MS Update - Another year and still marching

My family and dad around mile 10
overlooking the high trestle bridge

Just doing a quick update of the status of the MS adventures.  For those friends and family on Facebook I'm sure you saw that my whole family and my dad did the MS bike ride with me in June.  Joshua was riding a 20" bike to the ride was pretty casual compared to what I am used to. It was perfect weather and we even ran into the Dream Team, which is my fundraising team, at the turn around.  I'm just wrapping up the fundraising from that so it isn't too late if you had planned to make a donation the MS Society.  Just use this link  http://bndfr.com/6M5h9  
Thank you to the following 2017 donors: My folks, George, Bill, Theresia, Sheila, Ingrid, Shirley, Kathleen, Judy, Joe, Aaron, Blair, Julia, Henrieta, Mary, Mitch, Rhonda, Cindy, David, Amy, Barb, Bryan and Bonnie.  Hopefully I didn't miss anyone.  Many of you are repeat donors so be watching your mail boxes for a thank you! Yes I do believe in the power of snail mail.  :)

My family with the rest of the Dream Team
at the turn around point in Woodward

So for the update... I had my yearly check up with my neurologist today.  He is pleased I'm adjusting well to my new medication. For those of you just getting up to speed on this, the injection meds I was taking the first three years nearly took me out last summer.  I spent two months off MS meds and then started a twice a day pill in October.  Let's just say that I had a rough start with the standard ramp up on that, but after a couple of dosage adjustments we got things on track.  The hardest thing about this new med is that I take it twice a day after meals which means after breakfast and after dinner.  I can't take it on an empty stomach, and while I rarely miss a meal, it wasn't easy to find the right combination of vitamins and food to keep the GI and tingling side effects at bay.  I think I have it pretty well figured out now so the hardest part is remembering to take both pills.  I do good with the morning one but occasionally miss an evening one especially on the weekends.

My neurologist also felt like since none of the damage I already have from MS is getting worse that unless I have a major flare or new symptoms between now and next year's appointment that I'm in good shape.  He appreciates that I have regular fitness in my routine and continues to encourage me in that area.  That doesn't mean I'm not effected by MS every day but that I have it pretty good in the grand scheme of managing a chronic illness like MS.

My family and dad around mile 14
on the High Trestle Bridge

The other thing to note related to my MS is that I have finished my clinical trial at the University of Iowa.  I was assigned to the swank diet over the Wahls diet.  This meant that for 24 weeks I had to eat foods only in low saturated fat as well as a healthy dose of grains.  I really missed chocolate and pizza with real cheese.  I'm not sure I can say I missed much else, but it is nice to be able to each what I want again.  the hardest part for me with the diet besides writing down everything I ate for 26 weeks (had to do this twice in the first 12 weeks where I ate normal also) of the was all the grains.  I'd been eating mostly gluten free for two and half years going into the study so that was tough.  I also ended up gaining eight pounds...  I blame the carbs, and still doing rehab from my summer injuries, compounded by moving to a new house and readying a house for sale.  Working hard to get back on track now and will do a deep dive in food management process in August.  I think I will end up doing some sort of combination between low saturated fat with fruits, vegetables and lean meats. 


Either way, I'm managing for now and grateful for every day that I can think straight, make it to the bathroom on time, and be active in my day.  So long as I take care of my body and my meds continue to work, I should be able to maintain my mobility long into the future.  Thank you for everyone in my life who remind me to slow down and make time for myself now and then.  Until next time I'm sending love out into the world so have a great one!