Thursday, December 30, 2010

December 2010

Wow! I truly can't believe my last post was on Sept 9th! That just shows you how much I have going on all the time. When I look back at the history of my blog, there were times when I posted several times each week, included photos and videos...I'm sorry I have let you down and I will make it my New Year's resolution to carry on with a current blog!

Tom is having trouble getting around. The nerve damage in his legs is continual. Seems to gradually get worse. He has had a couple of falls...some seizures...some incontinence at night. He sleeps a lot during the day. At one time in his life the first thing he would do in the morning after preparing a cup of coffee was to get on the computer where he would remain for a couple of hours. Now, it's common for him to take a cup of coffee to the couch, drink half of it, and fall asleep for awhile. Since I have been on vacation beginning on Dec 18th, I have seen days that the computer is not turned on until late afternoon. This is definitely not the Tom that I have grown to know. The computer has always been the equivalent of oxygen to him. He thrives on it...can't live without it. I've referred to it in the past as his mistress b/c he spent more time with "her" than me!

The latest medical issue is that his vision is impaired at times. When he wakes up from a nap, he cannot see out of his right eye. It's the strangest thing. His doctor told him to see an optometrist, or whatever an eye doctor is called (opthamologist, maybe?), which he has yet to do.

His employers have had to discharge him after keeping him as an employee since his diagnosis in May '07. What generous people they were. He will really miss them. Now comes the scary part...what now? How long will his long-term disability continue? Then what? Now there's social security, medicaid, so much stuff to deal with...I hope none of you ever have to endure this paperwork and worry.

Katie is now 12. She and I just went to see the most popular teen pop star in concert, Justin Bieber. It was a lot of fun. She's enjoying middle school...she's the social butterfly...hanging in there with the grades. We're proud of her.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Tom, you are bright, talented, very fun, and a source of light to a sometimes dark world. Keep up the fight and figure out a way to get healthy again so we can have you rejoin us one day. You have many friends here and remain in our thoughts and prayers.

- Del

Mike Smith said...

Miss you guys and hope to catch up soon Mr T Carter - Love and best wishes

Jessica Connell said...

Lisa,
I am thinking of you all. When I woke up one morning and could not see out of my right eye, I was diagnosed with optic neuritis. I was referred to an excellent neuro-opthamologist, Dr. Robert Spector. His web site is http://rhspector.com/web_site/Welcome.html . He was very caring and thorough. I am keeping you, Katie, and Tom in my prayers.
Love,
Jessica