Holidays 2010
Where does one start? The good news is that we survived through all the bad stuff this year, and unlike this time last year, I feel much better than I did many thanks to the great team of doctors that I have at University of Florida – Shands.
The biggest bad part of this year is that I was diagnosed (and subsequently treated) with Thyroid Cancer. Let’s just say the C word had me totally freaked out, but a team of great doctors at Shands did a really long surgery and got the thyroid out. I had some radioactive iodine treatment (not radiation therapy) which apparently did the trick. All the subsequent tests show me at the levels I should be. This is a good thing.
The next thing we were going to take care of was the movement stuff. I went to a new neurologist who did the spinal tap I had been asking for two years. The results were just as I expected = MS. I am now on treatment for this (Avonex), because unlike my mom, there are treatment options now. Not that I could see her or my dad giving the intramuscular shots. (The needles are huge. They are about an inch or two long.) There are a couple of oral drugs that I will be asking about. One drug, (Ampyra) seems like a winner to me – helps with walking speed. The roads are calling out to me. My fitness goals for the New Year are a little lofty, but I know I can do it. This includes training again, and having gone to a TNT practice this past weekend just gave me the lift I needed to give me the confidence to get back into it. It’s been way too long. I am hoping to join a gym in the area to get back into shape. It is something, but all I really need is GOOD equipment (unlike the stuff in the clubhouse) is local to home open 24/7
On the real negative side, I got laid off the third party job (that I really did not enjoy) but not so much the job, but the medical insurance that we are missing. I am currently volunteering my time at the Plant City Community Development Corporation. They are a program (run by the county) that help first time home buyers get a home with training, help and assistance. We have just finished the Metropolitan Ministries food applications for the holidays and a distribution point for Toys for Tots. The need was very surprising high this year… but it seemed like we did okay for all that came in and asked.
Dave really needs to see a doctor and I was able to find some low cost sources of care. I just worry that he is always sleeping, and out of it for a good portion of the day. Keep your fingers crossed that all will be okay. He is still doing mobile notary work and fixes computers for folks in the community we live in.
Good wishes to everyone for the new year, and happy holidays. This year was better than 2009, and I know that 2011 will be great.
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