Life after the MS diagnosis

Meisje and I on a walk with Zielle along the banks of the Jordan River.


The last several months have been hard. I have not felt well. I am not complaining; it is simply honesty. In spite of daily shots of Copaxone and a dozen pills a day, I still seem to be hurting. I still have frequent migraines. In the last six months, I have have three relapses. Although each bout has been temporary, I have lost the ability to speak, see, and walk normally. With each relapse, I have returned to normal. Although when I am tired, my speech sometimes slurs still. Most of the time I am able to function so strangers do not notice that I have MS. I sure hope that continues! I might have health problems and be in a lot of pain, but I don't want to look like a freak. :)

I was not getting good care from my previous Neurologist. I switched to one of the leading MS Neurologists. He specializes in MS. He even treats Montel Williams. I am hoping to get better results from his office. Dr. Foley and his staff are working hard to get my MS under control.


When I had my last infusion of IV SoluMedrol, the infusion nurse started to sign to me. She thought I was deaf. I told her I am not hearing impaired. It was simply my MS making my tongue numb. That was so funny!


Yesterday, I could hardly walk because of the burning sensation in my feet, legs (mainly my right leg) and mid section. Today I seem fine. The burning returned to where it usually resides -- my feet.


Last Saturday, I had a particularly good day. I try to get outside whenever I can, because the more mobile a person with MS is, the more MS seems to let that person stay mobile. I like being able to walk and move, so I get out as the weather and my MS permits.




Saturday, the weather was lovely too. My new boyfriend Zielle and I decided to go to the mountains and have a picnic. We headed up Millcreek canyon and we found a place to BBQ some sausages (and meatless ones for Zielle). Meisje went with us. I manned the fire and grilled. It was a spectacular day. Zielle was super impressed that I knew how to build a fire without lighter fluid. I now know my summers at Girls' Camp did some good.



Today, Meisje went to the Vet. He said he had never seen such a healthy pug. He was surprised at how lean and muscular Meisje is. For once, her hyperactivity paid off. Yay, good job, "Monster-dog"!








The fire that Kristen built.











A ladybug on the wood post at the Millcreek campground.

Park City

It has been so hot in Salt Lake this summer. Meisje and I could not take it. So, we took a ride up to Park City. We walked some trails and then around an outlet mall. Meisje made friends with every child in sight. It was much cooler in the mountains.

Funny Dog!

Oh my! Meisje has been just too funny!

I bought her three or four new toys, and she has been beside herself with joy. She will play and play, and then run over and come kiss me, as if she is saying, "Oh, thank you!". It is pretty sweet.

I got up to go to the bathroom (it is 2:20 am), and she was wiggling with joy to go to her basket to pick out a toy to take back to bed with her. What a character!

MEISJE!!!!!

Wednesday, I was home sick. YUCK! I felt awful, and my throat hurt, and I had a fever of 103. So, I laid down to take a nap. I woke up to a gross gagging noise. Miss Meisje the troublemaker was at it again. I woke up and put on my glasses. Arrgh! What was she chewing on this time?

She had an empty bottle of "Gorilla Glue" that she was knawing on. Meisje had eaten it all. Meisje performed miracles to get the glue. It was in a closet behind a closed door on the top shelf. That mini acrobat of dog not only had to climb up to the top shelf to get it, but she had to open the door.

I called the Vet, and was told to rush her in. Meisje's vet came into the exam room quickly. She took some x-rays and confirmed the mass in her stomach and intestines. Meisje needed surgery, and her Vet wanted a special Veterinary Surgeon to do the operation. We drove across town to the Surgeon's office. Meisje was immediately taken into the operating room. The mass that was removed from her belly was about twice the size of my fist. It looked like the inside of a Nerf ball, but felt like volcanic rock. Poor baby-dog! Her belly has an almost foot long incision.

Meisje had to have medication every two hours for several days. She was on pain medication and an acid reducer. She moved to every four hours over the weekend. Last night she moved to a much nicer schedule for me -- every eight hours for another week. In ten days, she will have a check-up to see if her staples can be removed.

She has to be the world's luckiest dog. Meisje is healing well now. She is back to her normal playful-self. She now has a dozen or so extra staples in her belly, her stomach stitched, and sutures in her abdominal wall too. We had to bring the addition of an e-collar (which she HATES) to keep her from pulling them out the staples.

Meisje has a new cow toy to console her during the healing process. Meisje likes it because it moos. I like it because there are no eyes to pull out.

Meisje when she got home:

A close-up of her belly:

Ok Mom, GET ME OUT OF THIS!!!

Another picture of Meisje with the dreaded E-Collar:

Busy, busy month

The month started out with a bang! My dog got surgery, My brother's baby was born, My Mom came for a visit, I started a new migraine medication (it seems to actually be working), and I have some energy back. WHEW!

Here is a picture of the monster dog -- Meisje sleeping away on her back. That was while she still had the yummy tramadol (doggie painkillers).

Here is a picture of Me, my nephew Sully, my niece Hannah, and a portion of my Mom. The camera cut her off. Sorry!

I went to a Iva's (my closest friend) sister's son's 5th birthday today. I always feel at home with Iva and her family. They are the best! Here is a picture of Iva, her sisters, her Mom and me. Left to right, from the back and then the front: Mesepa, Taute'e, Fa'a putuga, Toaiva, Susana, Me, Faitalia.

Meisje had an adventure. She had some minor surgery. She is ok.

Meisje's love of chewing things got her in trouble. She got a spring lodged in her esophagus. Yes, a curly pig-tail like spring. She woke me up last night because she was vomiting blood.

We went to the Vet's office this morning, and got her checked out. Not only did Miss Meisje have the spring in her, but she has some of her toy parts in her belly. Meisje was sedated and they cauterized the wound in her lower throat. She is stoned now. See the video.

As far as the other things she has ingested, Meisje has to be on laxatives to help her pass them from her system.

All I can think is, "Thank Goodness for pet insurance!"

Sleeepy Dog

Meisje was quite sleepy this weekend. She did not want to get out from under the covers.

Meanwhile ... back at the farm

My Aunt and Uncle took care of Miss Meisje while I was gone for the first week, the final five days, my best friend Iva watched after the baby dog.

Meisje learned how to share toys and eat cat food from cousin Zuzu. She learned how to beg even better for human food with Iva (she ate TV dinners and Hot Pockets). Meisje learned to be nice to little kids, and let them play with her kennel too. After all when one is two or three years old, it is fun to bark and pretend one is a doggie.

Meisje is happy to have her Momma back, even if Momma is mean and makes her eat her dog food. She loves her rib bone from her "Grand-paw", and she chews it all of the time.

All Packed

Saturday I packed for my trip. I am so excited. It is my first real vacation ever. Although I am nervous to drop Meisje off, and a little worried about plane to train connections, I can't wait!

BIG THANKS to Geni, Pat, and Iva for taking care of my little fur-baby/ monster-dog.

Meisje is in a picture here, playing with her Santa Bear. When she chews it, it growls like a bear.

Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving weekend has been busy. Aunt Geniece, Uncle Patrick and I drove down to Grandma's, switched to Grandma & Grandpa's car and then we all drove to Uncle Les and Tamar's house in Springville for a lovely meal. It sure was fun to hang out with all of the cousins and their kids. My cousin Ashlee's little boy Morgan (age three) and I watched part of a Disney movie together. He snuggled up in my lap and gave me what he thought was a compliment. "You sure is soft", he said.




After dinner, we went back to Grandma's house to look at her remodeled kitchen. It is beautiful! The picture is not the best quality, since I took it with my camera phone. I think their kitchen is as lovely as what Extreme Makeover does.






This morning Meisje surprised me. I was picking up her toys and putting them in her basket, when she went and got her hedgehog toy and put it in the basket too. She took out her orange ball then and played with that. I can't believe my little "monster" of a pup picked up her own mess. Usually she just makes the mess, and I get to clean. Today, I will call that a blessing. :-)




PS: My Grandmother usually has everyone tell three things that person is thankful for on Thanksgiving. This year, I am thankful for family and friends, my dog, and divorce. Yup, I am thankful for divorce. It may be lonely sometimes being single, but it sure beats being miserable with a deadbeat for a husband. One more thing, I am thankful Direct TV is coming out today to fix the dish. Its been broken for a week, and I found out I like watching TV.

Science Project

In spite of having a horrible cold and the stomach flu this week, Meisje and I were able to schedule a day of FUN!

Iva -- my bestest girlfriend after my family has two delightful children, who think of me as their "Auntie". It is a position I cherish and I spoil them every chance I get. Yesterday, I had a chance to fulfill my Auntie duties. Kiana (now 10), had a science project to do. Since her Brother Deion (11 yrs old) had one due at the same time, Iva turned one project over to me. YAY!! Yesterday Kiana and her cousin Fa'aesea (also 10) came over to take care of the science project.

We blew up bottles of Diet Coke with Mentos. We also painted Pumpkins, borrowed a dog playmate -- my Aunt Geniece's cute Zuzu, watched a movie, and the girls picked out a dress for Meisje to wear for Halloween. Whew! I was thoroughly exhausted after the day was done.

How can you deny me when I beg like this?

Meisje loves her bath time. She likes my bath time too. Actually, she likes any form of warm water. Once she jumped into my friend Sharon's Hot Tub, and enjoyed the water there. Here is a picture of the "water bugg" begging to jump into the water filled bath last night.

Meisje -- Protector from Evil Tablecloth

08/23/08 We all know that tablecloths are slothful. They never do much but sit on the table.

The red tablecloth at my house is evil and quite possibly possessed if one asks Meisje (after all it does wiggle and flutter if the air currents are just so). Friday morning at 3:12am the tablecloth was apparently very naughty. Meisje showed it who was boss. I woke up to the sounds of the attack. It was a long battle, but eventually, the tablecloth learned its lesson. It won't lay there doing naughty lazy things anymore! Thank goodness Meisje is here to protect me from this particular tableloth's antics. Whew!

Arf! I can sing!

8/10/08 As I was getting ready for Church I was singing a hymn (In our lovely desert....) when I got to the chorus, Meisje started to bark and howl. I wanted to see if she would do it again, so I sang the song again. She did it three times, but only when I sang the chorus. I think she was trying to sing with me. It was darling! I guess she is not really a monster all of the time.