Stage One Complete

I finally got around to switching out the theme (that is the background) of this blog. Stage one (or is it post one?) on make-overs is complete. 

Like other make-overs, I'm not completely happy with the result. It's simple compared to other themes I have had in the past, but it isn't overly simple, lacking shapes and visual texture. Glaring to me, on this new theme is the pink bar...I don't consider myself a "pink" person...but I'm going to live with it...learn to like it, as I'm sure we have all been told at one point or another. Instead of spending hours (hours over days) agonizing about the best free theme I could find, one that is the "Emily" brand, I selected this one within one hour.

Stay tuned as I reveal other make-overs in the coming days!

It's a Flop

It has become obvious to me that learning more than the basics about cooking and sharing it here has been a flop. It isn't that I simply haven't shared my newly acquired knowledge, it's that I don't have any to share! I haven't even tried any new recipes that I can share with you.

This blog needs a makeover - again.

Speaking of makeovers, there have been some behind the scenes here (as in within the walls of my house but not visible to you). Once I decide how I feel about these makeovers, I'll share them with you.

Over Christmas, Annie and I went for a walk and I told her that wholesale changes are needed in and around my life in Winnipeg. I just have to figure out where to start and how to support the changes.

In the meantime, there is always music. Music is a good thing. I always end up dancing at some point throughout the day.

So turn up your volume and Stompa with Serena Ryder

Maybe I Do

Let me set the scene for you:

I'm sitting on the couch in the living room with my laptop open. Jason is in the kitchen, which is open to the living room, cleaning off the counter. I'm not sure but the television might be on, and if not, the stereo is.

Suddenly I say,

"Do I sometimes have long pauses between words when I'm speaking?"

Jason responds without missing a beat, "Yes. And you still think that you don't have MS?"

Who does he think he is?! Smart ass.

Maybe I do. Maybe I don't. Maybe I was reading an article about MS symptoms, maybe I wasn't. Maybe I knew the answer the question.

Maybe I did.

I Am Drug Free

Tonight I find myself sitting on my parent's couch, here for my fourth visit in 4 months, and I realize that I am here with no commitments - well, no commitments to MS. I am here without syringes or pills that dictate how long I can be here. I am here without having to go home to Winnipeg in time for an appointment for a drug infusion. Just before arriving here for the holiday, I made a big decision on how to manage my disease.

Following an MRI, Jason and I met with my MS neurologist to review the results of the scan. The other priority of the appointment was to discuss my next possible treatment option (also known as the last treatment on the table) - the monthly infusion of Tysabri. It turns out that what showed up on the MRI played a huge role in deciding to go drug free. The other factor in the decision was the risk versus the benefit of being on Tysabri.

Do you want to know what the neuro saw in the images of my brain? He saw nothing - nothing new and nothing "active". For me, this is the second best thing he could have said to me. Obviously, the best thing he could have said was that the radiologists have been wrong all along - I don't have MS.*

*I still feel this way and as I always do, I asked him if this was in fact the case.

I have not had any change in the locations or size of my brain lesions in over a year. Add to that, the belief that I have not had a relapse since January 2008, and everything looks good. This is not to say that I don't have lesions or residual difficulties from past lesions. It just means that I feel pretty darn good.

Being drug free means being diligent and being aware of my body more than usual. Any sign of a relapse, or any new symptoms and my neuro will start me on Tysabri. I will have another MRI in 6 months to have a look at the inside workings and warnings.

*I made my parents a calendar with old family photos. That's me with my favourite t-shirt "Girls Can Do Anything" and my suspenders.