The local neurologist and his counterpart in California finally hooked up today, and the news was "good and bad," according to the local guy, who called.
The good is that they have no concern about the swelling on the right side of my head. Give it time, they said. The bad is that I'll be on my anti-seizure medicine for six months to a year. Apparently, that's the norm.
OK, I asked, what about driving and what about beer? The answers were:
Driving: OK. ("Don't overdo it," doc sez, which means no long road trips for a bit.)
Beer (and martinis): Well, not recommended (in excess) but, perhaps, once in a while. So, I had half a beer tonight (thanks to a shipment of special Colorado brew from Erin Wiley), and it was great! A lager with a bit of color, which gave it a nice nutty flavor. But, sorry, Joyce, no Sunday night martinis, as was our wont, at least for a while.
But back into the Miata, as least for short trips. And some sips of good brews (which is better than none at all).
And the knowledge that meds will likely be gone at some point before retirement.
Oh, he added: "Lots of sleep." Doc warns that lack of sleep is biggest factor in all of this regarding seizures. "Get at least eight hours a night," he says.
Believe it or not, that may be more difficult than cutting back on beer and giving up Sunday martinis. I rarely sleep more than seven, mostly six, per night. But I'll try.
Oh, I forgot to ask about spicy food, but we dipped our toe (figuratively, not literally) into that world tonight with a lasagna made and donated by Ben Gleeson (husband of Kate Shipley, who's in D.C. on an internship right now, and whose wedding I gleefully performed). Tangy with a bit of a bite, but no side effects, so far, so it's full speed ahead for that part from now on. (Perhaps it was that half-bottle of beer that helped! I think so. Don't you?)
So, progress continues after the excursions into the cranium. Driving, spicy food and (a bit of) beer are back.
What else to say, but "Cheers!"
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