The final days of 2023. I am quarantined, because I was around a sick person at work a few days ago and they ended up testing positive for COVID.

I’m not as afraid of getting COVID as I am about giving it, mostly to my ninety-four year old father. Although earlier this year I got it from him and my mother when they both had it and I at their house to take care of them. No hard feelings. It couldn’t be helped.

So, not regrettably, I’m hanging out at home, quarantined. I have no symptoms. I may have dodged the bullet, even though no masks were worn during the time I was exposed, by me or the person who ended up testing positive. I do make a point of staying current with vaccines. And did I mention I really like working from home? But it would nice to go out.

I’ve grown tired of COVID. Aren’t we all tired of it? My oldest son was quarantined for both his birthday and Christmas (his birthday is two days before Christmas). He wasn’t alone. I’m sure he was happy to be quarantined with the people he was with. But they couldn’t accept visitors, and all our plans had to be changed. It reminded me of the first year of COVID, when everyone was dropping off food and presents on doorsteps, scheduling grocery deliveries and having meetings online. https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/art-pandemic

But Christmas came and went. It wasn’t not a best year. I wouldn’t even call it a good year. But with the challenges and sad events, some good did come of it. We just had to look a little harder for it.

Mom died on my birthday. It was very sad and difficult, but there is comfort and relief in knowing that she is no longer confused and suffering and in pain. Also, for all of us who did what we could to make it possible for her to live out her end days as she wanted, at home and without medical intervention, we can go on knowing we did our very best. We did sneak in one medication to keep her manageable, but if she knew, she also knew it was helping all of us, and so she was mostly cooperative in taking it. We did our best to honor her wishes.

Mom didn’t want a service after she passed. She wanted to be cremated and for us to have a party and enjoy ourselves and have a toast in her honor. So that’s what we did. The whole family gathered at the home she and Dad shared for forty-plus years, shared a meal and our memories and drank a toast to our dear mother. Her obituary really reflects who Mom was and how she saw the world. She would have turned ninety on December 25th, our Christmas-baby mother. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/heraldsun/name/constance-mchenry-obituary?id=52360501

Because there are so many people in Mom’s family who struggled and then died from Alzheimer’s Disease, I decided look into clinical trials. I found one with Eli Lilly for the drug Donanemab. It’s in phase 3 of its study and expecting approval in early 2024. It doesn’t cure the disease, but it slows the progression in patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.

They did genetic testing and look at family history to decide who can participate in the study. Not surprisingly, I got in. I’ve had six infusions thus far, three more to complete the process. Along with that, I’ve had several rounds of bloodwork, MRI’s and cognitive testing. They will follow me for a couple of years after the infusions are complete, with cognitive tests, bloodwork and MRI’s.

I won’t know if I got the placebo or the drug until after the study is complete. If the drug is bringing positive results and I have been getting the placebo, I can get the Donanemab then. So, it’s a win-win and I’m glad to be taking part in finding a solution for this horribly unfair and cruel disease. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-donanemab-significantly-slowed-cognitive-and-functional

Some long overdue minor improvements occurred at the family home. Carpeting was replaced, some plumbing got taken care of, windows got washed inside and out. Making things comfortable for Dad, whose wishes match Mom’s, to stay in his home. Because of Mom’s dementia, we weren’t able to get much of anything done in those last few years.

Tomorrow will be the start of a new year, 2024. Like many, I’m thinking about what I resolve to do differently. I’ve already gotten a trial pass to a nearby gym that takes part in the Silver Sneaker Benefit some Medicare Supplement plans offer. https://tools.silversneakers.com/

I’d like to get back down to Guatemala in 2024, to visit the school and boarding house for indigenous girls I was so involved with for so many years prior to COVID and the political unrest that occurred there this year. I will watch for a path to open for that to occur. https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tTP1TcwNisoyzFg9BJIzsgEocTiktS8xLz0fACFswng&q=chichicastenango&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS795US795&oq=Chichicastenango&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggBEC4YsQMYgAQyDQgAEAAY4wIYsQMYgAQyCggBEC4YsQMYgAQyBwgCEAAYgAQyDAgDEAAYFBiHAhiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIHCAYQABiABDIHCAcQABiABDIHCAgQABiABDIHCAkQABiABNIBCDY2ODdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I’d also like to visit someplace in America I’ve never been before. I am open to possibilities. As a primarily east coast girl, I feel it may be time to go west.

And, I’d like to get to the beach this year. Doesn’t have to be in-season. Some of my best beach adventures have been fall, winter and early spring. All it needs is some sun. https://atlantislodge.com/

My work with CASA will be completing its biggest project ever, several years in the making, late summer/early fall. King’s Ridge will provide one hundred units of housing and will also have services right there on site. It’s named our late CEO, Debra King, who led the way advocating for affordable housing for everyone in her twenty-plus years with CASA. https://original.newsbreak.com/@the-triangle-tribune-1598180/3221807396084-king-s-ridge-development-to-provide-more-affordable-housing

A year gone, a new one starting. I will continue to try and always look for the good. The silver linings. The rainbows after the storms. These things are there but you have to seek them out. I saw this quote yesterday that spoke to me:

“In the Ramtop Village they believe that no-one is finally dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away……The span of someone’s life, they say, is only the core of their actual existence.” Terry Pratchett

I did a deep dive. Who is Terry Pratchett and where is Ramtop Village? It turns out Pratchett was a science-fiction/fantasy writer (1948-2015). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjeWj1nVsz0

He wrote the Discworld Series – eight books, in which I’m guessing you’ll find out more about the imaginary mountainous region where Ramtop Village exists. The first one in the series is called “The Color of Magic; The Light Fantastic”. I’ve ordered it prior to getting the whole series. I’ll let you know how it reads. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Colour_of_Magic

Thank you for reading this post. I welcome your comment and feedback. Happy New Year! May it bring something good for everyone. Peace and love. KMDR