Mark and I just got back from a walk around the block. The weather was great and NO coat was required.
This is Wisconsin and weather has well basically sucked for so long that NO coat is wonderful.
I was really dragging near the end but Mark kept talking and I could focus on that instead of the steps I was taking.
I could see the park so I was motivated. I'm really starting to believe I can pull this off next year.
3 miles is a long distance for someone with multiple sclerosis but I want it so bad.
I had a conversation with someone the other day( whom I have never met in person). She is just a phone voice. She said in short that if I attempt it she will be there at the finish line for me.
Wow ! That's the motivation I need and so much appreciate.
Maybe she can call my parents and explain support to them. hahahahahahaha !
Gotta laugh about it because the alternative is tears and I promised myself I wouldn't shed another tear about my family walking away.
I am enjoying walking again. I'm going to the mall again on Thursday and hopefully do two laps of the mall instead of one. We shall see.
We finalized our vacation plans and I will post about it shortly. I'm very excited.
It'll be a romantic, relaxing vacation in a place I never thought I would go to.
So a hint. No, just a teaser.
Ciao
Cathy
www.TheMSShoppe.com
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Planning a vacation
Mark & I have been trying to plan a summer vacaion and have gone back and forth as to where to go.
We thought about Hawaii, about a weekend in New York, trying to get together with my cousins from Philly and about a half dozen other options.
Traveling with MS has always had those barriers. Not everywhere is handicap accessible. What about the heat? Steps? Walking distances?
I think everywhere has some kind of obstacle but I am convinced we can find a solution.
Especially since I am feeling better. I believe we need to do this before I can't do it.
We have gone around and around in circles trying to chose a place.
I think we both just need a week off where we don't have to do anything.
We are close to finalizing a decsion and will report shortly what we have decided.
Haven't figured out how to deal with the business while we are gone but I am sure we will figure it out.
Mark needs to get away so nobody can find him. good luck !
Cathy
www.TheMSShoppe.com
We thought about Hawaii, about a weekend in New York, trying to get together with my cousins from Philly and about a half dozen other options.
Traveling with MS has always had those barriers. Not everywhere is handicap accessible. What about the heat? Steps? Walking distances?
I think everywhere has some kind of obstacle but I am convinced we can find a solution.
Especially since I am feeling better. I believe we need to do this before I can't do it.
We have gone around and around in circles trying to chose a place.
I think we both just need a week off where we don't have to do anything.
We are close to finalizing a decsion and will report shortly what we have decided.
Haven't figured out how to deal with the business while we are gone but I am sure we will figure it out.
Mark needs to get away so nobody can find him. good luck !
Cathy
www.TheMSShoppe.com
Thursday, April 9, 2009
too much going on
It's been one of those weeks where so much is going on I can't seem to
get anywhere close to caught up.
From adding two new team members to my MS Walk team to the envelopes
arriving daily with donations ( and then writing thank you notes)to the craziness of this business.
Today I got an envelope in the mail that brought tears to my eyes.
I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my lives.
You know who you are so a big thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I am in the process of adding a new vendor. One that I am very excited about.
Except that means adding products to my website, myself. It is not a long process
but a process I can only do when my brain is fully charged.
I am having significant problems with another vendor and I'm ready to call
my attorney because I don't want to deal with it anymore.
I have been exrcising alot lately and honestly I think that is what is keeping
me from going completely crazy.
My husband and I have been trying to plan a summer vacation together. What
a concept. I think we finalized an incredible deal last night. More details later.
I am going to ask my mother in law to tweak a dress for me so I can wear it again.
It is one of the most beautiful gowns I have ever owned and I really want to wear it again.
I'll take a picture and post it soon.
Then of course, we have housework, laundry, cooking, the dogs, the husband,yada yada
yada.
I had my hair done yesterday which is normally very relaxing for me but I couldn't
sleep last night at all. My brain was running a mile a minute so today I am feeling
hungover. Maybe I should have a drink. LOL
Mark has tomorrow off for Good Friday so we are going to run away from home.
Maybe I just need a day off.
Hope everybody has awonderful Good Friday, Passover, and Easter !
Cathy
www.TheMSShoppe.com
get anywhere close to caught up.
From adding two new team members to my MS Walk team to the envelopes
arriving daily with donations ( and then writing thank you notes)to the craziness of this business.
Today I got an envelope in the mail that brought tears to my eyes.
I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my lives.
You know who you are so a big thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I am in the process of adding a new vendor. One that I am very excited about.
Except that means adding products to my website, myself. It is not a long process
but a process I can only do when my brain is fully charged.
I am having significant problems with another vendor and I'm ready to call
my attorney because I don't want to deal with it anymore.
I have been exrcising alot lately and honestly I think that is what is keeping
me from going completely crazy.
My husband and I have been trying to plan a summer vacation together. What
a concept. I think we finalized an incredible deal last night. More details later.
I am going to ask my mother in law to tweak a dress for me so I can wear it again.
It is one of the most beautiful gowns I have ever owned and I really want to wear it again.
I'll take a picture and post it soon.
Then of course, we have housework, laundry, cooking, the dogs, the husband,yada yada
yada.
I had my hair done yesterday which is normally very relaxing for me but I couldn't
sleep last night at all. My brain was running a mile a minute so today I am feeling
hungover. Maybe I should have a drink. LOL
Mark has tomorrow off for Good Friday so we are going to run away from home.
Maybe I just need a day off.
Hope everybody has awonderful Good Friday, Passover, and Easter !
Cathy
www.TheMSShoppe.com
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Why my dogs make me laugh !
This morning my dogs were so eager to go outside they did something that
made me laugh.
I have tried very hard to teach them doggie etiquette and to respect each other but sometimes
excitement takes over and well, they forget.
This morning they attempted to run thru the doggie door together. Now, I know they love each other but there wasn't much love going on when I was trying to unwedge their asses from between the sides of the doggie door. It was however very funny after they were unwedged.
I guess I'll have to retrain them on doggie doors. Classes start tommorow morning. We'll call it doogie door 101.
I went out for a little while today and when I arrived home I was greeted with the usual excitement of " mommies home". They danced around me and I gave them both hugs. I had a few things to carry in so I grabbed a large box that UPS left on my doorstep, my purse, my cane and the mail which was on the foyer floor.
I scooped it all up in two trips and settled down on the couch to regroup. I realized I was a dog short. I called Noelle and got no response. I thought she was outside but I couldn't find her.
Lately, she has been running upstairs as a little game so I drug myself upstairs to look for her.
All the while, I called her name. I started to panic. Where the heck was she? I hoped she hadn't jumped the fence in all that excitement of me coming home.
I came in the house and looked everywhere. Still calling her name and almost in tears by this point I heard her bark.
But I still couldn't find her. I decided if this was a game I wasn't having fun.
Meanwhile, Ripley is hugging my legs like I was going to lose him too.
Finally I heard her bark again and realized when I closed the door to the foyer she was inside.
oops! When I opened the door she came slithering out real close to the ground and darted outside. I followed her but she was moving much faster than I was.
When I got out back she was squatting and doing her business.
I guess I literally scared the s*&t out of the poor thing.
A couple of hugs later and I was forgiven and all was forgotten. Except for me, who was wiping the teary mascara ( or what was left of it) off my face.
Good grief. why is we have dogs anyway? Because they make me laugh, and they make me cry and I can't imagine my life without those furry creatures.
Cathy
www.TheMSShoppe.com
made me laugh.
I have tried very hard to teach them doggie etiquette and to respect each other but sometimes
excitement takes over and well, they forget.
This morning they attempted to run thru the doggie door together. Now, I know they love each other but there wasn't much love going on when I was trying to unwedge their asses from between the sides of the doggie door. It was however very funny after they were unwedged.
I guess I'll have to retrain them on doggie doors. Classes start tommorow morning. We'll call it doogie door 101.
I went out for a little while today and when I arrived home I was greeted with the usual excitement of " mommies home". They danced around me and I gave them both hugs. I had a few things to carry in so I grabbed a large box that UPS left on my doorstep, my purse, my cane and the mail which was on the foyer floor.
I scooped it all up in two trips and settled down on the couch to regroup. I realized I was a dog short. I called Noelle and got no response. I thought she was outside but I couldn't find her.
Lately, she has been running upstairs as a little game so I drug myself upstairs to look for her.
All the while, I called her name. I started to panic. Where the heck was she? I hoped she hadn't jumped the fence in all that excitement of me coming home.
I came in the house and looked everywhere. Still calling her name and almost in tears by this point I heard her bark.
But I still couldn't find her. I decided if this was a game I wasn't having fun.
Meanwhile, Ripley is hugging my legs like I was going to lose him too.
Finally I heard her bark again and realized when I closed the door to the foyer she was inside.
oops! When I opened the door she came slithering out real close to the ground and darted outside. I followed her but she was moving much faster than I was.
When I got out back she was squatting and doing her business.
I guess I literally scared the s*&t out of the poor thing.
A couple of hugs later and I was forgiven and all was forgotten. Except for me, who was wiping the teary mascara ( or what was left of it) off my face.
Good grief. why is we have dogs anyway? Because they make me laugh, and they make me cry and I can't imagine my life without those furry creatures.
Cathy
www.TheMSShoppe.com
Monday, April 6, 2009
A walk in the Mall
I just got back from my Mall Walk. I was excited about going for a walk but also dreading it.
I realized if I couldn't do one lap I would never be able to do the MS Walk in 2010 like I want to.
I finished one lap and was so pumped I wanted to do a second lap. But I figured maybe not overdue it.
Instead I choase to go shopping. I really don't like to shop but I never ever get the chance to shop alone anymore and I was feeling fiercly independent. So I went shopping.
The first store on my list was Victoria's Secret. I rarely get to go shopping for those kinds of things by myself so I seized the opportunity. And the reason I hate to shop is as a disabled person salespeople have a tendency to run for their lives.I'm not contagious, I have MS.
Anyway, the sales woman was soooooo nice. I couldn't believe it. She helped me so much and I ended up making a nice purchase. ( incase she works on commision or some other sales incentives)
As I was checking out, I couldn't find her and told the woman at the checkout I wanted to make sure she got credit for this sale because she was so helpful. As it turned out the woman checking me out was the manager.
I did see my sales woman as I was finished and thanked her for treating me with repsect. Not realizing who this other woman was at the time. So her manager heard everything I said in thanking her. Maybe she will get a raise.
Victoria's Secret was the only store that had people in it and they were actually quite busy. The economy doesn't seem to have put a damper on the intimate purchases.
I ran into my friend who works at the mall and hung with her til the Handi Van came for me. I think I did enough walking for today. I'll get caught up on reading everyone else's blog
Cathy
www.TheMSShoppe.com
I realized if I couldn't do one lap I would never be able to do the MS Walk in 2010 like I want to.
I finished one lap and was so pumped I wanted to do a second lap. But I figured maybe not overdue it.
Instead I choase to go shopping. I really don't like to shop but I never ever get the chance to shop alone anymore and I was feeling fiercly independent. So I went shopping.
The first store on my list was Victoria's Secret. I rarely get to go shopping for those kinds of things by myself so I seized the opportunity. And the reason I hate to shop is as a disabled person salespeople have a tendency to run for their lives.I'm not contagious, I have MS.
Anyway, the sales woman was soooooo nice. I couldn't believe it. She helped me so much and I ended up making a nice purchase. ( incase she works on commision or some other sales incentives)
As I was checking out, I couldn't find her and told the woman at the checkout I wanted to make sure she got credit for this sale because she was so helpful. As it turned out the woman checking me out was the manager.
I did see my sales woman as I was finished and thanked her for treating me with repsect. Not realizing who this other woman was at the time. So her manager heard everything I said in thanking her. Maybe she will get a raise.
Victoria's Secret was the only store that had people in it and they were actually quite busy. The economy doesn't seem to have put a damper on the intimate purchases.
I ran into my friend who works at the mall and hung with her til the Handi Van came for me. I think I did enough walking for today. I'll get caught up on reading everyone else's blog
Cathy
www.TheMSShoppe.com
Friday, April 3, 2009
Tysabri Patient Education Program
Last night I gave my speech for a patient education program sponsored by Biogen Idec, the makers of the drug Tysabri.
It probably was one of the best events I have attended. It was the first time I gave my " new and somewhat tweaked" version of my speech. I like the changes I made to it. It helps set the stage for how things were before I began Tysabri.
It's no secret that I have had tremendous success with this drug. I am very proud of myself and my success.
As we all know success doesn't include a "magic pill".Or in this case an IV once a month.
It takes alot of hard work and the right attitude. ( ok, stop with the attitude jokes) Plus taking care of yourself. Eating right, exercise. Nothing is going to have success unless you can formulate a plan to include all of these factors.
I work really really hard at doing these things. Although I did eat a big cookie last night and then stole one for the drive home LOL
This event was alot of fun for me because I knew so many people there. They brought their friends and so on. I usually don't like to speak in front of friends.
Thanks for behaving yourself and not heckling me. I know some of you were dying to do it.
Thanks for not making funny faces at me while I was speaking. I know a few of you probably wanted to that to.
But most of all, thanks for being there. As you heard from my speech I have no family support
so friends are important to me.
I met so many wonderful people. In fact I had to duck out to use the restroom ( surprise, surpise) and when I returned people were waiting at the door for me.
I am sincere about my offer to listen. So to those of you who had a private moment with me, please call me. It'll be okay. We'll get you thru this together.
Hopefully, I'll be speaking for Biogen Idec again soon and will have the chance to meet others on Tysabri or considering Tysabri.
Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/
Tell a friend !
It probably was one of the best events I have attended. It was the first time I gave my " new and somewhat tweaked" version of my speech. I like the changes I made to it. It helps set the stage for how things were before I began Tysabri.
It's no secret that I have had tremendous success with this drug. I am very proud of myself and my success.
As we all know success doesn't include a "magic pill".Or in this case an IV once a month.
It takes alot of hard work and the right attitude. ( ok, stop with the attitude jokes) Plus taking care of yourself. Eating right, exercise. Nothing is going to have success unless you can formulate a plan to include all of these factors.
I work really really hard at doing these things. Although I did eat a big cookie last night and then stole one for the drive home LOL
This event was alot of fun for me because I knew so many people there. They brought their friends and so on. I usually don't like to speak in front of friends.
Thanks for behaving yourself and not heckling me. I know some of you were dying to do it.
Thanks for not making funny faces at me while I was speaking. I know a few of you probably wanted to that to.
But most of all, thanks for being there. As you heard from my speech I have no family support
so friends are important to me.
I met so many wonderful people. In fact I had to duck out to use the restroom ( surprise, surpise) and when I returned people were waiting at the door for me.
I am sincere about my offer to listen. So to those of you who had a private moment with me, please call me. It'll be okay. We'll get you thru this together.
Hopefully, I'll be speaking for Biogen Idec again soon and will have the chance to meet others on Tysabri or considering Tysabri.
Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/
Tell a friend !
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
My Tysabri Story
Tomorrow I am giving my speech at a patient education program sponsored by Biogen Idec, the makers of the drug Tysabri.
I have been on Tysabri for 2 years and my body has gone thru many changes. All for the positive.
A couple of things I would like to clear up though. I was NEVER wheelchair bound. I don't ever want to mislead people.
I live in a two story home. A home we purchased two months before my diagnosis. They thought it was a neck problem that would go away with surgery.
I was walking with a cane before my diagnosis and crashed and burned shortly thereafter. My life sucked very quickly. I lost my job, couldn't function like I used to ( too many examples but you all know what I am talking about). I NEVER left my home with the use of my wheelchair because I always fell or was completely exhausted. I had two years of this and it kept getting worse. I could hardly cut my food. My husabnd had to do that for me.
Once I began Tysabri my body began changing and I was able to function better. After six months of being on Tysabri I walked into the hospital for the first time in 3 years. A huge thing. My wheelchair now sits in my living room collecting dust. I refuse to dust it.
I went snow skiing for the first time in my life STANDING in January 2008. I travel by myself and I stand while cooking dinner every night. Right now I am training to do the MS Walk in 2010. It's 3 miles and I am determined to do it. I have an entire year to train.
Today I rode my exercise bike 3 miles. The most I have ever ridden. I only got the bike in December and the first time I sat on it my husband had to get my legs started. There is no way I can say Tysabri is not responsible for this. But it is also alot of hardwork and determination on my part. I am not going down without a fight.
I realize I may not be able to get out of bed tomorrow. Welcome to the world of MS. I know I may have to use that wheelchair again.
Right now, I am loving life. I've been rock bottom and I am fighting back.
If anybody has questions about my progress with Tysabri, I would more than happy to share all the details. I might even share my speech with you ( as long as you don't mimic me as I give it) LOL
I am so in love with Tysabri for what it has done for me. All drugs have risks. Betaseron caused my liver to misfunction. Copaxone screwed up my kidneys.
I was a pedestrian in a crosswalk hit by a car .( And the son of a bitch left me there ) There are risks in life.
I am delighted I canshare my story with people considering a change in meds. But, people, the decision, is your and yours alone. Please don't let anyone influence you in any way, even my story.
Cathy
www.TheMSShoppe.com
Tell a friend !
I have been on Tysabri for 2 years and my body has gone thru many changes. All for the positive.
A couple of things I would like to clear up though. I was NEVER wheelchair bound. I don't ever want to mislead people.
I live in a two story home. A home we purchased two months before my diagnosis. They thought it was a neck problem that would go away with surgery.
I was walking with a cane before my diagnosis and crashed and burned shortly thereafter. My life sucked very quickly. I lost my job, couldn't function like I used to ( too many examples but you all know what I am talking about). I NEVER left my home with the use of my wheelchair because I always fell or was completely exhausted. I had two years of this and it kept getting worse. I could hardly cut my food. My husabnd had to do that for me.
Once I began Tysabri my body began changing and I was able to function better. After six months of being on Tysabri I walked into the hospital for the first time in 3 years. A huge thing. My wheelchair now sits in my living room collecting dust. I refuse to dust it.
I went snow skiing for the first time in my life STANDING in January 2008. I travel by myself and I stand while cooking dinner every night. Right now I am training to do the MS Walk in 2010. It's 3 miles and I am determined to do it. I have an entire year to train.
Today I rode my exercise bike 3 miles. The most I have ever ridden. I only got the bike in December and the first time I sat on it my husband had to get my legs started. There is no way I can say Tysabri is not responsible for this. But it is also alot of hardwork and determination on my part. I am not going down without a fight.
I realize I may not be able to get out of bed tomorrow. Welcome to the world of MS. I know I may have to use that wheelchair again.
Right now, I am loving life. I've been rock bottom and I am fighting back.
If anybody has questions about my progress with Tysabri, I would more than happy to share all the details. I might even share my speech with you ( as long as you don't mimic me as I give it) LOL
I am so in love with Tysabri for what it has done for me. All drugs have risks. Betaseron caused my liver to misfunction. Copaxone screwed up my kidneys.
I was a pedestrian in a crosswalk hit by a car .( And the son of a bitch left me there ) There are risks in life.
I am delighted I canshare my story with people considering a change in meds. But, people, the decision, is your and yours alone. Please don't let anyone influence you in any way, even my story.
Cathy
www.TheMSShoppe.com
Tell a friend !
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