Today I received a Certificate of Completion from the Vanderbilt Memory & Aging Project Study after having a lumbar puncture procedure this morning. Since April 15th, I've had a Heart MRI, a Brain MRI and Memory Test, an Echo Cardiogram, and today's lumbar puncture. The entire study staff of doctors, nurse practitioners, recruiters, and research center staff were professional, informative, caring, and supportive. I've engaged with different staff for each of the procedures, and today I was able to share the scary news about what the Heart MRI unexpectedly revealed and how I cried as I watched in amazement during the Echo Cardiogram of my heart. I learned that there have been others who joined the study, who like me, discovered serious issues that had to be addressed such as a brain tumor and untreated stroke level blood pressure.
I joined this study because I was curious about my Mother's progressing condition and because I wanted to somehow make a difference. This is my first year, and I understand that they will continue to follow up with me annually. I'm going to practice up for that memory test though so that I'll know how to draw that darn 3-D box next time. That drove my overachieving perfectionist self crazy and I got frustrated enough to give up.
I'm also grateful today that after the lumbar puncture I was instructed to take it easy and to not do any exercise or any heavy lifting the rest of the day. I assured them vigorously that I'd have no problem following those instructions. I've "forced" myself to sit on the couch and create this post and finish reading a book that I've been trying to get back to. I'm not being lazy, I'm just following doctor's orders.
I left home with three puzzles sitting on my fireplace and came home to find that my puzzle loving neighbor Rhonda had come over and brought nine more puzzles for Mama to put together. Those twelve now join the ten that she had already shared sitting on the floor in my office. Mama just completed her 100th puzzle since May 2020 a few days ago. We're both grateful for Rhonda sharing them with us and grateful that we no longer have to purchase them.
Mama's 100th Completed Puzzle
"Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance." ~ Eckhart Tolle
~ Marilyn
I am grateful for your puzzle loving neighbor! I really appreciate that you are taking part in this study as well--and how amazing that you were able to discover some important health news about yourself.