January 1, 2017. Madison, Mississippi. The New Year.

There is something about a clean slate that brings optimism.   My artist friend Eleanor says that nothing brings her more joy than standing in front of a totally clear piece of canvas when she is just beginning to paint a new piece.  That would terrify me, but looking at the beginning of a new year gives me the same feeling.   Ken says that getting old is a major adventure because he never knows every morning what will happen to him that day.   Certainly we do not know what the year will bring us but we are quietly optimistic.

As we evaluate our situations Ken and I think that we are in better condition than we have been in either of the last three years on January 1st.   Ken never expected to be as old as he is and he thinks that nothing he has now should kill him any time soon, so that is good.  The medicine helps his Parkinson's symptoms and his head works well.  His cough is still terrible and he does not know why.   He is also able to get work done around the house which pleases him.

 I have had three clear scans and I have a normal amount of energy.  The neuropathy in my body is irritating but I can function with my legs.   When I am walking on level ground my gait is almost normal.  I am no longer going blind.  I can see 20/20 with my right eye and 20/50 in my left.  It is getting better.  My peripheral vision is gone in my left eye and not good in my right.  When we return from Mexico the eye Doctor will give me a sphere of vision test.  In order to drive I must have 120 degrees of vision combined in both eyes.    The pressures are normal in both eyes.  So progress has been made.  

So here we go, flying to Mexico on January 7.  The good Doctor is not pleased to have me leaving to go to a place with no glaucoma specialist to look after me but I assured him that Puerto Vallarta surely has one.  Our system has worked so far so here we go.   80 degrees suits us just fine.