Dr. Wii?

Had a thought about the Wii. Maybe doctors should invest in them? There are so many balance and strength exercises on the Wii fit that include graphs to show your balance for each leg. Messages even pop up while you excercise,with comments like " I notice your left leg is a bit shaky", right on for me. My left leg is the weak one . It's interesting to look at the graphs and compare my right leg, which charts as fairly stable, and my left, which strays all over the graph.
I do better on certain ones, such as the warrior pose in yoga, although once again, the Wiii notices that my left leg is not as strong.

I thought this would be a fun, easy way, for doctors to test a patient's balance and perhaps a therapist could recomend certain excercises ? The board would be disinfected after each use, or cotton, non slip, socks could be worn. Cetainly would be more enjoyable than the typical test they make you do like walking in a straight line, heel to toe (I hate that one) or closing your eyes while standing and the doctor pushes on you.

I don't get Blogger, it seems to do some half wit spell check . Red lines under correct words and none under real obvious mistakes.

Have had a set back with my leg. It's really stiff and swollen tonight. I thought it was getting better but I think it's just the pain killers fooling me.

Weekend

Tonight I'm finishing off the weekend watching a "black sploitation" movie, TNT Jackson.
Not only politically incorrect, but racist and so sixties. The names they are calling each other !

It's been quiet around here except for the constant barking dogs. Attention neighbours!!
The only dogs that like being outside in the cold and snow are Huskies, otherwise your dog wants to be inside where it's nice and warm. Just like you do.

Had some twitching in my face and legs yesterday. It's gone now. I'm pleased that I was able to go for a decent walk and not limp. Haven't been doing the Wii as much as I should. My leg needs to get better before I can tackle any of the good exercises. That's my excuse for being lazy. I know the next time I turn on the Wii , it will admonish me for not sticking to my routine .

Hey I finally saw a photo of Barack Obama smoking ! They kept that well hidden. For me that totally shatters the image of the young, fit, soon to be president.

Well back to the snake pit tomorrow. I wonder what bureaucratic nightmares await me

I just hate it when the computer tries to guess what I'm going to type (no I'm not going to type "chili dogs")
Back to this kooky movie.

Prednisone

So many things I want to write about only as usual, I'm too tired. What a wasted evening. I did buy a cd today by IL Divo, which I might pop into the cd player and listen to it in bed tonight. That should help to chase away these blues. Yeah I know I should be downloading this stuff on to the mp3 on my phone, but I'm old school and still enjoy listening to the radio and cd's.

Spoke with the doctor this afternoon about all the tripping I've been doing lately. One thing about him is he's very quick to call back when I leave a message, unlike all the service technicians I've had to deal with these past few weeks. After talking for awhile he said he would call in a prescription to the pharmacy for Prednisone, an anti inflammatory drug I took years ago for asthma. Not too thrilled about taking it as it can cause weight gain and insomnia, two things I'm already struggling with. It sure would be great to have some drugs that didn't cause side effects .
My son was nice and went to the laundromat today to do a couple of loads . That should last us till Monday, when the service guy says he will show up . Not holding my breathe for this wahser nonsense to be resolved.
A guy at work was commenting on how technology is the road to ruin Have to agree. It's handy and yet a pain in the ***( insert where you want the pain) .
Must be the weather getting to me. Every year I find winter less appealing and get fed up with it earlier.

Memory Foam

Another day at home exhausted . Good thing the Health Canada report has been pushed ahead and should be ready before the end of this month, instead of the initial deadline of March. I'm not expecting any miracles. Having a decision will at least help me to figure out what to do next.

If you need new slippers I highly recommend Foam Treads with memory foam. They cost more than regular slippers but it's worth it. I use to buy slippers at Payless, because other than the Tall Girl shop, they were the only store that had my size. For some reason they don't sell them anymore. I wear size 12 shoes . I don't have any problems finding foot wear except for there being much less selection in my size. That actually is a good thing, otherwise I know I would be a shoe-aholic . Any way I bought two pairs of slippers on sale with free shipping. They are so comfortable and truthfully my leg hurts much less when I wear them.

I have a memory foam mattress which is super comfortable too. I wish they could put that stuff in everything: shoes, boots, chairs, sofas, even clothes. Too bad I can't have a memory foam brain that could bounce back from an MS episode . And speaking of brains I saw a news report that there is a shortage of them around for research purposes. I would happily donate mine in future but would they want it ?

Got a call from the appliance store.They're sending a technician out to have a look at my washer. The customer service person said they think it may have something to do with the way it's draining. What ever, I just want to do some washing. Then the guys who were supposed to remove all the debris from the basement show up with a full truck. Dummies said they thought my junk would fit in. I don't see how when the truck was full to bursting. They said they would be back tomorrow afternoon with an empty truck. Once again what ever, I just want the old rotten wood gone.

The grocery guy called and said he would be late due to the bad weather. We had snow and freezing rain today and it really is a mess out there. I sure wouldn't want to be driving.

I don't know about staying on this Amantadine, it doesn't seem to be working. I think I'll give the doctor a call tomorrow to discuss going off it. Have to tell him about all this tripping nonsense too.

Think I'll do my Wii fit now and see how old I am today. Until my leg gets better I can only do the yoga and balance exercises, which I really like. Never thought I would enjoy yoga.
I wish the the Wii had better graphics and sound. Why can't the trainer speak to me rather than me having to read all that? even if it is praise.

MS + Copaxone = ANXIETY

I started experiencing attacks of anxiety before I went on a hiatus from blogging. In the beginning, I thought maybe, I was doing too much…blogging, school, accepting board appointments, and helping in the Mayor's campaign among my personal daily duties. By the way, my candidate WON :)

I awaken one morning from a night sleep and I immediately felt panicky and fearful. The feeling last a few minutes, but I was complex to why I was feeling that way. As I continued with my day, I noticed I was feeling panicky and fearful through out my day. I did not associate what I was feeling to ANXIETY, I just knew something was not right to feel something terrible was about to happen and it was out of character for me. I brushed it off as residual effects from wearing a morphine patch for a year and suddenly stopping a few months earlier.

Waking up feeling fear and panic went on for weeks and it intensified to the point, I knew I had to get to the bottom as to WHY. I did not like what it was doing to me, it was starting to affect my life to the point I was afraid of being home alone, driving, and leaving my home. I was at the point of despair hiding this creature ANXIETY that invaded my thoughts and body.

Many times, I thought I was going to lose control of taming the creature within when I was out in public, therefore, I cancelled appointments, stopped blogging, and if I were not taking online courses, I would have quit school. Realistically, I knew nothing was going to happen, but this creature was paralyzing me. I start realizing keeping quiet was giving the creature within power.

I began taking that power back when I told my husband what I was going through. Of course, his response was to make an appointment with my therapist. I agreed, but the creature had me paralyzed to the point I could not drive without feeling as if I was having a heart attack. I was ready to have myself committed to get control of the creature within. I called my therapist and told him how I was afraid to leave my house and drive because I physically felt as if I was going to die. I asked him, “If I checked myself in the hospital could he see me then because I cannot keep going like this”. Unfortunately I could not check my self in for severe Anxiety because I was not suicidal or a harm to others, which is fortunate.

My next course of action to fight the creature was a visit to my primary care doctor and neurologist. It is no secret there is a drug for all ailments that invade our body. Once again, I was semi scolded by my primary care doctor and neurologist for waiting weeks to let them know Anxiety was kicking my ass. My primary care doctor asked me, “Is anxiety a side effect of Copaxone.” I responded, “I don’t recall anxiety being a side effect of Copaxone, but I will look into it.” My neurologist confirmed anxiety is a side effect of Copaxone and anxiety is associated living with multiple sclerosis. I was prescribed Cymbalta 60mg to control my anxiety creature. Cymbalta was good for my neurological pain because I use to take it, but I did not know it was also to control anxiety. It took three weeks for Cymbalta to get in my system, tame the creature, and start gaining control of my life again. As of today, I have been taking Cymbalta for two months and I plan to continue taking it until a side effect rear its head from taking it.

So many different side effects come with taking medication. It is not as if I did not know, but I have to remember that a side effect from a drug can happen at any time while I am taking it. I promised myself, when I am out of character; I will not wait until it become critical before I notify my primary care doctor or neurologist. Do not be a hard head like me, when you feel out of character get in touch with your doctor.

It's Over

Here's the latest photo of my friend who lives in the South West. Oh how I miss him.

The holiday is over and it's back to work tomorrow. The pies, cakes, cream puffs, and chocolates have all been eaten. Time to get back to eating healthy stuff. I have my fruit, veg, and water packed for lunch and I baked oat muffins for breakfast.

Lots of frustration and disappointment these past couple of weeks. Why can't people live up to their promises or at least admit it when they can't. Is a phone call that big a deal ? Here we are with a dozen different ways to communicate instantly with others and yet it seems to be more difficult to do it.

The next three months are going to be a challenge. I have used up all my vacation time and sick time . There are no long weekends or holidays till Easter. This has never happened to me before. It wasn't that long ago that I always had leave credits to spare. Weeks and weeks of sick time and at least a few vacation days to make it through the winter.
Guess I'll have to take lots of naps to make to the new fiscal year in April.

My new washer doesn't work, it's a lemon. I may end up getting a replacement . I told the store manger's assistant, that I don't want another front loading machine. They're too finicky,too easily unbalanced. We wasted a few good hours trying to set it up so that it would remain stable Built a platform for it , no good, took it off the platform and moved it to the flatest spot on the concrete floor and adjusted the "legs " snug . It was perfectly level and straight .I checked it up and down with my level. It was solid enough,I doubt an elephant could have moved it and yet the silly thing just wouldn't continue spinning. I tried everything suggested in the manual. End result is my hands are sore from wringing out soggy clothes. Ahh, so many hours wasted on so called time saving conveniences .

Time for a shower and the Opera show. Thank goodness there are small pleasures to smooth over all the crap.

I was looking over my blog. January 16 th It will be a year I've been blogging. I don't know why I thought I started it in March 2008. Where did those three months go ?

I'm going to read the whole thing over and do a summary on anniversary day.

Pretty Good Odds

Here's an article about New Year resolutions . I don't know, 45% success rate sounds good to me. If the lottery had those odds I'd buy a hundred tickets.

I don't have any resolutions I have wishes :
1. I would like to have my work situation resolved one way or another so I can get on with my life
2. I would like to stop tripping and messing up my leg all the time
3. I would like to move south, however 1 above will need to happen first.
4. I would like to have some spare cash to give to my son to start his newspaper/ news website
5. Also spare cash to start a micro loan company That's were you give a person a small loan at a low interest rate, to start up a business.

Hey the lottery is $12 million this Friday
Have to keep this short. I notice some Email that could prove interesting
Happy New Year 2009
To paraphrase Anne of Green Gables, " A brand New Year with no mistakes"