No, I didn't go to the ER or Eemergency Room, instead I watched the final episode of ER from Netflix. I had stayed up and watched it when it aired but I have been watching the last few seasons that I missed recently and then it was time for the last show.
I remember from watching it when it originally aired and there was an elderly MS patient who died. I believe the character was 83 and she had been married to a wonderful man but it was hard watching it. It made me think about my MS and who will be there at the end because I have no husband or children.
It also made me think of my Dad because November brings the first anniversary of his death. I distinctly remember the first phone calls about his stroke, going to the hospital, staying at the hospital, waiting for my brother and sister to come home from Afghanistan, and watching my Dad die.
There is nothing quite like watching your parent die or watching your other parent or your siblings react to it.
The heartbreak of the immediate moment and then the radiating effects of all of it, the sadness and agony rippling outward... It is just so much, was so much.
We all will die, I know that. It's just so difficult to deal with, whether on a TV show or in real life...
Showing posts with label MS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MS. Show all posts
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
I will survive, hey hey...
We made it through last week's tremendously hot, hot, hot Tastefully Simple party. I earned $65 worth of free product so that was a nice bonus to seeing my friends gathered in my little sweatbox apartment.
Today I started taking insulin for my diabetes. I am still taking all my other diabetes meds so now I am doing two shots a day: one of Victoza and one of insulin. My A1C was up from 6.7 to 8.3 and my glucose numbers are way too high.
I am also dealing with the stress of a work friend who is very ill and in the hospital again. He has been sick for many, many months and hospitalized for almost that whole time. He was improving but now has had quite a setback. I am sending up many prayers for him and his family.
In my free time I am working on making cards and a scrapbook page for upcoming events. I feel like I am slowly making progress with my business although I am not pushing it very hard. It is mostly about me right now and I am okay with that. I am just enjoying the crafting and pure joy of making beautiful things.
Oh, and on the MS front, I was the number one individual fundraiser for my local work and the 39th highest fundraiser in the state. Other than that, I am doing my monthly Tysabri and doing well.
The biggest hurdle I need to clear is the diabetes and obesity issue. Move more, eat better, take my meds, and test, test, test. I'll make it!
Today I started taking insulin for my diabetes. I am still taking all my other diabetes meds so now I am doing two shots a day: one of Victoza and one of insulin. My A1C was up from 6.7 to 8.3 and my glucose numbers are way too high.
I am also dealing with the stress of a work friend who is very ill and in the hospital again. He has been sick for many, many months and hospitalized for almost that whole time. He was improving but now has had quite a setback. I am sending up many prayers for him and his family.
In my free time I am working on making cards and a scrapbook page for upcoming events. I feel like I am slowly making progress with my business although I am not pushing it very hard. It is mostly about me right now and I am okay with that. I am just enjoying the crafting and pure joy of making beautiful things.
Oh, and on the MS front, I was the number one individual fundraiser for my local work and the 39th highest fundraiser in the state. Other than that, I am doing my monthly Tysabri and doing well.
The biggest hurdle I need to clear is the diabetes and obesity issue. Move more, eat better, take my meds, and test, test, test. I'll make it!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
What happened to March?
Not only what happened to March, but what the heck happened to me, ye olde trusty blogger? I have to admit folks that I need new topics to write about because my MS is in remission, my diabetes I'm not focusing on much (which reminded me to go take my blood sugar for the first time in ten days!), and school is going okay.
In short, which is what I am for those of you who know me in real life, life is just ducky.
My MS Walk team is getting revved up and ready to go for our May 1st walk. We're a small team compared to some but we're mighty in spirit. Right now we are third for team fundraising and I am first for individual fundraising for the Syracuse, NY walk. I'm just thrilled with that even if I am behind compared to last year's amount. I know the economy is tanking and discretionary spending doesn't necessarily include donations to the NMSS. However, I am thankful to all who have been generous in time, spirit, and donations of goods and cold hard cash.
The diabetes thing is a bit of a problem because even though my A1C is dropping it's not because I have made a concerted effort to change things. Since my Dad's death in November I have been a huge slacker in this area. I rarely check my blood sugar weekly, let alone check it twice a day. I am trying to remember all my meds but often forget my Victoza shot in the morning. My other meds give me the "runs" which are oh so pleasant, especially when you already have some bowel and bladder issues due to MS.
I know this is TMI but I have lost more panties due to sudden explosions than I care to count. I just ordered some new ones online to replace the casualties. Now back to your unregularly scheduled program...
So diabetes is something I need to conquer. I can do it, was doing it, until Dad died. Then some things fell apart, like me, and the diabetes thing got lost in the shuffle. I keep telling myself I'll start to take better care of myself and then I don't. Maybe I need to write more about that. Maybe the blog needs to take a diabetes slant for a bit. I mean, I do fancy my eyesight and all my limbs and such. It would be a tragedy to survive and thrive with MS and then go blind or need something amputated in the future.
I also need to start really exercising again. I have been walking in my little apartment to get prepared for our big walk. Last year there was no turn around sign so we kept on walking extra and I absolutely plan against doing that this year. I know where to look now and plan to do three mile minimum (or less, if I can get away with it). I have people at work that tell me they don't walk and I want to tell them that neither do I on a regular, athletic basis. I know I need to but I just don't. Walking after work puts a real dent in my napping time.
It is Spring now and I am loving that. I drive to work with the sun coming up on the driver's side as I go to school. I sometimes leave in the afternoon and can open the sunroof. Oh what a joy that is! When you live in a place that snows from October/November to April/May, spring is a welcome sight, sound, and smell. There's nothing quite like fresh blades of green grass and flowers poking up through the formerly frozen ground.
Oh, the card making thing is going swimmingly also. Did I tell you I joined Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator? I was thinking about doing it, decided against it, and then completely changed my mind and did it. Just jumped in with both feet, boom. Now I am making a little bit of money doing something fun that I enjoy. Something besides teaching that is.
Speaking/typing of teaching... today is a half day for the kiddos and so is tomorrow for parent-teacher conferences. I'll be working until sometime around 6 tonight but then leaving early Friday. Then, blissfully, I will be off all next week for vacation. I'm not going anywhere, except for my Tysabri appointment and to the neurologist and a few fun side trips mixed in to work on cards and such. Sleeping in, if Edison allows it, will be fabulous.
So, in a nutshell, this nut is doing okay in spite of all the challenges that life has thrown at me for the last year. I hope you're doing well, too.
In short, which is what I am for those of you who know me in real life, life is just ducky.
My MS Walk team is getting revved up and ready to go for our May 1st walk. We're a small team compared to some but we're mighty in spirit. Right now we are third for team fundraising and I am first for individual fundraising for the Syracuse, NY walk. I'm just thrilled with that even if I am behind compared to last year's amount. I know the economy is tanking and discretionary spending doesn't necessarily include donations to the NMSS. However, I am thankful to all who have been generous in time, spirit, and donations of goods and cold hard cash.
The diabetes thing is a bit of a problem because even though my A1C is dropping it's not because I have made a concerted effort to change things. Since my Dad's death in November I have been a huge slacker in this area. I rarely check my blood sugar weekly, let alone check it twice a day. I am trying to remember all my meds but often forget my Victoza shot in the morning. My other meds give me the "runs" which are oh so pleasant, especially when you already have some bowel and bladder issues due to MS.
I know this is TMI but I have lost more panties due to sudden explosions than I care to count. I just ordered some new ones online to replace the casualties. Now back to your unregularly scheduled program...
So diabetes is something I need to conquer. I can do it, was doing it, until Dad died. Then some things fell apart, like me, and the diabetes thing got lost in the shuffle. I keep telling myself I'll start to take better care of myself and then I don't. Maybe I need to write more about that. Maybe the blog needs to take a diabetes slant for a bit. I mean, I do fancy my eyesight and all my limbs and such. It would be a tragedy to survive and thrive with MS and then go blind or need something amputated in the future.
I also need to start really exercising again. I have been walking in my little apartment to get prepared for our big walk. Last year there was no turn around sign so we kept on walking extra and I absolutely plan against doing that this year. I know where to look now and plan to do three mile minimum (or less, if I can get away with it). I have people at work that tell me they don't walk and I want to tell them that neither do I on a regular, athletic basis. I know I need to but I just don't. Walking after work puts a real dent in my napping time.
It is Spring now and I am loving that. I drive to work with the sun coming up on the driver's side as I go to school. I sometimes leave in the afternoon and can open the sunroof. Oh what a joy that is! When you live in a place that snows from October/November to April/May, spring is a welcome sight, sound, and smell. There's nothing quite like fresh blades of green grass and flowers poking up through the formerly frozen ground.
Oh, the card making thing is going swimmingly also. Did I tell you I joined Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator? I was thinking about doing it, decided against it, and then completely changed my mind and did it. Just jumped in with both feet, boom. Now I am making a little bit of money doing something fun that I enjoy. Something besides teaching that is.
Speaking/typing of teaching... today is a half day for the kiddos and so is tomorrow for parent-teacher conferences. I'll be working until sometime around 6 tonight but then leaving early Friday. Then, blissfully, I will be off all next week for vacation. I'm not going anywhere, except for my Tysabri appointment and to the neurologist and a few fun side trips mixed in to work on cards and such. Sleeping in, if Edison allows it, will be fabulous.
So, in a nutshell, this nut is doing okay in spite of all the challenges that life has thrown at me for the last year. I hope you're doing well, too.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Happy February
Yesterday was not only Groundhog Day but, more importantly, it was a SNOW day for me. I was able to do some napping, loads of cleaning which my apartment needed, some beef stew making in the crock pot, and I made tons of Valentine's Day cards. That's my new non-caloric obsession: card making.
On Saturday I went to a scrapbooking get-together and made cards there. Then I started up with more cards on Tuesday night and continued that into snow day Wednesday. I have probably made upwards of some twenty cards for my valentine friends. I delivered most of them today and I still forgot some friends so more cards await in my future.
I had a Stampin' Up! card party at my good pal, BJM's house last week. (I had it there because my place is so little and there's not enough table space.) It was so much fun because we had a great demonstrator who even asked me to join her team! I said no for now but perhaps in the future it might be something I would consider. It was also a great time to order things because with every $50 spent you could choose something free from a variety of goodies. Then there were the free hostess gifts and just my regular ordering of new stamps and inks and such.
I have to admit I spent more than I normally would on myself but I don't do a whole lot of spending on *me*. I don't wear makeup (gasp) or wear fancy clothes. I don't travel anymore and I stay close to home, especially now with the winter weather. So in my mind, I figure that I deserve to get more goodies for myself. I have also justified some spending on stamps and such because I am making thank you cards for those who donate money, goods, or services to my MS Walk team.
Speaking/Typing of the MS Walk, we have (as a team) raised $750 to date and I am almost at $500 for my individual fundraising. I'd like to raise 3K this year which is a few hundred dollars more than last year. I'd also like to see the size of our team grow to include at least one male and more friends overall. I have high hopes for our team this year and I plan to do something different with our raffle baskets to get more money and more people buying tickets. My mind is awash with money-making ideas.
I hope this message finds you in good spirits. The sun came out today so I find myself feeling extra-cheery after not seeing it for several days. I do love a snow day but I like some sunshine as well.
On Saturday I went to a scrapbooking get-together and made cards there. Then I started up with more cards on Tuesday night and continued that into snow day Wednesday. I have probably made upwards of some twenty cards for my valentine friends. I delivered most of them today and I still forgot some friends so more cards await in my future.
I had a Stampin' Up! card party at my good pal, BJM's house last week. (I had it there because my place is so little and there's not enough table space.) It was so much fun because we had a great demonstrator who even asked me to join her team! I said no for now but perhaps in the future it might be something I would consider. It was also a great time to order things because with every $50 spent you could choose something free from a variety of goodies. Then there were the free hostess gifts and just my regular ordering of new stamps and inks and such.
I have to admit I spent more than I normally would on myself but I don't do a whole lot of spending on *me*. I don't wear makeup (gasp) or wear fancy clothes. I don't travel anymore and I stay close to home, especially now with the winter weather. So in my mind, I figure that I deserve to get more goodies for myself. I have also justified some spending on stamps and such because I am making thank you cards for those who donate money, goods, or services to my MS Walk team.
Speaking/Typing of the MS Walk, we have (as a team) raised $750 to date and I am almost at $500 for my individual fundraising. I'd like to raise 3K this year which is a few hundred dollars more than last year. I'd also like to see the size of our team grow to include at least one male and more friends overall. I have high hopes for our team this year and I plan to do something different with our raffle baskets to get more money and more people buying tickets. My mind is awash with money-making ideas.
I hope this message finds you in good spirits. The sun came out today so I find myself feeling extra-cheery after not seeing it for several days. I do love a snow day but I like some sunshine as well.
Monday, January 3, 2011
First Monday
Today was the first Monday of 2011 and I survived. Yippee!
I made it to work okay, even though the roads were a snowy mess and visibility was quite limited between the dark and the pelting snow. I got to work and my classroom had a minor flood from the ceiling and several tiles were broken and on the floor. Welcome back, Weeble.
After work I came home from some errands and proceeded to do some Just Dance 2. I was having a great time and danced for almost 40 minutes until the phone rang. It turned out to be my college bestie from Maine. After the call ended I did another 15minutes of dancing.
The road to weight loss is paved with minutes of Just Dancing.
I need to get myself motivated and get my diabetes under control. I have not tested my blood sugars in well over a week. I haven't had my Victoza shot in days. I almost never take my Glipizide 30 minutes before I eat; I generally take it as I eat. Sometimes I don't take my two doses of Metformin. The diabetes stuff is just out of control but I don't think my numbers are too bad off. Then again, it's hard to know for sure when I'm not testing.
Get it together Weeble before some real damage is done! You can do this, girl.
I see my therapist on Wednesday afternoon and that is another step in the right direction.
My MS symptoms are under better control today also.
All in all, today wasn't bad for the first Monday back to work after vacation.
I made it to work okay, even though the roads were a snowy mess and visibility was quite limited between the dark and the pelting snow. I got to work and my classroom had a minor flood from the ceiling and several tiles were broken and on the floor. Welcome back, Weeble.
After work I came home from some errands and proceeded to do some Just Dance 2. I was having a great time and danced for almost 40 minutes until the phone rang. It turned out to be my college bestie from Maine. After the call ended I did another 15minutes of dancing.
The road to weight loss is paved with minutes of Just Dancing.
I need to get myself motivated and get my diabetes under control. I have not tested my blood sugars in well over a week. I haven't had my Victoza shot in days. I almost never take my Glipizide 30 minutes before I eat; I generally take it as I eat. Sometimes I don't take my two doses of Metformin. The diabetes stuff is just out of control but I don't think my numbers are too bad off. Then again, it's hard to know for sure when I'm not testing.
Get it together Weeble before some real damage is done! You can do this, girl.
I see my therapist on Wednesday afternoon and that is another step in the right direction.
My MS symptoms are under better control today also.
All in all, today wasn't bad for the first Monday back to work after vacation.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
MS in the New Year
I have been having issues on and off, all week long with my back. I blame that completely on my MS. Today things are off with my back and my legs. There's a tightness in my back and some weakness in my legs.
Just in time to go back to work!
Oh, that MS is a tricky master...
My mom also called tonight and asked me to go back to mass with her on Saturdays. I guess that is more thawing of the iceberg, something I didn't really expect now. Maybe she feels bad or guilty about what was said a few weeks ago. I'm not sure. I'm just glad I see my therapist this week so I can talk this all out.
Until then I will be dealing with the MS symptoms and hoping this is just an anomaly.
Just in time to go back to work!
Oh, that MS is a tricky master...
My mom also called tonight and asked me to go back to mass with her on Saturdays. I guess that is more thawing of the iceberg, something I didn't really expect now. Maybe she feels bad or guilty about what was said a few weeks ago. I'm not sure. I'm just glad I see my therapist this week so I can talk this all out.
Until then I will be dealing with the MS symptoms and hoping this is just an anomaly.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Taking care of myself
I did not go to work today.
When I awoke I was so tired and so dizzy and wobbly that I knew today was just going to be a day for me, a day to take care of myself. My MS and diabetes have been rearing their heads while I have been going through these stressful last few weeks. I have been so very tired on every level.
Tomorrow is the last day of work for the week. I should go in and do my thing but I am going to wait and see how I feel tomorrow. It was all I could do to make the drive to work this morning without drifting off the road. I had slept all night but I am literally on the edge of exhaustion.
Exhaustion with multiple sclerosis is a crazy thing. It's hard to explain to people without MS. It's just such an all-encompassing tiredness, one that every cell feels. Sometimes it is just too much effort to even move. That's part of the reason why when I came home from work (to drop off my plans) I went back to sleep and slept until after three o'clock in the afternoon.
The thing is I am still tired now but I am going to order myself some dinner/lunch. Then maybe I'll take another nap. It's time to take good care of me so I can continue to take care of my family, friends, and students.
When I awoke I was so tired and so dizzy and wobbly that I knew today was just going to be a day for me, a day to take care of myself. My MS and diabetes have been rearing their heads while I have been going through these stressful last few weeks. I have been so very tired on every level.
Tomorrow is the last day of work for the week. I should go in and do my thing but I am going to wait and see how I feel tomorrow. It was all I could do to make the drive to work this morning without drifting off the road. I had slept all night but I am literally on the edge of exhaustion.
Exhaustion with multiple sclerosis is a crazy thing. It's hard to explain to people without MS. It's just such an all-encompassing tiredness, one that every cell feels. Sometimes it is just too much effort to even move. That's part of the reason why when I came home from work (to drop off my plans) I went back to sleep and slept until after three o'clock in the afternoon.
The thing is I am still tired now but I am going to order myself some dinner/lunch. Then maybe I'll take another nap. It's time to take good care of me so I can continue to take care of my family, friends, and students.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The good with the bad
Yesterday was a great day to have off for a doctor and a Tysabri appointment. It was a lovely Fall day and I had a pleasant ride to and from both appointments. Nothing to really report on the MS front but the bad news is that my guy is leaving the practice in two weeks. Major bummer.
I'll be moved over to the existing neurologist but I don't really understand him well when he speaks. I guess I'll just need to focus really hard when I see him from now on. The other new neuro coming in knows nothing about Tysabri so she isn't an option for me, according to my guy.
Yesterday was also my 2 year anniversary of Tysabri infusions. I was grading papers when I looked down and saw that my IV had come undone and blood was gushing out all over the floor and my hand. It was very messy but my white sweatshirt came out unscathed somehow.
I tried to pay my Tysabri bill but it was all messed up yet again. I just had received a bill for 1800 dollars and some change a few weeks back. I supposedly owe less than five hundred dollars but every time I call I get another story. So I try to pay yesterday and they tell me there is no balance. Go figure.
Oh, and I don't have the antibodies for the JC virus. Yippee.
Work today was okay. It was work but I came home and cleaned up a bit to be prepared for next Friday's 2nd annual Just Dance Extravaganza at my place. I need to have these social events a few times a year so that my apartment gets weeded out.
It's all good in the end.
I'll be moved over to the existing neurologist but I don't really understand him well when he speaks. I guess I'll just need to focus really hard when I see him from now on. The other new neuro coming in knows nothing about Tysabri so she isn't an option for me, according to my guy.
Yesterday was also my 2 year anniversary of Tysabri infusions. I was grading papers when I looked down and saw that my IV had come undone and blood was gushing out all over the floor and my hand. It was very messy but my white sweatshirt came out unscathed somehow.
I tried to pay my Tysabri bill but it was all messed up yet again. I just had received a bill for 1800 dollars and some change a few weeks back. I supposedly owe less than five hundred dollars but every time I call I get another story. So I try to pay yesterday and they tell me there is no balance. Go figure.
Oh, and I don't have the antibodies for the JC virus. Yippee.
Work today was okay. It was work but I came home and cleaned up a bit to be prepared for next Friday's 2nd annual Just Dance Extravaganza at my place. I need to have these social events a few times a year so that my apartment gets weeded out.
It's all good in the end.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Infused
I sit perched on the edge of my recliner writing in my journal with my free-from-Staples red pen. I'm watching E! while chewing on a Dunkin' Donuts cookie and occasionally sipping my small caramel frappe. Yep, I'm plugged into my IV; it's hooked into my left hand, taped above the Silly Bandz on my wrist.
It's infusion day for my Tysabri, the liquid gold medicine for my multiple sclerosis. I'm at the infusion center where I'll be for about two hours while my medicine and then some saline will drip into my veins. This medicine seems to be keeping me in remission which is a wonderful thing. It's also wonderful that I have insurance, a good neurologist that was willing to prescribe this, and an infusion center about 50 minutes from my house.
I'm a lucky girl.
I am lucky. I have a good job and I live in a beautiful area, one small block from gorgeous Lake Ontario. I have great insurance with low prescription co-pays. I work in tandem with great medical providers. I am lowering my blood sugars. I have a handful of close friends that I can count on. I have a blog that I adore and people who read it.
What's not to like?
It's infusion day for my Tysabri, the liquid gold medicine for my multiple sclerosis. I'm at the infusion center where I'll be for about two hours while my medicine and then some saline will drip into my veins. This medicine seems to be keeping me in remission which is a wonderful thing. It's also wonderful that I have insurance, a good neurologist that was willing to prescribe this, and an infusion center about 50 minutes from my house.
I'm a lucky girl.
I am lucky. I have a good job and I live in a beautiful area, one small block from gorgeous Lake Ontario. I have great insurance with low prescription co-pays. I work in tandem with great medical providers. I am lowering my blood sugars. I have a handful of close friends that I can count on. I have a blog that I adore and people who read it.
What's not to like?
Friday, August 20, 2010
Oh cr@p!
This morning I was deeply humbled by an incident that made me grateful for my current good health. It was early and I was checking my blood sugar. I had just hit the button on the lancet when I realized I needed to go. Yeah, that "kind" of go. And I went as I was dripping the blood on my glucose strip.
You should have seen me. There I was bloody and trying to do the responsible thing for my diabetes as my multiple sclerosis "reared" (oh my, what a pun) its ugly head. In case you're wondering, I didn't quite make it in time which is why this post is aptly titled.
I rarely write about my MS because I am in remission but I do have bladder and bowel issues. I just tend not to mention them because it's embarrassing. Who wants to admit they cr@pped their pants? This happens more than I care to admit, about once a month or so but the feeling that I have to go sometimes comes upon me so quickly that I have to whip my apartment door open after shopping or hang up on friends to get to the bathroom. Sometimes I barely make it.
It's not so bad if you pee yourself but doing number two on you is not something you brag about to your friends. Some of my friends know that I have these issues but most people don't. I take Ditropan to help with the frequent urination. When I go out or am at work I limit my food and liquid intake. Thankfully this year I am right across the hall from a bathroom.
The diabetes meds all cause me some sort of diarrhea. That's the stuff that can hit me like that, making me squirm while someone is talking to me at work. My stomach starts to churn and gurgle and I know I have to leave in the next few seconds. People at work don't know I'm about ready to cr@p my pants so they just keep talking while I look for a way out of the conversation.
So if you see me walking quickly down the hallway to the restroom, don't stop me!
Things could be much worse so the only thing left to do is clean yourself up, buy more big girl panties and chuckle at the messy stuff that is coming your way. :)
You should have seen me. There I was bloody and trying to do the responsible thing for my diabetes as my multiple sclerosis "reared" (oh my, what a pun) its ugly head. In case you're wondering, I didn't quite make it in time which is why this post is aptly titled.
I rarely write about my MS because I am in remission but I do have bladder and bowel issues. I just tend not to mention them because it's embarrassing. Who wants to admit they cr@pped their pants? This happens more than I care to admit, about once a month or so but the feeling that I have to go sometimes comes upon me so quickly that I have to whip my apartment door open after shopping or hang up on friends to get to the bathroom. Sometimes I barely make it.
It's not so bad if you pee yourself but doing number two on you is not something you brag about to your friends. Some of my friends know that I have these issues but most people don't. I take Ditropan to help with the frequent urination. When I go out or am at work I limit my food and liquid intake. Thankfully this year I am right across the hall from a bathroom.
The diabetes meds all cause me some sort of diarrhea. That's the stuff that can hit me like that, making me squirm while someone is talking to me at work. My stomach starts to churn and gurgle and I know I have to leave in the next few seconds. People at work don't know I'm about ready to cr@p my pants so they just keep talking while I look for a way out of the conversation.
So if you see me walking quickly down the hallway to the restroom, don't stop me!
Things could be much worse so the only thing left to do is clean yourself up, buy more big girl panties and chuckle at the messy stuff that is coming your way. :)
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Bits
I had two great glucose readings today, both in the 160's. Could a girl ask for anything more?
Sure she can!
I also put together my new steam mop and used it in my bathroom tonight. The floor looks great, so much cleaner than it did before. I miss my cleaning lady bunches but I am starting to get a little domestic here now that I love my ORECK vacuum and my steam mop.
I spent thirty minutes working out this afternoon to the Biggest Loser DVD. I felt a kazillion times better after working out. The sweat and those endorphins make me feel like a real human instead of a big old lump. I need to remind myself to move it while I still can. It also helps with the diabetes.
Today I read my Momentum magazine from the National MS Society. I consider myself lucky right now because I am rarely inconvenienced by multiple sclerosis. It won't always be that way though. I have no idea when a flare will happen or when I will progress and it is most certain that there will be some progression some day. As long as I can walk and exercise and move freely I need to remember to celebrate my body by doing those things more often.
I'm a lucky girl even with MS and diabetes.
Sure she can!
I also put together my new steam mop and used it in my bathroom tonight. The floor looks great, so much cleaner than it did before. I miss my cleaning lady bunches but I am starting to get a little domestic here now that I love my ORECK vacuum and my steam mop.
I spent thirty minutes working out this afternoon to the Biggest Loser DVD. I felt a kazillion times better after working out. The sweat and those endorphins make me feel like a real human instead of a big old lump. I need to remind myself to move it while I still can. It also helps with the diabetes.
Today I read my Momentum magazine from the National MS Society. I consider myself lucky right now because I am rarely inconvenienced by multiple sclerosis. It won't always be that way though. I have no idea when a flare will happen or when I will progress and it is most certain that there will be some progression some day. As long as I can walk and exercise and move freely I need to remember to celebrate my body by doing those things more often.
I'm a lucky girl even with MS and diabetes.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
You are what you eat
I've finally dsicovered the mere fact that if you take in crap you feel like crap. Doh! I'm not generally this slow on the uptake but in this case I am. Now that I am diabetic, with my sugars still out of control, I am feeling the headaches that come along with eating too many fats and carbs. I am supposed to be carb counting but have been doing a half-ass job of it.
I rarely sleep through the night and often find myself driving to Dunkin Donuts for a bagel with cream cheese at some random time in the morning, say around 3 a.m. Then I also get a big ole chocolate chip cookie, double doh! No wonder my sugars are in the 300s even hours later.
So today I pulled out my meal planning and carb counting book from the diabetes nurse educator and flipped through it. Time to get a little more serious. I have a good month before I have to return to school and I'd really love to see lower numbers. Even when I do eat well my numbers are often very high, rarely under 200 and nowhere near where they actually should be.
I guess there's a learning curve with every illness. It took me a long time to get past being a person with multiple sclerosis to just being a person again. MS consumed me for a long time because I was so symptomatic and needed to take shots daily. Then there were the side effects of the Copaxone shots. I was immersed in the MS online community, searching for people who were like me, who felt like me. That took years.
Now I coexist with the MS and am happily in remission. That brings me to the present time to focus on food, healthy thoughts, exercise, and diabetes.
I am now turning a wary eye to mindful eating even when it includes a bagel and a cookie. I enjoy eating them and eat them slowly. The problem ensues with the diabetes. That just means it's time to refocus the lens again to see the clearer picture.
It's as simple as the old line, you are what you eat.
I rarely sleep through the night and often find myself driving to Dunkin Donuts for a bagel with cream cheese at some random time in the morning, say around 3 a.m. Then I also get a big ole chocolate chip cookie, double doh! No wonder my sugars are in the 300s even hours later.
So today I pulled out my meal planning and carb counting book from the diabetes nurse educator and flipped through it. Time to get a little more serious. I have a good month before I have to return to school and I'd really love to see lower numbers. Even when I do eat well my numbers are often very high, rarely under 200 and nowhere near where they actually should be.
I guess there's a learning curve with every illness. It took me a long time to get past being a person with multiple sclerosis to just being a person again. MS consumed me for a long time because I was so symptomatic and needed to take shots daily. Then there were the side effects of the Copaxone shots. I was immersed in the MS online community, searching for people who were like me, who felt like me. That took years.
Now I coexist with the MS and am happily in remission. That brings me to the present time to focus on food, healthy thoughts, exercise, and diabetes.
I am now turning a wary eye to mindful eating even when it includes a bagel and a cookie. I enjoy eating them and eat them slowly. The problem ensues with the diabetes. That just means it's time to refocus the lens again to see the clearer picture.
It's as simple as the old line, you are what you eat.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
It's been a month...
It's been a month since I've last posted but today is a good day. You see, today is the last day of school and I am now on vacation.
I promise more will follow soon because I will have the time to write and I need to spend part of my days doing something productive. Something more productive than just sleeping, that is.
My MS is still under control and I made it through the year with no relapses. Yay, go me. Thanks body for working with me and not against me this year.
There are lots of changes coming in the new academic year but I'll write more about that soon.
Weebs :)
I promise more will follow soon because I will have the time to write and I need to spend part of my days doing something productive. Something more productive than just sleeping, that is.
My MS is still under control and I made it through the year with no relapses. Yay, go me. Thanks body for working with me and not against me this year.
There are lots of changes coming in the new academic year but I'll write more about that soon.
Weebs :)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Neuro news
I had an appointment with my neuro's office this afternoon to go over my latest MRIs. Good news!
The lesions are all still there but some of them have shrunk and there are no new ones or enhancing lesions. Yippee!
I also talked him into giving me ten dollars for the walk so that I have now reached my goal of $2050 raised by me.
What a great appointment all around. :)
The lesions are all still there but some of them have shrunk and there are no new ones or enhancing lesions. Yippee!
I also talked him into giving me ten dollars for the walk so that I have now reached my goal of $2050 raised by me.
What a great appointment all around. :)
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Spring Break but I'm not broken
I really wish in some ways that I would find the oomph to get myself back on here regularly, but the reality is that it's just not there. I find that I used to write more when I was depressed, sad, mad, and more MSey.
I feel pretty good right now. I can't believe that I am typing this (don't throw things at your screen, please) but it's the truth.
Am I perfect? Heck no. Am I skinny? Heck no. Am I a millionaire? Heck no.
I remember when I was so sick with symptoms and searching for a solid diagnosis, or rather a neurologist that would give me the MS diagnosis I was certain I had. I remember walking with a cane and being a mid-30-something woman wondering if I would make it across the road before the car coming at me took me out. I remember the all-inclusive depression that hung like a thick cloak around my shoulders. I remember it all and somehow, right this moment, I am past it.
I've gone through it, over it, around and underneath it to get where I am right now. I have a place in my life with meds that mostly control my symptoms. I have supportive friends and family (who'd have thunk that?). I have a job that is winding down in two months for summer vacation. I'm on my Spring Break, finally!
I have 12 days until my MS Walk. Three miles versus me and my team, Team Weeble. We have cool T-shirts and I have personally raised $2040. Go me; I'm so proud that I have been able to do that. I am so proud that I even have a team who wants to walk with me.
I'm also excited about a local MS Self Help Group starting in my area. I went to the first meeting two weeks ago and felt that I was making another positive step. I think I may share my blog addy with them at the next meeting.
I also started Zumba in my little apartment a few weeks back. Talk about a workout! My flab is shaking and I am breathing hard and I'm sweaty but it is awesome for me. Thankfully no one else can see me doing it because my steps are sometimes way off.
I just keep moving though.
I feel pretty good right now. I can't believe that I am typing this (don't throw things at your screen, please) but it's the truth.
Am I perfect? Heck no. Am I skinny? Heck no. Am I a millionaire? Heck no.
I remember when I was so sick with symptoms and searching for a solid diagnosis, or rather a neurologist that would give me the MS diagnosis I was certain I had. I remember walking with a cane and being a mid-30-something woman wondering if I would make it across the road before the car coming at me took me out. I remember the all-inclusive depression that hung like a thick cloak around my shoulders. I remember it all and somehow, right this moment, I am past it.
I've gone through it, over it, around and underneath it to get where I am right now. I have a place in my life with meds that mostly control my symptoms. I have supportive friends and family (who'd have thunk that?). I have a job that is winding down in two months for summer vacation. I'm on my Spring Break, finally!
I have 12 days until my MS Walk. Three miles versus me and my team, Team Weeble. We have cool T-shirts and I have personally raised $2040. Go me; I'm so proud that I have been able to do that. I am so proud that I even have a team who wants to walk with me.
I'm also excited about a local MS Self Help Group starting in my area. I went to the first meeting two weeks ago and felt that I was making another positive step. I think I may share my blog addy with them at the next meeting.
I also started Zumba in my little apartment a few weeks back. Talk about a workout! My flab is shaking and I am breathing hard and I'm sweaty but it is awesome for me. Thankfully no one else can see me doing it because my steps are sometimes way off.
I just keep moving though.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Not an April Fool
It's an absolutely gorgeous day here where I live. High 80s but no oppressive humidity, with blue skies and that yellow orb most people call the sun. It's been a long, lonely winter without that orb.
We're still rolling along with Weeble's Wobblers, my MS Walk team. So far I have raised $1620 on my own and my teammates are doing their part too. Our team goal, set by me before I started to fundraise, was $1200 so we have already surpassed that. Go Team Weeble. Thanks to everyone who has joined the team or supported us in some way.
Today was my appointment with my primary care doctor. It's been over a year since I've been there since I have been doing so well. It was great to step on the scale and actually be lighter, more than 20 pounds lighter! Woohoo!
We discussed my MS (under control), my mental health (totally under control), and everything else that was left over health-wise. He's pleased with how things are going and he ran some bloodwork which I'll be interested in seeing the results of when it comes back. He also sponsored me for the MS Walk with a generous donation. Turns out that his medical doctor partner's mom had MS and died from complications of it, according to him. The partner's dad started a small local MS Resource group whose walk I have done before. That walk is a 3-mile walk inside a local mall. That was a great time.
So here I am with Good Friday off, it was a beautiful day, I had a great appointment and I have the weekend and then Monday off for my Tysabri. Life feels right, like a comfy sweater that slips on and keeps you warm and cozy. Except I am wearing shorts and sandals and I feel like a super star.
I hope this post finds you in good spirits and wishing you all a wonderful weekend whether you celebrate anything or not.
We're still rolling along with Weeble's Wobblers, my MS Walk team. So far I have raised $1620 on my own and my teammates are doing their part too. Our team goal, set by me before I started to fundraise, was $1200 so we have already surpassed that. Go Team Weeble. Thanks to everyone who has joined the team or supported us in some way.
Today was my appointment with my primary care doctor. It's been over a year since I've been there since I have been doing so well. It was great to step on the scale and actually be lighter, more than 20 pounds lighter! Woohoo!
We discussed my MS (under control), my mental health (totally under control), and everything else that was left over health-wise. He's pleased with how things are going and he ran some bloodwork which I'll be interested in seeing the results of when it comes back. He also sponsored me for the MS Walk with a generous donation. Turns out that his medical doctor partner's mom had MS and died from complications of it, according to him. The partner's dad started a small local MS Resource group whose walk I have done before. That walk is a 3-mile walk inside a local mall. That was a great time.
So here I am with Good Friday off, it was a beautiful day, I had a great appointment and I have the weekend and then Monday off for my Tysabri. Life feels right, like a comfy sweater that slips on and keeps you warm and cozy. Except I am wearing shorts and sandals and I feel like a super star.
I hope this post finds you in good spirits and wishing you all a wonderful weekend whether you celebrate anything or not.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
March madness
I live in central NY state and Syracuse is our local basketball team but they were beaten the other day by Butler. So now I am going with Butler all the way in the NCAA tournament. Sometimes you have to root for the underdog, the Cinderella team.
I was so excited that my Tastefully Simple goodies have arrived. The problem is that it always tastes so much better when someone else makes it. I made the Spinach Artichoke dip today but it tastes all wrong to me. I'm so dissappointed in that. Bummer that I can't eat more fattening foods! LOL
I also have my TS drinks here. I have watermelon margaritas and mojitos chilling in the freezer. I need to try them out to see what I am going to raffle off in my basket for work.
I'm not sure if I mentioned this or not but I am going to raffle off two goodie baskets at work. One has some Tastefully Simple stuff in it and some chocolate and the other will have hair care products and was generously donated by my hair stylist/coiffer extraordinaire, Becca. The proceeds will go to the National MS Society as part of my walk donations.
Speaking of which I almost at $1500 in donations. I am a mere twenty-three dollars away from that milestone. I'm so proud that I have been able to raise so much money so quickly. Thank you to everyone who has helped, whether it's been by joining the team or sending donations or words of support. I still find it hard to believe that I am feeling so well at this point in time. This is such a gift.
I remember what it was like when I was sick with symptoms all the time and then somehow, gradually, I ended up here in this place of health and wellness. I don't know how it happened but it did. I am grateful for that.
I was so excited that my Tastefully Simple goodies have arrived. The problem is that it always tastes so much better when someone else makes it. I made the Spinach Artichoke dip today but it tastes all wrong to me. I'm so dissappointed in that. Bummer that I can't eat more fattening foods! LOL
I also have my TS drinks here. I have watermelon margaritas and mojitos chilling in the freezer. I need to try them out to see what I am going to raffle off in my basket for work.
I'm not sure if I mentioned this or not but I am going to raffle off two goodie baskets at work. One has some Tastefully Simple stuff in it and some chocolate and the other will have hair care products and was generously donated by my hair stylist/coiffer extraordinaire, Becca. The proceeds will go to the National MS Society as part of my walk donations.
Speaking of which I almost at $1500 in donations. I am a mere twenty-three dollars away from that milestone. I'm so proud that I have been able to raise so much money so quickly. Thank you to everyone who has helped, whether it's been by joining the team or sending donations or words of support. I still find it hard to believe that I am feeling so well at this point in time. This is such a gift.
I remember what it was like when I was sick with symptoms all the time and then somehow, gradually, I ended up here in this place of health and wellness. I don't know how it happened but it did. I am grateful for that.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Marching through March
It's been awhile since I've visited here and posted, so here I am with an update.
Scrapbooking was so much fun. I was there with some friends and ran into another high school classmate. I finished 11 pages, if I remember correctly. I learned how to use vellum splits to adhere those cutesy vellum quotes to my page. It was all around a great day and nice to be out of the house doing something just for me!
The MS Walk is on May 2nd and I have already personally raised $1200 just with online donations so far. I have another $100+ in cash and check donations and I will be holding a raffle at school soon. I plan to raffle off some chocolate, a Tastefully Simple pound cake mix and one of their brand-spanking-new watermelon margarita mixes. I hope to make another fifty dollars or so off that.
The crazy thing is that my whole team goal was $1200 so we have already beaten that! I have a confirmed team of 6 other members with a possible 3-5 more people joining us. I think we are also going to have T-shirts made up with our Team Weeble name on them.
Someone asked how I am able to do this, the exercising and the upcoming walk. The answer is that I am truly in a remission state right now. I have very little active symptoms outside of fatigue and some urinary frequency which are dealt with through meds, and also some cramps in my legs now and then.
I feel good exercising. I see changes in my body, my shape, and my muscles. I have lost weight and I am starting to make some better food choices with fresh pineapple being my top change. It tastes so good; who knew? I guess the people at Dole did.
I still have a long way to go with the weight loss. I am not deluding myself into thinking that I am all fixed. I have lots of work to do but for the first time in a long time it seems... almost manageable. For once I can push the MS diagnosis to the side and work on me without *that* getting in the way.
There was a long period of time when I couldn't do that and that was just a year ago. What a difference a year can make. It's hard to ride out the symptoms sometimes with MS. I have been blessed with good health at this time and I am going to make the most of it. I am going to keep walking, dancing, and boxing the heck out of MS. Score one for me and zero for MS.
I hope your symptoms wane and become manageable too.
Weebs :)
Scrapbooking was so much fun. I was there with some friends and ran into another high school classmate. I finished 11 pages, if I remember correctly. I learned how to use vellum splits to adhere those cutesy vellum quotes to my page. It was all around a great day and nice to be out of the house doing something just for me!
The MS Walk is on May 2nd and I have already personally raised $1200 just with online donations so far. I have another $100+ in cash and check donations and I will be holding a raffle at school soon. I plan to raffle off some chocolate, a Tastefully Simple pound cake mix and one of their brand-spanking-new watermelon margarita mixes. I hope to make another fifty dollars or so off that.
The crazy thing is that my whole team goal was $1200 so we have already beaten that! I have a confirmed team of 6 other members with a possible 3-5 more people joining us. I think we are also going to have T-shirts made up with our Team Weeble name on them.
Someone asked how I am able to do this, the exercising and the upcoming walk. The answer is that I am truly in a remission state right now. I have very little active symptoms outside of fatigue and some urinary frequency which are dealt with through meds, and also some cramps in my legs now and then.
I feel good exercising. I see changes in my body, my shape, and my muscles. I have lost weight and I am starting to make some better food choices with fresh pineapple being my top change. It tastes so good; who knew? I guess the people at Dole did.
I still have a long way to go with the weight loss. I am not deluding myself into thinking that I am all fixed. I have lots of work to do but for the first time in a long time it seems... almost manageable. For once I can push the MS diagnosis to the side and work on me without *that* getting in the way.
There was a long period of time when I couldn't do that and that was just a year ago. What a difference a year can make. It's hard to ride out the symptoms sometimes with MS. I have been blessed with good health at this time and I am going to make the most of it. I am going to keep walking, dancing, and boxing the heck out of MS. Score one for me and zero for MS.
I hope your symptoms wane and become manageable too.
Weebs :)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The MS Walk and the Wii
Last year at this time I was out of work due to my MS and depression. This year I am signing up for, strike that, have already signed up for the National MS Society Walk on May 2nd. I'm going to walk for those who can't move it due to MS!
I have started a team called Weeble's Wobblers aka Team Weeble for short. I am doing my best to rope in my friends and colleagues to be part of this awesome team. I have a goal for our team of $1200 in donations. Just today I have received $150 in donations through Facebook. If you'd like to donate and we're Facebook friends, you can click on the link at the bottom left of my page and it will take you where you need to go to donate.
*Thanks BJM for being a part of my team!
As far as the Wii goes, I have lost 23 pounds since January when I started the Just Dance. I added in the Gold's Gym Cardio Boxing in February and that added a whole new dimension to the "shake up the fat" zone. The next thing I am going to do is add in Zumba DVDs to dance and shake my bountiful booty. I am actually enjoying moving my body, challenging it, and making it sweat. Maybe I will eventually hit my goal of running again! Woohoo, that's something to think about.
Tomorrow is also my Friday at work because Friday is a Tysabri day. That means I can go to McDonald's and get a Shamrock shake before the Ty. Yummo!
I have started a team called Weeble's Wobblers aka Team Weeble for short. I am doing my best to rope in my friends and colleagues to be part of this awesome team. I have a goal for our team of $1200 in donations. Just today I have received $150 in donations through Facebook. If you'd like to donate and we're Facebook friends, you can click on the link at the bottom left of my page and it will take you where you need to go to donate.
*Thanks BJM for being a part of my team!
As far as the Wii goes, I have lost 23 pounds since January when I started the Just Dance. I added in the Gold's Gym Cardio Boxing in February and that added a whole new dimension to the "shake up the fat" zone. The next thing I am going to do is add in Zumba DVDs to dance and shake my bountiful booty. I am actually enjoying moving my body, challenging it, and making it sweat. Maybe I will eventually hit my goal of running again! Woohoo, that's something to think about.
Tomorrow is also my Friday at work because Friday is a Tysabri day. That means I can go to McDonald's and get a Shamrock shake before the Ty. Yummo!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Another week down...
Another week down, a short one at that with only 4 working days, but it felt like oh so much longer. Today was Friday so yippee for that and the drinks we had after work. I like to call our little klatch the Meeting of the Minds. Others in the group think that's rather funny and it is. We get together to debrief and empty our minds of all of our worries.
I am starting to work on my next big fund raising project for work. I have done two projects in the last three years with nothing going on last year because I was out of work due to MS. Year one was raising money for Malaria No More and donating bed nets to people in Africa. Year two was raising money for the John Dau Medical Clinic in Sudan. This year we are going to raise money for Heifer International. Check them out at www.heifer.org to learn all the ins and outs. In a nutshell, the donated money goes to purchase animals that are given to people around the world who raise them and then pass on the offspring and teach others how to raise the animals. It's a sustainability project that works internationally along with several projects within the United States.
Hey, a thought just occurred to me! I have started exercising again for half hour intervals. I'm no Buns of Steel here but I am walking and shaking my ample booty a bit. I have also stopped eating a lot of the foods that I used to be addicted to. I am breaking the binging habit. I'm not saying that I am eating healthy all of the time but I have cut way back on the amounts I am eating. Something is changing within me.
Also, therapy looks like it is going to wind down here within the next six months or so. I am no longer the angry and defiant woman that I used to be. A lot of the stuff that I used to carry around has been taken off my yoke. Actually, consider me yoke-less. I am no longer tethered to anything that has to be carried around all of the time. I have learned to let things goooooo. There is less stress in my life which is a great thing when you have MS. I still battle depression but that is well under control with meds. I'll still be taking them but cutting the strings of therapy loose from my life.
All right folks, it's about 9 p.m. which is my bedtime (laugh if you must) and I am not proofreading this so sorry for the lameo, rambling post!
Night.
I am starting to work on my next big fund raising project for work. I have done two projects in the last three years with nothing going on last year because I was out of work due to MS. Year one was raising money for Malaria No More and donating bed nets to people in Africa. Year two was raising money for the John Dau Medical Clinic in Sudan. This year we are going to raise money for Heifer International. Check them out at www.heifer.org to learn all the ins and outs. In a nutshell, the donated money goes to purchase animals that are given to people around the world who raise them and then pass on the offspring and teach others how to raise the animals. It's a sustainability project that works internationally along with several projects within the United States.
Hey, a thought just occurred to me! I have started exercising again for half hour intervals. I'm no Buns of Steel here but I am walking and shaking my ample booty a bit. I have also stopped eating a lot of the foods that I used to be addicted to. I am breaking the binging habit. I'm not saying that I am eating healthy all of the time but I have cut way back on the amounts I am eating. Something is changing within me.
Also, therapy looks like it is going to wind down here within the next six months or so. I am no longer the angry and defiant woman that I used to be. A lot of the stuff that I used to carry around has been taken off my yoke. Actually, consider me yoke-less. I am no longer tethered to anything that has to be carried around all of the time. I have learned to let things goooooo. There is less stress in my life which is a great thing when you have MS. I still battle depression but that is well under control with meds. I'll still be taking them but cutting the strings of therapy loose from my life.
All right folks, it's about 9 p.m. which is my bedtime (laugh if you must) and I am not proofreading this so sorry for the lameo, rambling post!
Night.
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