The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak

That is to say that Dr. Crane is amazed that Helen is even alive given the vascular damage in virtually all parts of the brain. Helen, I think, probably had a mini-stroke last night as she wasn't quite herself this morning, but she was fine by the time we reached the doctor's office. Dr. Crane was very pleased with Helen's high level of functioning given the physical state her brain. She saw no problem with Helen doing her own meds, unless we see some evidence of non-compliance, which I haven't as yet. Cindy asked if a sedative was in order and Dr. Crane said "no, it would probably have an adverse effect at this point." Helen did score a few points lower on the mini-mental health exam, which surprised no one. The surprise was that she has been doing so well. She went out on the deck, sat and enjoyed the sunshine after lunch today, and dressed herself appropriately for her appointment. The personal hygiene issue was brought up. Dr. Crane didn't even press it, leaving me to assume that neither should we, I guess. Helen, she said, was at risk to undergo a "vascular accident" [stroke, embolism (clot), heart attack] before the Alzheimer's gets too awful bad. At least that's the way I understood it, and I believe that she is probably right. R.