Treatment Results Update

While getting away over the holidays and spending time with family is wonderful, it's always great to come home. We left Wednesday and returned home late this afternoon. Mark and I had a wonderful visit with his family. While I spent most of my time in the chair, I had a few good days and was able to go to dinner last night without the chair. I was a bit wobbly now and then, but it was nice to be able to WALK into a restaurant on my husbands arm. MS is such a beast. You never know what limits it's going to give you on any given day, or take away. I've started having painful muscle spasms again. The neurontin generally keeps them at bay, but they never completely went away. Now they are picking up in intensity and pain level. I'm diligently running my new protocols so I'm hoping things will settle down. One HUGE improvement I've noticed after running the new protocols is my energy level. I have great energy in the mornings. Of course, I try to be careful NOT to overdo. Time has taught me that when I overdo it's an invitation for TWF to visit and kick my keister. My balance is still hit and miss. Although I think the "hits" are slowly becoming more common than the "misses". I just have to remind myself to be patient. THAT is the hardest part. Being patient with myself and the process. I make sure I take my MS meds and run the protocols. Right now I try to run them every 3 hours. My hip, back and left leg let me know when the three hours are up and it's time to run my pain protocols. Thanks to the machine and protocols I am taking NOTHING for my left hip and back pain. Not even ibuprofen. Of course, running the protocols every three hours is much easier to do at home than when your away. I have a car power adapter so I can run my machine in the car. So today, during the 5 hour drive home I ran my protocols. For me, my body needs the treatments every three hours. I can tell the difference when I go longer. Not only because of the pain in my hip and back, but my energy level drops. I'm hoping over time, I won't need to run them so often, perhaps only in the morning and before bed. Again, that's where the patience comes in, and that's not one of my strengths. I'm pleased with the results I'm getting with Dr. Rhodes' program. Of course, I also work to keep my stress level down as well. A challenge anytime, let alone over the holidays. So far, so good!

Thanksgiving

Hard to believe that Thanksgiving is the day after tomorrow. Where has the year gone? We're traveling tomorrow so I won't be blogging the next few days. As your all gathered with your family and friends don't forget to give thanks for all the Blessings in your life! HAPPY THANKSGIVING and enjoy the shopping on Black Friday (We're hitting it at midnight.....nuts I know, but FUN)!

Treatment Continues

This is my fourth day home following being re-tested and treated in Corpus. I have to say, I see a HUGE improvement in my balance. I am no longer having to balance by moving holding the furniture. I'm not saying my balance is back to "normal", but it's A LOT better than it was. The fatigue is still a hit or miss issue. I find I feel pretty good in the mornings and I fade fairly quickly in the afternoon. Had a bout with TWF on Friday, which really wasn't surprising considering I traveled the day before and had a medical appointment that morning. I'm running the machine several times a day (which gives me the perfect reason to lie around and watch TV or read)! The pain in my hands have improved, but they still don't want to "work" right. Grasping things and opening lids are still challenging. I just wish my Left hip would start feeling better :( I shouldn't complain, the pain IS better as long as I run my hip protocol every three hours, but it's still a heck of an ouch! Let me know what you think about the changes and new additions on my blog site!

Finding my Routine

Right now my body requires me to run my treatments about every three hours to keep the pain at bay. (Especially the pain in the left hip/pelvis, back and leg). So, I'm trying to plan my activities so I'm home for treatments. Fortunately, I have the ability to plan my day around them. I'd be in big trouble if I was working. So, every three hours I run the hip protocol and the back protocol. It's worth it if it means I'm almost pain free. Can't seem to get the hip pain to go away completely. It typically stays around a level 3-4/10. However, without the treatments it a constant 9, so I'm not complaining. I had a Cat Scan of the hip and pelvis done on Friday, so hopefully they will be able to figure something out. It's been bothering me since the fall i took in May. It's tough that I can't have an MRI because of my implants, we would have had the answer months ago as to what the specific problem is, if I could have had the MRI. Now of course they want to send me to a "pain specialist". Obviously I'm not one for narcotics. I'm on enough meds with the MS, I don't want to take any more, thank you very much. So, I suck it up, do what I can and live with the pain I have. It's also the reason I chose to see Dr. Rhodes. I'm also confident because of the results I've had using the machine, that eventually the rest of the pain will go away. Additionally, because of the treatment I receive through Dr. Rhodes, my balance is A LOT better than it was just two weeks ago. That's not to say I still don't get wobbly and have to hang onto things to get around now and then, but it's a big improvement. I hope that by Christmas I'm only using the chair for energy conservation or when I'm having an "off" day. Speaking of Christmas. Isn't it amazing that Thanksgiving is less than a week away? Where has the year gone? Seems they go by faster and faster every year. Makes me more aware of the need to slow down and enjoy life a bit more.

Bittersweet Homecoming

Coming home after a trip is always great. Especially one where you've been gone 2 weeks. However, this homecoming was bittersweet. We had to put Valor to sleep the day before we left town. I didn't really have the opportunity to grieve. Coming home to a dog-less home for the first time in years as well as his ashes and paw print was beyond tough. So, while I was thrilled to be home, Thursday evening and yesterday I was gob smacked with grief. I think I've cried a river. Now, I know that each day will get better and while the pain fades the memories won't. I'll always have those. Rest easy my friend. Texas was a success. My frequency was changed a few times, which is why, if possible, folks should spend a few weeks there if they can. My balance is better, not perfect, but better. I'm starting to sleep a bit better and the neuropathy is better. The left hip pain and lower back pain is proving to be a bit tougher, but they will get there. Of course, the most important thing is the improvements I'm already seeing. My general pain level is MUCH better. That alone makes the trip worth doing. My fatigue level is better as well. I still have TWF hit now and then, but I generally have a good energy level in the mornings now. (Meaning I have to be careful no to do too much). The afternoons are still a challenge, but it all takes time and I have plenty of it. I'm running the programs about every three hours while I'm home. Three times a day if I'm out and about. I DO notice a difference if I don't run the machine as often. The pain level creeps up , my fatigue level gets worse and there goes the balance. If you want information on the clinic, click the link for Dr, Rhodes in the right column.

Homeward Bound

Tomorrow morning I'll receive my last treatment here for this stay, then it's off to the airport for the trip home. I can't wait to get home. The stay here has been a success, even though I know I still have a way to go. With this treatment, as in life, the baby steps are the ones that begin the journey and the steady ones get you to your destination. I'm REALLY looking forward to getting back home to Mark. I've missed him and I'm more than ready to get back on the mountain.