IVIG Was Disappointing, Bathroom Urgency Worsening

Well I did the IVIG and I'm still here!  Nothing to the therapy, just time consuming.  What are my thoughts you say? Well not sure how to answer that one?  Didn't get sick, really not one of the side effects.  What I got was extremely weak, spent the next week in bed.  The strength came back, or my version of it at least, but that was it.  No benefits that I've been able to discern, but I knew it was a long shot going in.  Imagine how scared I was when I couldn't get out of bed that first week?

The one thing that has held on is urgency with the bathroom.  It's not a continence issue, yet, more a matter of I've lost the luxury of that feeling of, hey, I'm going to need to use the bathroom soon.  I'm doing my own version of the 50 yard dash!  Like any race, you don't always win, hard to come to grips with, but it is what it is.  Needless to say this makes me want to stay close to home, or to be more precise, stay home all together.  Did I mention I'm not digging this reality?

The Kids Have Jobs, And Medical Marijuana Law In Maryland A Joke

Both my minions, both the kids, have full time jobs, both with benefits, both excited to leave the house today.  My first job was running numbers when I was 5 with my grandfather, I'd run into the High's store to get a brown paper bag and a cookie, but I digress!  I hope the boy turns this into a career and that the girl sees she needs to finish her education.  A father can hope?

Doctors appointments are on my horizon, making up for not having insurance since January.  Going to ask about medical marijuana for the pain?  MD just past laws reducing the penalty for patients that use it with a doctors blessing, saying it's OK to use and possess it, but if you get caught buying it you are subject to arrest.  Wait, let me read that again... Yep, that what it say!  So it's still not illegal to smoke marijuana in MD, and it's OK to possess it MD, it's just still illegal to buy it!  Wouldn't it be easier to just let me go to Walgreens pick it up with a KitKat bar?

Took A Tumble, Rosie To The Vet

     Took a tumble the other day, tripped over the dog, I went down like a Kennedy!  Tried to step over her tail, was so close to making it too.  Not as sure footed as I once was, not by a long shot!  Skinned my elbow, hurt my back, probably did tons of internal damage, but I'm tough, I can handle it.  No more Mr nice guy, I wait for her to move out of my way now.

Speaking of the dog, did I mention she will eat anything?  Sticks are her absolute favorite, followed closely by anything paper.  She recently discovered drink coasters, brings them to us as happy as a clam!  She appears to have swallowed a 1/2 inch felt one, at least that's what the xray shows.  Waiting to hear if they are removing the contents of her stomach by endoscope today?  Was I the one who said I should have done this a long time ago?

The Mother In Law Is Incredible, The Back is Back

The mother in law is doing great, been moved to a rehab facility for a few days, is tired of hospital food, and wants to go home.  I think she would do better if she could do the rehab from home, but they they didn't ask for my help with the surgery, have to think they know what's best.  I think we confuse what would be easier for us with what would be best for her?  All I know is I am seeing flashes of the old mother in law, it's wonderful!

Who was it said, take my back, please?  My back is shot, combination of sitting in the hospital for hours, walking to and from the waiting area to the room.  Had another shot yesterday, they don't seem to be doing as much.  I wish they could deaden the nerve forever, they won't for fear of me doing damage without knowing it.  I'm willing to take that chance.  Having more mobility problems from my back than from the ms.

No Jobs To Be Found, MS Eyes Slowing My Driving

What a horrible time it is to be looking for work, any kind of work. The girl had a fit of a time finding a part time job, and the boy has worn himself out looking for full time work. Both have something, looks like the boy has found work at a retirement community, and the girl is queen cupcake at Cake Cottage. I'm trying to talk them both into buying a small spread and raising meat rabbits, not having much luck?

Not sure if I drive anymore, probably as much a question of confidence as anything else? My eyes are all messed, visual acuity almost gone. Been to neuros, been to eye doctors, even neuro eye doctors, and they all say the same thing, good question! The question being why does it feel like I'm looking through chocolate milk? Chocolate milk was a nice touch, right, made it much worse that regular. Gave my truck to the boy, so currently have no dedicated wheels, probably won't soup up my tricycle either? A small world has gotten smaller.

Weight Lose, MS, and Mobility

What kind of idiot starts a diet on Halloween, stays on it through Thanksgiving...that's right me! I missed 2 prime pig-out times, what was I thinking? Not sure of my thought process, ever, but I do know I lost weight over turkey day, and the subsequent leftover orgy that followed, something that has to be a first for me. I've faded into the high 280's, at this rate I should be completely gone by early summer! I kid, that's what I am, a kidder. My goal is to stay on my modified Adkins until I hit the 230 range for a 100 lb total lose. I has to make it easier to get around if I can get back into the human weight range?

New Bed, and MS Cleaning a Real Chore

Getting a new bed on Wednesday, didn't realize how bad the old one was until I stripped the sheets the other day. Oh I knew it was broken, and it sagged horribly on my side, and it was uncomfortable, but it has a hold in it and a spring is sticking up through! I cleaned the bedroom top to bottom today so that when the delivery dudes come everything is ready to go. Sears had a sale that was so good we almost bought 2! It better be comfortable, I almost killed myself cleaning the room, not that much stamina left in the tank anymore. I miss being able to go all day, get tons of stuff done every time I decided to do so. I hated cleaning up when I could, now I'd like to do it everyday but can't.

Darlington Apple Festival and Me In My Wheelchair

Going to the Darlington Apple Festival tomorrow, was going to bake a pie for the competition, but didn't have the energy after my 2 hour MRI. Music, food, and what should be a beautiful day in a small town just north of here. Love the local little festivals like this. Hope there are a lot local foodies, maybe some local honey, didn't get any this summer. Taking my chair, so I'll be buzzin all over the streets of Darlington, GO APPLES!

Great Weather, MS and Leg Cramps, and is it Wheelchair Time?

What a day in Baltimore, we need hurricanes brushing the shore more often! The A/C is off, windows are open, and we are closing the pool on Monday, cooler weather is on the way. It has been hot as hell here this summer, my lawn proves that. Garden didn't produce so well either, not for want of hard work by the wife, she's incredible. Planting lettuce tomorrow after church, we enjoy that a lot, and it grows like mad here in our tubs.

Leg cramps, I thought I knew what discomfort was, but I was wrong. I have the real bad cramps for about 3 hours every night, just uncomfortable ones the rest of the day. I think the cramps are the reason why my legs are so weak, and why my knees hurt so bad. Can't figure out what to do about it, hoping the acupuncture helps, but we shall see. Pain medicine isn't the answer, it doesn't do much, and it doesn't last very long when it does. My insurance covers 12 puncture sessions in a calendar year, 1 down, 11 to go.

Going to have to check about adding a ramp to the outside of the house, need to bring the wheelchair in out of the shed. Starting to wonder when you know when enough is enough? I can still walk, but it hurts, and it hurts a lot. Then my legs are so tired I'm actually unsteady on my feet. When do you cry uncle and say screw it, I'm not walking anymore? I don't think that's the answer, but I'm scared it's getting closer.

Parent-Child Bowling, Chickens and Politicians, and MS and Travel Pain

The wife and boy are down to the pro shop to buy her a bowling bowl and shoes. They are in a parent-child league starting this week, and she hasn't bowled in a long time, and is a nervous wreck about it. She could always beat me, so I think she's the greatest! The boy asked her to do it, bought the ball for her birthday, she is so excited she can't see straight. I'm going to go watch just I can wear my regular guy shirts.

I used the form letter off of Charm City Chickens and sent all the candidates for the 5th district seat and county executive a copy. So far 3 have responded, Ken Holt, Gordon Harden, and David Marks, all in favor of, or willing to consider it. How often do I send the others a copy, until they answer, do I send them all again, make it be in their heads? I also sent the current county exec a copy, haven't heard from him yet either. I haven't even started to check into how many rabbits I can have.

My legs are killing me, especially the right one. I'm not experiencing drop foot in it as much as I am foot drag. I'm actually having a problem getting it up off the ground. No panic, I'm going to approach this as residual side effects from our trip. I knew the legs would be effected, but I didn't plan on this, must say it caught me off guard. Good news is if it doesn't get any better, at least I already have a wheelchair, HA!

Doorway Bumpers, Human Watching, and Big man in Women's Clothes

I've developed bruises along my forearms, starting to wonder if they'll ever go away? All started recently as I've begun cushioning myself as I go through doorways, which I've started to use as bumpers. I'll walk along, loose my balance, list to one side, throw my arm out like a rudder. The problem, as I see it, is our doorways aren't rounded, so I very seldom don't bash my arm on an edge. I may have to start wearing pads on my arms, will like ridiculous, but maybe the bruises will subside.

Went out for a donut this morning with a friend, sat there for a while looking at the humans. Young mother of 3 with more tattoos than the Pacific fleet. A guy left his laptop on the table, as in left it there, got in his car a left. 7 rather porcine teens came in for ice cream cones at 11, bad form. Mr Leo came in for his morning coffee, he used to ref my basketball games when I was a kid, he's old now. Make me wish the wife would open her tea shop, I'd people watch everyday.

Was accused of having on a girls shirt today, can't argue, I thought it was when the wife brought it home. I'm not very fashion driven, have a few pairs of shorts, a few shirts, one pair of shoes, I'm a rock star. I like the idea of all my clothes being the same, no choices of what to wear today. Uniforms would be cool with me, as long as I could have mine with shorts. In the mean time, I need to research this shirt, see if it's for men or women, I have one in blue, need to see if I'm going to get razzed when I wear it.

The Fall, MS and Tripping, and Sump Pump Hell

Years from now, when the dust all settles, and people have resumed their regular daily grinds, locals will remember the events of 12 August, 2010 simply as "The Fall". You may not remember the day, where you were, what you were doing, but I will, see, I'm the "Faller". Sounded like someone felled a bull moose, house shook the same too. People around these parts don't always say exercise is good for you, especially when you trip over a recumbent exercise bike at 3 in the AM. I now know what it's like to fly!

On the serious side of this, almost broke my ass in the middle of the night. Tripped over that damn bike that somebody moved so it wouldn't be in the way! Tore the right most 2 toes off my foot on the bike, as I launched myself forward I thought, not the glass top coffee table, then not the secretary, then lastly, Lord, not the floor. I fell with all the grace and agility one would expect from a guy with my physical problems, stature, and luck! Thought I broke both arms, lay there for a bit, laughed, cried, and thought, this was because of the bike, right?

I was up at that crazy hour because I was scared, scarred, afraid to go to bed. We had a lot of rain last night, the sump pump didn't work properly, it wasn't shutting off, and it wasn't pumping water. I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure that's a problem? Not long ago I asked a guy to take a look at it to see if the screen was clogged and he told me they don't have screens, he looked at it and said it was fine. Like the moron I am, I said OK, and did nothing. So last night as the well filled I'd lay on the floor, reach in and wipe the mud and goop off of that screen that didn't exist and the pump would drain that well in nothing flat.

Butterfly Garden, MS and Fever, and Electric Tricycle Design

The butterflies have been lots of fun to watch this year, all kinds and colors. We have 2 purple butterfly bushes, and they love those things, Crazy, I know! We have been able to attract a couple of hummingbirds as well this year, they are just harder to take pictures of. I'm going to plan a full out butterfly-hummingbird garden in the front corner of the backyard, on the drunk neighbor side. People that have been here will know exactly where I mean! Next year I will have the little critters crawling all over me.





Tripped over an area rug the other day, in a snit rolled it up, going to throw it out. Vacuumed the entire upstairs, cleaned out the vacuum filters, all the dust and grime made me sick. Yesterday had a sore throat, ran a low grade fever, which kills me. I was delirious in the middle of the night, thought I was the king of Prussia! Slept most of the day yesterday, worst part was in the middle of the night I couldn't walk. I may have been able to walk, don't know, couldn't stand up, so I don't know. Fever seems to be gone, can walk, even my back doesn't hurt too bad, everything is looking up.

I'm still in the planning stages with my tricycle transformation, haven't done too much else. Joined an EV forum, electric vehicles, read everything I could find on it. Have to schedule a day to go down to visit with Lenny the wheelchair guy, see what info I can pick his brain for. I read about sprocket reduction ratios, chain length, direct drive shaft motors, yeah, I don't know the hell they are talking about! I'll figure it though, I will have my electric tricycle.

Wheelchair Carrier, Wheelchair Access, and Some Free Time

Have to figure out how to transport my new chair. A friend lent me a set of ramps, another has a set he is giving me, but they aren't the easiest to use. I'm curious how the ones that fit into a trailer hitch are? I think that one is more for cargo, but this one is for a chair, just don't know how much weight it holds. This one for sure will hold it, it even looks like a better choice, just need to add a hitch to the truck.

Took the chair out the other day, met a few friends from high school, they were walking over at the track. The track has a fence around it and guess what, I couldn't get in! Come on, I go out one time, the first time, and I can't get in! I'm tired of the man always holding me back. I'm going to fire off a strongly worded email to the high school, telling them they need to allow me access to the track. Doubt it will do much, I couldn't get them to unlock the bathrooms so it wasn't such a long walk.

The wife and I are finding we have a lot of time on our hands. Both kids are working, both, I know, so they aren't home much. The boy graduates Friday, we are elated! We, OK, the wife, finds herself with some spare time, it's new territory, or least a place we haven't been for a long time. It's nice, the kids look happy, the wife looks happy, and I am happy.

MS Wheelchair Owner, Prom Pictures, and Released From Back Surgeons Care

Went and bought the wheelchair the other day, seems like a good buy to start out. It's very comfortable, has good power, and is made with a person of my girth. Here is the plan, I'm going to use my new wheels whenever there is a lot of walking involved. I'm actually looking forward to it, been having to pass to avoid long walks. Next thing I need to figure out is how to get it into the house, and how to transport it from place to place.



The boy had his prom, was the best looking guy there.The wife was so happy he went, she was a nervous wreck he would opt out of it. Luckily for all of us, he wanted to go. 5 couples went together in on limo, all knew each other, all got along well. Didn't hurt any the girl he went with was a real cutie pie, friends since kindergarten, and a real sweetheart.

Went to the back surgeon for my last visit, told him I'm having back pain still, e told me that was to be expected. told him I am 50 % better, just that point when I stand and when I sit. Not unbearable, but more than I was hoping for, pain that is. Started doing my own rehab, riding my recumbent bike, I'm going to fix the rest of this myself.

Looking at Wheelchairs, Cooking Club, and Time to Open the Pool

Today is a big day, going down to look at a power wheelchair for the first time. I've been fighting to keep this time away, but common sense tells me to start looking into it. Things like the grocery store, or going to Lowes, has gotten very hard. Stores and the like have ones you can use, but there are times when having your own would be beneficial. The boy's graduation is approaching, that is a long walk, have to decide if I want to spend all my stamps just getting to my seat, or have some left to enjoy?

A group of people I went to school with, 4 or 5 couples, want to start a cooking club, nothing fancy, something to do. Ideas are flying, how should it be done, where, when? One idea was to have everyone bring the same course, say your favorite appetizer, or desert. Last night a friend said how much she would like to be a judge on iron chef, and bing, an idea! Why not have a "secret" ingredient and have everyone make anything containing that one thing. We shall see how it plays out, be nice to spend an evening with friends regardless.

This weekend is the unofficial time people here in Baltimore open their pools. Wondering if everyone, including us will do it that way this year? The weather has been horrible here, and by the looks, many other place as well. The wife is going to be in charge of it this year, very little help from me, if any. I worry it's too much for her, not that she can't do it, she can do anything, just that it may be too much in addition to everything she already does. Either way the pool will be open soon, wish us luck.

Weather Fluctuations, Squirrel Feeders Rock, and The Kids Are Great

Does the change in the temperature effect everyone like it does me? 100 degrees today, snowed yesterday, it's killin me! OK, 80's today, 50's yesterday, but it takes its toll on me. The legs are AWOL to begin with, but when mother nature hits me with this, they are almost useless. Heat is bad, but this back and forth has to go.

So I got a couple of bird feeders, one for songbird feed, the other for thistle. The thistle has been attracting gold finches, and the other has have everything, including big grackles, that can empty out a feeder in a hurry. The squirrels have also had a field day, that is until I bought a squirrel feeder. That's right, if you can't beat em, feed em! I'm having more fun watching the squirrels open the lid of the feeder, take out a peanut, then scurry away and bury it. Fun is where you find it.

The girl finished up her first semester at U of Baltimore, best switch we could have done, she loves it. Did I mention she got a job? She got a job! She is working at Claire's down the mall, 2 minutes away, and she likes it! The wife and I actually have been home alone a few days, the boy only uses this as a mailing address. Cooking meals for 2 people is strange, it's almost not worth getting dishes dirty. The kids are good, so life is good.

Friends New Home, Slow Motion With MS, and Two Days Until the Walk

Went to look at a friends house today, he's a builder, so he's building it himself, makes sense to me. First time I've seen his work, not too shabby. I was giving him a hard time about how much nicer it was than my house, telling him even his refrigerator was cooler than mine. We don't live that far apart, 5 or 6 miles, but I'm in a community, he's in the country. Told him much I liked the country, just then a herd of deer ran across his property. I don't think we'll be friends anymore?

Noticed something today, I have one speed, slow. When we were down my buddies house, the wife and the friend went down to look at the lower level, a full other living quarters, for the friends mother in law. I didn't go because of the steps, heard it start to rain. Knew our windows were open, so I double timed it outside, it was actually more like 1/16 time for most people, but for, I was flying baby! Paying the price tonight, not sure the legs are still there, unless I try to walk, then I'm aware they are the things dragging behind me. Back hurts a little too, easy day tomorrow.

Two days til the walk, the girl did a great job as team captain, 21 registered walkers. I am going to be there to cheer them off, then clap for them when they finish. I really appreciated it, we are going to the local American legion for a hot dog bonanza and snacks, a small thank you, and a chance for me to spend some time with all of them. My one cousin from PA will be at the college where the walk is, her daughter has a field hockey tournament, I'm looking to seeing them too.

The Boy Broke His Hand, and I'm Feeling Pretty Good, MS and All

Our luck continues, the boy is in the Maryland State Bowling championship, he broke a bone is his hand today. I guess it is lucky, it was his non bowling hand, but give us a break, no pun intended. Took him for Xrays, bone in the back of his left hand is broken almost in two. We go to Union Memorial Hospital hand center on Monday, the place he had surgery last year when he broke the other hand! This wasn't in the brochure.

I'm feeling pretty good, the back is getting stronger, the legs are too, the stimulator even seems to be working better. The 10 mg Prednisone seems to be helping, the wife seems to think so, says I'm moving better. Balance is still an issue, but Mary Lou Retton I never was, so can't complain. Getting outside, seeing all the trees and bushes exploding green, perennials poking up through the ground, don't think that hurts. Planted my trash can potatoes today, but that's another story.

Happy Easter, and Weak Legs and Balance

Had a great Easter, went to the wife's sisters, good eats, good company. The boy went to the PBA finals, he had worked them all week, he's a good kid, he deserved to go. Had a lovely time with the in laws, but then always do. The girl sat next to me and held my hand, good day. Not much of a church person, but went down and spent some time with a neighbor,lost his wife this past fall, and today would have been Miss Pat's birthday too. Sat about an hour or so, he showed me his Karaoke machine, sang a few to me. I'm going with him to Chick filet, he's got a gig up there on Thursday morning.

My balance is really off, not sure why? Could be the Valium the Percocet, but I'm not taking much of that. My legs are really feeling weak, strange the way it is, never had this before. I think the balance is related to weakness, curious if it would help to up the Prednisone to 15 or 20 mg? It may all be a guessing game from this point, but I've always loved games, so bring it on!