Dr Ratchford

There is so much to report that I had some trouble selecting a topic for today. I decided on Dr Ratchford who is my vascular specialist. I saw her for the first time two years ago when a bruit was discovered in my carotid arteries. I had ninety degree turns in mine but they were clear of plaque! I was released from her care after two years of no change in my status. I was extremely impressed by her courteous and friendly demeanor. She actually gave me her e-mail and we corresponded several time. I had never encountered this in a doctor, especially one who is the director of the department of vascular medicine at Johns Hopkins!

Since no one wanted to depart from the "protocol" of meds following a stroke, I had been basically stuck with all of their non life-threatening side effects. I do not tolerate people who do not think ouside the box. I decided to e-mail her to explain my situation. She immediately responded on Sunday! We exchanged a few more mails and she arranged to see me first thing this morning, the very next day.

I had to get up early in order to prepare myself. We got up at 5:30 AM to leave at 7:20.To make along story short, she spent one hour with me and reduced the aspirin to 81mg. She feared a brain hemorrage since I'm also on plavix until the month is over. She switched the blood pressure med and lowered the dose by 1/2 again. I must stay on Lipitor for one year and then she will review the possibility of switching to a natural means. At least she knows of alternatives. It turns out her present research is blood flow in the brain following a stroke. What luck! She also like controversy. She is not afraid to stand up to the neurologists at Hopkins, of which her hubby is one.

One interesting fact: St Joe's great neurologist read one of my test wrong and reported that I had a 70% blockage in my carotid artery when it was the famous bend!  

So tonight I try one of the new big guns. Some of the dizziness will go but I have been told that it will take time for my body to be used to be on so many meds. I was one none prior to the stroke. As far as the awful tight feelings I sense from head to toe on the right side, it is due to neuropathy. I fear I may be stuck with it. So be it.

So this was my first real expedition away from home- a bit tiring, but rewarding. As a result, I missed the PT person by 10 minutes. We rescheduled. And Heather got me in with one of her speech therapists this afternoon. We worked on strengthening the tongue, swallowing, and pitch. Heather is my daughter who did not think the home speech therapist had done a thorough enough job.

After such a full day, going out twice, I am pooped but thankful.