~views of a day spent in Greene County, Virginia~

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It was a warm, mostly sunny day here in Virginia.

Church (a rare event for me) in Charlottesville, lunch with my Father's younger brother and his family in Green County, a quick visit to my Father's middle brother - then home to Earlysville and a call from a neighbor saying they had a blueberry pie, just out of the oven, and would we like to come over for a piece?  Of course we said yes, one cannot refuse a warm blueberry pie - especially one made from blueberries picked last summer from my Mother's sisters farm.

Everywhere we went, there was at least one person asking me about Dad - and, of course, giving me their input.  I don't mind this - all are well-intended - and as a scientist-type, I consider it much like collecting data.  Now, at the end of the data, it is time to analyze thir words.

Cognitive issues are puzzling and frustrating.

Tomorrow I will call my Father's physician, and request a neurological exam for Parkinson's (and other motor disorders).  There's the cognitive stuff going on - but there is definitely something else - a short, shuffling gate, he isn't swinging his arms - and when I saw him sign his name this morning to a check for the church, I thought to myself how tiny his signature has become.  Then tonight I read online some of the more 'non-motor' symptoms of Parkinsons, and there it was:  tiny handwriting.  That, many other symptoms - and depression and dementia - all possibly related  to a motor disorder.  I know this is just a stab in the dark, but worth evaluating.

The Blue Ridge mountains are familiar to me, comforting - home.  Even amidst all of the craziness that is currently my life, the mountains feel good.

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Comments

[Janet]

I do love the rolling hills of Virginia. Wonderful photos Pam.
Interesting observation of your dad and his writing. I wonder if you are correct. My mom's boyfriend (82) is also doing the shuffling and his doctor and neurologist have altered his thyroid meds. Not sure if it is helping. His handwriting is also very small....though I am not sure about how much of a change it has been.
How long are you in Virginia?

[blue ridge mountain homes]

Oh, just looking on the photos. I just can't imagine how fresh the air and quiet the place is.

-manny