Finally Fall...

It looks like summer is finally over and Fall has arrived. Today's high was only 64. Hopefully, the cooler temps will mean my MS symptoms will ease up and I'll stop having the awefull bouts of muscle spascity I've been experiencing the past few days. To me, the pain of the muscle spascity has been the worst part. I can deal with anything else except pain.

With the exception of the spascity and fatigue, I've noticed some pretty good improvement with the rest of my MS symptoms since I got my machine recalibrated. My balance is better and I don't seem to be having as much trouble getting words out.

I had a conversation with my primary care physician (I have a great PCP. She actually called out of the blue to check on me and in the past she has actually made a few house calls. Almost impossible to find MD's that do that here anymore), she thinks that the fatigue may indicate an issue with my thyroid so this morning I went and had some labs drawn. That's all I need. Another health issue. UGH. I won't worry about it though.

I've decided to start venturing out of my cave and mingling with other human folk. So, I signed up to take a machine quilting class. It's a one day class and it's something I've wanted to learn how to do. I've been hand quilting for years, but with the vison change that my last exacerbation brought it's too bloody hard to see to thread a needle! With machines that thread themselves, all I have to do is keep the seam straight as I'm piecing it together to sew. Seems a lot easier. The class will reveal if it actually is. Who know's maybe I'll actually decide to take up sewing again.

All in all, things are going pretty well. I just hope the cooling trend in the weather stays put and summer is really over!

Believing and beating back.

I'm still using the machine several times a day. I actually went on a very short walk with my husband this evening just using a cane! Of course, the pace was that of a snail and it was only half a block, but it's a heck of an improvement.

Now, I'm sittting in the family room nursing very sore legs and savoring the victory! Makes me once again believe that this disease CAN be beat back. I hate this disease. I hate what it's done to me and my life. I hate what it's done to some of m fellow bloggers. However, I choose to turn all that emotion into internal strength. Strength that I am determined to use to fight this disease and help motivate others to do the same.

I believe that BELIEVING we can overcome this disease, beat it back, is the first step in really being able to do so.

Finally Friday

Yeah, Friday is here and the weekend is upon us. Time for relaxation and of course football! My favorite time of the year is fall when football season is here. I just wish the weather would start cooling down. I can't believe it's almost October and it's still in the upper 80's here.

I'm continuing to make small baby steps of progress everyday. My balance is better, so I'm able to get out of the chair at home and wander about on shakey legs using a cane. (I'm going to visit Tara's cane site. Mabe I can find something snazzy). My fatigue level is still high and stamina level low, so I'm in the chair if we're out and about. I'm using the machine every few hours so my down time between tretments tend to be busy. I try to squeeze as many tasks in those few hours as I can (getting my nails done, visiting friends etc.).

I'm looking forward to my Opthamologist and Neurology appointments next month. Tysabri is still on the table and my eyes definately changed after my exacerbation. As it's been almost 6 months, I think it's time for new glasses as it's not likely the sight I lost will be coming back. (Thank goodness for glasses).

Texas, once again, proved to be time and money well spent.

Home from Texas

Arrive home this morning at 1:00 am Texas time. Stayed up to run my programs and then crashed.  Didn't want to get out of bed this morning, but forced myself up so I could get the morning programs run. I'm on an every three hour run cycle. It takes about an hour and a half to run the programs, then I do it all over again three hours after the last program ends.

It's hard to see any difference today, but that's because the travel yesterday kicked my hind end. Prior to yesterday I was getting a large amount of relief from my back pain. It's not completely gone, nor will it be until the problem is fixed, but it's as huge improvement. My balance is also better. Although I will still require the chair, at least I feel a lot safer to wander about the house without doing a facer.

The insomnia and energy level issues will take a little more time. I'm planning on heading back to Corpus Christi in January for another re-calibration of my machine. Then, I will be staying for two weeks instead of just one.

If you are interested in learning more about the program go to http://paindefeat.com/ and look for the MS video testimonials.

Texas Day Four

I didn't blog last night because I was just exhausted. Combined a day of treatments with a day of shopping. (The exhaustion was worth it though)! I had actually slept all night (yeah) the night before and was full of energy. I've started seeing improvements in both my balance and back pain. Both are still issues, but at least were moving in the right direction.

Last night on the other hand....yuck...I've been awake since 3:30. Makes only 4 hours of sleep for the night. On step forward, one step back. Insomnia is a tough bird to battle, so is MS for that matter.

The weather since we've been here has really been HOT. Temps in the upper 90's (99 yesterday) and humid. I gave up on putting makeup on. Just mascara. Why bother when the humidity has it gone if your outdoors more than 10 minutes? If feels like a sauna here. No rain or thunderstorms yet.  In fact the sky has been absolutley clear the entire time we've been here.

Well, I'm iff to grab something to eat. We're going to visit family of my girlfriends tonight so that should be fun.

Hope your all well!

Texas Day Three

Today was a day of big changes in the calibration of my machine, so it will be interesting to see what the changes will be tomorrow.  I don't feel any different, but then I really don;t expect to for another week or two. Although the sleep program DID in fact make me sleep better. Not quite through the night, but better than I usually do.

The broken wheelchair saga continues. Finilly got a call from the corporate office of the airlines today and they arranged for a loaner chair. (It's only took two days). On top of it it has no side guards and it's a bit small for my big butt, but at least it's a chair.

The weather has been hot and humid, but thanfully we go from air conditioned place to air conditioned place so it's not a big issue.

More updates tomorrow....Herrad...keep those funnies coming! I've enjoyed them.