Monthly Archives: February 2012

Feb 28 2012
7 Comments
Diagnosis, Hope, Multiple Sclerosis, National MS Society Video

An Old Video, a Little Piece of Me

As I prepare for the big Walk MS event in late April, I’ve been spending more time than usual on the MS Society website. The other day I came across this video — talk about a blast from the past!

In 2005, the San Diego chapter of the National MS Society made the video about my journey living with MS. The goal was to raise awareness by attaching a face (mine) to the disease.

Hard to believe that it was seven years ago, but not hard to believe when I see myself on video and hear my son Jake’s little boy voice. He’s now finishing up his senior year in high school, and is very much a man!

In many ways, this is difficult for me to watch. Not just because my speech was slow and Continue reading →

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Feb 22 2012
2 Comments
Hope, National MS Society

Why I Walk, and Why You Should Too

Multiple sclerosis is different for everyone.

I have the kind of MS that stole the vision in my left eye when I was 13.

Join Team Hope for Walk MS in San Diego

Put your walking shoes on and join Team Hope on April 28.

I have the kind of MS that threatens me with blindness when my “good eye” goes bad, requiring a few days of IV steroids to recover.

I have the kind of MS that required implant surgery so my bladder can empty without having to self catheterize five to six times per day.

I have the kind of MS that prevents me from walking too far without my feet or legs going numb.

I have the kind of MS that makes being a single mom the most difficult yet important and rewarding job in my world.

I have the kind of MS that anyone you know could be diagnosed with tomorrow.

I have the kind of MS that needs to be cured.

That’s why for 17 years I’ve been captaining a team in San Diego for Walk MS, one of the National MS Society’s Continue reading →

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Feb 13 2012
10 Comments
Funny, Hope, Injections, Multiple Sclerosis, Public Perception

My Red Bikini Dream

I have this recurring dream.

I’m in a large public pool with people everywhere, and I’m wearing a bright red bikini. I’m thinking that I look pretty hot as I start getting out of the pool. I slowly walk up the steps to return to my lounge chair, with plans to sunbathe.

But suddenly water starts spewing out of my body through my past injection sites. It starts out with just a few spots on my arms and legs, but soon there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of tiny fountains that have sprouted out of every part of my body.

I try to stop the water by blocking the little holes with my hands, but it doesn’t work — there are too many! Everyone is staring, and I’m completely mortified. I’m tempted to scream “It’s from my shots!” to all the people pointing and laughing at me…as if anyone would understand what that means!

At that point, I usually wake up in a panic and check Continue reading →

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Feb 02 2012
5 Comments
Funny, Multiple Sclerosis, Research Studies, Symptoms

A Glass a Day Keeps the MS Away?

Does Trader Joe's limit how many cases you can buy in one visit?

OK, I officially wish I were a drinker!

I’m a very light social drinker — I’ll occasionally order a strawberry margarita while I’m out at a Mexican restaurant, but that’s about the extent of it. People never believe me when I say this, but I’ve never actually been drunk. A little tipsy and giggly, but not wasted drunk.

However, I’m really tempted to buy a nice bottle of red wine (or better yet, a case of Two-Buck Chuck) after reading this article from Wine Spectator.

It says that researchers from neurology and psychology clinics in Belgium have published a study showing that wine’s ability to ease inflammation may help slow the progression of multiple sclerosis in some cases.

According to the article, the research team found that Continue reading →

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