Month 4 update

Hi all!

Sorry I have been somewhat AWOL, but life has gotten in the way. Here is a brief summary of where I am at.

- Overall I have felt (for the most part) better. I don't feel my MS is dictating too much of my life right now and I am able to push through a bit better.

- My fatigue has improved and I really only wake up more tired than when I went to sleep if I have had a bad night's sleep.

- I have a better work/life balance, meaning that the days I'm not working, I am able to catch up with friends and enjoy life, not just sit on the couch and veg out.

- My month 4 blood and urine results were as to be expected with lymphocytes at 0.2; WBC at 4 and kidney creatinin at 55 (meaning my kidney function is normal).

- I am another year older... yes I celebrated my 39th birthday and this is probably my biggest achievement of the month...

On the day of my birthday, I woke feeling like s**t to put it plainly... my guts were acting up and knowing I had a beautiful lunch in front of me at one of my fav restaurants, Mr Wong, I was not at all excited at the prospect. To be honest, I wanted to cancel the whole thing and crawl into my hole. But I pushed through and went... as time went on, I think my endorphins kicked in and I had a lovely time and my guts behaved so I was able to eat the most delicious asian food I know. After a long 5 hour lunch, this was the time I would have usually called it a day and went home, but instead I agreed to go to a friend's place and continue the celebrations.... and it was only after 12 hours I decided, enough is enough... I needed my bed. But then hey, wouldn't most people? Now granted, I had only 2 glasses of wine, I wasn't dancing on tables or commanding the dance floor, but I was alert and functioning and not wishing I was in my PJ's snuggled up in my bed that feels like you are floating on a cloud. So I would say a huge success. What was even more impressive was that THE NEXT DAY, when I would normally pay for my sins, I was able to get out of bed and head out for brunch and then a spot of homewares shopping... For most, this is a normal Sunday activity and for me, up until a year ago it would have been, but more recently I was a one hit wonder kind of girl... heading out on a Saturday, then Sunday is a right off.

In saying this, it hasn't all been roses. About 2 weeks ago I hit the wall for about a week and spent a couple of days in bed and just had to rest. But I am learning that this will happen from time to time and to just listen to my body. REST AND HYDRATION are the two big things I need to always remember to do.