C2 Déjà vu.

The recent scan picked up the same anomaly as the scan in Launceston last year, C2 looks slightly unusual. The report from Launceston suggested a "developmental problem" and the recent report suggested a possible "healed fracture". Further investigations are underway and Ben's seeing an orthopaedic specialist in Richmond, near the Epworth which is very familiar territory. This is exactly where we would have been if Ben was living at home last year, but conditions weren't right at the time. The Berlin neurologist considered and then, it seems, dismissed this line of investigation. Perhaps that's partly because of specialisation since an orthopaedic specialist would be more interested in bones. These visits do get us out of the kitchen where, finally, the medications are taking effect and the fog is gradually lifting.

MRI at DVP.

Still pursuing the source of neck pain, Ben had an MRI at Dandenong Valley Private Hospital today. Next week, there's a specialist appointment at the Epworth to review the results of the many tests and scans done over the past few years and, of course, to examine the patient. I believe the term 'MRI' means 'Medicare Rebate Ineligible'; the scan costs just under $300 and the amount cannot be claimed on Medicare. Just over twelve months ago, an MRI was done in Launceston and that event escalated into a hurried trip to Berlin. Investigating these mysterious medical conundra has been rather expensive.

Church on Sundays.

It's 10:25 on Sunday morning as our neighbour parks their new silver Mazda 3 exactly opposite our driveway, then moves their new white Mazda 2 from its parking spot behind their regular visitor's Mazda 626, up the drive past their other new car, a blue Mazda 3, and into the carport. Shortly after, I reverse our rapidly fading Ford off the nature strip, taking care to avoid the car now parked opposite and another neighbour's dark blue Mazda 6 sedan positioned right next to our drive. We arrive at the church late as usual and enter quietly just as the congregation stands for the Gospel.

We go to church every Sunday now, after a break of several years. It used to take some cajoling to get the kids to church and eventually I just gave up because it didn't feel very edifying making a 'sign of peace' with someone who'd been really annoying. We've all grown a little since then and, somewhat unexpectedly, I find that I'm the one being reminded to leave the house on time. I'm not sure if the parish priest noted our long absence but he's still there and we've said hello a couple of times since our return. They never stopped sending the planned-giving envelopes, even after I wrote to say we'd moved to Mulgrave all those years ago (before we moved back to where we started, we've done that twice now). The planned $5 per week was a pathetic amount now that I think about it, but we're now in arrears by a thousand or two.

We're supposed to be at the farm this weekend but didn't get there. A nephew/cousin had his 21st and we didn't get there either. Sometimes we just seem to be stuck, he and me.

Little steps forward.

Game Masters, ACMI.
(web image)

Iron eagle, Healesville Sanctuary.

We've had a few outings over the last two weeks: a train trip to the city, a visit to the Game Masters exhibition at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), a longish drive and a wander around Healesville Sanctuary. Also an old school friend and former fellow parkour practitioner came to visit. These are tentative steps in the right direction.

Orbiting the son.

(web image)

I've been orbiting the son for the last few years; initially at a distance and gradually drawn closer as gravity increased. Generally, orbits diverge as time passes, momentum gathers and other attractions appear but not in this case. The space-time continuum is very bumpy in our little fragment of the vast universe and unusual things happen frequently.

The new medication has been abandoned for the moment in favour of going back to basics with one low-potency medication and increasing it to a very high dose. We're on the alert for positive signs as well as negative reactions. Help and guidance is just a phone call away and the doc will review progress on Thursday.

One year ago - downward spiral.

Recovering at home.

Just one year ago, October 2011 was an eventful month. Our traveller felt well enough to return to the mainland, came back home for a few hours, then headed straight to "The Farm". There were travel plans and tickets were purchased for a trip overseas. It all fell apart in an alarmingly short space of time. Health declined and, anticipating relief, he retreated back to Tasmania where the spiral continued ever downwards. At that time our unhealthy house was avoided, cold climates and fresh clean air were vital, food was healthy and always plain, a tent was the preferred abode and all travel was by motorcycle. One year later, that same house is a comfortable refuge, warmth is of utmost importance, food is still healthy but made interesting with spices, camping gear is packed away and two motorbikes sit idle in the garage.

PhD in PDF.

OK, so I read up on things, searching for details on medications, interactions and others' experiences. Ben says I have a PhD in PDF then readily discounts anything I say. Leaflets produced by manufacturers usually state, "The mechanism of action of ..., as with other drugs ...is unknown," which doesn't cause tremendous optimism. Reading about clinical trials can be somewhat reassuring but those long lists of possible side-effects are a genuine concern. Every person is different and small doses of a medication may cause major problems for one person while another person tolerates twice as much with no difficulty. The current combination has worked up to a point but no further, and now something new has been prescribed. The changeover will be very gradual and effects closely monitored.