Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

MS Awareness Month March 8-14 2010

For those with Multiple Sclerosis, this is the week to make everyone aware of it. It might be a good idea to let your local papers know about it and ask if they’d write something about it. Let your groups know, spread the word.

On a more personal note and the topic of the post:

I’ve been feeling awful lately. The MS is in full swing and usually when this happens it’s because I have an infection going on, or I am really over doing it and put myself in a bout. But, it’s funny, I can usually tell the difference and this time it felt like an infection.

For those who aren’t aware, this is true for anyone with multiple sclerosis – infections, bacterial or viruses, affect ms. This is just the nature of the beast – if you’re sick, your ms will worsen. That’s why it’s essential for ms patients to have infections treated promptly.

So, I went to my doctor today, pretty sure I had a UTI (urinary tract infection) and sure enough I do. My PCP is kind of afraid of me because of the chemical sensitivity (MCS). She once told me that when she enters the exam room and sees me there she takes a step back. Not too comforting, let me tell you.

Anyway, she put me on Macrobid, a ten day script. It’s the antibiotic that worked in December 08 when I started again with recurring UTIs (the last one was around 25 years ago). I was on and off macrobid for 3 months because the doctors didn’t treat me properly for cystitis. The normal protocol never works with me – my unique body I guess. I even ended up in the emergency room because of the infection. Finally I went to a urologist who actually listened to me and realized I needed a long term treatment and then maintenance.

So, tonight I start the generic to Macrobid.  My PCP wants me back in 14 days to see if the little critters are gone. But, if the infection is not, I will be back on the antibiotic again and the bacteria will have had a chance to reinforce during the lapse of Macrobid. I understand doctors are cautious with antibiotics especially with someone with MCS, but playing did it kill it or not isn’t very wise either.

I will also call my urologist and hopefully get an appointment as soon as possible. I know my body and what it usually takes to get rid of the UTI.

I’ve been very diligent in watching my diet to help avoid sinus infections. I avoid sugar and chocolate (two sinus infection instigators for me) and I’ve been trying to avoid processed foods and I stopped drinking my 4 ounces of diet pepsi a couple of times a week. And, I’ve been pretty good at staying away from any form of cow’s milk – that mucus causing enzyme is as bad as eating chocolate for me.

Sorry I’m ranting on here. The tip for the day: KNOW YOUR BODY! And, if you have MS, be sure to drink plenty of water because MS patients are prone to bladder problems and UTIs. And, as I stated above, have any infection treated promptly.

And, don’t be afraid to tell your doctor how you think you should be medically treated.

All my well intentions of posting regularly to this site have been governed by my well-being lately. I’m doing my best to overcome this. I’m listening to my Think Right Health Now cd, along with reading about the power of the mind.

In Excuses Begone!, author Dryer quotes from The Biology of Belief with the phrase: perception controls genes.

I’m working on it!

Until next time,

Karen

I know, it’s been a while…again. It seems so many things happen at once and I am not able to devote the time I’d like to on this site. But, hopefully that will change.

For today I wanted to post about an email I received from a fellow writer. The gist of the article is that the U.S. Post office is offering Breast Cancer Stamps. They are charging 55 cents per stamp instead of the usual 44 cents. The extra 11 cents you pay per stamp will go to breast cancer research.

If you’re not sure if it’s worth it, read the email:

THE STAMP
Please read the following story and follow the instructions at the end! Thank You.

Like most elementary schools, it was typical to have a parade of students in and out of the health clinic throughout the day. We dispensed ice for bumps and bruises, Band-Aids for cuts, and liberal doses of sympathy and hugs.  As principal, my office was right next door to the clinic, so I often dropped in to lend a hand and help out with the hugs. I knew that for some kids, mine might be the only one they got all day.

One morning I was putting a Band-Aid on a little girl’s scraped knee. Her blonde hair was matted, and I noticed that she was shivering in her thin little sleeveless blouse. I found her a warm sweatshirt and helped her pull it on. “Thanks for taking care of me,” she whispered as she climbed into my lap and snuggled up against me.

It wasn’t long after that when I ran across an unfamiliar lump under my arm. Cancer, an aggressively spreading kind, had already invaded thirteen of my lymph nodes. I pondered whether or not to tell the students about my diagnosis. The word breast seemed so hard to say out loud to them, and the word cancer seemed so frightening. When it became evident that the children were going to find out one way or another, either the straight scoop from me or possibly a garbled version from someone else, I decided to tell them myself.

It wasn’t easy to get the words out, but the empathy and concern I saw in their faces as I explained it to them told me I had made the right decision. When I gave them a chance to ask questions, they mostly wanted to know how they could help.

I told them that what I would like best would be their letters, pictures, and prayers.

I stood by the gym door as the children solemnly filed out. My little blonde friend darted out of line and threw herself into my arms. Then she stepped back to look up into my face. “Don’t be afraid, Dr. Perry,” she said earnestly, “I know you’ll be back because now it’s our turn to take care of you.”

No one could have ever done a better job. The kids sent me off to my first chemotherapy session with a hilarious book of nausea remedies that they had written.

A video of every class in the school singing get-well songs accompanied me to the next chemotherapy appointment.

By the third visit, the nurses were waiting at the door to find out what I would bring next. It was a delicate music box that played “I Will Always Love You.”

Even when I went into isolation at the hospital for a bone marrow transplant, the letters and pictures kept coming until they covered every wall of my room.

Then the kids traced their hands onto colored paper, cut them out and glued them together to make a freestanding rainbow of helping hands. “I feel like I’ve stepped into Disneyland every time I walk into this room,” my doctor laughed.

That was even before the six-foot apple blossom tree arrived adorned with messages written on paper apples from the students and teachers. What healing comfort I found in being surrounded by these tokens of their caring.

At long last I was well enough to return to work. As I headed up the road to the school, I was suddenly overcome by doubts. What if the kids have forgotten all about me? I wondered, What if they don’t want a skinny bald principal? What if.

I caught sight of the school marquee as I rounded the bend. “Welcome Back, Dr. Perry,” it read. As I drew closer, everywhere I looked were pink ribbons – ribbons in the windows, tied on the doorknobs, even up in the trees. The children and staff wore pink ribbons, too.

My blonde buddy was first in line to greet me. “You’re back, Dr. Perry, you’re back!” she called. “See, I told you we’d take care of you!”

As I hugged her tight, in the back of my mind I faintly heard my music box playing . . . “I will always love you.”
Subject: Breast Cancer Stamp Booklet

We need those of you who are great at forwarding on information with your e-mail network. Please read and pass this on. It would be wonderful if 2010  were the year a cure for breast cancer was found!!!!

This is one email you should be glad to pass on. The notion that we could raise $35 million by buying a book of stamps is powerful! As you may be aware, the US Postal Service has the “Fund the Cure” stamp to help fund breast cancer research. The stamp was designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda , Maryland . It is important that we take a stand against this disease that affects so many of our Mothers, Sisters, Friends, Coworkers, and Spouses of Coworkers.

Instead of the normal 44 cents for a stamp, this one costs 55 cents. The additional 11 cents will go to breast cancer research A “normal” book costs $8.80. This one is only $11.00. It takes a few minutes in line at the Post Office and means so much. If all stamps are sold, it will raise an additional $35,000,000 for this vital research. Just as important as the money is our support. What a statement it would make if the stamp outsold the lottery this week. What a statement it would make that we care.

I urge you to do two things TODAY:

1. Go out and purchase some of these stamps..
2. E-mail your friends to do the same.

Many of us know women and their families whose lives are turned upside-down by breast cancer.  It takes so little to do so much in this drive.
Please help & pass this information on.

Until next time,

Karen