent and blew the ship's horn. Freaking jumped outta our skin! Just fell back to sleep visions of animals with horns dancing in my head and another blast!

Okay, this aint gonna stop, so we got up... These ships had pulled so close to the shore that we could see them pointing at us and hear them cheering.