Larry is still struggling with his appetite and food intake. This was compounded last year due to a new swallowing problem. He just had his 3 year stroke anniversary and this was not a problem until last spring. We have seen many doctors, including a speech pathologist. We follow her instructions every day. He has lost 11 more pounds since last year. I didn't know what else to do for him as no meds worked, and some he could not take. I finally decided to see a dietician but was skeptical that it would help. We had seen one on the fly when we went to an endocrinologist, and she was not much help. I made the appointment and found out Medicare will only pay for the service if you are diabetic or have renal failure. You can be waisting away from a stroke and that doesn't count??? Anyway, the charge was $26/15 min. We were there for 11/2 hours. I may complain to Medicare after I see the bill. However, the visit was worth it, and the dietician was very helpful. She made suggestions I had not thought of and recommended he start with 2,000 cal. a day and up it later. Larry loves to drink milk but he drinks the 8 + oz. and wants to have more for his pills. She suggested I give him 4 oz. of the "Boost type shake" to take his pills. This adds more cal. each time. She also recommended he eat something 6 times a day. Three main meals and three snacks a day. I had tried getting him to snack in between, but when he hears a dietician suggest this, he says he will do it. Go figure! Some of the things she suggested like a pat of butter on his oatmeal, yogurt, scrambled eggs (he won't like), meat with sauces or gravy, and anything to add calories! He basically is free to add more fats, sugar, etc. as he has gotten way to thin. He likes ice cream and that is the one thing I forgot to get yesterday at the store.

So, I went to the store and bank yesterday as the forecast today was snow, sleet and freezing rain. All main school districts are closed and companies are letting their workers got home early. The snow plow and salt trucks are busy everywhere.

When I got home yesterday from the store, I heard Larry yell out "Julie, help I'm in trouble". Well he was lying on the floor and had lost his balance after getting up from his chair. He wasn't hurt and I got him to sitting and propped him up. I called 3 neighbors and all were gone so called 911 for "lift assist". A fire truck and 3 firemen (young and cute) lol, came to help. They even asked if there was anything else they could do after getting Larry up. I should have had them check the smoke alarms!

Larry had called me using his ER necklace but when it went to voice mail, he pushed the shut off button. He then reached his cell phone on the table and called me. Needless to say, I didn't hear the phone as I keep it in my purse, and I also saw someone in the store I knew. I volunteer with this lady and she is a talker. Anyway, from now on I will hold onto my phone and turned the volume up. My neighbors later called to see if Larry was allright.

I guess we will work on our income taxes. We mostly have to gather the info as our accountant sends us a form and a comparison from last years worksheet. Hope the weather clears by Saturday as we are to go to our granddauter's birthday party, which is about 30 miles from us across the river.

Julie