Copaxone anniversary

Today is my second anniversary on Copaxone. I have not missed a dose in these two years and I have been so fortunate to not have any relapses. Woohoo! While everyone else is getting very excited about the approval of oral disease-modifying drugs, I am sticking with what works for me. As we say in Oklahoma, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Nonetheless, I am thrilled that oral meds will soon be available for those sisters and brothers who have difficulty or no response from injections.

I hope the summer finds everyone having at least one really fun thing to anticipate. Stay cool!

Peace,
Kelley

Walk MS Update

It was a beautiful day and I had a great time running the MS info table. People could take quizzes about MS and if they got a perfect score, they received a string of orange beads. Aside from info, we had all sorts of MS schwag that folks could buy, like bracelets, magnets, etc. A good time was had by all!

I raised $1,160.00 this year. Next year, I am going to form a team and attempt to raise $5,000! I think I may walk next year, too.

I want to thank everyone who supported me. I know the funds raised will be put to great use for those of us in Oklahoma with MS.

I encourage everyone to participate in Walk or Bike MS in some way. If you can't walk, volunteer. If you can't volunteer, be a fundraiser or donate. Every dollar helps!

Peace,
Kelley

It's Walk MS Time!

Hi, kids! Sorry for my lengthy absence, but things have been incredibly busy. I had to conserve my compromised myelin for other things, so the blog suffered.

Anyway, spring has arrived and with it Walk MS events are cropping up all over the country. I am volunteering at my local walk next Saturday for the second year. If you would like to contribute to my fundraising efforts, please visit my personal Walk MS page.

For those of you in the MS community, I hope your walks are successful and put us closer to our goal of ending MS.

Peace,
Kelley

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Just a quick post to wish everyone who reads this blog, all of you in the MS online community and anyone else a Merry Christmas. May you have a blessed Christmas and a healthy and Happy New Year!

I am missing Midnight Mass for the first time in nearly 15 years, due to extremely inclement weather here in Oklahoma. We are actually under a blizzard warning, the first time in memory that this county has had a blizzard warning.

Fortunately, our household is snug, warm and has power. We have generators on standby in the event we have a power outage. The GH is always prepared! Only one of the many reasons I love him dearly.

During this holiday break (I don't go back to work until Jan. 4), I will catch everyone up on the events of the last 6+ months in my MS-ridden world. Just as a little hint, my MS is in total remission right now. Woohoo!

May you all have a blessed holiday season, from Casa F in Oklahoma!

Peace,
Kelley

It's ALIVE!

Yes, dear readers, I am amongst the living. My profound apologies for dropping the ball on posting to this blog. Since my last post, many exciting events have occurred in Casa F that have taken most of my time and energy.

Over the next few days, I will write separate posts about the major events that have happened and most of them are not MS-related.

On the MS front, I am doing very well. My neurologist even says so! Woohoo!

I have kept up with many of your blogs and although I don't comment often, please know that I am reading them and thinking of you.

I hope this holiday season brings you and yours peace and joy!

Peace,
Kelley

It's My MS-iversary

One year ago today I received my "official" diagnosis of MS from a neurologist. What a year it's been! When I reminded GH about it today, he said, "Un-gratulations!" What a thoughtful GH!

In retrospect, it really hasn't been a bad year. I have been extremely fortunate, in that I have not had any exacerbations. Some minorly annoying symptoms, yes, but nothing too troublesome.

What have I learned from my first year of living with MS? A lot. I slow down and listen to my body when it speaks (at least most of the time). I have tried to make some lifestyle changes (made my Copaxone injection a part of my daily routine, tried to quit smoking, but have fallen off that wagon) and will hopefully make more, one babystep at a time. I have learned to be proactive and be my own advocate when dealing with my medical professionals and how to yell at insurance companies without cursing at them. I have learned to become part of the political process in a more active role than I have ever played before.

I have learned where to get reliable information about MS symptom management and support. The MS blogosphere is a fantastically informative and encouraging space. I have become active with my chapter of the National MS Society, having attended workshops and fundraising events and I fully intend to do more in the future.

I have learned that there are comfortable, stable and cute shoes for low prices. I am constantly reminded of how many people in my life care about me and want to help. I have also developed a deeper personal faith in God, who continues to smile upon me.

The main thing I have learned is just how incredibly blessed I am. Thank you all for helping me along this road less traveled. I could have curled up in the fetal position and stayed there for the last year, but with everyone's help and encouragement, I came out to play.

Peace,
Kelley

Another Semester Ended

Well, I've come to the close of another semester in my continued efforts to get my BA in English. I started this quest in 2005 and now it looks like I'll graduate next May (2010). There are a few hurdles to jump through, though. See, I'm classified as a "transfer student" since I transferred many credits from my first round of college in the mid-to-late 80s.

The glitch is that the university for which I work requires that transfer students complete 45 hours at this university. So I was like, "What?! I have to take 15 more hours before I get a degree?" However, my dad, of all people, came up with an idea in a phone conversation several months ago. He said, "Can't you apply those 15 hours toward a Master's degree?" Hmm. Interesting thought. So, when I went to my advising appointment last month for the upcoming fall semester, I broached the subject with my advisor. He was very enthusiastic and told me I would be a great candidate for grad school. He then outlined the steps I would need to take to accomplish this.

I waited until I received my grade for the Mark Twain course this semester (an A! Woohoo!) until I discussed this with GH. For some odd reason, I thought he would bitch and moan about me using more of our time together to further my education. Boy, was I wrong! He was more excited at the prospect than I was!

So my next course of action will be to write a letter to request an exception to the Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences to allow me to graduate with my BA next May and finish the remaining 15 hours applied to a Master's in English. If approved, I will then need to take the GRE (which one friend assured me would be time-consuming but not extremely difficult) and apply to the Graduate School, which will require three letters of recommendation from professors familiar with my work. I already have two professors who have committed to writing the letters. This summer will be interesting, indeed!

You may ask, "What does this have to do with MS?" I'll tell you. I feel that engaging my brain in analytical thinking on a regular basis really helps with my cognitive functions. Ergo, as long as I keep studying and reading with a purpose, I will hopefully stave off any attacks by my Dawson's Fingers on my cognitive functions.

Hopefully, I'll graduate with a Master's in English in 2015, maybe?

Peace,
Kelley