I have a few things on my mind today that I hope by sharing I can get off my chest and sort out in my cluttered mind. First of all…..I hope this finds all of you happy, healthy and well. Second, I am a bit bummed as I was slated to begin my next round of chemo (Mavenclad) yesterday….but my darn lymphocyte level was too low again. I go to St. Louis… to my miracle workers…tomorrow….maybe I will feel less anxious once I see them and they check me out. I work better when I have a game plan and I am able to stick to it. I was all psyched up to get up early, drive 3 1/2 – 4 hours, have an MRI, evaluations, blood work, lumbar puncture and then first dose of Mavenclad all before beginning our trek home that evening. But alas…..the wind was knocked out of my sails late last week and I will have to wait until this body of mine gets onboard with the game plan. Third, WE ARE VACCINATED!! I am not sure if it is mind over matter, but I am less anxious about COVID now that we are. Time will tell. We just have to continue to be vigilant and not take any chances. Fourth, my hubby and I are expanding our business and I am WORN OUT with all the red-tape, hoops and paperwork that we must fill out, jump through or tackle to get all of it done safely and legally. Please Lord let me keep what little sanity I have left. Lastly, I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with a lovely lady yesterday about this wonderful disease. She has been diagnosed for quite some time and we swapped a little of our “war stories”, phone numbers and I let her know about this blog. I hope she is able to find a little help and humor as well as understanding within these posts that I write. I then..in the same breath re-met a beautiful lady that I had spoken to long before the craziness hit with COVID and everything shut down last year. On the first encounter she and I were visiting while our nails were getting beautified by a local nail shop…..they are miracle workers…btw. She is in the medical field and had a friend whose daughter was experiencing some disturbing symptoms and her family was praying for an avenue to find the answer…..enter my conversation with the sweet lady. I had shared with her some of my symptoms and the fact that I had been reading about a doctor that has MS and had changed her eating….which essentially changed her life. Dr. Terry Wahls….if you have a chance to read up on her and all of her life changes….please do so. I had also told her at that time about my amazing doctor and all the quality of care that he and his staff have given me. She asked for his name and I gave it to her. So I was able to possibly open an avenue for these two ladies to receive care from this wonderful man. Fingers crossed that they are able to do so. I have shared on here my disappointment of having my dream career cut short. I lived for my students and helping them….yesterday I felt that same sense of pride, accomplishment and self worth. I was able to possibly help two individuals that are struggling their way through life with this disease. For those two ladies I say thank you…thank you for reminding me that I CAN HELP. I still have a purpose even though my canvas has changed a bit. If I could talk with individuals, families or friends of people that have MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS on a daily basis I really think I would love it. I am passionate about finding ways to help others, supporting them on this journey and possible offer an understanding ear to listen to them as they search for their own answers. This disease comes into your life with no warning and can take you a prisoner. For me….I try to chose every day to not be a prisoner. Hopefully all goes well tomorrow with my checkup and we can proceed pretty quickly with the next round of chemo. I will try my best to blog more often than I have lately in the future. This darn old wet weather we have been having has gotten me down. God Bless!!
Excellent post. I am going through many of these issues as well..