Brainz and stuff 06/02/2009
 So it's been forever since I did an update on anything from my little corner of the MS world. I finally have something worthy of writing about however, since yesterday I went in to have some neuropsychological testing done. I was oddly exited about going in for the tests, I guess partially because the brain is just so darn fascinating. Since learning that my brain may look a little more like swiss than cheddar, I definitely want to learn more about how it processes. My boyfriend went to the appointment with me, since I wasn't sure I'd want to drive home from Portland afterwards, considering my taxed brain may not enjoy the highways and byways. Also, he hasn't been to a Dr. appointment with me since I was seeing my first neurologist, and I think he secretly enjoys being a part of this process. I know I like having him there, simply because it helps make me feel a little more understood by him. So the first half hour of the appointment consisted of just conversation about changes that I have noticed not only in the last few years, but since my diagnosis. I went over with her the issues of short term memory, my inability to focus at times, as well as just feeling overall foggy. She asked a lot of questions about work and we talked a bit about my plans for getting back to school this fall. She was a bit concerned at my plan to do full time classes, as well as keep working (albeit very few hours) and suggested maybe doing part time classes. I'm definitely taking this suggestion into consideration, but stretching out my education any longer than I need to, isn't exactly thrilling. I am the queen of the impatience. She also offered a few suggestions for ways to make work a bit more bearable when I'm finding myself overwhelmed. We also talked a lot about stress, which isn't something any of us can just make disappear, but she wants me to work on ways to better deal. She has referred me to a certain psychologist who will help teach me some skills in this department, and I'm not opposed to that at all. It was interesting to hear my boyfriend pipe up and answer some questions regarding changes that he's noticed in me as well. I have to admit, it was definitely interesting to hear things from his perspective. He pointed out my increase in "word fishing" which is sort of hilarious, as well issues with my memory. He talked about how he'll tell me something, and I will swear up and down that he never told me. Dr. Sherman made a good point, that part of this is just selective hearing, which happens a lot in relationships, but the fact that it's happening so much may be part of my cognitive issues. One thing that was slightly disturbing was to hear was that he's noticed me begin to struggle with writing, which is something that came a lot easier for me in the past. He mentioned the blog, and how it could sometimes take me days to finish writing a short little post, but how in the past I could write a research paper in a day. I was a little embarrassed by this verbal, third party acknowledgement of my less than exemplary writing skills. I feel like it's a good metaphor for how I'm just sluggish at times, with everything. I feel like my processing time for just about everything, as well as my production time, has gone way down. |
