I haven't been around much this week. Been doing that car hunting thing....thought we had a vehicle all lined up but hubby and I thought better on it. Hubby has been really busy doing cost comparisons the whole nine yards....lots of research bless his heart....in the end his hard work has given us negotiating power. We know my car is worth alot more than the dealers want to give us...the dealers want my car.....but they don't want to make a fare deal....we had one deal or so we thought lined up....I test drove the vehicle only to find it had a leak.....deal cancelled. Another one we had lined up...only for us to realize that financially we could do way better....I guess that's why the car salesman has been calling us frequently....he knows he was going to get a good deal. Again thank goodness for Internet and for hubby doing the grunt work on this one. Tomorrow we are venturing into Nanaimo, I just couldn't do anymore car shopping today.For those of you that read this post earlier...you will note that I did some editing...that being I removed all of my whining.....I realized that....although this is my blog and I should feel comfortable talking about anything....I have thought it over and feel that maybe this wasn't an appropriate forum.......I shall keep my own personal journal. Thank you Martie and Janice for you comments and concerns.
I have a question for any of you who has been diagnosed with MS if you wouldn't mind emailing me with any information you might have regarding this disease....how old were you when you were diagnosed? What diagnostic tests were done to determine you had MS?...have you experienced times of remission?....what were your signs or symptoms? Any information you would like to share with me would be greatly appreciate. Thank you.
I am off to the optometrist next week.....these old eye balls of mine are giving me trouble....that's partially why I haven't been able to blog much lately....the eye balls are bugging the heck out of me....my arms can only extend so far.....LOL....but seriously.....I am finding that even after short periods of trying to read something I get headaches and feel sick to my stomach.....it has taken me by surprise, as only 3 years ago I saw an opthamologist who said my vision was perfect.....it's amazing how our eyesight can change......so I guess the time has come that I need glasses.....guess I should consider myself fortunate that up until now I haven't needed them....but I fear the time has come......dang......this aging thing really stinks.....Timing is everything.....just after I had finished this post, I received this from my mother in law and I thought it describes how I am feeling to a tee....it just seemed to fit right in with the whole car thing and my eyes......enjoy...and I hope it puts a smile on your face........
"If my body was a car,this is the time I would be thinking about trading it in for a newer model. I've got bumps and dents and scratches in my finish and my paint job is getting a little dull. But that's not the worst of it. My headlights are out of focus and it's especially hard to see things up close. My traction is not as graceful as it once was. I slip and slide and skid and bump into things even in the best of weather. My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins. It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed. My fuel rate burns inefficiently. But here's the worst of it --Almost every time I sneeze, cough or sputter.....either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires!"
20 comments:
Gosh Mary Anne I'm sorry to hear that things are not so well with you. I hope someone can help you out here and relieve some of your anxiety. I'm not familiar with MS but I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Talk about it all you want since writing helps to alleviate some of the stress.
I had heard recently that there is some kind of MRI they can do with metal in your chest but I don't know about a pace maker. My cousin has MS but his symptoms appeared when he was in his 20's and it has gone into remission on several occasions only to come back. I don't recall him having any of the symptoms you refer too.........but certainly get all the test you need to figure it out. You are a nurse and are much more finely attuned to your body than most of us are. Please keep me updated on any findings..........you have my email and home address too. Many prayers will be sent heavenward on your behalf my dear sweet freind!
Hugs
Sorry that this will be a bit long.
I love your mother in laws funny. It did make me smile. I wanted to tell you that I understand your feelings about keeping some issues in a private journal but I seriously doubt you sounded like you were whining. I worry about that myself, especially since I've gotten to know people that have it worse than me but there is always someone that has it worse and better. That doesn't mean what we as individuals go through isn't rough. You've had a lot to deal with and the unknown can make it harder still.
I haven't had MS but a woman who posts on a melanoma support group does. The weird part for her is her doctor's were assuming she had brain tumors, even after an MRI.
I don't really know her well enough to ask her for more details but I looked back over the melanoma BB to find her post. The reason I'm copying it is I want you to know even if they find lesions on the brain, they aren't always cancer. I'm sure as a nurse you know this but in the case of this woman she was being treated at a top cancer hospital in the U.S. and they were assuming she had progressed to stage IV melanoma (she's stage III like I am) based on an MRI and it wasn't until many months later they realized she had MS. Below is what she said (note - MM stands for melanoma).
"MRI of brain: showed 3 more large lesions. 2 of the previous 3 lesions are now gone. So now a total of 4 lesions, more FLAIRs (whatever those are) increased white matter and black holes. One of the new lesions is in my brain stem and that is what is causing my facial numbness.
The good news is that they have finally all agreed and made a determination that the lesions are not MM.
The bad news is that it is confirmed that I have MS the lesions are MS lesions. The previous lesions were round and that is why they believed it was MM. The new lesions are oblong and they were able to see active dementalization (sp). They went back and looked at each MRI from the past to present and could see the progression of the disease. That is how and why they were able to make a final determination."
Sorry this is so long but the point is that you may need an MRI of the brain but even there it can take time to know what they are dealing with if something shows up.
I also had a lot of neurological testing but my MRIs were always clear. In my case it was determined that it was tied in to chronic pain from my lymph node dissection and my peripheral neuropathy is controlled with gapapentin. I have had numbness and some of the symptoms you have mentioned. I also had balance issues but those were corrected with vitamin D of all things.
I'll be sending out good vibes for you. I hope they can get to the root cause and that is will not be very serious. I hope it's not MS or anything else severe and I understand you wanting to get a diagnosis. Take care, Carver
Good morning,I have not been around many people with MS, so I can't give advice on this disease..I hope you can be treated and arrested of MS.
As for the eyes I am a very good person to ask? I started wearing glasses in my early 40's, when I had to hold the phone book and news paper a mile away to read them.Over the years I have been into trifocals. Three levels to read up close,middle is at arm's length and upper for distance.The golden years when You start to fall apart....
I love the write-up from your MIL.It made me have a good laugh today.Thanks for sharing and I shall return... baba
Well I have been out of the loop for a while Mary Anne. MS? It's not fair. Keep up your writing, you never whine. You are eloquent and your words are heartfelt. I am rooting for you blogging friend.
Sue (formerly Florida House Daze.)
I'm rooting for you too..
(((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))) You are in my thoughts, my friend.
I really hope things improve for you soon RN.
I fear I have mis lead some of you....I have not been diagnosed with MS.....I am wondering with the variety of symptoms I have lately if it is a possibility.....I have spoken with my doctor and it will be a process of elimination....so hence I was just inquiring to others about their experiences....things have just not been progressing with me as well as I had hoped and other things are going on....so not to worry all....life is still good....
THe little funny from your MIL - I can totally relate to that piece! How true it is that as we age we really do need tune-ups, new parts -even gently used ones are good too ya know.
My neighbor has MS and I wish she were online or better yet a blogger because she is very open in discussing her symptoms and problems - could give you a lot of details there I'm sure.
And finally -who ever said you were whining except maybe YOU said that and I, for one, never ever perceived your posts as whining in any way, shape or form. Just good and very interesting writing. Put what is on your mind and that you are comfortable sharing on your posts and don't think of any of it ever as being whiny or whining cause it's not!
MaryAnne - you have NOT been whining - at all! I mean look at MY latest posts! Hope you guys manage to find a new and better car so you can enjoy those long rides to and from work.
ahhh well you must remember, it's the classic cars that are the most sought after and cherished! lol
Hope you hear some good news soon about your ailments. I must say I've known quite a few people with MS over the years and it's amazing how different the outcomes are now than they were when I first encountered it 20 some years ago.
Take care MaryAnne and a little whining among women just gives us all the chance to offer our support and show we care!
I like to wish you luck going to eye doctor and dealing with car dealers.
I hope you don't mine a little advice on dealing with car salesman.
Best time to deal with a car salesman is when the weather is just plain awful and on a day they have some type of meeting or an event to go to.
Bonus if you can pick a day both are happening.
My in-law bought there car on crappy day and evening of there Christmas party and they was willing to real deal with them.
Whine to your heart's content. I do. It makes you real!
of Watergate summer here:
(1) you can whine anytime...that is what a blog is all about...don't edit yourself....that really tugged at my heart...
(2) Yes, indeedy Aging stinks....
(3)about the "Car " theory...that we are all cars that are getting older...hell we are Vintage at this rate...and us finer ones need much more care....I for one , I KNOW I am a 62 jaguar....yup...and I need lots of TLC.....anyways....many many hugs....
( I have some info on the MS issue,. but I don't know if I should leave it here....you can email me at enigma4ever@earthlink.net ( having some troubles with it- that is why I went and got another email addresss)...or enigma4ever08@gmail.com,
take care...
namaste..
I was a master mechanic for many years and I never bought a new car. I buy used ones and drive them until they need to be recycled, but what ever.
Sorry about your MS though. I'm lucky, was blessed with great genes. Still, I accept that I won't live forever in this body.
I don't even care to, um, never mind, it's hard to explain my omnipresence to those that don't know that they are also omnipresent and are only worried about this lifetime and want to keep living it.
Hey if you want to whine go ahead, it's you blog you can do what you want honey!
I don't know anything about MS except that it sucks, so I'm sending you oodles of Reiki and a ((HUG))
I am backing reading your blog about MS. Sorry I missed the post> My daughter was diagnosed with it about three years ago. Keep us informed PLEASE> And don't think you are whinning.
Hi Sweetie!
I have another blog for my "Really Feeling Blue" days & comments (don't want to scare folks) that may help. Then you can write how you REALLY feel and disable comments.
Glad you're doing okay, you're in my prayers, k?
I love that last bit. I often think about how we live in this throw away world where we buy new when the old wears out. Some do try to make their bodies look new but you can't stop time, people.
Blessings,
Mama Bear
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