Doctors, Doctors, everywhere!

Well, we've spent the last two weeks investigating Mom's shortness of breath. We've seen a pulmonologist (useless individual) and a cardiologist (fabulous man). It appears as though her shortness of breath issues are not lung related but may be cardiac - not a surprise given her advanced age and not particularly alarming either as they're periodic and clear fairly quickly.

Our latest travels found us at the pulmonologist who wanted to perform a 40 minute breathing test that was fairly strenuous. Since all signs (including the hospital ER Doctor's assessment during our 4 hour tour of Shady Grove) point to it not being a lung issue, she opted out and off to the cardiologist we go on Monday for a chemical stress test. She had this 2 years ago and it was a breeze so we don't expect any issues.

Took her out yesterday to Butler's Orchard to get fresh veggies for a dinner party tonight. Then, we rambled our way back to the house. One very interesting part of being a caregiver for her is that I see things and do things I normally wouldn't. How many of us are racing to get back to the house to, what? Clean the toilet? Nope, Gert and I frequently wander the back roads, ruminating on who the hell needs ALL that house, watching the teenage boys (11 of em!) playing basketball in a friend's backyard - this was particularly heartwarming as you hardly ever seen kids playing outside these days. They're all addicted to the tv or their gameboy or their computer or...you get the idea.

Anyway, we've been having some pretty good days around here. Mom reports that she's sleeping better even though her bedroom sounds like it's about to take off - I have an air conditioner, an air freshener and a humidifier in there for her. It's like staying in a hotel at the beach by the airport...But, she's happy so that's good by me!

I've recently started writing for examiner.com which is a blast. Here's a few fun articles, especially interesting for the elders among us (yes, I'm counting myself there, having move to Red Hat Society territory just last year):

Elder Fun 101 - Find a local Red Hat Society chapter near to Silver Spring, MD - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pic of dear Joe in this one.

Elder Travel 101: Where can I find travel activities?

And, I haven't forgotten the chocoholics:

FRIDAYS ONLY! Get a free Milky Way, M&Ms, Snickers, Dove or Twix chocolate bar!!

Here's my profile - if you care! http://www.examiner.com/x-15629-Silver-Spring-Elder-Care-Examiner