It was another busy day for Dave and I today. We were a bundle of nervous energy as we drove to town today for Dave's cognitive evaluation for getting his driver's license reinstated. It's never been officially revoked or anything, which sometimes makes me wonder why we're always so adamant about doing things the proper way, in proper time, and it's proper order. Several medical professionals have told us that it's in our best interest to get this particular evaluation done, and for my own peace of mind, I think I agree.

We met with Dr. Edmund Vicktor this morning to lay on the psych couch, (they're not always brown leather, in case you didn't know, lol). Dave had to perform a series of tests, mostly written cognitive tasks, to show that he wasn't totally gone mentally. There were also several sheets worth of tasks he had to complete on paper. He did very, very well.. all things considered, but on the last two, (and consequently, the most complex), he fell just out of a normal percentile range, and hurt him a little.

We met with Dr. Kathy Brown this afternoon for the rest of the evaluation. Dr. Brown's examination leaned heavily on cognitive speed, and reaction time. She had Dave run through many fascinating computer programs, (simple cognitive games), for lack of a better word. Once again, he did very, very well in the first hour, and only started to fall toward the end, and the more complicated programs. Dr. Brown was actually quite impressed with his percentages and times in the beginning, and he was well within a normal, adult male range. I kid you not though, if you could have seen this last test she gave him, the one he did poorest on, I'm not even convinced that I could have done it flawlessly, without injury. There was a line of moving colored blocks, and when the right color got to the correct box, Dave had to hit the mouse button. It wasn't complex with the one line, but when he got so far into, a second line of colored blocks started moving across the screen above the first set. The color of block changed, and now he had to hit the mouse button when the proper color block entered the box on BOTH lines. When he got so far, a third line was added, and the color of the block needed changed again. All three lines moved simultaneously and irritatingly enough, all at different speeds, and he barely had time to get two of them before he was missing them on the third line. I so badly wanted to try it to see what normal looked like, and how unrealistic the test really was to do flawlessly. Needless to say, he made a few errors, and scored just shy of normal range on the scale, and I think he's been quietly beating himself up about it all evening.

There are three levels of recommendation on their cognitive function scale. 1) Never let this person near a vehicle please. 2) They pass the cognitive well enough, but are a bit borderline on cognitive speed, and a DMV road assessment is necessary to conclude that the patient is able to drive again, and 3) They pass both parts well enough and are good to go. They couldn't tell us today, without discussing Dave's numbers, and percentages.. what group he fell into. Dave is certain he'll have to take the DMV road test, and I'm just not sure. I think he comes very close to the middle of the road between passing well enough, and needing the driver's test. It might be two weeks before we hear something, but hopefully the good doctors are kind, and let us know something soon. I'll keep you posted.

Just a little something to think about though.. the next time you think you'd be able to pass a cognitive evaluation with flying colors, count backward from 100 in multiples of seven without pause. That one gets me every time. (Dave, ironically enough, has no problems with it what-so-ever, lol).

We were just about late for speech therapy this afternoon, by the time we made it back to town. Naturally, the first question out of Elaine's mouth was.. how the speech appliance was working out for us. I had to explain to her, again.. that the thing has to be hand crafted for Dave specifically, and that it takes time. I told her it would be two weeks, three, if Dr. Lalonde doesn't get it finished before he goes to a week long conference at the end of the month. She's not going to be happy if it it's the middle of November by the time it's finished. The insurance company isn't going to be pleased either, because they wanted him out of therapy all-together months ago. But, they can join the club, because we have to pay for 50% of every therapy session out of our own pocket, and that doesn't make us happy either, but we're doing what's best for Dave and his recovery, and not thinking about that right now.

Dave's exhausted after the last four very busy days, and has completely passed out on the bed behind me. I don't blame him, I'd most likely be there too, if I didn't want to catch up on my updating. Tomorrow, it's just crown preparation for me, and I'm hoping that doesn't take up too much of our day. I'm thinking a nap may be in order. Thank You for joining us again this evening, and thank you for being patient with me as I patiently wait for something out of the ordinary to happen before I tell you about it, lol. A lot of people tell me that they understand that I'm too busy to update every night, or that I just don't want to write them anymore, but really, that's just not the case. I could thoroughly entertain you with dinner selections, and weather patterns, I'm certain of it.. but I just don't want to do that to people, lol. I write when there's something worthwhile and, (hopefully), Dave related to tell. Several people have urgently, and not so subtlely requested a new Dave video the last week. I have recieved your hints loud and clear, and.. I promise. Soon. =)

Until next time.. Much Love, Many Hugs, and Good Night to You All.