Monday, July 24, 2023

 Monday, July 24, 2023

     I went the church yesterday for the first time since the accident. I was not one of the best dressed. I wore a polo shirt of Mike's over a white cotton skirt. I put on some makeup so I didn't scare people. I still looked gray and drawn. It was good to see people again. Many knew about my accident through Judy and Paulette. Monica talked to me at length. She knew about the Meals that Heal program through the church. She will prepare a Korean dish. Cheryl, who heads our local program, posted she would bring me food from a local restaurant, and I don't mean Denny's. She brought me a poke bowl, crispy pork ribs, and a dessert. Someone else signed up for next week to bring me a margarita pizza. I'll have more food than I know what to do with.

  Paulette and I stopped at Target on our way home. I wanted to pick up eggs, Dave's multi-grained bread, and real maple syrup. Paulette was picking up food items for Judy, who was hosting her two grandchildren, seven and five, from her older son, who lives on Lana'i, while the parents did other things. Judy was exhausted.

               As Paulette drove us home, I caught my image in the side view mirror. I saw my left eyelid was drooping. My eye was barely open. No wonder I was having trouble seeing. When I got home, I had Kayla, my weekend caretaker, take a picture which I sent to Sandor, my friend and optometrist. He was in town and would stop off on his way home. I told him I hit the bone under the eye when I fell. Had they given me a CT scan of my head? No. Even though I had a clear bruise on the eye. However, there was no pain. I hadn't been worried.

 Sandor did various tests. He was concerned about a possible aneurysm. I was sure that was not an issue. I had no pain. He agreed. He checked my pupil responses and my range of eye movement. He recorded it for future reference. I have had problems with a drooping left eye for a while. The ophthalmologist concluded the problem was with my brow. I get Botox shots in my forehead to deal with that problem. It's not a perfect solution. I  think I have a problem with the eyelid as well. 

    Sandor was leaving for Miami for three weeks the next day. He said Meali'iani, his wife and business partner, would stop by to check on me. I can't drive until the beginning of September.  

  The friend of Yvette's who lived here for over a year has finally moved out. Alohi, my weekday caretaker, says she would like to rent the room. Now, she has to travel by bus from South Point every morning. It's a two-hour trip. She said many of her clients are in Kona and most of those in the Palisades, where I live. It would be a wonderful solution.