Merry Christmas to you all and sorry about the late updates!

We flew into Kansas to spend time with our son, his family and our daughter for Thanksgiving! It was a wonderful but too fast of a visit.

24 December we flew to Pennsylvania where a nephew not only picked us up at the airport, he gave us a truck/ute to drive while there.

We had 3 weeks staying with Mark’s 95 yr old mother and his oldest sister who cares for Mark’s mom.  It was good that we were there as his other sister would come Tues, Wed. And Thurs. while his older sister went to work. But the second sister had back surgery, was in so much pain that she couldn’t come so we became the substitute caregivers.

In between times we were able to visit some of our siblings, friends, and our larger family (I.e. cousins, nieces, nephews).

During that time I started to notice that Mark was starting to stumble, lose his balance and fall, get dizzy, and drop things in his right hand. When he gave me permission, I called his Neurologist in Australia who suggested that we go to an emergency department in a hospital and ask to see a neurologist. 

So 13 December we went to Hershey Medical Center and after sitting in the waiting room for 7 hrs he was taken in, questioned by at least 5 doctors, had blood tests, an MRI and a CAT scan. I think some of the doctors wanted to see and talk to someone with his unusual illness. They agreed with the AU doctors that it is unusual and quite unique. 

Had we planned on being in the area longer, they might have done something different but since they wouldn’t have a chance to follow up, they explained that all the anti seizure medication could cause the symptoms but didn’t want to change them for fear of seizures. They also noted that lessening his steroid medication might cause the same symptoms so suggested that he revert back to 10mg of steroids per day ( he was down to 5 mg from 10 when we left AU and down from 60 mg since he left hospital in July). We will try to let you know what the AU doctors suggest once we are back in mid-January.

19 December our daughter came to get us, take us to Virginia to spend Christmas and New Year’s with her, our oldest son and his family.

Mark still has headaches, gets dizzy, loses his balance, stumbles and drops things from his right hand but not as often. His memory and mental function constantly improves. He has never lost his sense of humour which keeps me laughing. 

We have much to be thankful for! And delight in having time with friends, folks who have supported our service in AU, family, our children and grandchildren. AND get to play card games and laugh a great deal!

May your holiday celebrations be lovely and blessed!