Dear Friends,

John's appointment was Tuesday---he was very cooperative about
going----I gave the nurse all of my print outs about memantine
(nameda) & asked that the doctor scan them before seeing John---I had
also brought this up in phone calls atleast 3 times.  We got in the
examining room , she talked with John about how he has been---he tried
to defer to me but eventually started talking for himself---with the
delayed speech pattern that I have become used to.  He debated on the
month---finally deciding it's April---knew the last holiday was
Easter---I decorate for all holidays & my cute bunnies bugged
him!----did well counting from 100 by 5's but had difficulty switching
to 7's.  I talked about a few memory problems that stood out to
me---turning on the wrong burner on the stove, etc.  She said she
wanted to put him on the new medicine ----I didn't have to bring it up
at all.  The pharmacy should have it for me to pick up next
Wednesday----

I told John we should be able to help out the rest of you as a test
couple---John is still aware of  his problems & changes----if there's
increased agitation, my guess is it's a normal side effect----John
already gets agitated about what is happening to him.

We also had good friends from Puerto Rico here for a few days---It is
nice to get back to our normal routine.  These friends have been there
before the onset of John's illness & all the time we were in PR.  It
was so nice to see them---John is recuperating now from the changes
but  their visit was worth it.

Finally, things are really looking good on other fronts---I finally
closed on some property in CO that I have been trying to sell since
December----Also, the boat is sold!!!!  All in one day---April
15---tax day---can you believe it?  Not only that, we only had to pay
$54.00 this year!!!!!!!   I was expecting more like $12,000!  Needless
to say, I am really happy & celebrating tonight!

Always,

Char