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I just got home from PT. I chose not to do the AquaCiser today because we were running late and didn't have time to change clothes, etc. Also, last time it kicked my ass (figuratively, not literally), and I didn't need that today. Why? you might ask. Because this weekend is ESA convention, and my Chapter is putting it on - so that means three relatively early and busy days ahead for me. Remember, I am nocturnal by nature and habit. Getting out of bed at the butt-crack of dawn is not my idea of a refreshing start to an amazing day. But I will do my best to drag myself down to the continental breakfast by 7:30 AM Saturday and Sunday. Oh, so looking forward to that. On a positive note, I will be taking my w/c with me this time which will make things a lot easier and I won't be wasting a lot of energy walking. Even using a walker, hotel hallways can be very long. Also, I will be using pharmaceuticals if necessary. On the reading front, I just finished Saving CeeCee Honeycutt ...

It's been two and a half weeks since I've posted and did I miss it? Sorry, but not really. I've been keeping up with my blog reading, and listening to World Without End by Ken Follett ( Damn, he's long winded -- 45 hours of listening!), which I actually enjoyed. Who enjoys a book about 14 th Century lustful relationships and treachery amidst the plague? Apparently- me. I love historical fiction. While I listen, I crochet. I do that somewhat slowly, or else it's just this pattern that seems to be moving along that way. I've had to do some ripping out of rows, so slow isn't necessarily a bad thing. The bulk of this baby blanket is a single crochet, double crochet pattern, and it's pretty. The borders on either end are a little different, and I don't like the color I chose for the ends, but too bad, I am not starting over. As it is, Even after consulting with some experts, we couldn't figure out how to read the directions on how to crochet in the...

I've finished my ten days of amoxicillin , and only missed a few doses which I made up on the 11 th day, and I am happy to report that nothing hurts and I'm no longer spewing, I mean coughing up or blowing out, colored phlegm and mucus. As a matter of fact I feel well enough to reschedule my PT appointments. I wonder how much taking three weeks off has set me back. Oh well. That's MS (only this time it's not) - two steps forward, time for a relapse. Or in my case, a sinus infection. So Romeo is working out well. DH is allowing him into the living room - something he never did with our other dogs, and something I always hated. Dogs are pack animals and want to be with their peoples. Romeo spends a lot of his time on his blanket near DH, and he spends a lot of time near me in the living room. DH is definitely the top dog, because that's because he's the strongest. Romeo doesn't always obey me. His attention span is a little on the random side, but he is a gen...

This is my 11th day of feeling like crap and my fifth day on amoxicillin. Will this never end? At least I've stopped with the low grade fevers, and my throat isn't sore anymore, but my head is thick with ghostbuster goo. I've been slimed, and if you come near me I will slime you too. So my question to you is, "Who you gonna call?" I went to my meeting last Thursday. Luckily, I didn't have anything to present because my voice was all froggy. Since it's a sinus infection, I know I'm not contagious. DH won't let me go to PT. My PCP doc told me not to go to PT. So I sit here and hope my ear doesn't pop (which hurts like hell). I've been listening to The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold while crocheting a baby blanket. I also finished My Lobotomy by oops I forget, and it was sad what the psychiatrists of the 1950s and early 1960s got away with. That poor guy was nearly ruined by the manipulations of his step-mother in collusion with a doctor just ...

Made it in to the doctor today and had it confirmed what I already knew: I have a sinus infection. He said my right eardrum was bright red, which might explain why it hurts like a sonofabitch when I swallow sometimes. Not every time, mind you. Just at random times, which makes me hesitant to swallow. Then, just as I've forgotten about it - YEOW - gotcha. "So I guess this means I shouldn't go to PT tomorrow, huh?" I asked coyly. He looked up from his notes with a 'You gotta be kidding me' expression on his face. "No. You shouldn't. No PT tomorrow. Just lots of rest, and lots of fluids, and take your meds ." He returned to his notes, shaking his head, but smiling just the same. I like my PCP. He's a real nice guy. This is the first time I've actually had to see him for being sick. Actually, this is the first time I've seen any doctor for being sick. [MS doesn't count - it's not being sick, it's a condition, a disease. Nop...

And it's not just puppy love. I either have a nasty sinus infection, or a head cold. Since it hasn't moved below my throat which is sore, but not as sore as yesterday, I am thinking sinus. So I have done three nasal washes with a warm (body temp) saline solution. It helps clear out the yuck (you don't want to know - believe me.) So that's why I haven't had an update on Romeo, but I'll say this - he sure is cute. Good Night, TTYL, and Be Well, Webster

Hi Everybody. I'm Romeo. I have one blue eye and one brown eye, but with her phone camera, you can't see my brown eye. I look like a pirate. Ha Ha. I'm a Huskador - That's what my new peoples call me. I'm Half Husky and Half Labrador, and I like to chase balls. It keeps me in really good shape. (but I heard someone say I look like I'm a pit bull), Actually, I only have about 1/8 pit bull in me. I just came here today with these new peoples. They even let me get up on their couch, which I like, because my other peoples let me sleep on the couch, and even in their bed every night. I'm nervous at this new place. I'm a little scared, too. Everything is so quiet here. In my other house there was noise ALL the TIME! I had kids in my other house too, but not here. There are kitties though. One just sits on a chair and watches me, or naps. There's another one who comes out from behind the sofa sometimes, but goes away when he sees me. I think he's s...

Yes, I got an E-mail today from Jan at Rose ♥ Haven telling me that I am one of the winners of eight crochet patterns that she is culling from her stash. As a beginner crocheter, it will be fun to see what these patterns are of, and if I will be making any of the (hopefully) lovely things. Right now, I have finished two our of three baby hats, and started on one little receiving blanket. The first thing I notice is that it is taking me longer than I thought it would with the blanket, and the second is that I need to buy some more baby weight yarns in appropriate colors. Plus, I hope to find the ever popular size G crochet hook that has been missing every time I look for one. What's up with that? I had a lovely Easter dinner at my cousins. My second cousin's friend , who is a PT, knows my PT, and is in a study group with her husband. So we had a little chat about what I was doing, etc. And my first cousin twice removed brought her boyfriend along, and he seemed quite nice. M...

Have a Happy Easter May Tulips and Daffodils abound May you get plenty of treats from the Easter Bunny But if you don't, remember too, That sometimes accidents happen!

On April 1st I was fooled by my dog, Beulah. We had to take her to the vet yesterday, to a 5 PM appointment after my PT. For the past two days she wasn't eating, and could keep nothing down, not even a few sips of water. So a vet visit was important. I fully expected that she had perhaps eaten something in the yard she shouldn't have, and probably had a UTI or something like that, because she'd been unable to hold it for a couple of days. When we'd come home from PT she was excited as usual; She was still somewhat alert and wagged her tail. I fully expected to get a bill for an exam and a prescription for antibiotics for her. But that wasn't what happened. Her exam didn't show anything unusual for a geriatric Basset Hound except that she was very weak and lethargic. We got her in 1993, and the vet then told us she was about two years old. We think she'd either been abused, or lived on the street for awhile, because she had issues. Anyway. Yesterday the vet...

1st. I haven't filled my Ampyra Rx yet because I have to have my neuro download the Ampyra application which has to have all my insurance information on it, and send it back to them. They then will find out how much my insurance is willing to pay for the drug and go from there. Hopefully they will have a patient assistance program that at least pays the co-pay, because there is no way their "Special Pharmacy" is going to take my DSHS coupon to pay for it as it does for meds I pick up from my own drugstore. Heck, even when I order from the mail-order pharmacy at my insurance I have no way to use my coupon. So I only get things from them that have no co-pay, and am charged only minimal shipping. 2nd. I can understand why Ritalin is a controlled substance. It fights fatigue better than anything I've ever tried, like several Grande Lattes, but without the jitters, and that is at half my prescribed dose! I'm liking this stuff so far and I've only take three tablets...

I knew what I was going to write about, then dinner was served (penne w/ shrimp and veggies if you must know), and I completely forgot. So, then. It might have been about the record breaking day (heat, that is) that I slept through. I guess it got up to 68 degrees at SeaTac, and it was mostly sunny. I think it would have been a good day for a walk down at Chambers Bay. While I'm at it, I'll admit to sleeping through the equally nice Saturday we had last weekend, all due to my stupid nocturnal habits. I did manage to get up and over to Chili Thai by Noon yesterday to have lunch with the girls. This is the second time I've eaten there and not been happy with the food. If I end up there again, I'll opt for a curry. Since they seem to go heavy on the sauces, I should be safe with a soupy entree. In other news, I have been doing my Roll for Control exercises, if nothing else. Go ahead, shame me. I hate exercising, and, after all, that is what PT is -- exercising specific mus...

Thanks to Kmilyun's comment yesterday, I went back and reread that anonymous comment I deleted. Turns out, I think it is legitimate; What do you think? Considering that one must either have a blogger account or join, I will post the comment here (because I have already moderated it and it is gone off Blogger's server.) But first let me remind you, DO NOT CLICK on links that come from people you don't know and/or trust. Sometimes even that isn't good enough. It is through links that viruses ( virii ?) are transmitted. And I will note, all the other anonymous comments had at least one link in them. That said, here is the comment. Note to anonymous: start a blog. It's the easiest way to not have to post anonymously and you also can protect your own identity. "Anonymous has left a new comment on your post " Equipment! ": i actually adore all your posting taste, very unique. don't give up as well as keep penning due to the fact it simply truly wo...

Dear Anonymous, Lately I have been receiving comments from you. I always appreciate comments as they are the only tangible response I have that my words make a difference to anyone. They seem to make a difference to you and that makes me smile, but that also makes me wonder why you don't sign your name. It is only polite in the blogging world, to sign your name when you make a comment. I appreciate that you are a reader, but I won't publish a comment that is not signed. Good night, and Be Well, Webster

Thursday I was taken into the gym at PT and allowed to use some of the equipment. The first one was one I've used at the Y; you sit on it and put your feet on these platforms, and if you are also working upper body or if you want to increase cardio you hold on to the handles which go up and down as you make each step. I used it for eight minutes on level three and burned a whopping 18 calories! Then I moved over to the bench to do quad presses for 8 minutes. This was a similar machine that I couldn't use at the Y because I needed assistance to get into proper position. But once I got going, I enjoyed using it. Then I moved onto working pecs and lats by pulling down a rod that was attached to 20# weights. The machines are so much more fun to work on than home exercises. That is for sure. Good Night, TTYL and Be Well,

... and she piles on more work! This time the exercises are for upper body strength, using a TheraBand. And she says she'll find more for me to do. BUT, I am to concentrate on the Roll for Control and walking every day for a (small) period of time, increasing each day by 5 seconds. If I'm having a bad day, I am to break up the walking into smaller walks that I can handle until I reach my current time. Then I can pick and choose from all the other exercises, doing 1-3 daily. So that's PT. I also got into the gym Monday, and worked out on a What'sitcalled thing. And as I was sitting moving my legs up and down, I glance out the window and what do I see? SNOW. Fortunately, or not, depending on your perspective, it didn't even think of sticking, but it sure was pretty. Today was cath change day. I walked in and out of the office and I am counting that as my walking for the day. It was longer than my target time amount of 30 seconds, but I wasn't keeping track. Tomorr...

In addition to the exercises Shannon gave me on Monday, yesterday she added a few more. These are standing, meant to work on my balance. I am to stand and shift my weight from right to left, to the point where I can feel that I can lift the opposite foot; and to shift my weight going in circles, from one side to the front to the other side to the back, with all rotation coming from the hips. AND a front to back shift to the point of lifting heel and toe - without falling, of course. Two to three times a day. Hell, I haven't moved this much in months! I get tired just thinking about it. But I will do the work, but not all of the work every day. I will do some of the work every day and feel okay with that. Of course, if I start to notice a difference in how well I move or stand, I will step it up. Success is a good motivator. So now I am off to do my Roll for Control exercises. Good Night, TTYL and Be Well,

At least I'm trying to. Change is difficult, especially when both partners in a marriage have problems with their schedules. It isn't an issue when we don't have places to go, but when we do, it presents a problem. So today was the start of making a change. But let's back up to Sunday. I didn't wake up Sunday until after 7 PM. This meant having to stay up all night so I could make it to a 2 PM appointment Monday afternoon. That was my plan, and it worked well. I even had time for a shower at nine in the morning, knowing that showers and then drying my hair takes a little more than an hour, and wipes me out. But it was planned so I had plenty of time to rest before we had to leave. Even so we were late. DH has a problem with being on time for appointments. So we arrived late, and I cheated myself out of ten minutes of a 45 minute session. Okay. Now my sessions are focusing on increasing leg strength and mobility. Quad and Hamstring strength and stretching. Gluteus m...

My daily posting for NaBloPoMo is over. I made it through four weeks of trying to come up with things to say. It was dismal some of the time, thankfully not always, but ... when you have nothing to say, don't say it. And the Olympics are over! Go USA with so many medals! Go athletes for attempting many impossible things, and often succeeding! Go CANADA for winning the Hockey Gold in overtime. It seems only right - that outcome - this Olympics. I have no more to add. Good Night, TTYL and Be Well,

Our Chapter President, a member of just two and a half years, was named WOY, and boy was she surprised. Apparently she was talking with her sister on the phone this afternoon, and her sister asked her if she thought she'd win. "Are you Kidding!?" was her reply, but win she did. The chapter voted at our last meeting by secret ballot, and she was crowned tonight with a nice tiara, given the royal drape (which used to hang in a member's childhood home - but it is velvet and it is royal purple), and the royal scepter (a fringe-y dollar store toilet brush that's been spray-painted gold, and a lovely bouquet of verrrry old dusty, dingy, rumpled silk red roses. Lovely honor, no? Also, she gets to plan the next year's WOY festivities. With help, of course. But seriously, she was given another bouquet of real roses and nice vase, and a lovely ceramic firepot for a small patio, both of which I could tell she loved. I know she spends a lot of time on her patio in the ...