This week has seen a change in Jill’s reaction to the Hytrin. It certainly appears to be making her very tired; she is also not sleeping as well as she does normally. I am not certain whether we preserver or we drop back the dose. Also on Thursday after breakfast I noticed her eye was bloodshot – this continued and the whole eye was deep red. I was at the pharmacist and she told me to check Jill’s vision and to watch for headaches. Fortunately vision appeared Ok and by Friday it had cleared a little. It does look nasty and worries me as to whether it has any thing to do with blood pressure and the Hytrin. We have dropped the dose to 2mg today and will get the blood pressure checked on Monday.
Back to last Monday – Jill was back at the Chiropractor and more manipulation on her back and shoulder. After the chiropractor we went down to the netball courts for a walk. We walked the five netball courts with the wheelie walker and then returned using the crutches. Later in the afternoon Jill was in the gym.
Tuesday was to be different as we expected visitors – Jill’s brother Barry and Margaret. Jill had me mop , sweep, dust etc. It was great to have them here as it gave Jill a reason to talk with some one else. They are the proud grand parents – bringing lots of photos of their two grand children Jude and Ada. We have this one picture on the fridge of Jude and his eyes appear to follow you round the kitchen. Thanks for the visit.
Wednesday was a big day – we had to be in Albury by 12pm for the speech assessment. We were there on time and fortunately were able to get a car park directly in front. We were ushered into a room with three students from CSU. They had various instruments to measure Jill’s voice. She was asked to say certain sounds in various levels and read a paragraph from a magazine. The assessment took about 30min. I guess at the end of the clinic they will repeat the exercise to compare. We arrived back in Wangaratta about 1.30pm. On Thursday we were back at the chiropractor for more work.
One thing I know about Hytrin – it is not available without ordering in advance. I went to the pharmacy to get the prescription filled only to be told they would need to order it and it would take until Monday to arrive. I spent the next couple of hours searching for a pharmacy that had some in stock – to no avail so we will have to miss Sunday’s dose. I must have rung 30 chemists and hospital pharmacies throughout the NE. Chris rang about some research information he had come across about MSA treatment – by a Japanese Pharmaceutical Company – Shionogi Ltd – We have sent an email to them – it is in pre clinical stage of development so is still a way off.
Well at least the week has ended on a high for us with Allison and Chris arriving this afternoon. Allison gave Jill a beautiful bunch of lillies. Allison said they will come out in flower over the next week. Allison also produced a beautiful mud cake – one of Jill’s favourites .Their arrival gave Jill was well deserved emotional boost. She loves to have the family home to take her mind of the MSA – even if it is only for a short time.
We are off to Albury on Monday for the start of the speech clinic so I expect Jill to be pretty tired. We are contemplating taking the van to Albury to give us somewhere to rest between sessions and to save us on the travelling. We will have to make up our mind in the morning.
I have just watched the Kangaroos beat the Hawks and I am now watching Australia play Rugby against Wales – its half time and Australia is 25-3.
Jess has been watching me – it is late for her dinner.
See you next week on the net.