The MS Struggle Continues

I'm very close to making a decision on medications for my MS.  I'm thinking of moving forward with the Gilenya.  There are risks, but there are very few options at this time.  I saw a marvelous Doctor this past week.  She is a neurological ophthalmologist.  She feels that the risk to my eyesight, from the medication, is minimal.  The risk to my eyes, from the MS itself, is actively happening.  I have something going on called Optic Neuritis, mostly in my left eye.  I'm having a lot of trouble with my vision.  I'm spending very little time on the computer because of it.  Thankfully, computers allow us to make the lettering very large.  That way when I do check in, it's much easier to read.  My eyes just tire very quickly.  This condition happened back in 2006, but after a couple of months I recovered almost all of my vision.  The doctor is also watching for something called macular edema, so I'm using medication in both eyes every night, as well as drops every two hours.  I see her for another evaluation in a couple months.  This is a lot of boring information to most, but hopefully is interesting for those of you who have been following my journey with the MS.  (By the way, I should edit this for run-on sentences, etc., but my computer time is running out for today... sorry...)

As for the rest of my life... excellent!  My husband participated in the Alzheimer's Walk and Vintage Car Show yesterday.  He walked in memory of his mother and grandmother, who both passed from Alzheimers, as well as for an aunt who currently has it.  Today he is honoring his dad, by participating in a Veteran's Vintage Car Show/Benefit.  My sons are happy and enjoying their classes.

Autumn Scene. Free image, compliments of My Vintage Studio.

I am loving the cooler autumn weather and seeing the changing colors!  I'm appreciating all the visuals so much more, and not taking one thing for granted.  Wishing you a beautiful week.  Enjoy autumn!

Pushing Through the Pain...

It's been a while since I shared much about my journey with MS.  The last three weeks have been very difficult physically.  I had to swallow my pride and have my husband put my walker back in the car, in order for me to even leave the house.  It's been a long time since I had to use a walker.  The timing has been difficult, because we've been on the countdown toward my youngest son leaving the nest.  Move-in day at college is this Saturday!  I had plans for joyful shopping trips and last minute fun moments together, but this recent attack on my body made it nearly impossible.  A few days ago, I had to be placed on a heart monitor for 24 hours, and they took an ultrasound of my heart... no results yet, though I'm fairly certain they will decide it was something called an MS "hug" that I was experiencing.  They increased my pain medication, added steroids and muscle relaxants...  The results were that my face and neck swelled up night before last, and I woke in the wee hours of the morning fighting for air.  This is apparently from the steroids.  I'm feeling much more myself today, although I will still be using my walker and/or canes for the time being.

When I'm tempted to let the "dark days" take over, I have to remind myself how blessed I am.

~ I have family and friends who love me, and pray for me.
~ I'm still able to do many things I love.
~ There are those much worse off than I am.
~ I'm one of the fortunate ones with a good health insurance.

I have a faith that sustains me, even on days when I just want to sit and cry like a small child.  When those days come, and they do, I can find my way out of the darkness because of that faith.

It also helps to read about what others are facing in their lives, and how they deal with it.  I've shared many times about Baby Gabe, and his journey.  Here is a link to an uplifting blog I just discovered.  The writer is Jenn, and she shares about Gabe's birthday balloon release, and about her own journey with an invisible illness.  I think it will bless you, it certainly blessed me...  Her blog is called Chasing Joy.  Then, take just a moment to read Julia's Happy Birthday post for little Gabe, here at The Four of Us.  It is beautiful!

Well, my youngest just walked into the house... time to get busy on that list of things we want to fit into the next two days!  Wishing you a day filled with love and simple joys...