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**gomer** · 01-01-2011, 01:31 AM

Happy New Year Rest Area 51

I am back from the Florida deep freeze and now about 1 hr from Hell (michigan), where Hell actually freezes over every winter. When I got home I headed for the bathroom. I thought it was strange there was a bow on the door. Then I opened the door, SUPRISE! my boys had redone the bathroom while I was gone. Quite a SHOCKer for me, never expected it.

My new AFOs came in while I was enroute back to Michigan and picked them up the other day. Nice improvement, I notice I can walk a little better, they keep my toes up more. I also have new Rx'd diabetic shoes.

My new welome/care package from PVA came while I was gone. So now I am a card carrying Paralized Veterans of America member. Yet another thing I need to learn to accept,

MY 2010 was a wild year, Formal MS Dx, WoW that connected decades of dots, started using a powerchair Rx'd by my famdoc, using a scooter for outtings, Started Copaxone, a cooling vest and new AFOs and new PVA member.. If 2010 was not something it was NOT quiet or boaring.

My 2011? I just hope to continue my status quo and no new major developments. I HOPE my mobility does not decline much more this year. I have a MS clinic apt later this month at the VA right after I get out of the jack-hammer sewer-pipe ride (what I call the MRI). I hope to continue the Copaxone, I think its helping.

I hope you all have a great uneventfull twenty-eleven!

Doc Gomer Doctor of, Been There, Done That

**journeyman** · 01-01-2011, 02:40 PM

WELCOME HOME

So Florida wasn't exactly what you expected. Texas was not what I expected either.

Sorry I missed you while you were down here. Did you get any good pictures?

I didn't hear anything from the MS thank goodness while I was in Texas. But my Daughter in law gave me a cold so I am snotting and coughing all over the house.

Happy New Year to everybody. I hope and pray that we make 2011 is better than 2010.

I look forward to hearing from all of you. You are a blessed group and I have been blessed by all of your comments.
Dave
j

**roo613** · 01-01-2011, 09:06 PM

Today is the first "anniversary" of my first MS symptoms/flare. I found I was very emotional last night as I watched the ball drop. I just felt so much release to let go of this past year and look forward to the new one. It was a hard adjustment to go from thinking of myself as a "healthy" person to being a person with MS.

Recap of 2010: 1/1/10 I went numb on one side, continued with worsening symptoms for about 10 days; then, got "better." I was diagnosed 1/28/10. I had 5 more flares before beginning Rebif. I was on Rebif for 3 months, but had to come off of it. I have felt good for the past two months, but I am dreading having to start back on meds......

I head back to MS specialist at Vanderbilt on the 18th. We'll see what he has to say.

Right now I have 3 kids with the flu, so I will go deal with them.

Happy New Year.

**journeyman** · 01-02-2011, 11:56 AM

ROO613

I never know how to approach people at their anneversary. To congratulate them for making it emotionally through the first year. Or to offer them a hug to support them and encourage them through the next year.

This is my third year and I watched the ball drop there was no MS emotion. I didn't even think about it. I guess some part of me has just kicking myself around about it. That is not to say I whine when the flairs show up. I just rejoice when there are not.

I think I will just congratulate you on your strength and courage for making it to this point and also hugging you to let you know that like all of us you will have the faith in your self to keep moving.

I wish you the vere best in this new year.
Dave
J

**all4my5** · 01-02-2011, 12:33 PM

Is there room for another newbie?

Hello everyone-
I have been reading posts for exactly a year and decided to finally post. I am not sure if it has something to do with the new year?!

My name is Jennifer and I am 33 years old. I have been married for 11 years and the proud mom of 5 kids ranging in age from 3 to 10.

On November 30, 2009 I crawled out of bed and my left side felt odd. Heavy and in a sense felt like my lower leg and lower arm were constantly in a blood pressure cuff. I mentioned it to some family members and after a few days of trying to avoid going to the doctors, my father encouraged me to go to my general practitioner. My father and brother are MDS (not neurologists, however) and I was told at a later point that /without MS was highly suspected. After a MRI with contrast a few days after my appt, I was notified via cell phone that i had abnormalities on my brain. I was picking up my little ones from preschool and my knees almost buckled.

I was lucky enough to get right into see a neuro at Jacobs Neuro Institute in Buffalo, NY who is now working for Biogen Idec. Since I had 8 lesions on my brain, 3 of which were enhanced, I was diagnosed right before Christmas last year. I have been on Avonex since the first week of January.

I am doing well. Even though my symptoms were primarily sensory, I never received steriods and the symptoms have never left completely. They peek out and surprise me when I least expect it. It can be so frustrating and of course terrifying but whatever symptoms I have had never left me unable to get up with my 5 kids in the morning and take care of them until bedtime. And sometimes overnight when they are sick

Believe or not, fatigue is my worst symptom but MS might not be the main culprit. Like some others, I have been so healthy my entire life. Never any chronic illnesses, hospitalizations and I had 5 healthy pregnancies, deliveries and children. Not one autoimmune disorder in my family--and I am the youngest of 7! I do, however, live in a hot zone for MS in the US.

I felt the same way as Roo when the ball dropped this year. I still harbor some anger but I have slowed down a bit with my children. I have also realized how lucky I am to have a supportive husband who works so hard to support his large family.

I look forward to getting to know all of you.

Jen

**JudySz** · 01-02-2011, 04:46 PM

oth

we.come back gomer and all. roo everyone arond me has the flu, I have been lucky, just headache so far.

welcome Jen.

Great holiday season. Dd was here for a week and we had a fabulous Christmas, then did lunch almost every day. Watched grandbaby for 2 days, then collapsed when she left on Friday. New Years eve was quiet, just dh and me with a bottle of champagne. Cooked for other dd and her dh ob saturday. Then collapsed again. Need next week to get my house in order and do nothing again.

Looking forward to a better 2-11...Hope this new year finds you all looking forward not bckward.

JudySz

**roo613** · 01-02-2011, 11:11 PM

Journey Thanks for the good vibes!

Jen Welcome to the newbies! Your story is almost identical to mine. I have 4 kids ages 3 to 10! I have had to slow down with life in order to have the energy to be a mom. i HATE not being able to do everything I want to do, but I am learning to accept it.

Judy Glad you got to enjoy the time with your family.

Well, I have succumbed to the flu, and it is worse than the puking bug I had right before Christmas. I feel MISERABLE!!!

**all4my5** · 01-03-2011, 09:10 AM

What a great group you all have!

Melody-WOW! Identical is the word! How refreshing to find someone is such a similar position. We all share a common bond on this board but this?!

Since we were diagnosed about the same time, I am sure we are at the same stage of accepting/mourning...I am feeling much better but there is never a moment that MS doesn't weave into my thoughts. Initially the first reaction was how am I going to care for these kids! I only recently told my oldest who is 10. I kept it under wraps and I intended to wait until my husband felt it was the right time (Yes, my husband decided

) I wanted to wait until and if it was obvious something was wrong with their mom but it might be in their best interest now since I am still a bit sick on my Avonex night and my fatigue is out of this world!

Anyway, speaking of stages, I think I am still of the beginning stages of acceptance. Much more at ease than a year ago. I get teary eyed when I think of my energy level only a few years ago and not being able to give my all to my youngest 2 who are still at home with me. Speaking of children, I was already trying to face the fact that I was done with the excitement of newborns, sonograms, toddlers-baby fever! MS might have sealed the deal but there is still a possibility for another. If my energy is as low as it is, I just don't know.

If you would like, you can e-mail me. I will try to insert my address in my profile.

Take it easy-
JEN

**all4my5** · 01-03-2011, 09:16 AM

Does anyone know how to indicate e-mail addresses in your profile? I am not able to...
Melody--my e-mail is
**email address removed by Moderator in compliance with MSWorld guidelines. this may be put in your profile for all registered, logged-in members to see**.

Have a great week everyone!

Jen

**ollieopps** · 01-03-2011, 02:37 PM

One More -

It's my one year anniversary as well. Had symptoms leading up to January of last year, however moved to a different house, lots of work on the house, selling the other house at the same time as purchasing a diferent home when the economy was at an all time low, moving my mother to a nursing home, going to see her every weekend, high stress job, sort of adult children - and living in the hot zone of MS, so they say, Rochester, NY (hi Jen!!), as well as having autoimmune disease run (and run strong) in the family.

The symptoms have not gone away 100%, and last week was an all time low with symptoms, they have arranged for a new MRI to see if new leisions, additional medication (Tegretol) for symptoms...happy new year to me

I take avonex as well - and the symptoms of avonex have not gone away, but have lessened.

I have lessons learned - but mainly that I don't want to be wedded to Drs, that the medical system is indeed broken, that I need to be a good advocate for myself, and my family.

This is a great group - and I'm thankful for all of you!

**JudySz** · 01-03-2011, 03:49 PM

All of you with young uns, I admire you all sto much. I babysat grandbaby last Wed., and Thursday. Dd (aunt) was here, so I had help and I was exhausted, so was she. I do not know how my dd does it, his 2 kids live with her and her hubby (8 & 9) and our little Mikey, 7 mos. She does not have MS and I wonder how she does it. Do not worry about not doing everything with them, pick your things that are really important. My grandkids are great, when I do have them all day, they bring blankets cause they know grandma takes an afternoon nap and they lay down and watch tv or play video games or read and they are very understanding about not doing too uch with me and we have still made some good memories.

This is a great group. Hang in there everyone. Stay as busy as you can so you do not have time to think about this MonSter.

JudySz

**all4my5** · 01-03-2011, 05:52 PM

Judy Sz-

You seem to be one of the group's nurturing matriarchs

I have been a stay-at-home for 10 years and wouldn't have it any other way. Fortunately, MS opened to my eyes to how lucky I to be able to stay at home. I kept thinking during the main point of my flare how difficult it would have been for me to show up for work and provide for a family. Kudos to MS'ers who work full-time and also to those who work as well as parent. I managed to rarely ask for help with my children this entire year and internally I was proud of myself. I never want this disease to interfere with my most important job in my life--being a parent.

I spent most of my darkest and fear filled moments hugging and snuggling with my kids. I don't think I could have put 100 percent into a job this year.
Because of my diagnosis, I realized how lucky I was to have a husband with a stable job in this economy and very good health insurance.

Take care!
Jen
I

**all4my5** · 01-03-2011, 06:00 PM

to ollieopps

Could it be all the environmental toxins in Western and Central New York?! We do indeed live in a MS hotzone. Do you know of any other MS'er in your area? Although I believe several factors weigh into MS development, the environment has to be a trigger. I grew up within 10 miles of Love Canal not long after it was known for it's toxic effects. I am right around the corner from Niagara Falls--the falls are gorgeous--the city is a dump. It is surrounded by factory after factory. At night you look towards the Falls and see factory exhaust galore.

BTW I spent a few years in Syracuse and one of my closest friends lives in Pittsford.

What are your symptoms you are still experiencing?. Hope it gets taken care of soon and you start feeling like you again.

Jen

**gomer** · 01-04-2011, 12:31 AM

Hi and WELCOME all4my5.......

I know its good that you at least told your 10 year old. Kids KNOW (even younger than 10) something is wrong with mommy/daddy w/o being told. The problem is by not telling them, they are likely to imagine its WORSE than it really is. Heck even adults do that.

Kids have FEELINGS and worries that adults often overlook. Each child depending on their age and personality will have a different level of understanding/wanting to know, kinda like when mommy and daddy is expecting another baby. We skipped the stork, but did not get technical either. Even a 2 yr old can understand mommy has a baby in her tummy. (feel him/her KICK....lol)

Kids will, if you open and keep open dialog channel for them to ask questions. Let each child set the pace for what and how much THEY want to know. The human mind, at any age, is unable to deal well knowing there is an UNKNOWN.

Kudos 2 U for telling your 10 yr old, and kudos as well for your hubby supporting (PUSHING it!).

Kids KNOW more than most parent ever imagine, and if they have to imagine what is wrong, their imaginations can go beserk, not good for anyone! Besides, by confiding in your children, to an appropriate level demonstrates both LOE and TRUST!

Hang in there and keep up yur good work!

DocGomer Doctor of, Been There, Done That.

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Rest Area 51 Paging ALL MS Newbies Dec. 31 2010

Rest Area 51 Paging ALL MS Newbies Dec. 31 2010

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