Signs of Spring...

It is BEAUTIFUL out today! Unfortunately I spent most of my day indoors trying to finish up a few things at the office that need attention before Monday. On my way home I drove through town (a whole mile or so away from home) which took me by the local snowcone stand. Kids were lined up ready for the icy treat. As I drove past the stadium I noticed several famlies out taking advantage of the mild temps and windy day by flying kites...and I managed to snap this picture.....if only these days would last.......

It's gettin ugly.....

It's been 25 years since high school....and we are talking reunion. Okay actually we've been talking reunion for some time. Hashing out ideas of what could be done...where to hold a gathering, etc. Of course we've established a ticket price and have been soliciting our classmates to purchase tickets. (Which if you are a classmate you can get your tickets at www.barbaratatum.com)

IN the interest of cost, we have settled on Barbara's home for the location. She lives in a beautiful, gated community in spring. She has a spacious backyard where she has hosted weddings....and her husband is a fantastic cook who has agreed to cook for us. We have been asking for comments, concerns, suggestions, help, and of course money for a while now.

Here on the horizon of the payment deadline (March 31) with the reunion just around the corner (May 1), there is grumbling from a group of classmates who feel the event should be held at a hotel and are basically stating they will guarantee payment once the event is moved. Where the hell were these people months ago when we began soliciting ideas and help? Someone has gone so far as to send a nasty-gram to the host residence complaining about the intended festivities, the cost and even making snide comments regarding the health of an individual---and the person doesn't even have the cajones to sign their name (which to me says a great deal of the character of that person)!

Still Moving Slow...

I'm still moving a bit slow...and I find it annoying. I have things to do, things I want to do...and minimal energy for doing it all. I know, patience. Patience has never been one of my strong traits.

I found after working all week that I was wiped out moreso than usual. I have grand aspirations of achievements for the weekend but thus far that's a list I'm slow in tackling. Just my luck not long after I woke I started developing a migraine. Thankfully for once I actually recognized what it was early enough to take meds before it made me horribly sick.

Now I have baking to do, laundry to tackle and a reunion meeting this evening (thus the need for the baking). And I've slept the morning away! I had also hoped to get in a little scrap time and tomorrow I need to head to the office for a few hours to finish up a project from Friday (that needs to be done by Monday).

Ah, never a dull moment!

Two Down!!

Another day behind me...and it was a trying, long one.....

Finally heard from dr's office....neutralizing antibodies not elevated enough for alarm at this point...so continue with current med and by my appointment in May he'll have something figured out and we'll discuss more. Maybe something else for fatigue but no answer just yet there...and in the meantime I am tired, tired, tired.....(and someone asked if maybe it's because I'm not drinking as much caffiene--huh??)

Saw the eye dr.....I can switch to bifocals or continue doing as I have and wear my cheaters to read-yes it will cause some eye strain but shouldn't be any major permanent damage. I guess I just need to suck it up and get accustomed to the prescription glasses. I'm not ready for bifocals mainly because I have enough balance and walking issues that adding the adjustment to bifocals could prove detrimental to me (nausea, falling down, etc...) I love my eye dr-even if he does tell me everything is due to my age! (He's been with me on the MS journey too...checking, re-checking, etc. I swear I think he holds his breath every time he looks in my eyes concerned that he's going to see something...)

Work was trying cause well...it's work. So many changes coming at us from the Feds and so much to be done. I'm a bit overwhelmed to the point I'm not ever certain where to start at times. I took a few minutes to jot down some notes earlier so maybe that will help me focus tomorrow. I also had a high school night tonight....initially scheduled for tonight....was told it was cancelled then called that it was indeed scheduled.....bossman headed to the board meeting (to be recognized!) and I headed to the high school. Had a nice family to work with...just wish the high school would turn on the AC in the lab!

Tomorrow the car goes to the mechanic for AC work...cause I cannot survive without it! I have a freon leak somewhere....so Ronnie will put on his investigative hat and try to resolve that issue. I'm just hoping it doesn't cost a small fortune which it probably will because AC work is ALWAYS expensive...and it's actually the labor that costs so much. I'll also have the added expense of renting a car so he can have mine for a couple of days and I won't have to rely on someone to to get me where I need to be (work) and I won't feel so helpless with no transportation. It's going to be okay...because I refuse to believe otherwise!

Once the AC work is done and the car's had a once over if I have any money left I just might try to plan some sort of little get-away. Heaven knows I could use it!

One Down...Four to Go.....

Today....



First day back in the office after being out ill and spring break.....busy, busy, busy...LOTS to be done.....

Heard from the neuro's office that I have indeed built up antibodies against the Beta so now I wait to hear what will be next.

Errands after work then home to cook dinner and relax a bit before bed--which won't be long.

Snapped this pic of Sissy as she napped on the back of the couch...I think she is starting to mellow a bit.....

Spring Break at an end....

Spring break has come and gone and tomorrow it's back to routine. And lots of work. Though I've pretty much been off for the last two weeks, I could use some more time. I'm still not 100% from my flare/steroid episode and wonder just how much longer it will take.

While I did manage two visits to the rodeo, they nearly did me in! Tuesday I ended up napping all day before heading out again that night. It's a good thing the weather was nasty and Wendy and I hadn't made any plans. Dinner that evening and the rodeo was more than enough for me.

Wednesday I visited with Na on my way home. Very low key, just hanging out and talking. Thursday I spent the day nappning. Friday I got out a bit to have lunch with Robin but decided to cut the outing short. Saturday started out really nasty so I opted for staying in. I thought about getting out later in the day but the NCIS marathon on USA kept me grounded. And today while I should have been doing numerous things preparing to return to work, I spent a good deal of the day once again napping. I'm telling ya, if it were an Olympic sport I'd medal!

Think I'll chekc with Dr. B tomorrow to see if he's gotten blood results yet and see what the next step may be....

Have a great week!

Lady A and Keith...

Lady A....

Saw Lady Antebellum at the rodeo and they did not disappoint. The place was packed-well over 65,000. We had nosebleed seats but still had a great view. I even managed to get a few decent shots (will load them when I return home).

We didn't walk around as much as we have in previous years. I honestly could not tolerate it but that's okay. It's the same exhibitors--nothing really caught my eye. I guess the blessing in that is that I don't spend any additional money.

It's quite a difference from when we used to go out in the 90's. Now we pay more for our tickets....and don't have to get there early to scope out a good seat--ahhh the days of the $5 general admission seats behind the chutes. Oh how I sometimes miss those days of watching the likes of Dave Appleton stretching. Oh the adventures we had!

Tomorrow night--Keith Urban!

Full Agenda Ahead....

I so need to be up and moving about cause there are tons of things to be done! I've actually already been out to Ashwood this morning to feed Vicki's critters then off to Ronnies for an AC chanrge--gotta get the car in to have that fixed.

I have finally unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher and have a load of clothes in to wash. I need to figure out what I want to wear to the rodeo tomorrow and pack a bag for Wendy's. And I'm tired already!

I'll head to Humble and we'll head out for a bite to eat then to the rodeo to see Lady Antebellum tonight. Looking forward to that but a bit concerned about all the energy it's going to take since mine is at a less than desirable level at the moment. I'll just have to pace myself. The nice thing is that Wendy will drive so I can just chill. Once we get back to her place I get to recharge to go see Keith Urban tomorrow night. Spend another night tomorrow then head back to Wharton and the remainder of my spring break.

Looking forward to all the bad things....walking too much and eating funnel cake (hey, I only do it one time a year!).

Done!

Fifth injection taken this morning....hopefully on the road to having this episode behind me. It's been a nasty one....the treatment's been worse than the MS. I guess it's all a matter of live and learn. Dr. B has it documented so in the future I'm certain we'll stay away from IV and pills and go with self-injections.

Now on to letting the meds really do their thing and (hopefully) get this flare under control. I juat have to have patience and stop trying to push myself. Not so easy to do some days when I am determined to live!

And I'll continue to wait for blood results so we can get a better idea if the Betaseron (the disease modifying drug injected every other day) is working. Once that info is in I'll be visiting with Dr. B. to discuss our plan of action. I know I am fortunate to live at a time where advances are being made and have options available to me.

Now...on to spring break!

Seen at lunch today...

Something from almost nothing....

I signed up for an online class in an effort to get the creative juices flowing and to get me into my neglected stash. One of the first class prompts was to take a picture of your stash...so here is the current, messy state of my scrap table.....as I embark on this journey. Check out the class at Shimelle.com

...thinking...

Thinking that little vial below could possibly be my miracle drug......I hope, I hope, I hope......feeling a bit more human...even feeling up to actually doing something though taking out the trash nearly did me in......hmmmmm, wonder if I could tackle the office tomorrow?

Could it be????

Yes...it really is just after 5am...and I am awake....not only am I awake, I actually feel...well, good. It's almost an odd sensation because it's alluded me for so long or so it seems. I know I need to pace myself...don't go too full throtle just yet but I suddenly WANT to do things.

Thoughts of going to the office are filling my head....but I know to proceed with caution. See how things go....ease into things. I actually feel I might be able to accomplish something. That's quite a difference from the lump in the recliner the past few days...ok, about the past week. So I will pace myself....take it easy a bit longer....go back to sleep for a little while because I am feeling a bit sleepy....give my body some more time to regroup.....and hope I will awaken again with equal vigor. Keep your fingers crossed!

Next step

Dr. B ordered Acthar gel.....I tolerated this well last November so hopefully this will be just what it needed to get me back on track again. For a second or two I thought I botched the injection but I took a deep breath and followed through. Four more injections to go.......

Gotta be proactive.....

I have spent the day resting as much as I possibly can....though I've not napped today. I think too much of that yesterday was the reason behind my NOT falling asleep till sometime in the wee hours of the morning. I woke just around 7am, threw on jeans, tshirt and tennis shoes and headed to the office just to get things together for an afternoon meeting...then home and back to my recliner.

I waited for a call from the specialty pharmacy. When there wasn't one I took matters into my own hands and placed a call. I was told the meds had in fact been ordered and were being processed--that I would be contacted just as soon as approvals were acquired. When 4p approached and still no call had been received, I called again. They would get right on pushing that across....I'll have meds on Thursday. Um, excuse me...no. I need these tomorrow.....

Hold....hold....hold...checking.....just a min.....hold....yes, we can get them out today for delivery tomorrow. Hmmmm, I have a contact at the drug company from the debacle last time of getting this med...let me email him....yes, he'll be happy to assist. Wait....the pharmacy doesn't have a valid number for you to schedule the delivery (though I'd already been told it was all arranged). Send him both home and cell and a half hour later, no additional contact from the pharmacy. Who dropped the ball? Can I believe the information given directly to me that the meds are on their way or do I believe the drug rep who has been told I haven't given the pharmacy a valid number--which I provided for the drug rep as well?

Here's hoping my being proactive and rattling cages this afternoon has set the necessary actions in motions and that I'll receive meds tomorrow.

Well now...

...what sort of sign is it when the nurse at the doctor's office takes a look at you and says, 'this is NOT you'......and then says--you've lost a lot of weight....

Yep...a nasty bout of steroids have left me looking like hell, feeling like hell and 11 pounds lighter in the last month.....so I guess there's one good thing to be said for the steroids! And yet I've continued to EAT. Go figure!

Gonna try a different med and some time to rest.....

One way ticket....

....an hour and a half at the office then the rest of the morning in bed and now a trip to the med center for a 4:30p date with my guy (neuro)...here's hoping for a magic bullet!

Forced downtime...

It's been a weekend of forced downtime thanks to a nasty bout of steroids. I somehow managed to function Wednesday and Thursday but have been down for the count since. I stayed home Friday...spent the majority of the day in bed and was back in bed by 7:30p that evening.

I had grand illusions of making some sort of progress over the weekend but can't say I see much of any. I'm doing my best to not eat everything in sight and accomplishing nothing to boot. I've spent a great deal of time in the recliner. I forced myself out to the store this morning and I'm sure the people around me wondered about the walking dead because everything was a fog. I even somehow managed to make decent food choices!--yep, passed up the cookies, the chocolates, the ice cream and opted for grapes. My worst choice today would probably really only be the chocolate iced donuts for breakfast and those are few and far between--don't remember the last time I had them prior to today. Had a sensible sandwich and some chips for lunch and have some chicken cooking now. I do confess to baking a cake but it still sits untouched...

It's been an internal struggle but I have finally convinced myself that I need to get in to see my dr tomorrow. Not sure than he can or will do anything but at least I'll know I've shared the ugly truth with him. I'm not happy with the current state of events but at the same time I only have me to rely on and must do what I must. I just want to feel normal again....

Looking for strength...

...that's about all I can say at this moment....because I have none. I'm doing my best to stay positive, to not let this drag me down but at the moment it's a challenge. I have had relatively no energy all day but somehow managed to pull myself through with a few accomplishments. But I did get through...and I will do the same tomorrow and the day after and hopefully the fog will soon lift.

I am thankful to my friends who send me prayers and good thoughts and keep me close. Days like today I am especially greatful for the special people in my life.

So thanks for sticking with me.....

Backsliding...

...at least that's how it feels at the moment. My fatigue is up and cooking dinner was a bit of a chore but I've managed to throw a shephard's pie in the oven. Something hearty, filling and halfway good for me.

Now if I can just muster the energy later to work on things I wanted to tackle over the weekend. Nothing too strenous-fun stuff really, playing with paper. We'll see. I do believe it will probably be an early night.