Thankful for...

[Amore55]

I am thankful for so many things. I am especially thankful that I have an appointment with th cancer doc Tuesday to see about my high lymphocyytes. Also, I ordered my new trike and cannot wait for it to arrive. Thanks for starting this Tutu. Kelly

[jimeka]

Hi Kelly, hoping and praying all goes in your favour on Tuesday. I've been out on my trike today, it's been a beautiful day, my dog loved it. Enjoy, Jimeka

[Bettyolm in reply to jimeka]

AND Jimeka......where did you get YOUR trike? Is it an electric one?

[jimeka in reply to Bettyolm]

Hi Betty, I live in the U.K., but if you read Kelly's post she can tell you better where to get one in the states, Jimeka The electric ones are battery operated so you have to remember to keep it charged.

[Amore55 in reply to jimeka]

Jimeka, how are you? How are your symptoms, are they behaving? I sure hope so. I have been working on my husband to move to the UK. I just can't bear the way the election went and the direction of the country. I am truly afraid. I know it is affecting my health. But so far hubby is not biting. We will see. Just thought I would say hi and ask how you are feeling. Happiness to you, Kelly

[jimeka in reply to Amore55]

Hi Kelly it's 2.47 am here. Woke up hoping to see the moon but it's too cloudy. Have you ever been to the uk before? Depending where you live over here, with it been a small island, a lot of places get a lot of rain and a lot of flooding happens. It is a beautiful, scenic country, but damp. I went over to Menorca for a holiday, it's one of the Spanish islands, it was between 19*C and 24*C, and for 2 weeks my ms was brilliant. I walked with my Walker everywhere, but I was only back in the uk a day and it flaired up again. I would move somewhere with a diffent climate but I can't leave my children, plus when reality clicks in I can't afford it, but I can dream. I went out on my trike yesterday for the first time in about 2 months, don't I know about it. My right thigh, least said soonest mended. All the rest of the family have got sore throats and cold, even my hubby and he never ailes anything, I go for my flu shot on Thursday so I am hoping I don't get it. Anyway Kelly how are you? I can understand what you mean about the results, it certainly has caused a lot of distress. I said as a joke the other night to my husband, 2 fighter planes flew over our house in a hurry to go somewhere, " oh no Trump is in trouble already" , I don't mean to offend anyone by that comment, it was a joke, I am not a political person. I am going to try and get some sleep, you enjoy the rest of your evening, thanks for your prayers, blessings Jimeka

[jimeka in reply to jimeka]

Let us know how you get on today Tuesday, my prayers are with you.

[WAshingtongirl]

Kelly, I'll be praying all goes well on Tuesday.

[Amore55 in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Tutu, thanks for your warm wishes. How are you doing? Are your symptoms behaving? Are you feeling okay? I sure hope so. I will let you know how my appointment goes. Blessings to you, Kelly

[WAshingtongirl in reply to Amore55]

Hi, Kelly. It's been a rough month, but I am feeling much better now. Thank you.

I hope you aren't too anxious about tomorrow and get a good night's rest. 💕

[Amore55 in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Tutu, I'm sorry you've had a difficult month, but am glad you are coming out of it. It's 2:52a.m. I just can't sleep. I really don't like nights like these. But I don't work, so I can sleep in the morning. My doggies like it when I do! Good night! Kelly

[WAshingtongirl in reply to Amore55]

Thank you, Kelly. I'm happy you can sleep in this morning. Your appt must not be an early one. Another thing to be thankful for this morning-along with your sweet doggies! I do hope you were finally able to get to sleep. 💕

[Amore55 in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Tutu, I am so nervous about my appointment this afternoon. Just needed to tell someone here that. My kids and hubby are all praying for me, as are many people here. I'm sure all will be fine, today they will just be running tests I'm sure. Take care. Kelly

[WAshingtongirl in reply to Amore55]

I'm praying peace and calm for you, and am happy your family is rallying around you. All of us here are too. 💕

[erash]

Hi Kelly, hope all goes well for you with the hematologist on Tuesday. Looking forward to hearing @ the new trike. Which one r u getting?

[Amore55 in reply to erash]

Erash, thanks for the good thoughts for Tuesday. The trike I got is from amazon.smile. It's cherry red, so pretty, and has a large metal basket in the back so I can ride to the store and have lots of room to put stuff. Plus, I love to go to the book store, so will have room for books. I can't wait to get it, I feel like a kid at Christmas! How are you doing? Are your symptoms behaving? Blessings. Kelly

[Bettyolm]

Kelly....where did you buy your trike? I'm looking at an electric one!

[Amore55 in reply to Bettyolm]

Betty, I ordered it on amazon.smile, that way you can pick the charity of your choice, mine being ms society of course, and part of the purchase goes to that charity. The one I got is cherry red, was 300 dollars, comes with a large metal basket in back,really more like a double basket. It is beautiful in the picture, can't wait to get it. Everyone here who has one says how much they love theirs. Let me know how you do! Kelly

[erash in reply to Amore55]

did you say the brand/style of the trike? Maybe I missed that???

[Amore55 in reply to erash]

Erash, it's a 26" Schwinn. It has that old fashioned look to it with the fenders to cover the top part of the wheels. Like I said it's candy apple red. I am so excited to get it! My hubby isn't very mechanical, so a dear friend of ours is going to assemble it. What's new with you? Kelly

[erash in reply to Amore55]

Looking forward to hearing about your trike adventures. I have my eye on the 24" Schwinn Merridian. Still waiting to see what my income will be though...

going for more neuro-psych testing next week. Should I hope I fail the tests? 🙃

[Amore55 in reply to erash]

Erash, what are these tests for? Are they to determine something related to damage caused by ms? I'm sure sorry you have to do them, it seems like it's always something, doesn't it? What day do you go, so I can send you special good thoughts that day! You said something about your income...what do you do for a living? It is great that you can still work. I miss my career so. Keep me posted. Love, Kelly

[erash in reply to Amore55]

Kelly, I miss my career too 🙁 I'm a nurse practitioner. Im on medical leave X 3 weeks now because of my concerns about job function: Cog fog. Testing is 11/23. I'm a good test taker which does not transfer reliably to job function.

Above sounds confusing. Sorry, my brain is tired 💤

[erash in reply to erash]

P.s. Let us know how things go for u tomorrow

[WAshingtongirl in reply to erash]

I hope the tests give you and your doctor clear answers. It is the short test or all day series of tests? I know you battle insomnia. I hope you get a good night's rest prior to your appt. Let us know how it goes. 💕

[erash in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Tutu, it's the all day test. And told not to take sleeping pills or energy pills for 3 days prior so my brain is "natural"

Because I mentioned 1 driving error, I was Also told to get a driving test to determine safety. That's concerning as my nick name in the Army was Crash Rash. I drove a military style ambulance and jeep (badly Long before MS) 🙄

[Amore55 in reply to erash]

Erash, are you having a bad night too? I've been trying to sleep for hours, it's now 3:53a.m. But no luck. Doesn't it drive you crazy? I'm sorry that you have to do a driving test. But let's hope all will turn out fine. Try to get some much needed sleep so we don't get sicker. Happiness to you, Kelly

[erash in reply to Amore55]

Kelly, I slept in this AM until 430am and was able to fall back to sleep when I woke up thru the night. So @ 5 hours of sleep. Normal 4-5hrs each night. It was a good night! And u r right, sleep is restorative. I'm sure I could use more...

Told to go to an OT run adaptive driving place for assessment. This will surely be less stressful than the DMV.

[WAshingtongirl in reply to erash]

I've had the short and all-day test, Erash. The full day testing wiped me out. For some reason I can do far more physically than I can mentally.Thankfully, I wasn't told about the prior days' prep leading up to it. Or maybe I was and I forgot 😉. That was back in 2002, I think. My neuro asked me about my driving at my last appt. That stopped my heart for a moment.But I was honest with her. As long as I'm not having one of those 'whoozy/dizzy' head says, I am ok. (I don't drive those days.) So...I can understand your concern. I pray your neropsych test eval is precise, but you aren't as 'bad' as you fear you may be, Crash Rash. 😉I also hope you are able to scheduleyour driving test AFTER a few good nights of rest (which I know is a struggle for you). I am praying for you now and will continueto. 💕

[erash in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Thanks Tutu, this is my 3rd all day test in the past 4 yrs. I don't mind, kind of like it (I'm weird), almost a game--but want it to accurately reflect my decline and the issues I have at work.

[WAshingtongirl in reply to erash]

Just realized this may help with your disabilitypaperwork. Well, it's hard to say I hope it reflects you've worsened, but I know you need verification for your disabilityand future financial situation...

[greaterexp]

Kelly, many prayers fir good news Tuesday. You'll have to post a picture of your new wheels!

[erash]

Did we start a new Thankful thread? If so, I missed it?

Tuesday:

I'm thankful I picked up a paint brush again (thanks to your encouragements). So far, the painting isn't very good but just holding the paint brush makes me smile from ear to ear 😄.

[WAshingtongirl in reply to erash]

Oh, Erash, I was hoping you were continuing to paint! So happy it brings you joy. 💕

[Amore55 in reply to erash]

Erash, I just read an old post about how you are going on disability and don't know how you will deal with it emotionally. I was really fortunate, I was so sick that I got disability first try. But I loved my job and it was devastating to stay at home. I think what helped me adjust was spending time with my dogs, trying new things like painting, and gardening. I took everything slow since I was so sick, but slowly I adjusted. It was tough financially for awhile, but we made it. I hope that helps and that you make the transition smoothly. Keeping you in my prayers. Kelly

[erash in reply to Amore55]

Hi Kelly, it's been almost a month now that I've been out of work and as much as I loved my job and so totally self-identified thru my career, I am transitioning very well. I am fortunate in that my physical symptoms are stable. I'm learning to simply tell people that I've taken early retirement and I'm feeling less shame about that. I have filled my days with so many wonderful volunteer and hobby activities.

Tomorrow I will start once weekly afternoons at a senior daycare helping with arts and crafts and just socializing with elders with PArkinsons or dementia.

Because my spouse teaches at the local university, I can take 6 free credit hours per semester. So perhaps an art or anthropology class in the summer.

Yes, finances are a concern right now. I'm hoping my long term disability is approved--that wouldn't kick in for another 2 mos.

and I am so grateful for my supportive husband and the comfort and caring I've found here! (Sorry so long reply but thanks! For asking and caring Kelly)

[Kj9681]

I'm thankful for everything I have, even MS. I am who God made me to be. I'm blessed, and I refuse to complain. My life is different, and last I checked, it is ok to be different. 🤘🏾

[WAshingtongirl in reply to Kj9681]

I'm adding a loud AMEN to that, Kj9681!

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

I lost Monday somewhere ugh. Lol

Monday.... Thankful for my guy, who's stuck with me through thick and thin ♡

Tuesday. .. Thankful for my dog, who just seems to "know" ♡

[Amore55 in reply to Jesmcd2]

Jes, I love what you said about your dog! We have 4doggies and like yours, they totally know what is going on with me. Funny isn't it? Keeping you in my thoughts. Kelly

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to Amore55]

Animals are pretty amazing like that. How are you feeling?

[Amore55 in reply to Jesmcd2]

Jes, I'm doing okay, thanks for asking. How are YOU doing, any symptoms giving you an especially hard time? I sure hope not. I'm pretty sure I remember that you are on Copaxone. Today was my second injection and it hurt so bad. They say to pinch two inches, you know, but without trying I dropped about forty pounds about 8 months ago. I wasn't fat to start with, but now trying to pinch two inches is like a comedy show! Any suggestions on the pain would be welcome. Happy Thanksging! Hugs, Kelly

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to Amore55]

Hi Amore55 Kelly, are you using the auto injector? I know that l had to change the depth settings on mine. That helped alot. I also found for me that using the ice pack for about 5 mins before, then after, then warm pack then ice pack again works best. I also take mine in the morning. Others have different ways of doing it. There is a whole discussion on it here somewhere lolol ck out on my pg you should find it

Congrats on losing the weight! That's amazing! I wonder if our matabolizum rises with ms? I know l lost alot also Idk