Nuerology Clinic_2nd  visit

Interview

The second visit stated out the same. Dr. Zamrini gave approximately the same test.

What month is it?

Who is the president?

What floor are we on?

I am going to give you three items. Try to remember them. I will ask you to give them to me in a few minutes. The item are: A Christmas tree, a white dog, a rock.

Lab tests

Then Dr Zambrini introduced us to Dr. Katzman, and his assistant who ran the comprehensive test. Then Jewel disappeared with the assistant and they told me I had three hours to kill. I went for a drive. I inspected the remodeled capital building and watched TV.

Jewel appeared three hours later as promised. Then she was sent off to have a MRI. Before we left Dr. Zambrini called us into his office.

He said, “Dr.Katzman’s preliminary diagnosis is mild dementia, pre Alzheimer’s. I am not sure I agree. We will consider the data and discuss it on your next visit. We would like you to come back in six months and repeat the tests to verify the results and look for changes. Before you leave I want you to visit with Mrs. ----- our social worker. She will give you useful information.” Then he left the room and we sat there looking at each other––dumfounded.

Before we could recover Mrs. Olsen, the social worker, entered the room.

Social Worker

Hello. I’m Jane Olsen. I have some literature that will be useful to you. It lists several resources available to you.

Assisted living facilities for Alzheimer’s patients. 

There is a driver testing center in Sugarhouse.

There are several support groups that meet regularly.

Agencies that might be helpful.

You folks are from Utah County aren’t you? There is a good support group that meets at the James Towne Assisted Living Facility in Provo.

Nice to meet you. Good luck.

Jewel
On the way home

Oh, Larry I am so sorry. It is going to be hell for you. It was so hard on my mother. My father was soon just like her.

Larry

We don’t know the doctors are right. But whatever it is we will deal with it. Your mother had dementia at a younger age. I am sure you father’s dementia was not Alzheimer’s. I think it was related to his heart problems. He was OK in the mornings and had problems in the evenings when he was tired.

Dr. Hathaway thinks Cerefolin will contain your memory problem.

We drove home wondering about our next visit in six months.

Oh, we went to a good restaurant first.

Zamrini’s Assessment:

Given the information I have. I believe she meets Petersen criteria for amnestic mild cognitive impairment which, at times, is a precursor of Alzheimer’s disease, She will need to be followed to determine how she does over time. She also has mild hypothyroidism and this will need to be reevaluated by her primary care physician.