Look at the Numbers

In pharmacy school I was taught to look at the numbers.   Look at a patient’s temperature, blood pressure, blood glucose, A1C.   Look at their white blood cell count, their potassium and on.    As a parent, we encountered chronic disease and still I always looked to the numbers.   The numbers told me if we were good or if we had something to deal with.   

Now I am faced with the numbers of the Montreal Cognitive test.    This number gives me an idea of how much Joe has slipped.   Normal on this test is between 26-30.   

The first day we went to the Neurologist I really want to believe we didn’t belong there.  I came out realizing it was worse than I knew.  Our first visit Joe scored a 22.   A year and a half later he scored a 16.  

The day after tomorrow we are going and they are once again redoing the test.   As learned, I will look to the numbers.   That said, my anxiety level is high.   What will the number say? Has he slipped more than I think? What will the next year bring?

Liz told me this morning to not worry about it till Wednesday.  But I am in fear or the answer because as I have been trained, the number doesn’t lie