april1848
04-26-2008, 08:04 AM
In a few hours I'll be doing the MS Walk that my ex coworkers organized. I'm a little nervous, but excited. I'm feeling pretty good today except for pain in my hips and lots of shakiness. Hopefully we'll beat the line of thunderstorms heading our way!
I hope I meet some local MS'ers. Wish me luck!
I hope I meet some local MS'ers. Wish me luck!
Sponsor
Nenu
04-26-2008, 10:03 AM
Good luck April!! hugs! <3
MSNik
04-26-2008, 03:08 PM
Best of the best, April! I did mine last week, and it went amazingly well. I managed to do the whole walk, only stopping to rest once. I did it, without anyone with me. I did it for- ME! There were tons of people there and I didnt really talk to too many of them, because I was really focusing on finishing..but it went well.
Now, listen to this- today, in my neighborhood, we had a neighborhood wide garage sale...we live in townhouses....the neighbor across the street from me, whom Ive never spoken to before, asked me to share a cup of coffee with her (which turned into a pot of coffee). In speaking, we learned that we both have autoimmune diseases- neither of us wanted to get too personal, but as the conversation wore on, I asked her who her doctor was...when she said the same Neurologist as ME- I had to ask...turns out she has MS, too! We both got dx within a year of each other...both are very similar in what we do for a living- both love cats and have men who dont understand limitations! How incredibly cool to have met a friend right across the way who can understand...and to share the same neuro- weird, huh?
it was a great day for me, hope yours was the same!
Nikki
Now, listen to this- today, in my neighborhood, we had a neighborhood wide garage sale...we live in townhouses....the neighbor across the street from me, whom Ive never spoken to before, asked me to share a cup of coffee with her (which turned into a pot of coffee). In speaking, we learned that we both have autoimmune diseases- neither of us wanted to get too personal, but as the conversation wore on, I asked her who her doctor was...when she said the same Neurologist as ME- I had to ask...turns out she has MS, too! We both got dx within a year of each other...both are very similar in what we do for a living- both love cats and have men who dont understand limitations! How incredibly cool to have met a friend right across the way who can understand...and to share the same neuro- weird, huh?
it was a great day for me, hope yours was the same!
Nikki
april1848
04-26-2008, 04:54 PM
Boy am I tired but I made it! It didn't start off so well since typically, I left all the money and registration stuff at home and didn't realize it till I got there. I called a friend to go to my house and find it, which she did. So our team was a little late in getting together.
It was nice seeing my ex-coworkers (two of them have quit since I have) ! It was so nice of them to plan this whole thing. I don't think I would have done it myself. Our team captain brought a wagon just in case but I didn't need it. Besides jello legs, I'm feeling pretty good.
I didn't meet any other MS'ers though. But I will, it seems like I'm meeting more people with MS in odd ways lately. Nikki, I love your story! I don't think that's a coincidence!!! I would LOVE to have a friend like that right across the street.
Nikki, since you love cats, let me digress about cats for a second. I love them too and I have one, and I love her. Well there's a cat who's been living under my porch for two years. My husband stupidly started feeding her back then, and I continued when he stopped. I know, dumb. Husband built her a little house on our porch, with a pillow and blankets where she sleeps. Last summer she even had kittens. I helped her take care of them and found homes for them all. I call this cat "Pseudocat" because she was never intended to be a pet!
She never, ever let me pet her, not even close, until a few days ago. I held out my hand and she started petting me. Now, every time I see her, she meows until I go outside and pet her, and scratch behind her ears! I can't believe it!
Now I want to adopt her, and I think she's finally ready. I'd have to get her fixed and all of that. My vet has known about her for a year and she said they'd give me a break, because they know I found homes for Pseudo's babies. I figure now that I'm not working for a while it would be a good time to acclimate her to home life, and my Evil Cat who hates everybody except my husband and I. Any advice, Nikki? I really don't want to leave her outside anymore, exposed to weather and Male Cats. I don't want to traumatize my kitty either. I don't know what to do!
It was nice seeing my ex-coworkers (two of them have quit since I have) ! It was so nice of them to plan this whole thing. I don't think I would have done it myself. Our team captain brought a wagon just in case but I didn't need it. Besides jello legs, I'm feeling pretty good.
I didn't meet any other MS'ers though. But I will, it seems like I'm meeting more people with MS in odd ways lately. Nikki, I love your story! I don't think that's a coincidence!!! I would LOVE to have a friend like that right across the street.
Nikki, since you love cats, let me digress about cats for a second. I love them too and I have one, and I love her. Well there's a cat who's been living under my porch for two years. My husband stupidly started feeding her back then, and I continued when he stopped. I know, dumb. Husband built her a little house on our porch, with a pillow and blankets where she sleeps. Last summer she even had kittens. I helped her take care of them and found homes for them all. I call this cat "Pseudocat" because she was never intended to be a pet!
She never, ever let me pet her, not even close, until a few days ago. I held out my hand and she started petting me. Now, every time I see her, she meows until I go outside and pet her, and scratch behind her ears! I can't believe it!
Now I want to adopt her, and I think she's finally ready. I'd have to get her fixed and all of that. My vet has known about her for a year and she said they'd give me a break, because they know I found homes for Pseudo's babies. I figure now that I'm not working for a while it would be a good time to acclimate her to home life, and my Evil Cat who hates everybody except my husband and I. Any advice, Nikki? I really don't want to leave her outside anymore, exposed to weather and Male Cats. I don't want to traumatize my kitty either. I don't know what to do!
Nenu
04-26-2008, 05:34 PM
Cool story Nikki! Glad to hear that you have potentially someone around you in your life that's close by that you can share with. :D
MSNik
04-26-2008, 06:15 PM
Hi guys. I dont know that this is the kind of friend that id share much with...she seems just alittle not too willing to talk MS; but at the same time she also seemed alittle relieved to know that im also going thru alot of what she is, as far as pain and people not understanding...shes in really good shape by the way...has no real complaints, headaches and some fatigue issues, but nothing major stopping her..we'll see. Hopefully as the summer goes on and we are outside more after work, Ill get to know her better- but im a private person with those around me. I dont usually complain or share real personal stuff- easier here, online, ya know?
APril, the cat story touches me. My kitty is 15 years old. I got her when she was three weeks old and her mother had given birth to her under my best friends's porch. When the mother moved the kittens from under the porch, she was taking them across the street and was hit by a car- we witnessed the whole thing, it was terrible. There were only 3 in the litter- one was killed, I took one, and my friend kept the other. She already had 2 cats, I wanted one. They say when you introduce a cat to another, you should (first have it tested for feline aids and lukemia because its contagious to your other cat) and then keep them in spearate rooms for a few days, where they can smell each other and feel each other thru the doorway..that way, they know each other is there...they'll probably fight in the beginning, establishing dominance, but eventually they'll coexist ok....but, because this one has been outside for this long, she may not become a house cat. Its going to be touch and go. Youll probabaly wind up having to let her out often in the beginning, to see if she WANTS to come back in. But, good luck. Do it- what the heck...if it doesnt work out, she'll continue to sleep on your porch. Its something to occupy your time and give her a chance. You can still have her fixed and take care of her, if you are so committed...she can be either an inside or outside cat to be a pet. Sounds like she is yours, anyway- whether you want her or not! Love the story.
Anyway, the walk....good for you for getting thru it. Sorry about the rough start, but something had to go wrong- better that, then you giving up! Hows the job hunt going? Im kind of not doing too much other than applying online these days...Im just trrying to get thru the days, one at a time and collect the paycheck. My heart isnt in it as much as it was a year ago. But I hope things are going well for you..did your other coworkers give you any leads?
Hugs to you both.
Nikki
APril, the cat story touches me. My kitty is 15 years old. I got her when she was three weeks old and her mother had given birth to her under my best friends's porch. When the mother moved the kittens from under the porch, she was taking them across the street and was hit by a car- we witnessed the whole thing, it was terrible. There were only 3 in the litter- one was killed, I took one, and my friend kept the other. She already had 2 cats, I wanted one. They say when you introduce a cat to another, you should (first have it tested for feline aids and lukemia because its contagious to your other cat) and then keep them in spearate rooms for a few days, where they can smell each other and feel each other thru the doorway..that way, they know each other is there...they'll probably fight in the beginning, establishing dominance, but eventually they'll coexist ok....but, because this one has been outside for this long, she may not become a house cat. Its going to be touch and go. Youll probabaly wind up having to let her out often in the beginning, to see if she WANTS to come back in. But, good luck. Do it- what the heck...if it doesnt work out, she'll continue to sleep on your porch. Its something to occupy your time and give her a chance. You can still have her fixed and take care of her, if you are so committed...she can be either an inside or outside cat to be a pet. Sounds like she is yours, anyway- whether you want her or not! Love the story.
Anyway, the walk....good for you for getting thru it. Sorry about the rough start, but something had to go wrong- better that, then you giving up! Hows the job hunt going? Im kind of not doing too much other than applying online these days...Im just trrying to get thru the days, one at a time and collect the paycheck. My heart isnt in it as much as it was a year ago. But I hope things are going well for you..did your other coworkers give you any leads?
Hugs to you both.
Nikki
april1848
04-26-2008, 08:49 PM
Thanks for the advice regarding the cats. They sit and stare at eachother thru my screen door, but my cat likes to hiss at Pseudo. I'm getting too attached to her; at the very least I need to get her fixed.
I haven't even started job hunting yet, I'm a little ashamed to admit. I think I'm ready now though, because extreme boredom is setting in. Housework isn't doing it for me. I've had a nice three weeks off though, and I don't regret it. I know I made the right decision. My coworkers didn't give me any leads yet. One starts her new job on Monday, as an ombudsmen. We didn't talk about work much. I have gotten a few leads from my coffee shop buddies. So far the husband has been fine about me being home, thank goodness--not even sarcasm. I think he's just happy that I'm not miserable. This is the longest I haven't worked since I was 15, and the novelty is wearing off! I feel better physically too. I think the stress of my job was wearing me down. I feel a little more rested now.
Tomorrow I'll be sick from the shot that I put off yesterday. I couldn't have done the walk the morning after that. Then I'll start with the paper. I want to find a job that I like, where I can stay for a long time. At the walk today I saw a guy that works for one of my job's funding sources in marketing, and he wants my resume. Marketing just isn't my thing, so I'm not going there; I want to do something where I won't have to be involved with my old job! So I guess my goals right now are to adopt Pseudo and get a job.
I don't share much outside of here either, I learned my lesson well. My husband tattooed a lady who has MS on Thursday and he brought me her phone number, but I just feel weird calling a stranger. Plus, she was telling my husband that chemo, I"m assuming LDN, is the ONLY way to go if you have MS, any other drug is a waste of time and money, and I'm not ready for that! I like this place, where we are all on different drugs, or no drugs at all, and we are all supported in our decisions. I haven't seen that anywhere else, online or even at my doctor's office! A while back my husband came home from work telling me that he tattooed a guy with MS who took one pill a month for a few years, and he's cured. Yikes! My husband asked me why I'm doing injections every week and getting sick when I could just take a pill. Of course he had no idea what the pill was. I'm astounded when I hear what people know or don't know about their disease. My best friend works with a woman who has had MS for 20 years, and knows nothing. My best friend has been educating her! This lady is on Rebif, and she only takes it when she's not feeling well.
I always wonder why people just don't come here!
I haven't even started job hunting yet, I'm a little ashamed to admit. I think I'm ready now though, because extreme boredom is setting in. Housework isn't doing it for me. I've had a nice three weeks off though, and I don't regret it. I know I made the right decision. My coworkers didn't give me any leads yet. One starts her new job on Monday, as an ombudsmen. We didn't talk about work much. I have gotten a few leads from my coffee shop buddies. So far the husband has been fine about me being home, thank goodness--not even sarcasm. I think he's just happy that I'm not miserable. This is the longest I haven't worked since I was 15, and the novelty is wearing off! I feel better physically too. I think the stress of my job was wearing me down. I feel a little more rested now.
Tomorrow I'll be sick from the shot that I put off yesterday. I couldn't have done the walk the morning after that. Then I'll start with the paper. I want to find a job that I like, where I can stay for a long time. At the walk today I saw a guy that works for one of my job's funding sources in marketing, and he wants my resume. Marketing just isn't my thing, so I'm not going there; I want to do something where I won't have to be involved with my old job! So I guess my goals right now are to adopt Pseudo and get a job.
I don't share much outside of here either, I learned my lesson well. My husband tattooed a lady who has MS on Thursday and he brought me her phone number, but I just feel weird calling a stranger. Plus, she was telling my husband that chemo, I"m assuming LDN, is the ONLY way to go if you have MS, any other drug is a waste of time and money, and I'm not ready for that! I like this place, where we are all on different drugs, or no drugs at all, and we are all supported in our decisions. I haven't seen that anywhere else, online or even at my doctor's office! A while back my husband came home from work telling me that he tattooed a guy with MS who took one pill a month for a few years, and he's cured. Yikes! My husband asked me why I'm doing injections every week and getting sick when I could just take a pill. Of course he had no idea what the pill was. I'm astounded when I hear what people know or don't know about their disease. My best friend works with a woman who has had MS for 20 years, and knows nothing. My best friend has been educating her! This lady is on Rebif, and she only takes it when she's not feeling well.
I always wonder why people just don't come here!
MSNik
04-27-2008, 11:51 AM
Oh My Goodness April...you mean to tell me there is a pill we could all take and be cured? :dizzy: TOO FUNNY!
The chemo the person is talking about, probably isnt LDN, thats a pill...however Tysabri, is an infusion, given thru the vein- in a hosptial setting and MIGHT be what she is touting...its a miracle because you only do it for 4 hours once a month; however now its being linked to Melanoma (only a possiblity, nothing conclusive yet) and its a scary heavy duty drug! My doc has told me numerous times he has a few patients on it doing very well, but he wouldnt consider me a candidate for it since Im still so mobile and vibrant and working and walking....yada yada. I dont know, everyone has a story, dont they? Yesterday I heard a woman talking about MS and how it is such a muscluar degerative disorder...the longer i listened, the more I realized she was talking about Muscluar Dystrophy and calling it MS- she had no clue.
As for working, youll get there, when you get there. Glad to hear the hubby has been supportive thus far....wish I could get mine to let me stay home for a week without flipping out about the paycheck! Have a wonderful day...
hugs
Nikki
The chemo the person is talking about, probably isnt LDN, thats a pill...however Tysabri, is an infusion, given thru the vein- in a hosptial setting and MIGHT be what she is touting...its a miracle because you only do it for 4 hours once a month; however now its being linked to Melanoma (only a possiblity, nothing conclusive yet) and its a scary heavy duty drug! My doc has told me numerous times he has a few patients on it doing very well, but he wouldnt consider me a candidate for it since Im still so mobile and vibrant and working and walking....yada yada. I dont know, everyone has a story, dont they? Yesterday I heard a woman talking about MS and how it is such a muscluar degerative disorder...the longer i listened, the more I realized she was talking about Muscluar Dystrophy and calling it MS- she had no clue.
As for working, youll get there, when you get there. Glad to hear the hubby has been supportive thus far....wish I could get mine to let me stay home for a week without flipping out about the paycheck! Have a wonderful day...
hugs
Nikki
Nenu
04-27-2008, 03:29 PM
Oh My Goodness April...you mean to tell me there is a pill we could all take and be cured? :dizzy: TOO FUNNY!
LOL!
LOL!