Our son, Brian, and his wife and 17-month little girl flew out from London on December 14. Although Brian has been home in between he has not been home for Christmas for about 7 years. That was and is a wonderful blessing. Our middle son, Troy, and his family live near by.
We had hoped our oldest son, Derrick, and his family from Iowa could be here Christmas weekend but they could not come because of the heavy snow and ice that bombarded their area and actually was pretty widespread–an imperfect Christmas?
Members of our extended family have taken turns with the stomach flu including me yesterday and today–an imperfect Christmas?
My husband has definitely gone back in the past year. That makes me sad. He has been my husband for 38 years, and I miss what we once had. I hate the physical deterioration that has taken place in his body and even the changes in his personality–an imperfect Christmas? However, a fun Christmas party with Troy and Brian’s families Christmas Eve–a perfect Christmas? Contemplating the real meaning of Christmas and my faith getting me through the last 3 1/2 years of my husband’s illness–a perfect Christmas? My son, Brian, and his family taking my husband out for a drive this evening and also giving me some alone time–a perfect Christmas?
Maybe perfection has more to do with my mindset.
Hi Sharon–I hope you are feeling better! The stomach flu, bluch! It sounds like you rolled with imperfection’s punches and made a wonderful holiday for your family, even as you grieve for what was. I hope you feel the love that surrounds you and know that that love is perfect.
Hi Sharon- After reading your first blog it hit me that all of the symptoms you were describing sounded like my husbands symptoms. I started doing a lot of research and reading and will be contacting my husband’s neurologist to discuss this with him. We had described all of these issues and he was at a loss. My husband is to start more testing in January. It’s been a difficult journey but OPCA would explain everything that the doctors have not been able to explain.
Anne Marie,
As your research has probably shown, oliviopontocerebellar atrophy (now called Multiple Sytems Atrophy type c) is just one kind of Multiple Systems Atrophy. They all have similiar characteristics, however. I would suggest that you ask your neurologist to order an MRI of your husband’s brain. You may want to push for a referral to Mayo Clinic for a proper diagnosis. All neurological diseases are going to have some similiarities, so don’t jump to conclusions. It is good you are researching this, however. Please, please keep me informed.
Sharon