PORCH PONDERINGS

Back Again

Mercy sakes - it has been a long time. I've been busy, as I am sure everyone is.

The last event I had happened just this last week. I am in the beginning testing for the Michael J. Fox Foundation and their research into Parkinson's disease. I currently do NOT have this problem. But perhaps I may be chosen to be part of their monitoring. We'll see what happens.

I am happy to help in any way to find the reason for this disease. I know of two people that have/had this. One person was decades ago. Another is a friend's husband in town.

I answered a survey I received by email, then was sent a questionnaire. I filled that out. Then I received an interesting test - a smell test. Curious little invention. There was a series of booklets, each having scratch and sniff squares on a number of pages. You had to guess the scent on each square. I mailed that back, and in a few months received another. Then take some timed cognitive tests on the computer. THEN they contacted me about doing this research.

Last week I went to Aurora, CO for actual in-person testing. The organization flew me there, provided a hotel and a driver to take me around. I got a per diem for food and whatevers. Then I did bloodwork, 10 tubes, a neurologist exam, more questions then I had a lumbar puncture test.

Ever had that lumbar puncture test done? Well, I have. It's not horribly painful, but no fun nonetheless. But I guess sticking a needle into your spinal column is not a normal event. The doctor performing the test was kind, took great care to do this with as little pain as possible.

I did ask him when was the first lumbar puncture ever performed. He honestly didn't know, but told me he'd look up that history. I did and it was back in 1890 or so. The key is not to sit up immediately, or you'll get a bad headache. That has also happened to me in the past.

Seems there are a few interesting facts about beginning the diagnosis of this disease. Sense of smell is a clue, and acting out dreams or sleep disturbances.

Now that I'm back home, I will change a few things about my diet. I will try to cut back on caffeine. I figure it can't hurt, might help. In many ways.

There is now controversy about a tourism grant idea. The lady in charge of this was at the commissioners meeting yesterday. She is like a bulldog with this concept, and still will not consider the museum being in any way a draw for tourists. So annoying. She wants to build onto the city pool a water slide. The city, last I heard, is not a big fan of the project, due to increased costs like maintenance and insurance.

But this person, whose first name is also Norma, is sure this will be a done deal. $1.5 million. But she only has until January 22 to file the claim. And from what I heard, really she knows nothing about filling out the paperwork or what it all entails as to the immense amount of paperwork going forward.

Another person and I tried to get the museum to be a part of all this. But she shot us down, and then we decided to withdraw our plans. So now we need to find another way to fund a $1.5 million project we had developed.

It should be interesting. But then, life these days is certainly NOT boring.