A long afternoon in Nashville

Today we went back to see my MS specialist in Nashville to discuss my recent hospital stay and what caused it. It appears to be part of the relapse that I was having a couple weeks ago. What he told us that was very surprising is that he categorized it as mild in comparison to what could happen. I am going to continue taking Rebif injections three times a week. He told us this medication will help protect my brain and will help me to live a longer and hopefully active life. It just takes time. What he reminded us is that this is a brain and spinal cord disease and therefore is very unpredictable. I am a rule follower by nature so whatever I am told to do I will. I appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers. This is just a bump in the road and I hope the road is long because I can handle the journey.

The Best Laid Plans......

Many of you have been wondering about me since I was in the hospital last week so I wanted to give you an update. Apparently I had an episode of optic neuritis that came on very quickly. Imagine when you are so sleepy that you can't keep your eyes open, well, that was happening in just one eye and I was in the middle of a lesson about the Civil War.  I noticed that I was getting a few funny looks from the kids and I also noticed that my face was becoming numb on the right side. I went to the school nurse who promptly proceeded with some nuerological tests (smile, stick your tounge out, etc...) and the next thing I knew I was getting in an ambulance. The pain from my eye caused my blood pressure to spike to 158/108 by the time I reached the hospital. 
MS is a disease of leisons that affect different parts of the brain and sometimes the spinal cord. A great deal of my leisons are in the area of the brain that affects my vision and sometimes stress and other medications can trigger these bouts of trouble. After two and a half days in the hospital my doctor told me that a combination of medicine changes and rest would help me.  The nerve damage in my eyes is not reversable however I can help it slow down by resting more and possibly changing some of my medications.
If you know me very well rest is not a word that is common to me. Obviously being able to sense this, the doctor has ordered me to stay home from school for at least this week. I have to say this was a hard blow for me to take. I feel a great responsibility to my students and we will begin state testing in just one week.  I am going to follow the doctor's orders and I will have a few more tests and doctor visits while I am off this week, however I WILL NOT let this get me down.
I was able to enjoy tonight with my daughter Lyndsey at her 8th grade Formal. I have been planning this with a group of parents for a few months and having to be in the hospital the week of the event was not easy! I woke up this morning not knowing if I would be able to make it but God got me through.  I am thankful though for the time that I can spend with my kids right now enjoying these moments. The theme of her Formal was "You're Gonna Miss This" I think that was very fitting. I am learning to enjoy the good days and push through the hard days. Please keep praying for our family and our doctors. One last thing to remember in this update, MS is a strange disease, the patient may look great on the outside but the fight is on the inside.

Vacation?

Spring break is almost over. I was hoping for a trip this year but I got to go to Nashville to see the doctor and to Paducah for three days of steroid infusions instead. Oh well maybe next year. I was looking back and I have spent fall break, Christmas break and now this break with a needle in my arm. This time I have started to have trouble with my right eye. Hopefully the steroids will do their job. This round was a little tougher than the other two but each time I learn a little more about what I can do for myself to make it not so bad. I am determined to keep learning what I can do to make MS tolerable. The good news is that the doctor told us that younger patients have a brighter outlook as far as not becoming disabled later due to advances in medicine. Please continue to pray not just for me but for my husband and my children who have to go through this too. I am so thankful everyday for all of my blessings.