I’ve always been a great test taker. Give me an essay to write or a multiple choice question and I’ll probably ace that old test.
Yesterday I took a different kind of test—an assessment to measure my memory. It started out simple enough, and I’m proud to say that I could correctly identify a variety of common zoo animals. I also drew the clock as directed, but now I’m wondering if I mixed up the hour and minute hands. I was a little bit anxious, so it might’ve happened.
After a couple more questions, the doctor gave me a list of five words that I was to remember until she asked for them again. That one did not go well. I think when all was said and done I recalled three of the words on my own, and one with a hint. And for the record, my words were harder than Trump’s. 😂
I did well on repeating sentences word for word, as well as repeating a string of numbers. My favorite part of the test was getting to slap my knee every time I heard the letter “a” when a long string of letters was spoken. I felt a bit like a kindergartner. Slap, slap, slap,
There were a few physical assessments—pushing, pulling, walking across the floor heel-to-toe. I had trouble with the last one. My size eight feet didn’t like that task. If I’d been barefoot I could’ve done it.
At the end of the assessment the doctor asked a great many questions about my daily life and the incidents that had prompted me to schedule an appointment. Was I depressed? Did I get enough sleep? What meds do I take? Etc.
They’ve scheduled some bloodwork, an MRI, and an EEG to rule out any other issues, but I think overall I did okay on the tests I took yesterday. But who am I to say? If there’s was problem, I likely wouldn’t realize it. And that’s a bit scary.
Thanks to everyone who sent me good vibes!
Peace, people!
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Hugs, my friend. Hugs.
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Thank you!
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xxx
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Good to know the tests that your doctor is scheduling are ones that were done in the hospital for my husband. They showed no evidence of heart problems or stroke/seizure activity in his brain–which was great news. I am curious about the other tests, though. Husband has some hearing loss, so I can only imagine how those would go. Whoever said growing old is not for sissies knew of what they spoke.
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You did the right thing, getting along to be tested. That takes courage.
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Thank you. I’m not sure about the courage thing. I just figure if something’s going on, it might be good to find out sooner rather than later.
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Okay, your tests were totally different from mine. Some similarities, the words to remember, but no knee slapping, no heel to toe. No follow up MRI or EEG. They clearly liked you best.
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Lol! Or thought, “this old gal’s beyond our help. Let’s give her the “slap the knee” test just for grins and giggles.
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That is the scariest! We know when we’re not “right”, but we don’t know what we’re not right about!
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Exactly!
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That test also sounds like the same test my Gran took when we first realised something was wrong. My mum said she also had tougher words than Trump, haha
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Knowing trump, he cheated.
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Yeah, lol
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Sorry I haven’t been keeping up lately, Leslie. I was in Europe for most of March visiting with my daughter that I haven’t seen since August 2019. It was sooooo good to see where and how she lives in Germany. Then National Poetry Writing Month started and I am knee deep in writing and reading poetry (and loving it!). I will try to keep up but if I don’t do too well until May, please bear with me dear friend. I hope your results come out great!
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No worries!! I’ve been crazy busy writing, too! So glad you got to visit with your daughter. Europe’s just the cherry on top!
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Leslie, I missed this follow up somehow! I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately, hoping for news and thinking bad things because I hadn’t heard or seen a new post. WP does this to me quite often and I miss huge amounts of content from my favorite bloggers. So very glad to read this today and learn things from those tests went well. I hope there is reassuring news after all the rest of the testing is complete. I will set myself to keep checking for updates and WP is too unreliable.
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Aw! Thank you for checking in! I’m still in limbo—had my EEG and blood work last week. MRI is set for next Saturday, and sometime this month I have a consultation for a sleep study. So, the geriatric life is just one fun ride after another! 😘😘
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Well let’s hope after all this they find nothing…well actually that may not be the best choice of words… but I think you get the point: positive outcomes all around versus a deficit in any one area. Plus you’re getting out of the house, meeting new friends, experiencing the healthcare system… yes, aging is great fun 🙂
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Finding nothing—heh. It could happen!
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They sure did!
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