The week of July 13 was full of activities and appointments. I helped with Food Shelf, had a haircut, did some shopping, and got my new crown. I am amazed at the technology today - they no longer take impressions with that funky, pasty, pink stuff that always set off my gag reflex. Instead they use a camera that takes digital images and measurements of the tooth and then the new crown is made right in-house. No more temporary crown. I was out of there in 1.5 hours with a new crown and I don't have to go back until my next hygiene appointment.
My brother-in-law Denny ended up in the hospital with a bladder/UTI infection that led to him having Sepsis. He was there for 4 days and then sent home to recover. I talked with him last Sunday and he said he was feeling better little by little and looking forward to seeing the Doctor next week for some answers regarding his current condition and recovery prognosis.
I took Joey to Ben's on Wednesday night, the 22nd, as he will be staying with them while I go to Stoughton for my class reunion and to connect with family and friends that I haven't seen since last September. I drove to Stoughton on Thursday, landed at Dawn's, chatted for a few hours then went and had dinner with Pat and Tracey. I had really been missing them and it felt so good to see them again. Both are doing well.
On Friday morning, Pat took me to my appointment at UW Hospital for a consultation with a Neurologist. We were both very impressed with how informed they were about my experience (the technician had it all memorized and went through the series of events verbatim as if it had just taken place. She went and reviewed our discussion with the Neurologist and then they both came back in the room to talk with us. My brain has healed a lot since the initial seizures but there is still a small vulnerable area. Because of the LGI-1 auto immune issue, I will need to continue having the Rituxan infusions for now and take the Keppra seizure medication. She also set me up for future appointments with her and an epileptologist and a referral to a general practitioner in Stoughton when I eventually move here.
Pat and I stopped and shopped at Costco, took a tour of the west side of Madison where he had worked on several historic homes, and then we hung out until 3:00 when I left to meet Patty at the hotel for the next 2 nights of reunion activities (our annual girl's weekend).
The Friday night meetup at Deak's Tavern was lots of fun with about 22 classmates showing up. There were lots of hugs, stories, memories, and laughter. The place was pretty much cleared out by 9pm.
On Saturday, after a morning walk and breakfast, we went to Patty's sister Sandy's 80th and her brother-in-law Denny's 85th birthday party in Wyocena. It was a great opportunity to see her extended family again, including her son AJ. We couldn't stay too long as we had to get back and fit in a short nap before going to the reunion.
The reunion was such a fun time and the organizers did a great job. We got there early, so we helped with putting up a banner and decorating the tables. The turnout was about 35 classmates and some spouses and I talked to all but one or two. Again - we were all ready to head out before 9pm, except for a few stragglers.
Sunday was pretty low key - hanging out with Dawn, taking a nap, and having dinner with Pat and Tracey.
Dawn and I met up with cousins Jonnie, Mary, and Erin for breakfast at Sonny's in Oregon. It was sad to see that Jonnie is not doing well - she has osteoporosis with tiny fissures in her spine - said to be caused by a lifetime of smoking cigarettes - paybacks are hell, right. She is on lots of meds and either sleeps or hurts most of the time. Dang - I did not get a picture. Dinner with Pat & Tracey.
We took a nice walk on Sunday morning, up to the grounds of Greenspire - the apartment complex that I will move to eventually. I was unable to get a tour, as they didn't have any vacant apartments to show. I then went to meet up with Mike's family - brother Tom & his wife Karen, sister-in-law Sharon, and cousin Louie at Off Broadway in Monona. Again, it was great to see them and catch up on the latest news.
I hung out with Pat and Tracey for a couple of hours Tuesday night, said my goodbyes, and then went and had Mexican dinner at Dawn's house with her friends Scott and Kim. I settled in early as the next day was to be the drive back home.
I was on the road by 8:40 and made it to Ben's house by 2:00 - only two backups due to construction and they weren't long. My car did great, as did I. Joey was happy to see me and also happy to get back home
