April Showers...

I have been remiss in updates...I apologize.  Today I would like to get you caught up to current.  Back from Florida and in to our daily routine...now a bit easier because of my fancy gadget allowing Tony some freedom.  We also were now utilizing a gait belt to lift me, particularly when getting in and out of the car.  


April 4th and 5th brought two more IVig treatments; nothing remarkable except having three iv sticks before the fourth successful one...ugh!  The afternoon of the 5th was a delight as five of my agents from Jackson stopped at my house to see me!  We laughed and talked some business...they just brighten my world and it was awesome to see them! 


April 6th was my visit with Dr. Arce and the long-awaited EMG.  Since I had one in August and then in December we were anxious to see how I was improving.  I knew I had not gotten any worse since Dec/Jan and I felt some improvement in my forearms.  I have to say (maybe, again) that I really like Dr. Arce...he takes his time, asks questions, laughs with us and generally cares.  The EMG showed a slight improvement in my arms and absolutely nothing in my legs (totally expected).  Our visit was productive...we agreed that the IVig was at the least stabilizing me and seemed to be working (slowly, of course)...prednisone was still only a last resort and we were not at that point (long-term use as I would need is very risky)...so, indefinite IVig treatments and back to see Dr. Arce July 12th.  When I inquired about thoughts of going back to work he was quite adamant that he has no intention of releasing me any time soon...patience.  Alrighty then!!!  As I told Teri, I am lucky with Dr. Arce...as I read more many GBS/CIDP cases go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed...Dr. Arce called it the day I was in his office.  No unnecessary doctors or tests...lucky!


And so, April was filled with fabulous friends visiting and bringing just as fabulous meals.  Wow!!!  I remained on the Women Raise the Roof (Habitat for Humanity) golf tournament committee and so spent lots of time on the phone raising money/sponsors.  We held meetings at my house and the tournament was a success (April 30th)! Ask me about current events, Ellen, Oprah or Facebook/Twitter action...I can tell you...I did get an Ipad 2 in April and it is super cool (still learning).  Anthony usually visited Friday afternoons and we could spend a little time chatting (me asking questions) and catching up (more questions)...We celebrated a great friend's 60th, joined Lori and her family for Easter and just generally tried to live our lives as best we could...

Give up waiting as a state of mind.  When you catch yourself slipping into waiting, snap out of it.  Come into the present moment.  Just be, and enjoy being.  If you are present, there is never any need for you to wait for anything.

I took a break from physical therapy as my benefit is quite limited and there was not much else to do for me that I cannot do at home.  While at pt in March I was asked to volunteer to be a case study for Ohio University pt students.  I agreed as to help someone else through my CIDP would be welcome.  There were six students plus their instructor, Michelle.  We started with about a 45 minute phone interview in which I gave them detailed background and they asked questions.  The next step was for them to come to the house and conduct a thorough assessment of my abilities, or lack thereof.  The students came to our house April 26th.  What a great bunch!  They put me through the wringer but they also came away with a better understanding of our life at home.  They were professional, polite, well-educated and fun!  We laughed but worked hard. The visit was about an hour and a half.  Next up...early May class presentation.


April showers.  Understatement.  I love to work outside, cut grass, garden etc but that was not going to happen this year.  So, we hired a lawn service and a young man to work my flower beds/pots, power wash etc.  Unfortunately, not much got done in April.  Rain, rain, rain!  Speaking of which...if you can visualize "my space"...my recliner sits in the corner between two windows.  I love having the windows open (yes, with the heat or a/c on too...yes, I see the $$$ going out those windows)...typical decent morning in Athens, so my window is open...well, a storm with wild winds whips up and I am getting rained on in my chair...no way for me to shut the window...no umbrella and no poncho handy!!! Luckily, by the time I called Tony the storm was winding down...(please do not send rain gear...lol).  We laughed and laughed about it....got to have a sense of humor!