I'm beginning to realize that life does not slow down!  I thought I'd have all sorts of time once I was out of school but now I'm wondering how I ever managed to juggle everything.

Last week was a pretty good week; there were no confrontations, thank heavens.  I did run into the "Lord of the Flies" one morning and I smiled at him and said, "Good morning," and he grumbled back something that resembled the word, "morning."  I figured I'd kill him with kindness if he was going to be a big boob about it all.  

Vickie and I were talking about the problems Dad is having and she remembered something that she researched once for her mother.  After reading the information, I'm 100% sure that Dad does not suffer from Parkinson's but from Lewy Body Dementia (LBD).  LBT includes the low dopamine in the muscles that Parkinson's does, but it also explains everything else that is going on with Dad - past and present.  It explains his severe sensitivity to sedatives, the nasty Requip, and other medications he was given in 2006 when he was so ill. I could start a rant about dad's previous neurologist that let Dad go a year before helping him then prescribed Requip that but I won't ;-) However, I do plan on writing a letter to the bastard now that I know what I know. 

I brought the info on LBD home and showed my parents and Mom remembered that Dad's neurologist mentioned it a few times but she didn't know what it was.  Now we do.  The doctor ordered an oxygen test for Dad to check his readings at night, which we should get today or tomorrow. 

Medicare, being the experts they are *cough, cough*, refused to pay for Dad's night oxygen any more because his readings were "too good."  Figure that one out.  It was working - wow - but working too well??.  The last 90 days since he hasn't had the oxygen, he began to do worse so they're starting there to find out why he's doing so bad right now.  I realize there is a natural progression of this disease, however, I'm not exhausting all the possibilities of things they can do to slow it down yet.  I don't feel it's time to give up and just keep him comfortable.  He's fighting and so are we.   

Friday was filled with fun between my company Christmas luncheon and getting together with my friends, the Motley Crew, for an early dinner.  My friend Linda went as my guest for the luncheon then we did some shopping between the two events.  My friends and I laughed and laughed at dinner, caught up with each other, and exchanged gifts.  We've vowed to get together once a month and it's been great the past few months.  We all used to work in the same building but with job changes, organization moves, and promotions, we're spread out all over now so it's nice to see one another. 

After that, I went home and picked Mom up and we went to Wally World.  We were quite brave since it was crowded but there were no run-ins with rude shoppers.  I was prepared with my sincere "Merry Christmas" line if anyone was rude.  

Saturday, I wrapped most my Christmas gifts and then got the bad news about my special someone's sister.  Thank you again for all your thoughts for him, his sister, and their family.  You are all so wonderful.

We got a surprise visit from my nephew Travis, his wife Sara, and their cute little baby Eli.  She is more adorable than ever and she's smiling now.  Click on photo to embiggen.  I captured this expression just right... she's definitely Travis' daughter - I always tease him when she farts and now, sticks her tongue out.  I held her for a few minutes and she has such a sweet spirit, she amazes me.  Mom and Dad told me that they were amazed at the connection I have with her and I think it's wonderful.  I always had this connection with Travis so it doesn't surprise me.  Sara is wonderful too and it feels as if I've known her all her life too. 

I'm so blessed to have an incredible family and friends.