I can't believe it's been a month since I've blogged. I know I'm not very good at keeping up with my blogs. I don't know where the time goes. I do know the house is larger than the apartment, but it is still just Bill and me.

Several exciting things have happened in the last month. So many times I write when I'm worried or feeling bad but today it's not that way.

At Bill's last neurological appointment he scored 19/30 on the short test he is given at each visit. That was up three points. At his last visit he scored 16/30. Dr. Setthi told us about a new medication he wanted Bill to try. It is actually a combination of B vitamins and folic acid that has shown some promise in helping with memory and cognitive skills. Bill already takes CoQ10 and the doctor took note of that and approved his taking the CoQ10. The name of the medication he prescribed is Cerefolin NAC. He wants him to try it for three months then he will write the prescription for longer if we see favorable results.

I haven't wanted to even acknowledge that I've seen some improvement because I sometimes wonder if I am too close to the situation and am looking for ANY improvement. An incident from last night is a concrete example that the new medication is helping. About 3:30 this morning I was awakened by a sound. I opened my eyes to see a light from the kitchen and looked around to find an empty bed on Bill's side. I went to the kitchen to find Bill making some scrambled eggs. This was the first time since his strokes that he has accomplished preparing any food. It may seem like a simple thing. However, the steps involved included deciding he wanted some scrambled eggs, finding the eggs in the refrigerator (required that he scan to the right), finding a frying pan, finding the proper burner to turn on without turning all the burners on, breaking the eggs and scrambling them. He missed putting butter in the pan and what I heard was him using a grater to scramble the eggs. The burner was set pretty high but Bill always cooked on high! He let me finish the eggs when I came in the kitchen - but can you imagine my shock and glee when I saw him at the stove? Bill was my chef before all this happened. He loved to cook and did a great job too. Granted, with each positive comes a need for caution. I need to be careful of Bill's newfound "independence" as it relates to knives. I would certainly hate for him to cut himself because with coumadin that could be a very dangerous thing. The other thing is that I certainly hope this is not the beginning of wandering at night. Since he did such a specific task though, I do believe an increase in cognitive "executive" skills is the reason for his preparing his snack.

Apparently the VA Aid and Attendance has been approved. They are required to pay from the date one applies for the supplement and there was an unexplained large amount of money deposited in Bill's checking account by the VA the first of September in addition to his disability compensation. What a blessing. That has now allowed me to have a caregiver for Bill while I'm out without worrying about the cost. I'm also able to use her help to care for the house - a double blessing there!!!

Yesterday we celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary. It seems like yesterday yet it feels as though we have always been together. Tina took Bill to get an anniversary card and that was the first one I've had since 2004. It was so special. I bought Bill some new clothes and I got myself a new purse and had my hair done. All in all it was a good anniversary and we were both thankful for all we have.

As my dad said until his dying day.....God is still good.