Spring/Summer 2010 – Revisit Neurologist, signs of problems

In March, we went back to see the same neurologist we saw last year.  Marcia’s speech difficulties are more noticeable to her friends, but not to people who didn’t know her well.  We didn’t get any more insight from this doctor, who insisted there is nothing wrong based on what he sees on the MRI films.  Last year I wanted to hear nothing was wrong, I was sure this was nothing too serious, and was relieved when the doctor said there was nothing wrong. 

Now, Marcia’s speech does strike me as different for her, but not unusual for many others I see every day who occasionally struggle to find a word or struggle with a word from time to time – a little stutter-like situation.  I do it all the time.

For spring break this year, Marcia booked our trip to The Keys.  Marcia is highly organized and remembers everything.  She has always the organizer and an incredible bargain shopper.  Deals on everything from airfare to hotels!  This trip we were going to Key West, a couple of days in between KW and Miami, and one night in Miami.  Marcia had everything organized, confirmation numbers, directions, coupon vouchers.  But we didn’t have a reservation for mid-week anywhere.  Marcia just missed a day.  Never happened before, and no big deal.  We just found a room at a marina, which we actually liked quite a bit.

With the slight speech issues, and the occasional lapse in her organization, both Marcia and I (and friends and family) thought we needed another opinion.  So I started to ask around for recommendations.  Our nurse at work, Janet Pilewski, suggested a hospital in Summit, NJ that has a neuroscience center.  I also asked a co-worker, Elise Tompkins for help.  Her father is the head of obstetrics at Morristown Memorial and has many medical connections.  He recommended the same hospital as Janet did, and the neurologist he recommended is the head neurology there.  I called with Elise’s father’s referral and got an appointment for August 6.

We haven’t talked broadly about our concerns with too many people.  At the Outer Banks, an annual trip with some college friends, Marcia was having a conversation on Tuesday morning and I heard one of the guys say “come on Marcia, spit it out”.  This is something you say to someone who never has trouble talking.  If that happens frequently, you don’t tease someone about it.  We’d been with this group for three days and this was the first anyone had noticed.  I regretted not telling anyone about this beforehand.  Marcia and I went for a run right after that, and Marcia cried.