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January 11, 2006
Life again seems to be too busy and hectic. It just seems there is never enough time to get anything done! I’ve been feeling pretty good lately, not too many problems. Minor things like having numb feet, headaches, feeling a little bit nauseous, and of course feeling tired. Of course I’m still always lost mentally – cannot focus, concentrate, nor remember things.
We’re going out to St. Martins on Saturday for our annual birthdays party. We celebrate my aunt Carol’s, my uncle Tony’s, and David’s birthdays at a big family party at Tony and Cathy’s beach house. It is usually quite fun. I’m guessing there will be about 25 – 30 people there. I hope the weather is good and that it is not too cold. When I feel overwhelmed by the number of people, I always take a stroll on the beach looking for shells, interesting rocks, and beach glass. We have quite a collection of rocks, shell, and glass at our home already but I’m always looking for more.
We have our 4th chapter meeting tonight. Last month, as it was so close to Christmas, only 6 people attended which is very unfortunate because we had a pharmacist come in to do a presentation about medications. It was so informing and enjoyable. My parents have attended all of our monthly meetings, and they both enjoyed the presentation and learned a lot to help them out as well. We’re going to have the pharmacist attend another meeting later in the year when more people are able to attend. Tonight’s guest speaker is going to be a nutritionist. Should be interesting.
I have really changed my diet in the past year and a half. When I was first diagnosed, my father convinced me to go to Simply For Life (SFL) where they have a diet guy nicknamed “The Diet Nazi”. He tells you what to eat, when to eat, and how much. It was absolutely the best thing I have ever done! I knew I was big, but I can’t believe how big I was when I look at past photos! I was size 16 – 18, and now I’m down to size 7 – 8. Super cool! I feel much better about myself, but still feel that I could lose another 15 – 20 pounds. When I started with Bruce, I was 194 pounds. When I got down to 150, my father told me that I was getting too skinny and to stop. I went down to 135 pounds, but have since put on about 5 – 10 pounds because I’m just not feeling good and sometimes just do not feel like eating. I’ll get back on the proper diet again and hopefully I’ll be able to lose a bit more and get toned down.
I obviously didn’t make it to Nationals for darts, but I really wasn’t expecting to. I had a great time at the tournament, and I shot my fourth perfect score (“180”) ever! That was pretty exciting. Next year I’ll try again and hopefully do better. But it would have been nice to make it this year because Nationals are being held in Halifax, and that is only a 3 – 4 hour drive from home. Maybe next year!
I have an appointment with my neurologist next Wednesday. Hopefully it will be a good appointment. He seems to be very compassionate and understanding. I do like Dr. Bailey. I’m pretty sure that my mother and father will be going with me – they’ve gone to every appointment with my neuro since everything started. They are so super-supportive and wonderful!
Ciao for now,
TLC
January 31, 2006
I had a sweet, short visit with my neuro 2 weeks ago – a quick examination, a few tests, and then he told me that I was doing great. He wrote another year’s worth of my Rebif and my Provigil prescitpions. I have my next appointment scheduled with him in January 2007. He said that if I should have any problems or relapses to come in right away to see him.
I can’t complain too much about how I have been feeling lately. Not too tired, not too “frazzled” (mentally lost), not any pain, not too much numbness. Everything seems to be moving along pretty good. My Rebif injections have been so much better lately! They don’t burn or hurt anymore (thank goodness). It’s hard to believe that I’ve been injecting for a year now! I was scared of needles and or having to give myself injections – now I am a pro!
I had a surprise birthday party for David (my husband) last weekend. It went pretty good; he did not suspect a thing! I can’t believe I actually pulled it off. His friend Patrick took him out for a couple of beers while the guests arrived and we decorated and got ready. You should have seen his face when he came downstairs into the living room and saw balloons, streamers, and the 8 of us wearing silly party hats. It was priceless to see his expression. We had fun.
Last weekend David and I decided to go on a vacation. We’ve never been on a real vacation together. Tomorrow is the 9-year anniversary of our first date, and we’ve been married for almost 6 months, so we are very excited. We’re going to one of those “all-inclusive” resorts, either in the Dominican Republic or in Cuba. There is so much to be done: decide where to go, when to go, which resort to stay in, book the trip, get time off work, vaccination shots, special authorization from my neuro and GP to travel with my Rebif syringes, get passports, etc. Wow! It’s almost overwhelming how many things we have to do. We are so excited. We've never even been on an airplane together; can't wait. We are so excited!
Ciao for now,
TLC
"I will get by; I will survive" - Grateful Dead
February 14, 2006
Happy Valentine’s Day to everybody!
I’m at work right now, and just got some carnations and roses delivered from my husband! I am so excited, and I was not really expecting anything. That was so sweet of him. They’re so beautiful and they have actually brightened up my day; I’m not as tired nor “frazzled” now.
I’ve been feeling somewhat better lately. Hopefully everything keeps improving like it has been. I spent last Saturday with my sister-in-law Krista showing her how to scrapbook. It was fun and I got to see my little nephew, Benjamin. He is absolutely beautiful! Every time I see him, he is more precious than the last time.
I’m in a darts tournament this Saturday at the Legion on the west side. It’s a ladies’ single shoot, so I know that will be fun. There is another darts tournament in 2 weeks that I’m registered for; a 2-man, 2-woman shoot. I’m playing with Donnie, Yvette, and a guy named Brett (or Brent) whom I’ve never met. I am really excited for this tournament. I may not be good at darts, but I truly enjoy playing!
Our vacation in April is looking good. I got the time booked off work, now we have to get passports, immunization shots, and special written authorization so that I can take my Rebif syringes on the airplane, and a do few other things (like buy new clothes!). My aunt Cathy and uncle Tony are going with us, so it is going to be even more fun! We’re staying at a resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, called the “Ocean Sand Golf & Beach Resort”.
I’d love to do some golfing at the resort, but I’m afraid that I am horrible at golf, as much as I love it. Most of the golf courses at the resorts have a maximum handicap to be able to play, and David makes a joke that my MS is not the handicap that they are referring to. Ha ha ha.
I had lost 60 pounds last year following the “Simply For Life” diet, and it felt great; however, I’ve not been feeling so good lately (for the past 2 months) and have not been eating well at all. I’ve probably gained almost 10 pounds back on. It’s time to start eating healthier again. I did eat much better yesterday, and I feel very good today. I wonder if there is a correlation between my feeling good today and my eating better yesterday. I’ve got to lose a little bit of weight before we go south and I have to be seen in a bathing suit.
I’ve been changing my injection sites lately; I am very concerned about wearing a swimsuit on our trip with my bruises and welts all over my legs and hips from my needles. They’re usually not bad, but lately I’ve been having big red welts and bruises that looks so disgusting! I don’t know what it causing this now. I had one big red bruise on my left thigh that was the size of my hand that was there for over 2 weeks! Now it is just a big ugly bruised spot. David says I shouldn’t worry about them, but I am so conscious about myself now.
I hope everybody has a Valentine’s Day filled with love and smiles! We’re getting a heart-shaped pizza from Boston Pizza for supper, and I cannot wait!
Ciao for now,
Tracey Lynn Caissie (TLC)
“I will get by; I will survive” – Grateful Dead
February 15, 2006
I wonder why my short-term memory is so weak lately, yet I can remember things from my past that most people wouldn’t. If somebody were to ask me what I did last weekend, or what I had for supper 2 days ago, I would have absolutely no idea! Definitely weird.
My injection last night was so horrible! I cannot believe how much it hurt; probably more than any other injection I’ve given myself so far. I injected on the side of my left hip, quite high so that I won’t show any bruises or welts when we go on our trip in April. It burned so badly, and it seemed to burn forever. David, my husband, was talking to my father on the phone and I am so glad I waited until he had hung up before I did the injection because I would hate for my father to hear me cry and sob. Even after I went to bed (over an hour later) it was still burning and I couldn’t lie on that side of my body when sleeping last night.
We’re getting very excited for our trip. My uncle phoned us last night to tell us that it is booked! Everything is a go! This will be our first trip and we’re super excited.
Ciao for now,
TLC
February 22, 2006
Hello everybody!
I played in the ladies' singles dart tournament on Saturday, and I had a great time! I actually played much better than I thought I would. We were divided into 2 divisions for the first round; I was in division "A". I actually came in second place for my division (right behind Kim, who won our division; she is awesome at darts). The top 4 ladies per division made the crossover to the second round. I was just so happy that I actually made the crossover. I didn't play quite as good in the second round, but I did okay. I played 3 games against every player, and I won at least 1 game per round. Didn't get "skunked". I even had a few rounds where I won all 3 of the games! Yippee! I had so much fun.
Last night, David and I went uptown to start our immunization shots. We both received the Twin Rex shots and a shot for tetanus. We're getting very excited for our trip. My uncle Tony mailed us some information about our resort yesterday and I am even more excited now after the 6 pages of info. Now we have to get David's birth certificate and ID taken care of, special authorization for taking my Rebif on the plane, and buy new clothes! We are getting super-excited for our first "real" vacation ever! So much to do, and so little time it seems.
I also did my Rebif last night - 3 needles in one night! Plus, I have to get blood work done on Friday. So many needles in too little time!
Ciao for now!
TLC
"I will get by; I will survive" - Grateful Dead
February 23, 2006
Hello my little diary!
Today appears to be a much better day for me! I’m feeling quite happy and more focused today; boy, I have missed this feeling. I am so much more optimistic and positive, not as “frazzled” as I have been feeling lately, for the past couple of months. I don’t think I’ve felt this grand for a long, long time. It feels awesome. But I am still tired – oh, how I would love to have a quick cat nap right now – but I am feeling so much better mentally.
Went to darts late night, and we have a new gal on our team. Her name is Nicole, and she is so good at darts! Yesterday was her 19th birthday, so she is now old enough to play City & District. She’s been playing darts for 12 years – since she was 7 years old. Wow! She’s been to Nationals several times for Youth Darts. I’m very excited for her to be my partner for the ladies’ mixed doubles tournament next month. We’ll hopefully have a good meet together.
There are only 46 days left until our big trip! I am getting so excited. I bought 2 new sundresses yesterday during my lunch break, and I’ve been doing some searching on-line to check out the resort where we’ll be staying. Can’t wait!
Ciao for now!
TLC
“I will get by; I will survive” – Grateful Dead
March 10, 2006
Words cannot express how wiped out I’ve been feeling lately. I have just no ambition or interest in much of anything lately. I haven’t played darts in a week, and tonight is our weekly Friday night money shoot, and I really don’t care if I go or not. This is really not like me. Usually I would play every day of the week if there were a tournament or a shoot or anything. Tomorrow is the annual Memorial Darts tournament; I’m playing on a team with Yvette, Donnie, and Brent and I really am not looking forward to it. I’ll go and probably have a great time, but I just don’t have any interest right now.
We leave for Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for an all-inclusive dream vacation exactly one month from today. I’m not that excited right now. I know that it will be a wonderful vacation and that I’m going to have tons of fun, but right now I just can’t seem to get excited. And this is my first “real” trip ever. Everybody keeps saying, “are you excited?” Not really.
I’m not depressed or super-sad, but I’m just not happy. I can’t explain it. I used to be so hyper and happy all the time, and lately I just seem so unhappy. I don’t seem to have much interest in anything! Hopefully this will pass soon and I can be my happy and relaxed self again.
Cheers,
TLC
"I will get by; I will survive" - Grateful Dead
March 17, 2006
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Today has been a very interesting day. I took a sick day from work yesterday and did much resting. When I arrived at work this morning, they were having a free pancake and sausage breakfast. Super cool! I love blueberry pancakes. Half way through the morning, some of our supervisors came around and handed out muffins, coffee, tea, juice, and cookies! The chocolate chip cookies were so incredible! Lunchtime was also great – free pizza! They bought 30 pizzas from Pizza Hut! Yummy. They gave out a few gift cards to the team that has been on this special project work (me included) - $50 gift card for the mall! I was completely not expecting anything this cool.
I’m going to another all-day scrapbooking event with my sister-in-law Krista tomorrow; I’m sure it will be a blast. She just started scrapbooking last month and is loving it too.
For the past year and a half, I’ve been taking 2 Provigil (Modafinil) pills every morning to help with fatigue. I’ve read that every once in a while you should take a “vacation” so that your body doesn’t get accustomed to them. I’ve had a very rough week – I didn’t take any on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, nor Thursday! It was a bit tough but I did it! Today I started my medications again.
Happy St. Paddy’s day!
TLC
March 27, 2006
I am still in shock! Yesterday morning (Sunday), David woke me up to tell me that his mother called to let us know that his cousin was feeling sick this weekend, and his parents took him to the Emergency Room at the hospital on Saturday where the doctors checked him out and then released him. He went home, and during the night he died! He was only 16 years old! I cannot believe it. We don’t have all the information yet as to what exactly happened or what caused his death. The viewing at the Funeral Home is tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow evening; the funeral is Wednesday morning. David is taking tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday off work; I’m taking Wednesday off. I can’t imagine how hard this must be for David’s aunt and uncle – he was an only child, the center of their world. This definitely makes one appreciate things more.
Our vacation starts in exactly 2 weeks (+ ½ hour)! That is when we fly out of Halifax for Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. I guess we are excited, but there is so much happening right now here at home that we are just having kind of a difficult time getting really excited. I know that we are going to have a super time! And we both really need it. This is going to be my first time every going further south than the state of Vermont – white sandy beaches, no work, yummy food, the sun shining overhead, and yummy tropical drinks; I think I may be getting a bit excited now.
I went to the “Great Big Sea” concert last night at the Imperial Theater – it was amazing! They are an excellent folk-type rock band from the province of Newfoundland. Last night was my third time seeing them play live in concert. I was not able to purchase a ticket for David – they were sold out. But I truly enjoyed myself. The “Great Big Sea” is one of 4 musics that I truly love; the other 3 are Classical music, the Opera, and the “Grateful Dead”. I’ve seen classic music performed live several times; I’ve been to the opera once (“La Boheme”); I’ve seen the “Great Big Sea” 3 times now, and I unfortunately never got to see the “Grateful Dead”.
So this is going to be another busy and hectic week – preparing for our vacation, visiting the funeral home tomorrow, Jared’s funeral on Wednesday, plus everything else that is always happening in our lives. But I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to do these things.
I’ve changed the site to my Web site. It’s still a work-in-progress, but please check it out to see more about my life!
http://tracey-lynn-caissie.piczo.com
Ciao,
TLC
April 7, 2006
Things have been very busy and hectic, but pretty good lately. I was so honoured to be the Profile of the Month – it is pretty exciting.
I have only 1 hour and 15 minutes left to work, and then I’m on VACATION! We leave for Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is exactly 3 days + 5 minutes. I’m getting very excited! Still have lots to do before we go, but hopefully we will have everything done.
I’ve been selling carnations for the MS Society. It’s my first year selling the carnations, and I had 1 week to sell them. I was hoping to sell 15 – 20 bouquets; I’ve already sold 48! Not too bad, if I say so myself. It is going to be quite a sight seeing me deliver 45 bouquets of carnations around the office building when the flowers arrive in May!
The “Port City Open” darts tournament is this weekend. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll get to play in all the shoots because we still have so much to do before our vacation. I am going to play in the Blind Draw tonight and in the Ladies’ Singles shoot tomorrow morning. The Mixed Doubles (one of my favourite shoots) is tomorrow afternoon, and I’m not sure if I’m going to have enough time to play. As much as I love playing darts, I am more excited to go on our dream vacation.
Ciao for now,
TLC
May 3, 2006
Hello!
My vacation in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic was incredible! We had so much fun - hanging out by the pool bar, walking the beach, and relaxing. The resort was amazing, and the food was so much better than I could have imagined (I am a very picky eater). I can't wait to go back again, hopefully next year. I took 98 photos, plus 50 on the digital camera; some of them have been posted on my website at:
http://tracey-lynn-caissie.piczo.com
I'll get the other photos on there hopefully soon.
Tonight I am going to the MS Self-Help group meeting. They meet on the first Wednesday of every month, and tonight will be my first time with this group. I'm sure it will be interesting.
The Super Cities Walk for MS is on Sunday, and I don't have many pledges as of yet. I am on the committee and will be helping set up the event on Saturday. I just hope that weather is better than last year's rain and cold wind! My team this year, the Krazy Katz, consists of me, David, my mother Bernice, my cousin Kelci, my uncle Tony, and 2 of my aunts, Cathy and Carol. My sister-in-law Krista might join us with my little nephew Benjamin if the weather is good. My father cannot walk this year because he pinches a nerve in his back and is in quite a bit of pain.
I did great at selling carnations for the MS Carnations Campaign; this was my 1st year selling the flowers and I sold $444 in bouquets! It is going to be quite interesting trying to deliver 45 bouquets around the office; I don't know most of the people that bought them so I'll have to send out e-mails to the individuals.
Hope everybody is doing well.
Ciao for now,
TLC
May 8, 2006
Hello everybody!
The Super Cities Walk for MS was yesterday, and it was awesome! So many people came to the event, with their children in strollers and with their dogs! The weather was great; last year I had my mother holding one of my arms and David holding the other so that I could walk as I kept tripping on cracks on the sidewalk. Not this year – I walked along really well and quickly. My mother ran to catch up with me, and we actually finished about 15 minutes before David, Krista, and little Benjamin. I raised $597.50 this year with help from my mother, and Tony and Cathy. Thanks guys! I met a gal at the Super Cities Walk who was there dropping off her daughter for a school event; she was diagnosed with MS 10 years ago, and has been living in our city for 2 years but did not know anybody else with MS in the city. Her name is Isabelle, and she was quite excited about getting together with me to chat about everything. I think she was also quite interested in the MS Self-Help Group, and the local chapter for the MS Society. I gave her my name, phone #, and the URL to my website. I hope she calls me soon because I would really like to hang out with her again.
The flowers for the MS Carnations campaign will be arriving this week on either Wednesday or Thursday; that is going to be crazy busy delivering 45 bouquets to the office, and the other bouquets to friends who live all over town. It will definitely keep me busy.
We are having a quadruple birthdays party in St. Martins on Saturday: Kelci’s 17th, Calla’s 4th, my 32nd, and my aunt Cathy (who is still young but would not appreciate her age being displayed!). This is going to be a lot of fun. I always love going out to Tony and Cathy’s beach house in St. Martins; I usually spend a lot of time walking along the beach looking for pieces of worn beach glass and neat rocks. I find that the sound of the waves crashing on the shore so relaxing.
I’ve been feeling pretty good lately, except for the painful headaches and migraines I’ve been getting lately. It seems to start at the top, back part of my neck and then moves just above my eyes. My GP is sending me for more blood work and X-rays on neck this week. Yippee (not).
I went to the MS Self-Help Group meeting last Wednesday; it was exactly what I have been looking for. I think I am truly going to enjoy meeting with this group of people.
Ciao for now,
TLC
May 15, 2006
I am having such an icky day today. I just can’t seem to concentrate, think properly, or remember things. It is very frustrating and annoying. I arrived at work this morning and realized that I had forgotten to bring in the carnations for the ladies here in the office. Hopefully I’ll be able to remember them tomorrow.
I had an OK weekend; played darts as usual Friday night; sold carnations for the MS Society at the mall Saturday morning (did pretty good with sales); went to St. Martins Saturday afternoon/ evening for the big birthdays party – my cousin Kelci, my cousin’s little girl Calla, my Aunt Cathy, and my birthday are all in May. We had a lot of fun.
I usually do not work on weekends, but I did work yesterday from 3:00 – 9:00. It was pretty busy and hectic.
I rushed home at 9:00 to watch the Survivor finale – and I was very disappointed that Terry did not win. David and I have been rooting for Terry to win for the entire season. We were not very fond of Aras or Danielle; so last night’s episode was not very fun to watch.
I’ve got a nice slow week ahead of me, nothing too much planned. This will be nice and hopefully give me the chance to get caught up on housework and yard work.
Ciao for now,
TLC
May 17, 2006
Hey everybody,
I’ve been on Rebif since January 2005 and never had any real problems. Lately, I’ve been having injection site reactions. I have a huge bruise on the left side of my stomach – about 1 inch wide, by 3 inches long – that is bright pink, blue, purple, red, and black! It doesn’t hurt, but it looks so disgusting! I have welts and marks on the right side of my stomach that are very sore; it hurts, even when it’s not being touched. It looks a little bit raw and very badly bruised. I think I’m going to have to do my injections in other places and avoid the stomach. But the stomach is by far my favourite place to do my needles – usually no blood or any pain.
There are a posting at work for a new job last week. They are hiring 6 people for this new position. I applied for this, along with 9 co-workers. My interview was last Friday, and I really would love to get this job. It sounds so perfect for me. I had an interview for the job last Friday, and I was told they would probably have their decision made today as to whom gets the job. I probably won’t get the position because I currently only work 30 hours per week due to a doctor’s note that I brought in a year and a half ago. I know I could handle this new position and work the full 40 hours per week. I’ll just have to wait and see.
I’ve decided to enter a team in the 2006 RONA MS Bike Tour! I do not even own a bicycle, but I know I can borrow one from either my mother or from my sister-in-law Krista. I’m only going to do the first day’s route, from Sussex to RCS Netherwood; that’ll take me most of the day! One of my supervisors at work, Kathleen, stated that she would love to ride in this event with me, as did my cousin Kelci. So now I’ve got to get into shape (it’s a long, long bike ride), find a bike, recruit more members for my team, register, do fundraising and find sponsors, and then come up with a fun team name. I may use either “The Slow Spokes” or “The Snail-Blazers”. Not quite sure yet. Lots of stuff to be done!
Hope everybody is doing OK.
Ciao for now,
TLC
May 18, 2006
Well, I didn’t get the job. I am truly disappointed. I’m not sure why, because I feel I have better skills than some of those who did get one of the new positions. I only work 30 hours per week right now, so I’m thinking that this is the main reason. They wanted people to work 40 hours per week, and I know I could work the full time with this type of job.
One positive thing is that this has motivated me to find a better job. I do enjoy working here; the atmosphere and the environment in the office are great; most of the people here are wonderful. I know I can be doing so much more though. I’ve been checking out job postings and talking to some people. I’m going to get some more résumés out there. Wish me luck!
I went to the drugstore last night to pick up another month’s Rebif order; I spoke with the pharmacist about my bruises and welts on my stomach just to see if he had any ideas. I showed him the marks; he couldn’t believe how ugly they are! He is going to contact Rebif directly and learn more about the injection site reactions. I’ve been taking Rebif for 16 months now, with no significant problems. Tonight I’m supposed to inject on the right side of my stomach; I’m going to have to find another spot for tonight.
I am feeling so down lately. I am not at all happy with myself. I don’t want pity, but nothing seems to be going right. I am so irritated. This is so frustrating for me because I used to be the “always happy” person who would annoy some people with my cheerfulness. I feel especially bad for my husband, David, who tries so hard to lift my spirits.
We watched the finale for the “Amazing Race” last night – it was awesome. We were so happy that Eric and Jeremy did not win; we really disliked them. BJ and Tyler were my favourite since the beginning of the season; Ray and Yolanda were great too. This was a much better season finale than “Survivor” was on Sunday.
My darts team made Provincials! This is only my 3rd year playing, but our captain told me that this is the first time they’ve made Provincials since 1986. Ouch! I tried to get the Friday off work the weekend of the tournament so that I could travel up with my team; the tournament is all-day Saturday. I was not able to get the day off work! So now I’m either going to drive up Saturday morning at 5:00 am, or I’m going to go up Friday night after work. Either way it is going to be a blast.
I’m sure tomorrow will be a better day than today (I hope, I hope!).
Ciao for now,
TLC
June 5, 2006
I haven’t written an entry for a bit; things have been kind of hectic. I went away Friday and Saturday for Provincials in darts. Unfortunately, I did not have as much fun as I usually do. I drove up with the worst pain in the back of my neck and just above my eyes. Nothing could take the pain away.
My team didn’t do well; I think we came in last place in the “B” division – I’m not surprised. I’m not sure if I’m going to play City & District next year; too much stress and annoyance with my teammates. I might take the year off and just play darts on Friday nights at our weekly money shoot.
I just don’t understand why I’m so cranky and annoyed with everything lately. I’ve been having terrible headache/ pain in the back of my neck, which never seems to go away. My GP sent me to the hospital last month for blood work and X-rays of my neck, but I haven’t heard any results yet. I go to the GP tomorrow afternoon.
I don’t think I’m going to ride in the RONA MS Bike Tour this year. I’ve been feeling so icky that I haven’t even started training yet, and the event is next month. I am definitely not in shape to be able to ride 80 km, and I probably don’t have enough time left to get ready for it. I will definitely volunteer at the event; last year was very rewarding just doing the simply volunteer work that I did.
I’m not sure why I’m so unhappy right now; is it because of the MS? Is it because of the Rebif or Provigil? I feel so overwhelmed and frustrated lately. I think I need another vacation – one month with no stress, no work, and lots of relaxation! At least I’ve got David and my parents for their love and support. I think I would be lost without them!
Ciao,
TLC
June 19, 2006
We had a pretty nice weekend – David and I went out to St. Martins and stayed in Tony & Cathy’s guesthouse. Mom and Dad were there, as was Tony, Cathy, and Kelci, and Sean and Krista brought little Benjamin out. It was nice. We had an awesome BBQ, fed the stray kitties steak, and we watched the hockey game.
I had the hardest time in getting motivated just to get out there though. David drove his motorcycle out, and I was so tired I just wanted to stay home and go back to bed. Eventually I made it out there – only 3 hours late! We went up to the recreation hall, and I watched Tony and Dad play pool; Dad won both games. I challenged Dad to a game, and he is really good! Of course he won, so I challenged him to another game. He swears he didn’t let me win the 2nd game, but I’m not so sure about that.
My friend Lori and I are having our own all-day scrapping get-together on Saturday. I think we have 8 of us so far. We’re going to use the community room under the Police station in the north end. We’re quite excited. Lori and I are going to have some contests and prizes, and we’re going to do the ever-popular potluck lunch. Yummy!
I had a job interview at Saint John Energy last Thursday. I’ve applied for various jobs there for several years now, and I’ve never been able to get even an interview. It’s not my dream job, but it would definitely be a step above what I’m doing now. The only thing I’m not sure about is working that many hours. I currently only work 30 hours per week, from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. If I were to receive this job, I’d be working from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (with an hour lunch). I could probably be able to do it. They told me that they would be calling the successful person early this week, and that everybody who did not get the job would be sent a letter. I’m crossing my fingers!
My GP prescribed massage therapy for my neck and headaches. I need to find a good place here in the city that is open either during the evenings or on the weekends as I do not want to miss work. Everybody says that the massage therapy will really help my headaches and pain in my neck, and I truly hope so because I am so tired of taking Ibuprofen and Tylenol pills.
We had our awards banquet for darts last weekend; it was nice. I won 3 plaques, which is super cool because I thought I was only going to receive one. I won for: 3rd place in the Ladies’ Doubles tournament with Nicole; my team won 2nd place in the “B” division; and my team tied with another team for the Sportsmanship Awards (every team votes on which team they think has the best attitude and is most fun to play against!). That was neat.
The final NHL hockey game is tonight – somebody is going to win the Stanley Cup. I’m sure that David and me will be watching the game, hopefully with a yummy pizza!
Ciao for now,
TLC
June 26, 2006
Happy Monday to everybody!
I didn't get the job at Saint John Energy; I got a letter in the mail last week thanking me for my interest but that the position has been filled. I was pretty bummed out that day, but I am trying to stay positive. It would have been more hours and the starting wage is $2 less per hour than what I am getting now. At least here I am able to call in sick if I'm having a rotten day, but at Saint John Energy that would not have been as easy to do.
Saturday I spent the day scrapbooking with Lori and Krista (and Lori's sister-in-law Jenn) at the community room above the Police station on the north end. We had lots of fun. I think Lori is going to book the room for another day in September; with a little more time to plan we'll be able to have more people join us. Looking at the size of the room, I think that we would not want more than 8 people at once - we take up so much room with all our scrapbooking materials and stuff.
I've been feeling OK lately, nothing great nor nothing really bad. I'm still experiencing awful pain in the back of my head/ neck and above my eyes. My GP prescribed massage therapy - tomorrow night I have my first appointment from 6:00 - 7:30. I am really looking forward to this; I hope it helps. I am so sick and tired of taking pills to try and relieve the pain.
We have a stray cat living in our backyard again; I named him George. He is orange and white and looks a lot like Theodore. He is a mean-looking guy; we can't get close to him at all. For about 3 weeks he had an injured front paw, and he was only walking on 3 feet. It was really swollen and bloody; but it appears to be getting better. He is still limping a bit, but he is now walking on all 4. His paw is getting better, but last night I heard a lot of sneezing so now he has a cold! We give him lots of food, water, and a kitty bed inside the little kitty house (but I have not yet seen him inside the house). Everybody in the neighbourhood is keeping their eye on George, and everybody knows him by this name! He does not seem as scared of us as he used to be; when we go out in the morning to feed him his breakfast or in the evening to feed him his supper, he doesn't run away anymore, and he just hobbles over to the corner and waits for us to go back inside now. He's a tough guy; he'll be OK.
Ciao,
TLC
June 28, 2006
Hey everybody!
I can’t believe that it was 2 years ago today that I got my official diagnosis from my GP! It was on June 28, 2004 that I first learned I had MS. How quickly time flies. My husband, David, and I were chatting before work this morning and I asked him if he realized that it was 2 years ago today – he said it didn’t feel that long to him either. Most times it feels like it was only 8 months ago that my life changed so drastically with this news.
I’ve been constantly suffering from a horrible pain in the back of my head/ top of my neck and just above my eyes for over a month now. Nothing seems to really help. My GP wrote a prescription for massage therapy; yesterday was my 1st appointment – and I loved it!!!! It felt so incredible and relaxing. I can’t wait until next Tuesday’s appointment. Lori did my massage, and she was awesome! And I loved the classical music she had playing in the CD player – it also had the sounds of the ocean and waves! I felt a little bit light-headed and disoriented when I first tried to sit up after the massage. I woke up this morning, and I felt like I had been out drinking last night! I felt like I had a hangover, but I haven’t had any alcoholic beverages for almost a week now. My neck and head is a little bit better today.
But I haven’t been feeling “right” lately. I can’t explain it, but I am just not myself lately. I feel like I’m in my own little world, mentally lost. I had to concentrate on just walking down the hallway at work on Monday; it was so strange. I’ve had small, little things happen to me occasionally, but for the first time I could feel that I have MS. I don’t know how to explain this because I don’t even completely understand how I was feeling; all I know is that on Monday things were definitely weird.
An old friend from high school called me last week; this was pretty neat. I ran into Andrea at the mall last year and that was the first time I’d seen her in 13 years. She called last week and we chatted for a long time. We’re supposed to go to the movies tonight and see “Garfield 2”; I loved the first Garfield movie, so I am quite excited about going tonight (David will very rarely go to the movies with me – especially if it’s a kids film). We’ll probably go out afterwards for a coffee or a beer or an ice cream. It’s going to be fun reminiscing about the good old days! I can’t wait to see her again.
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