tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70120439964523301232024-03-12T19:31:49.987-05:00the MS museKaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.comBlogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-31182433897832718122018-02-11T17:37:00.001-06:002018-06-26T20:29:14.611-05:00Plans & Ports<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey there, patient readers. I know I've been MIA once again for a little stretch. I'm here today to give a quick update. I've hinted before about creating a new website for my MS blog and advocacy efforts. It will be called Life of Lesion and the launch date will hopefully be soon. (Shout out to my mom for coming up with the awesome name.)</div>
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This new site will have much less of the personal pictures and stories that have been such a big part of the blog over the past few years (though there will still be a bit of that). I will be carrying over a lot of the quality content from this space from the past eight (!) years, though. It will focus more on things like the <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/p/my-ms-symptoms.html" target="_blank">My MS Symptoms</a> series. There will also be a few new series called Exposed Nerves and Lesion Learned, with a shout-out to my friend Heather for coming up with those names.<br />
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Until then, I just started <a href="https://twitter.com/lifeoflesion" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lifeoflesion/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> profiles for the MS side of my life. Please follow me there if you're so inclined. Should I start a Facebook page as well? I haven't decided yet... I know some people who are interested in my MS stuff aren't on the other social media platforms, so I might just do it. I'm planning to up my advocacy efforts this year in general and these social platforms will allow me to do this.<br />
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In the meantime, I'll share one piece of news. A few weeks ago, I got a port! The surgery was a minor one and recovery was pretty easy. I've had one Tysabri infusion so far with the port and I'm loving it! It's really nice no longer having to be stuck 5-6 times to get an IV started. It's definitely weird to have a hard foreign object under my skin, though. I have a hard time not continually touching it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7gEB15jEqGA/WoDSYE_L4fI/AAAAAAAAXgk/T-aaivPYR0AWztX8FR-XOwNm0kpxu7uXgCLcBGAs/s1600/2018-01-18%2B11.05.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7gEB15jEqGA/WoDSYE_L4fI/AAAAAAAAXgk/T-aaivPYR0AWztX8FR-XOwNm0kpxu7uXgCLcBGAs/s400/2018-01-18%2B11.05.49.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last IV!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">recovery</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they gave me this little pillow to use with a seat belt</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first Port infusion!</td></tr>
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See you soon for the official launch. I'll announce it here and have a link to the new home for my MS musings. </div>
Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-86428716423450882342017-12-09T02:57:00.003-06:002017-12-09T02:57:53.897-06:00This Month: October + November 2017Yikes. It's been almost 2 months since I've posted here. Apologies to my loyal fans. ;-)<br />
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<b>The Health Rundown:</b><br />
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Not too much to report. MS has been okay-ish. Just the usual things that pop up when I'm not getting enough rest. Still JC negative and last MRI was stable. Hooray! I did fall down the stairs and hurt my arm in October which was not good but all is better now.<br />
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Kidney stones are all gone! I still have a post related to that saga that's coming, featuring a very special song.<br />
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On the lady parts stuff, things are okay, I think? I started the menopause shots. At first things were normal but now I'm in hot flash city. A hot flash in the middle of a concert is super fun.<br />
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<b>Where I've Been:</b><br />
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Where have I been? Just super busy. An above average number of gigs, for one thing. Opera, Symphony, special events, etc. This week is a little break in the clouds before Nutcracker next week. It's been great to have this much on my plate musically (including both extra challenging and extra fun stuff) but it's been tiring as well.<br />
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I've also been busy with other work. As is usual for me, I have dry spells in each of my many jobs and then they all crash in ALL AT ONCE with tons of things. I've been working too hard and not getting enough sleep. Which is my excuse for not visiting you here in MS Muse land.<br />
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One of those work things I've been up to is writing. Well, I'm <i><b>always</b> </i>writing but it is usually ghostwriting so I can't share it as my own. But I have guest post status as a Patient Expert at WEGO Health. Here are a few things I've written, just so you can see that I <i>can</i> write professionally and not just in the laid back style you get here:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.wegohealth.com/2017/11/14/empathy-in-healthcare/?utm_source=www.google.com&utm_medium=referral" rel="bookmark" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #674cb3; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Empathy in Healthcare: 7 Benefits">Empathy in Healthcare: 7 Benefits</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.wegohealth.com/2017/11/27/examples-of-empathy-healthcare/?utm_source=www.google.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=&utm_term=&utm_content=" rel="bookmark" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #674cb3; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="7 Examples of Empathy: Healthcare Companies to Model">7 Examples of Empathy: Healthcare Companies to Model</a></li>
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In October, my mom and I had a quick road trip to see my niece. I also unexpectedly got to see my friend Heather and we looked at pretty fall colors and played pool. In November, Thanksgiving was great. My niece (and Bro and SIL and pup) came for a few days and we had a blast, as always. Playing horn with my niece is pretty much one of the highlights of my entire life. It makes me so happy. Our favorite family tradition is decorating gingerbread houses.<br />
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<b>The View From Here:</b><br />
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Once upon a time it was Fall here:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrcuJ_CEZOQ/Wiugs5yyK2I/AAAAAAAAVQg/i_cfsxUWg28_3VKvfJkQYUZnpXlRgWv0wCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-10-11%2B15.38.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrcuJ_CEZOQ/Wiugs5yyK2I/AAAAAAAAVQg/i_cfsxUWg28_3VKvfJkQYUZnpXlRgWv0wCLcBGAs/s400/2017-10-11%2B15.38.47.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the difference 7 days can make</td></tr>
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But then a very sad thing happened:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little snow doesn't stop me from grilling!<br />
(JK it totally does. this was an exception to the rule.)</td></tr>
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More pretty stuff, mostly sunsets, obv:<br />
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Fun times:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LemdCClbSm8/WiudbQ1ZnxI/AAAAAAAAVOw/IWHceq4rpq49lSCRMTZjfVCEDrdVJf4_QCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-10-03%2B13.53.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LemdCClbSm8/WiudbQ1ZnxI/AAAAAAAAVOw/IWHceq4rpq49lSCRMTZjfVCEDrdVJf4_QCLcBGAs/s400/2017-10-03%2B13.53.22.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">awesome candle from my sis. (we heart Kalamazoo!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AjsETFDWfNo/WiudeMQdhVI/AAAAAAAAVPA/QFuihlDLecYuWErCKWFQSPDxKloFkXR-gCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-10-04%2B15.36.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AjsETFDWfNo/WiudeMQdhVI/AAAAAAAAVPA/QFuihlDLecYuWErCKWFQSPDxKloFkXR-gCLcBGAs/s400/2017-10-04%2B15.36.54.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HUHOT WITH HEATHER = HAPPY KAYLA!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we are very successful pool sharks, you guys</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the most fun ever!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--pFYN3EFcGI/WiudgCco1nI/AAAAAAAAVPI/a-jZO-wrdrM2CtzXJRM5Zz1yBvrZ-BCEACLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-10%2B13.23.27-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--pFYN3EFcGI/WiudgCco1nI/AAAAAAAAVPI/a-jZO-wrdrM2CtzXJRM5Zz1yBvrZ-BCEACLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-10%2B13.23.27-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not sure why I include Tysabri pics in the "fun times" section</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-byNyqkwkGiw/WiudgjMW0tI/AAAAAAAAVPQ/p0g8eyB9Ko43-SIJCalCejGjtfly8EydwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-17%2B12.46.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-byNyqkwkGiw/WiudgjMW0tI/AAAAAAAAVPQ/p0g8eyB9Ko43-SIJCalCejGjtfly8EydwCLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-17%2B12.46.43.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HOW ADORABLE IS THIS GINGERSAURUS????</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3JsguRz4Sk/Wiudh5qXykI/AAAAAAAAVPY/r70OYO7zcrsam1vQWv72nz3glY8tiE6MgCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-22%2B21.41.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3JsguRz4Sk/Wiudh5qXykI/AAAAAAAAVPY/r70OYO7zcrsam1vQWv72nz3glY8tiE6MgCLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-22%2B21.41.11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we had a who can do the best barbie hairstyle competition.<br />
Ken and I did not win.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s98bT3jqSYw/WiudiFmxCUI/AAAAAAAAVPg/uerij4jHTjExqB60xTm8PE4GoKhjuH8ywCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-22%2B23.04.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s98bT3jqSYw/WiudiFmxCUI/AAAAAAAAVPg/uerij4jHTjExqB60xTm8PE4GoKhjuH8ywCLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-22%2B23.04.13.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First sentence of a story Kylie is writing!!!<br />
You want to know what happens next, don't you?<br />
(Me too!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tnK9mFokcHo/WiudhxsrkAI/AAAAAAAAVPc/9FFJQ0mmlz0Av1fL9pB9LtGeZxyUkvCcQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-23%2B16.54.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tnK9mFokcHo/WiudhxsrkAI/AAAAAAAAVPc/9FFJQ0mmlz0Av1fL9pB9LtGeZxyUkvCcQCLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-23%2B16.54.18.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">selfie with my favorite gal in front of the sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UDp8dkzfikc/WiudjI8eLjI/AAAAAAAAVPk/Il38mJBc0LEE2vtafFQZ6DqJpKJe37nbwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%2B12.01.53-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UDp8dkzfikc/WiudjI8eLjI/AAAAAAAAVPk/Il38mJBc0LEE2vtafFQZ6DqJpKJe37nbwCLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-24%2B12.01.53-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a new origami card</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z5Frvi0KHjI/WiudjgrvFAI/AAAAAAAAVPo/_Me6sV9bLvgn8v-HNHHfQuhZBfehtKY2ACLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%2B14.59.26-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z5Frvi0KHjI/WiudjgrvFAI/AAAAAAAAVPo/_Me6sV9bLvgn8v-HNHHfQuhZBfehtKY2ACLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-24%2B14.59.26-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my gingerbread scene</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lKQ3LkpIZs/WiudktmmGvI/AAAAAAAAVPs/_ufw3rqtpGAb2Z31pJIzaZ-VwxXURYcggCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%2B15.05.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lKQ3LkpIZs/WiudktmmGvI/AAAAAAAAVPs/_ufw3rqtpGAb2Z31pJIzaZ-VwxXURYcggCLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-24%2B15.05.09.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my mom's gingerbread train</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2x5JD4WzXHU/WiudlKtC6WI/AAAAAAAAVPw/29Gd_PPcm9s9MGNj1U0PBNnmgVmjSUpSgCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%2B15.21.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2x5JD4WzXHU/WiudlKtC6WI/AAAAAAAAVPw/29Gd_PPcm9s9MGNj1U0PBNnmgVmjSUpSgCLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-24%2B15.21.54.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SIL Tami's fancy cabin. how cute is that campfire?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mq14FOiAsls/WiudltiXnDI/AAAAAAAAVP0/MDZR8UM25CkNw8_ebC8IuT3JmfSoNDQFACLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%2B15.33.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mq14FOiAsls/WiudltiXnDI/AAAAAAAAVP0/MDZR8UM25CkNw8_ebC8IuT3JmfSoNDQFACLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-24%2B15.33.08.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a very special structure from the brother unit</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iKPEpnki2KU/Wiudlh73pmI/AAAAAAAAVP4/nPcUBV-Tc74Aa8d33usGIGFSWGjTpZBCwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%2B15.57.05-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iKPEpnki2KU/Wiudlh73pmI/AAAAAAAAVP4/nPcUBV-Tc74Aa8d33usGIGFSWGjTpZBCwCLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-24%2B15.57.05-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an amazing detail from Kylie's gingerbread scene</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OUT2L1UeFaw/WiudmWY5liI/AAAAAAAAVP8/fwtS__2BFGMZUxvmelbJdyqCp3an35qjgCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%2B15.57.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OUT2L1UeFaw/WiudmWY5liI/AAAAAAAAVP8/fwtS__2BFGMZUxvmelbJdyqCp3an35qjgCLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-24%2B15.57.24.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylie's gummy bear ice skating rink and outdoor plaza</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WjHYmePbWg/WiudngexBFI/AAAAAAAAVQE/5iQmUebYy1Y103j3akGZNC3AGgQj2HZwACLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-26%2B08.49.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WjHYmePbWg/WiudngexBFI/AAAAAAAAVQE/5iQmUebYy1Y103j3akGZNC3AGgQj2HZwACLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-26%2B08.49.43.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she's already mastered the art of posing for a pic while playing</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-avMYNiC2yLQ/Wiudmib06NI/AAAAAAAAVQA/uyRjETlhZVwCYFepgTRvQyr8Zg7e-tO2wCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-26%2B08.51.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-avMYNiC2yLQ/Wiudmib06NI/AAAAAAAAVQA/uyRjETlhZVwCYFepgTRvQyr8Zg7e-tO2wCLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-26%2B08.51.51.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the best, you guys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JtL1ALzqNBs/Wiudn7jx6PI/AAAAAAAAVQI/AG7cWcgEYjAbdHrdI_JVJ_lbpTNmtjE8wCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-26%2B16.28.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JtL1ALzqNBs/Wiudn7jx6PI/AAAAAAAAVQI/AG7cWcgEYjAbdHrdI_JVJ_lbpTNmtjE8wCLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-26%2B16.28.51.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">under the lights for my Cirque Musica show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_78t4zpAZI/WiudoDFwgZI/AAAAAAAAVQM/iuSj11OsMHgkp8EnlrKFmSiTwwCtGoOHgCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-26%2B18.22.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_78t4zpAZI/WiudoDFwgZI/AAAAAAAAVQM/iuSj11OsMHgkp8EnlrKFmSiTwwCtGoOHgCLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-26%2B18.22.37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ELzQHmMkR3c/WiugQiAdyAI/AAAAAAAAVQY/5_LgLzDZvpgez4gm1yE189KIIABE-BhUgCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-23%2B14.20.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ELzQHmMkR3c/WiugQiAdyAI/AAAAAAAAVQY/5_LgLzDZvpgez4gm1yE189KIIABE-BhUgCLcBGAs/s400/2017-11-23%2B14.20.33.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of literally hundreds of silly selfies we took</td></tr>
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<b>The One-Second View of My Life:</b><br />
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October<br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba-TKo3gp1Z/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Kayla (@nelsonkl23)</a> on <time datetime="2017-11-02T00:52:53+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 1, 2017 at 5:52pm PDT</time></div>
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November<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcLPSdHDLEO/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Kayla (@nelsonkl23)</a> on <time datetime="2017-12-01T22:00:31+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 1, 2017 at 2:00pm PST</time></div>
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<b><br /></b>Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-85359399732792222902017-10-22T16:49:00.003-05:002017-11-10T22:23:33.611-06:00Last Month: September 2017Sheesh, it's almost the end of October and I still haven't done my month-in-review post for September. Can I even remember September at this point? Not really. I do remember having surgery, which I wrote about <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2017/09/ooph-surgery-update.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Otherwise, the best I can do is show you my September 1 Second Everyday month in review video:<br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BZt_z35j3H1/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">That's a wrap on September. The usual: grilling, veggies, horn, books, and the being sick life.</a></div>
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A post shared by Kayla (@nelsonkl23) on <time datetime="2017-10-01T20:24:30+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 1, 2017 at 1:24pm PDT</time></div>
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</blockquote>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> See you in a few days for the October review...hopefully!Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-34028709436502384992017-09-30T15:37:00.000-05:002017-09-30T15:56:44.290-05:00Ooph: A Surgery UpdateA quick health update for y'all. Since I tend to ramble, I'll start with the tl;dr version: On Monday, I had surgery. I lost some big ol' ovarian cysts and 1.5 ovaries. I'm tickled for some reason by the name of this surgery: oophorectomy. Ooph! (Oops, I've already starting rambling with unimportant info in this summary paragraph!) I'm in pain and feel generally not great (nauseous). The MS has been acting up a little bit in response.<br />
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Now the rambling Kayla version for those interested. This saga started in early June when I went to the ER and found out I had kidney stones and also some kind of pelvic mass. I saw a urologist who was eager to get to the bottom of my obvious MS bladder dysfunction before even dealing with kidney stones. He also urged me to see a gyno stat because the pelvic mass was compressing my ureter which was dilating the kidney and impacting the kidney stone situation. But it took a while to get into the one he recommended. </div>
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While waiting to get into the Gyno, I had a delightful test with the Uro called a Urodynamics Study that I still plan to write about on here someday. After that test, I was diagnosed as being officially bad at peeing. (Or detrusor sphincter dysynergia if you prefer the medical term.) We're going to revisit this soon and decide whether or not to try drugs or start self-cathing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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On Day 59 of Life With Kidney Stones, one of the three stones evacuated the premises. Two still remain. Next week will mark week 17. SEVENTEEN WEEKS of peeing into a strainer and having regular bouts of back pain. </div>
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Eventually, I got in to see the gyno and had a few special ultrasounds. He believed I had what are often called chocolate cysts, or endometriomas (from endometriosis, something I didn't know I had) and recommended surgery. He said they were around the size of grapefruits. (!) Surgery confirmed the endometriosis, so cool, I've got another thing.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KK3GLpgF-kQ/Wc_8T1IKdkI/AAAAAAAAVCc/wCTgXqIF-4IusIIZflfDo4xwITYU-VJqwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-05%2B09.52.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KK3GLpgF-kQ/Wc_8T1IKdkI/AAAAAAAAVCc/wCTgXqIF-4IusIIZflfDo4xwITYU-VJqwCLcBGAs/s320/2017-09-05%2B09.52.13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since I'm not sharing surgery pics, here is a picture my surgeon drew.<br />
"These ovaries are kind of big, but your ovaries are really big."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The surgeon told my mom that it was quite a mess in there. (I have pictures from the surgery which are AWESOME and I'd love to share them with you but I know that two of my readers, in particular, don't want to see them, so just take my word for how cool these pictures are. I wish I had more, or better yet a video of the whole surgery!) I knew going in that there was a fair chance that he would have to remove at least some of my ovaries, though the hope was to not have to fully get rid of both to keep me out of menopause. In the end, 1.5 ovaries had to go, along with the cysts. I could still potentially enter menopause now or soon or at least enter it much earlier than I would have otherwise. And with some ovary remaining, there's a chance the cysts could return.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8dsOhlNeppk/Wc_83eKSYBI/AAAAAAAAVCw/UWmfSI_37rIEq9kZ-8ApRn14Z0hKLMGQwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-25%2B07.41.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8dsOhlNeppk/Wc_83eKSYBI/AAAAAAAAVCw/UWmfSI_37rIEq9kZ-8ApRn14Z0hKLMGQwCLcBGAs/s320/2017-09-25%2B07.41.18.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-surgery</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuqJb_EvpLU/Wc_8138rVyI/AAAAAAAAVCo/MK6ky7sbVME9p6PgG7LJhsRXlqk3o2l0ACLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-26%2B14.49.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuqJb_EvpLU/Wc_8138rVyI/AAAAAAAAVCo/MK6ky7sbVME9p6PgG7LJhsRXlqk3o2l0ACLcBGAs/s320/2017-09-26%2B14.49.56.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-surgery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Waking up from surgery was fine. Much smoother than the last time I came out of anesthesia. But my MS quickly decided it wasn't super pleased about the whole experience. Shortly after coming out of the recovery room, I had to pee. Like, I REALLY had to pee. But then, I could not pee. I kept trying and kept trying and finally got out a tiny trickle. I still REALLY had to pee so I kept trying and kept trying and finally got out another little trickle. At this point, I gave up but still really had to pee.</div>
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Then, shortly before they were going to unhook the IV and let me leave, <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/09/my-ms-symptoms-top-10-countdown-5.html" target="_blank">the DREADED ITCH</a> started. It was a solid 45 minutes of total agony. </div>
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I came home, was eventually able to pee a little bit more but basically, my bladder has remained in revolt ever since. I'm not emptying fully which means I pretty much have to pee continuously. Getting up to pee is the last thing I want to do, though, because moving hurts. I have three incisions, one of which still hurts A LOT when I move or bend in any way. Overall, the pain does seem to be getting a little better, though. I've stopped taking drugs, but they were definitely helpful for those first few days. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MNyfcDzGeK4/WdAAOypil7I/AAAAAAAAVC8/0QQ3ris9tXIDk-MVcoPopm1hELcgbO2sQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-26%2B19.16.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MNyfcDzGeK4/WdAAOypil7I/AAAAAAAAVC8/0QQ3ris9tXIDk-MVcoPopm1hELcgbO2sQCLcBGAs/s400/2017-09-26%2B19.16.49.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">post-surgery pics of nephew and niece are way better than pain meds!</td></tr>
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Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-5040566638930999722017-09-27T00:41:00.001-05:002017-09-27T00:41:50.373-05:00MS on Television: This is Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3xvpf9aDV4/Wcs4kCuxCdI/AAAAAAAAVB8/qhSnakh2fJ8mHxLEskfxZulE-ZjQ1aGBwCLcBGAs/s1600/51A3aS4yvAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3xvpf9aDV4/Wcs4kCuxCdI/AAAAAAAAVB8/qhSnakh2fJ8mHxLEskfxZulE-ZjQ1aGBwCLcBGAs/s320/51A3aS4yvAL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>This is Us </i>is one of my favorite shows. It's one that consistently has me reaching for the kleenex, and I love shows that make me cry. On the first episode of the new season, we learn that the mother of one of the characters has MS. A quick Googling tells me that we actually learned that fact last season. We have definitely not met this character and I don't know if we will. I probably forgot because the character and storyline in question are related to the only character on the show I don't really care about: Kevin. Does anyone actually like Kevin? I felt the tiniest smidge of empathy for him maybe once or twice during the first season, but mostly he drives me crazy. (To be fair, he definitely made me cry extra hard in one pivotal emotional scene towards the end of the first season but at the same time made me annoyed and upset.)<br />
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Onto the MS. Kevin's girlfriend Sophie's mom has MS. Sophie has to cancel her trip to see Kevin on his birthday.<br />
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Sophie: It's my mom. She had a really bad morning and I just couldn't leave her.<br />
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Kevin: Of course not...how 'bout now, though? She good? She good now?<br />
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Sophie: She has MS. She's never good. I'm sorry.<br />
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Later, Kevin's sister Kate asks where Sophie is.<br />
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Kevin: Canceled.<br />
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Kate: MS?<br />
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Kevin: Yeah.<br />
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And that's it. The "She has MS. She's never good." line made me laugh because there's definitely some truth to that, though I could also see why some people might be offended by that line.<br />
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Will this storyline go anywhere? I just unintentionally saw a spoiler that makes me think we might actually meet Sophie's mom at some point this season. So, stay tuned maybe probably for another post. And if you don't already watch this show, it is worth the hype. You must start at the beginning, though.Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-70468979728899864452017-09-08T12:41:00.000-05:002017-09-08T12:41:17.149-05:00MS on Television: The Night Shift, part 2I expected <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2017/08/ms-on-television-night-shift.html" target="_blank">the MS storyline on The Night Shift</a> to fizzle away and I didn't think we'd ever see the character again, but she's back. And the MS storyline is as ridiculous as ever, if not more so.<div>
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When we left off, the doc was off for "treatment" and said that as soon as her treatment was done, she'd be back on the ground in Syria. Her "treatment" now apparently "done," she shows up in Texas instead. Her main purpose is to be a source of conflict as a love interest for a main character doc who is still in love with another main character doc. So I get that this MS storyline is just a means to that end, but come on! You guys can do better.</div>
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I waited on bated breath to see if her MS or her mysterious treatment would come up at all. She looked good (Did I just pull the dreaded "but you look so good!"??? Sorry, my bad, I should know better.), not having any of the obvious physical signs she was showing before. In fact, she was training people on combat medicine and running through an actual active shooter situation. The "treatment" must have worked like a charm!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">running while loaded down with gear while an active shooter is on the loose<br />#TakeThatMS</td></tr>
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I was surprised when her health did come up. Later in the episode, she apologizes to the main character doc who is the ex of her current love interest, saying "Sorry, I'm peevish these days. My treatments aren't going well." [This character has never been anything other than peevish, as far as I'm concerned.]</div>
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Other doc asks, "Treatments?</div>
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She says, "I have MS. TC didn't tell you?"</div>
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"Uh, no. He didn't. Do you mind me asking what kind of medications you're taking?"</div>
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Then another doc interrupts them and I yell at the TV because I also want to know the answer to that question!</div>
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But later, they talk again. We never learn what her mysterious treatment is or exactly why/how it is not going well. (Again, she seems to be functioning quite well, certainly better than before!)</div>
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"So does TC know the treatment's not working?"</div>
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"Not the extent, but there's nothing he could do. God knows he'd try."</div>
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The episode ends with her going back to do even more dangerous medicine on the ground in Syria. Will we ever see her again? I'd bet no, but I didn't think we'd see her in this episode.</div>
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My problems with this episode:</div>
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-The MS is just the means to a stupid end. It has no point (there's enough stupid drama and conflict in this love storyline...like the fact that she's technically still married to someone else!) but if MS is going to be used, at least use it responsibly! Medical dramas, especially, have something of a responsibility when portraying real life diseases. Some of them take this responsibility more seriously than others. MS has come up at least once on all of the medical dramas and while it rarely leaves me fully satisfied, it usually doesn't piss me off as much as this one does. And a non-medical show (The West Wing) is still the gold standard, as far as I'm concerned, for an accurate and responsible portrayal of MS.</div>
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-It's been maybe a few weeks! So how does she know the treatment isn't working? She seems to be doing significantly better physically than she was pre-treatment, so she's probably not having an exacerbation. I've been told that it can take months for MS drugs to really take effect. I've stopped MS drugs after a few months because they clearly weren't working but this clearly has not been even that long.</div>
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-I've taken flak for calling into question whether someone with MS should be president in relation to The West Wing (given the current political reality, I SO TAKE THAT BACK) but I'm REALLY calling into question whether someone with the specific challenges this fictional MS patient is having doing the kind of medicine she is doing. She's in the operating room on the front line in Syria and she can't really feel or control her fingers. She is putting other lives at risk in a stupid way. There are ways for her to contribute within the realm of medicine despite the MS.</div>
Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-33205489804452695012017-09-02T18:58:00.001-05:002017-09-02T18:58:30.484-05:00This Month: August 2017Sigh. I neglected this blog all month long. I still have all kinds of plans for this space and I've begun slowly building a new home for this content, but the MS Muse keeps getting put on the back burner. I'll try to do better this month. I have four drafts of posts that are partially done, so I just need to commit to one and see it through!<br />
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<b>This month:</b><br />
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<li>I passed a kidney stone! It was one of the smaller ones, but on Day 59, at least one of these buggers got evicted. Doctor stuff continues in relation to this issue.</li>
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<li>I went through YET ANOTHER unexpected insurance nightmare in relation to my Lyrica. It resulted in me actually sobbing in the bathroom at Walgreens, so that was special. Usually, when insurance won't cover the drug for whatever reason, I buy a few days worth out of pocket until the mess is sorted. I generally can't really afford it but I truly cannot make it without these drugs so I find a way to buy at least a few pills. (I probably could make it without the drugs, just in a lot of pain, but the <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2014/10/on-lyrica-withdrawal.html" target="_blank">WITHDRAWAL</a> from this drug is the worst experience I've EVER encountered, and it's one I cannot do again. I would have to be hospitalized.) But this time, they refused to let me buy any out of pocket, period. The pharmacist explained why, something about it being a controlled substance and it would mean the insurance would never cover it after I'd bought some out of pocket or some such nonsense. I don't know if the rules have changed since last time or what. I had just barely started withdrawal but I have a guy on my MS team who fights hard on my behalf and he got it worked out just in the nick of time. So I'm back on it and the effects of the short-term withdrawal are behind me.</li>
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<li>I played a symphony concert with a major fireworks mishap. There were some minor injuries in the violin section but it could have been a massive disaster. It was quite scary.</li>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPMAgWhBQTQ/Was7-n1IVTI/AAAAAAAAU_A/GkNeEvZ3e8ALpTq5TbM1XlX5fmpcYNbhACLcBGAs/s1600/symphony%2Brocks%2Bfireworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1314" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPMAgWhBQTQ/Was7-n1IVTI/AAAAAAAAU_A/GkNeEvZ3e8ALpTq5TbM1XlX5fmpcYNbhACLcBGAs/s400/symphony%2Brocks%2Bfireworks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>The view from here</b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXJpyCF6HQM/WatCMMWWI1I/AAAAAAAAU_U/1H466Bq0K2knZcZvDrTvbHARk5ZWAOZfwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-08-02%2B17.43.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXJpyCF6HQM/WatCMMWWI1I/AAAAAAAAU_U/1H466Bq0K2knZcZvDrTvbHARk5ZWAOZfwCLcBGAs/s400/2017-08-02%2B17.43.12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_BApgMT7A4/WatCMjL160I/AAAAAAAAU_Y/3OEiHxbJRYI7Q1euw1ZUTYRn28xb3IiUgCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-08-07%2B14.48.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_BApgMT7A4/WatCMjL160I/AAAAAAAAU_Y/3OEiHxbJRYI7Q1euw1ZUTYRn28xb3IiUgCLcBGAs/s400/2017-08-07%2B14.48.41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6V1YR9Wdyq0/WatCKFiZmCI/AAAAAAAAU_Q/Plv9oBAAJHgKApKdEOxBgU5BreP1kGGnwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-08-07%2B16.11.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6V1YR9Wdyq0/WatCKFiZmCI/AAAAAAAAU_Q/Plv9oBAAJHgKApKdEOxBgU5BreP1kGGnwCLcBGAs/s400/2017-08-07%2B16.11.41.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rehearsing on a pontoon in the middle of a lake!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4nK_Cr_c6sM/WatCM_-b_TI/AAAAAAAAU_g/yvkZTMKxrkUpw5LCXTqNyC33fFNAR0Z1gCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-08-07%2B16.23.13-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4nK_Cr_c6sM/WatCM_-b_TI/AAAAAAAAU_g/yvkZTMKxrkUpw5LCXTqNyC33fFNAR0Z1gCLcBGAs/s400/2017-08-07%2B16.23.13-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fz7Gfj1uC8g/WatCMssqSVI/AAAAAAAAU_c/vCSAEKkVb6Mm4WH3v9VEhuwhgzThIKLuwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-08-11%2B20.12.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fz7Gfj1uC8g/WatCMssqSVI/AAAAAAAAU_c/vCSAEKkVb6Mm4WH3v9VEhuwhgzThIKLuwCLcBGAs/s400/2017-08-11%2B20.12.12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oP5FrH9CBd8/WatCNNBl5qI/AAAAAAAAU_k/mpiiN9rRiF0bg99_BiYw0ZIl5C2i8rRdwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-08-11%2B20.35.44-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oP5FrH9CBd8/WatCNNBl5qI/AAAAAAAAU_k/mpiiN9rRiF0bg99_BiYw0ZIl5C2i8rRdwCLcBGAs/s400/2017-08-11%2B20.35.44-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Is3Z0hR-kvo/WatCNDO2CpI/AAAAAAAAU_o/ugZnzl8MnE4I9NLOfZOwJu3rryF67zjegCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-08-11%2B23.57.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Is3Z0hR-kvo/WatCNDO2CpI/AAAAAAAAU_o/ugZnzl8MnE4I9NLOfZOwJu3rryF67zjegCLcBGAs/s400/2017-08-11%2B23.57.03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that's me floating! perfect day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6RltbEmx9s/WatCOFMxCqI/AAAAAAAAU_s/D--dSLjyUPIGxxwEXNgeELWCdQeUcLc4gCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-08-21%2B10.56.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6RltbEmx9s/WatCOFMxCqI/AAAAAAAAU_s/D--dSLjyUPIGxxwEXNgeELWCdQeUcLc4gCLcBGAs/s400/2017-08-21%2B10.56.38.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm very disturbed that there was a legitimate need to put this up in the exam room at my Neuro's office.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6N5GZDnROCI/WatCO73pC_I/AAAAAAAAU_0/A97yKJkB_6gHgoO8hBugD_L7RNNNLMM9wCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-08-21%2B15.48.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6N5GZDnROCI/WatCO73pC_I/AAAAAAAAU_0/A97yKJkB_6gHgoO8hBugD_L7RNNNLMM9wCLcBGAs/s400/2017-08-21%2B15.48.41.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I find it hilarious that they put little star stickers on my bag o' Tysabri.<br />But I'll take a gold star whenever I can get it! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3aWPcRZRldM/WatCOmqGs4I/AAAAAAAAU_w/Lrzeoy31xXkmMADzJycQTY0w-Ira9awAQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-08-23%2B20.20.54-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3aWPcRZRldM/WatCOmqGs4I/AAAAAAAAU_w/Lrzeoy31xXkmMADzJycQTY0w-Ira9awAQCLcBGAs/s400/2017-08-23%2B20.20.54-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm friends with some tree-huggers. ;-)</td></tr>
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Here is my August One Second Every Day compilation, though I missed a few days:</div>
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Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-78463319548555432332017-08-01T00:50:00.002-05:002017-08-01T00:50:46.117-05:00This Month: July 2017, part 2I picked up an awful cold and have been feeling miserable for the last ten days or so. And I've still got the kidney stones! Those other posts are still coming, I promise, but on a whim I started a new series earlier tonight: <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/search/label/MS%20on%20television" target="_blank">MS on TV</a>.<br />
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<b>The view from here:</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">road trip cloud vibes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0VStFiYA3w/WYATbtfHDHI/AAAAAAAAU78/6LTyLLhbmj41lOH5N6CfV69JEuLR715cgCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-21%2B12.43.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0VStFiYA3w/WYATbtfHDHI/AAAAAAAAU78/6LTyLLhbmj41lOH5N6CfV69JEuLR715cgCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-21%2B12.43.59.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the traditional road trip stop at this one Qdoba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4-nFwKvyDo/WYATbgRt11I/AAAAAAAAU74/9otDf3NQiawkFevOFUCQYQlhJijvQK0UQCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-21%2B16.48.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4-nFwKvyDo/WYATbgRt11I/AAAAAAAAU74/9otDf3NQiawkFevOFUCQYQlhJijvQK0UQCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-21%2B16.48.02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this temperature did NOT make me happier, I assure you. it maxed out at 106.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ON4doKfvA64/WYATcS74BXI/AAAAAAAAU8E/vjFU45jdqgYjgMkUKWLZkU1NTyGVKp_lACEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-21%2B19.57.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ON4doKfvA64/WYATcS74BXI/AAAAAAAAU8E/vjFU45jdqgYjgMkUKWLZkU1NTyGVKp_lACEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-21%2B19.57.23.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look at this dog I call Mr. SimonPants casually leaning on his "elbow" against me in a super chill way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYHgJLhUuZM/WYATcyLVwqI/AAAAAAAAU8I/YQ3U5FH9uewTR6xAAcOgIT7-dcyFQhzqACEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-21%2B20.45.52-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYHgJLhUuZM/WYATcyLVwqI/AAAAAAAAU8I/YQ3U5FH9uewTR6xAAcOgIT7-dcyFQhzqACEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-21%2B20.45.52-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a Nebraska sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ceuEBzAcUlU/WYATe-sS0GI/AAAAAAAAU8U/5wZfQiOrXegHdXkVMsvEkvZzi4nvbXFKwCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-21%2B20.53.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ceuEBzAcUlU/WYATe-sS0GI/AAAAAAAAU8U/5wZfQiOrXegHdXkVMsvEkvZzi4nvbXFKwCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-21%2B20.53.45.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my swimming buddies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qK0IbhcYtuY/WYATfm2OsyI/AAAAAAAAU8Y/WcI3HFXwffEW-XsRlldAvL7WcctQZKdhwCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-22%2B14.56.41-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qK0IbhcYtuY/WYATfm2OsyI/AAAAAAAAU8Y/WcI3HFXwffEW-XsRlldAvL7WcctQZKdhwCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-22%2B14.56.41-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jkk6DgFBcA/WYATgXy6arI/AAAAAAAAU8g/eAkV_XX3ybsVOZDTIDQR71TxiWE33XrfQCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-22%2B15.13.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jkk6DgFBcA/WYATgXy6arI/AAAAAAAAU8g/eAkV_XX3ybsVOZDTIDQR71TxiWE33XrfQCEwYBhgL/s320/2017-07-22%2B15.13.11.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">do you like my sweet new shirt celebrating the Biebs?<br />
(I did not buy this shirt.)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVif9AezFG8/WYATgz8THuI/AAAAAAAAU8k/v5vC_-Cx8BoAkJIxGsKTWH6SHp6mMloOQCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-22%2B15.13.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVif9AezFG8/WYATgz8THuI/AAAAAAAAU8k/v5vC_-Cx8BoAkJIxGsKTWH6SHp6mMloOQCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-22%2B15.13.48.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">her reaction to seeing my shirt</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0QwLcQtf5I/WYAThQRlmBI/AAAAAAAAU8s/32HQ7peTUZ0gS0QO8n8tJ2jM3Q3GJtxMQCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-22%2B15.47.54%2BHDR-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0QwLcQtf5I/WYAThQRlmBI/AAAAAAAAU8s/32HQ7peTUZ0gS0QO8n8tJ2jM3Q3GJtxMQCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-22%2B15.47.54%2BHDR-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YdtFQzh8_V0/WYAThCDA71I/AAAAAAAAU8o/ZscSHlS5_YA7wAX-rS-SMTxGnuamXem2wCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-22%2B16.33.27-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YdtFQzh8_V0/WYAThCDA71I/AAAAAAAAU8o/ZscSHlS5_YA7wAX-rS-SMTxGnuamXem2wCEwYBhgL/s320/2017-07-22%2B16.33.27-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting my first tat</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XatUKS3lImQ/WYAThzQeu0I/AAAAAAAAU8w/AC_23_K3wowYojjzbbcdyuSjK_upSsozACEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-22%2B17.09.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XatUKS3lImQ/WYAThzQeu0I/AAAAAAAAU8w/AC_23_K3wowYojjzbbcdyuSjK_upSsozACEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-22%2B17.09.36.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this guy is a miracle worker who saved my butt from computer doom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xtQNn4s3rlQ/WYATiYIgGzI/AAAAAAAAU84/gD1K6Tx94MwBzjoKWjBoiUcWPN8SrhndgCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-22%2B19.09.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xtQNn4s3rlQ/WYATiYIgGzI/AAAAAAAAU84/gD1K6Tx94MwBzjoKWjBoiUcWPN8SrhndgCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-22%2B19.09.01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mario Kart with grandma</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QlwW4AIlbJE/WYATiCg950I/AAAAAAAAU80/Thxs3nm29cQ1xbdjamFVc15tnvqpiRLsgCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-22%2B22.15.37-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QlwW4AIlbJE/WYATiCg950I/AAAAAAAAU80/Thxs3nm29cQ1xbdjamFVc15tnvqpiRLsgCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-22%2B22.15.37-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THIS GIRL IS GOING TO PLAY HORN!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
(I'm just a little excited about this.)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_oHkr09BUZc/WYATi-OvntI/AAAAAAAAU88/fCRFOJttrGI3sArnZlQNiID2ayBTJSDngCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-23%2B08.33.47-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_oHkr09BUZc/WYATi-OvntI/AAAAAAAAU88/fCRFOJttrGI3sArnZlQNiID2ayBTJSDngCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-23%2B08.33.47-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look at this cute family</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zxIaZ_HfaZc/WYATkMyMWgI/AAAAAAAAU9E/j8flnEnV7zox10SfiY8UQDAoQ7M3fGd6gCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-23%2B10.42.55%2BHDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zxIaZ_HfaZc/WYATkMyMWgI/AAAAAAAAU9E/j8flnEnV7zox10SfiY8UQDAoQ7M3fGd6gCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-23%2B10.42.55%2BHDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is how I roadtrip: podcasts and origami</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gH28qeGfmJk/WYATjiTr5MI/AAAAAAAAU9A/lFcw7RPVj9suxBC0kVDw9mNjMrJJ3BgbQCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-24%2B11.41.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gH28qeGfmJk/WYATjiTr5MI/AAAAAAAAU9A/lFcw7RPVj9suxBC0kVDw9mNjMrJJ3BgbQCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-24%2B11.41.09.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new card design</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1R1KfbPfz_Y/WYATkax6HdI/AAAAAAAAU9I/E0HDXMRTejEmqHclicQ0Q4hoehdC1djuwCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-24%2B14.49.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1R1KfbPfz_Y/WYATkax6HdI/AAAAAAAAU9I/E0HDXMRTejEmqHclicQ0Q4hoehdC1djuwCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-24%2B14.49.44.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jumyrEdQWhs/WYATl8-E3JI/AAAAAAAAU9Q/ra8PjwCoLzoEBObOmCfEofqHgvgUXhelgCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-25%2B19.59.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jumyrEdQWhs/WYATl8-E3JI/AAAAAAAAU9Q/ra8PjwCoLzoEBObOmCfEofqHgvgUXhelgCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-25%2B19.59.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">under the sea!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLeQKfyC6R0/WYATlglkraI/AAAAAAAAU9M/Ob_iOxH_gDgOAF54XY3zNlpaslrvdsoFwCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-25%2B20.13.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLeQKfyC6R0/WYATlglkraI/AAAAAAAAU9M/Ob_iOxH_gDgOAF54XY3zNlpaslrvdsoFwCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-25%2B20.13.30.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RjZgLauLlwQ/WYATl9lYlQI/AAAAAAAAU9U/89JrOc9_idwQKIoggj_FQQ9_SQndwkI6gCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-29%2B20.46.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RjZgLauLlwQ/WYATl9lYlQI/AAAAAAAAU9U/89JrOc9_idwQKIoggj_FQQ9_SQndwkI6gCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-29%2B20.46.53.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b>A new thing I started doing this month:</b></div>
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I'm using the app 1 Second Every Day. Here is my July, minus the first 8 days:</div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BXPHlRLDng5/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Kayla (@nelsonkl23)</a> on <time datetime="2017-08-01T03:33:10+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 31, 2017 at 8:33pm PDT</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> <b><br /></b>Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-25509472380849815852017-08-01T00:29:00.000-05:002017-08-01T00:29:36.544-05:00MS on Television: The Night ShiftThis is a new series for the blog. I watch a lot of television, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I'm happy to be living in this golden era of TV. Watching shows is actually a solid part of my health and wellness plan. Seriously! Distraction is a useful tool that I've had recommended to me by several different doctors. When my pain is really bad, it doesn't always fully work, but it can often help. I read as well, but I can't always focus my mind or my eyes the way I need to, but I can handle television.<br />
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MS comes up not as infrequently as you might expect, and quite often, there is something wrong with the way the disease is discussed. Often, this means bad or false information. I don't expect your minor storyline to be a long-form presentation on the disease in great detail, but if you're going to bring it up, at least have it be believable! And if you use your platform to show the disease in a true-to-life light, I will love you for it forever. Please watch <i>The West Wing</i> for some ideas on how to do it (mostly) right.<br />
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This series will highlight every time (or most times, anyway) that MS comes up on a tv show I watch. If you have any ideas for a fun MS-themed rating system I can use, let me know. Like a scale of five neurons? Or two myelin sheaths up or down? I know I have clever friends and readers - help a girl out.<br />
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First up, one of my all-time favorite genres: medical shows. I will watch literally any medical drama, even the bad ones. Most of them, I will love. NBC's The Night Shift is one that I love. It is what it is, which is a formulaic medical show, but it has heart and some great characters.<br />
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In Season 4 Episode 5, we see an army medic secretly shooting up with drugs and then we see her having some symptoms like tremors in an intense operating room situation. They are in Iraq or somewhere like that. One of the show's main characters, a doctor named TC later says to her: "Shooting up earlier, patchy numbness, weakness, and tremors How long have you had MS?"<br />
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She responds: "A while. I've been controlling it with steroids."<br />
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He says, "I can get you the best treatment." She insists that she just wants to keep doing her work, work that matters, says that she's no good to anyone laying in a hospital bed.<br />
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Later, she agrees to get treatment but then says, "The minute my treatment is done, I'm coming right back here."<br />
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This doesn't deserve a failing grade, but here are my issues with this storyline:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Is shooting up steroids a thing? I mean, high dose relapse steroids only come in oral and intravenous doses over a period of days, as far as I know. (Okay, I just looked it up, and it is a thing, but I don't think it's a thing typically or ever used for MS, probably because you won't be getting a high enough dose to make a difference.)</li>
<li>Also, a medical professional should know that not many MS treatments involve laying in a hospital bed. Some do, but not the majority, certainly not as a first course of action.</li>
<li>Treatment for MS isn't a thing that is one-and-done. Like, see ya! I'm going to go get rid of this disease and BRB! We wish.</li>
<li>The other symptoms make sense, but how TC adds shooting up to the list of things that made it obvious she had MS amused me.</li>
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I pride myself on diagnosing the characters on medical shows (you see a handful of the same weird/rare disease cases on every single medical show) but I did not think MS with this character, so I was surprised at TC's instant and easy diagnosis. I think the differential diagnosis would have involved a lot of other potential conditions and MS wasn't necessarily super obvious. (Other than the fact that she was a woman of a younger age, I guess. That would make MS rise to the top.)</div>
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Let me know if you see MS mentioned on a tv show and I'll add it to the series! And </div>
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<pre style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px; left: -99999px; position: absolute; text-align: center;">S.
with me.
I can get you the best treatment.
[Sighs] I just want to do my work.
That's all that matters.
I-I'm here now.
I'm no good to anyone in a hospital bed.
You were no
Read more: http://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/view_episode_scripts.php?tv-show=the-night-shift-2014&episode=s04e05</pre>
Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-58052453850892809832017-07-17T23:14:00.003-05:002017-07-17T23:21:14.849-05:00This Month: July 2017, part 1Oh look, here we are again and I never did a part two for June. The long and short of it is that things remained relatively not good. But then I had a new nephew enter the world and that helped cheer me up. And then I got to meet him for a few days. And that was wonderful. But the trip wore me out and now it's back to the daily grind.<br />
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Healthwise, I'm still stuck in kidney stone limbo. Still feeling periods of significant discomfort. Still peeing into a strainer. If you're counting, this is Day 42. And I had that very special test at the Urologist's office. It was pretty much the worst and I will tell you all about it soon, I promise. The result was an official diagnosis that basically means I'm bad at peeing. Which I already knew. Thanks, MS!<br />
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<b>The view from here:</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby's first facetiming with auntie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sent a gift to my niece upon birth of her cuz</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">post storm pretty</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my friend is kinda okay at gardening ;-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NotOG4Yz_qI/WW2FGbnl_sI/AAAAAAAAU6w/mq6xQW9U3PALMV6H04Cs43KJh3sqkSi4wCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017-07-16%2B17.31.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NotOG4Yz_qI/WW2FGbnl_sI/AAAAAAAAU6w/mq6xQW9U3PALMV6H04Cs43KJh3sqkSi4wCEwYBhgL/s400/2017-07-16%2B17.31.24.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">okay, scratch that, REALLY good. it's so joyful to see her gardens.<br />
minus the mosquitos, of course.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I CANNOT EVEN TELL YOU HOW EXCITED I WAS TO SEE THIS!<br />
MY NEURO'S OFFICE HAS GOTTEN RID OF THE HUMAN CHECK-IN DESK!<br />
(I found all the check-in ladies to be judgy and not very friendly or helpful.)<br />
THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hey veins</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">post Tysabri treat at a favorite sandwich place from college days</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this doggie liked our horn jams</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have been waiting my whole life to have a baby boy to buy bowties for!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">poetry in the waiting room before the most terrifying appointment of my life.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look what I found!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my friend Heather bought me a TON of disposable pee filters.<br />
using these in public restrooms is the worst but it's so nice to be able to throw it out, unlike the plastic ones!<br />
more on this unique and fabulous gift later.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm that person taking cloud pictures nonstop all flight, every flight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">life dream fulfilled! can't wait to see him in it in a few months.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of baby + pup sleeping shots</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how cute is this nursery? my sis painted the mural.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pup always checking on the bambino. so cute.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my pretty mom is the world's greatest grandmother.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an origami bowtie for the lil man</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she thought my book would be a comfy place to rest her head</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">had an afternoon free when mama + baby were at doctor, so saw another monument: MLK Memorial</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope.</i><br />
powerful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7PE-xLoWmY/WW2FD6qBxkI/AAAAAAAAU6g/HoD6KlBnD3YTADuOdxLjbpV_za9xdbUWQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-07-11%2B21.07.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7PE-xLoWmY/WW2FD6qBxkI/AAAAAAAAU6g/HoD6KlBnD3YTADuOdxLjbpV_za9xdbUWQCLcBGAs/s400/2017-07-11%2B21.07.46.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IT FINALLY HAPPENED! she rested her head on one foot. next time, it better be both feet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know, I look good with a baby in my arms.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of hand positions in the course of 30 minutes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back home where there are no baby boys but there is bountiful basil</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new favorite thing in the world: long-distance book club with my niece.<br />
this book had an MS component and I plan to write about it soon.</td></tr>
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I literally took 1,000 pictures when I was in DC to meet my nephew but I tried to hold back here. :-) </div>
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I hinted at three different posts that will be coming your way. Just stating it here again as a way to try to force myself to actually write them! Plus there's still the last two posts in the <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/p/my-ms-symptoms.html" target="_blank">Symptoms Series</a>.<br />
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I told my niece that I was going to be writing one of them and she said, "What? You do stuff other than post pictures on your blog?" The chagrin I felt will hopefully propel me to write more.<br />
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Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-63969591517042284342017-06-16T00:59:00.000-05:002017-06-16T00:59:30.183-05:00This Month: June 2017, part 1Hey there, folks. So far, June has been pretty rough. The higher-than-normal levels of nerve pain post-relapse have remained higher-than-normal but there have been more okay-to-good days in the mix which is good.<br />
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Then, 10 days ago I went to the ER after sudden and severe pain on my right side that lasted for several hours and found out I had a decent sized kidney stone on my right side. A week of mild-discomfort-to-severe-pain followed. A few days were BAD. After a week, I saw a urologist (adding to my collection of -ists!) and learned there was another smaller stone on the opposite kidney. And that a big ovarian cyst is dilating the right kidney and putting a lot of pressure on the ureter, complicating everything. And then, during the exam, I learned that the ol' <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/07/my-ms-symptoms-top-10-countdown-10.html" target="_blank">MS bladder dysfunction</a> I've spent years pretending isn't a problem is very much still a problem and one that needs to be handled. So current life = usually uncomfortable with pain that is sometimes severe, going to the bathroom constantly and peeing in a strainer, waiting for the stones to pass, and dreading some upcoming bladder tests that sound like so much fun. This was the quick, summarized version of this story. A post or two will be coming about this in more detail. Because I have a lot of feelings.<br />
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<b>Good things so far in June:</b><br />
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It's been pretty crappy overall, but I'm choosing to celebrate and feel gratitude for the parts that have been wonderful:<br />
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<ul>
<li>catching up with HS-and-college-friend Blair</li>
<li>seeing friend Ramona's magnificent dance show</li>
<li>playing a symphony concert in the park and surviving thanks to a wonderful window of almost no kidney pain</li>
<li>a lovely conversation and meal with friend <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2013/09/guest-post-from-my-friend-gwen.html" target="_blank">Gwen</a> after the concert</li>
<li>a great book by a favorite author (Hallelujah Anyway by Anne Lamott) with an EXQUISITE design! even if I didn't love the book, every detail of the design of the book just makes me happy. (color! fonts! book shape/dimensions! the FEEL of the pages!)</li>
<li>a perfect afternoon sitting in the backyard with <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/search/label/my%20mom" target="_blank">my mom</a>, reading our books, eating raspberries, enjoying the perfect temperature and light breeze and birdsong, and the perfect blue sky and fluffy clouds and green trees</li>
<li>talking to my <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2013/05/guest-post-my-wonderful-sistar.html" target="_blank">sistar</a> on the phone for a whole hour!</li>
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<b>The view from here:</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wOpXMi6ptRw/WUNqo9ZzDbI/AAAAAAAAU2c/wOgwiro1WjE-nD12cDjRaebcFlaxdtt9QCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-06-05%2B18.44.09%2BHDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wOpXMi6ptRw/WUNqo9ZzDbI/AAAAAAAAU2c/wOgwiro1WjE-nD12cDjRaebcFlaxdtt9QCLcBGAs/s400/2017-06-05%2B18.44.09%2BHDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is my pee strainer. I love it so much.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GchB3ZaI47w/WUNqpJYAkkI/AAAAAAAAU2U/Dt38XNbV1O0z9ST1B-HUq_dDJDDaq_aMwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-06-08%2B21.22.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GchB3ZaI47w/WUNqpJYAkkI/AAAAAAAAU2U/Dt38XNbV1O0z9ST1B-HUq_dDJDDaq_aMwCLcBGAs/s400/2017-06-08%2B21.22.39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AgCiY1rG90c/WUNqrtnyMQI/AAAAAAAAU2k/r6HZQtESpZkqv2B32czkuFeb0VkI3POOQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-06-10%2B18.29.08-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AgCiY1rG90c/WUNqrtnyMQI/AAAAAAAAU2k/r6HZQtESpZkqv2B32czkuFeb0VkI3POOQCLcBGAs/s400/2017-06-10%2B18.29.08-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">living on the parade route is great because you can just step onto the <br />front step when you hear a band and then go back inside.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8noDQmuMI6Y/WUNroZ1bibI/AAAAAAAAU3A/CdJWpxNsg3AG-Mz9duQJ9xdvTVAZmz1UwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-06-13%2B11.41.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8noDQmuMI6Y/WUNroZ1bibI/AAAAAAAAU3A/CdJWpxNsg3AG-Mz9duQJ9xdvTVAZmz1UwCLcBGAs/s400/2017-06-13%2B11.41.31.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">story of my life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fmpoymZeQM/WUNyRUbdq7I/AAAAAAAAU3I/nefVNqCwQEYmVN2buLui8mKyh_TpEGfjQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-06-15%2B20.17.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fmpoymZeQM/WUNyRUbdq7I/AAAAAAAAU3I/nefVNqCwQEYmVN2buLui8mKyh_TpEGfjQCLcBGAs/s400/2017-06-15%2B20.17.38.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">perfection</td></tr>
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Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-66272733956854224842017-06-02T14:22:00.000-05:002017-06-02T14:33:04.947-05:00This Month: May 2017, part 2<div>
<b>The MS Update</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Things are okay. They've continued to improve but I'm not yet back to normal. I'm still struggling with significantly elevated pain and major trouble sleeping because of it. So pain and fatigue have been winning on most days. I'm going to give it another month, at which point I may try adding a new med if it continues like this.</div>
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<div>
My best medicine (my niece) came to town for about 40 hours total. That helped a lot. She is a balm for the spirit, for sure. It also wore me out, but it was worth it.</div>
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<b><b><br /></b></b></div>
<b> The view from here:</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zA7jw11HrAg/WTEHDrAyzdI/AAAAAAAAUyg/-WXEidzMOygY5L_MnvFuoP62seETBCGjQCLcB/s1600/2017-05-18%2B14.47.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zA7jw11HrAg/WTEHDrAyzdI/AAAAAAAAUyg/-WXEidzMOygY5L_MnvFuoP62seETBCGjQCLcB/s400/2017-05-18%2B14.47.30.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finally got around to planting some cilantro and basil</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7fe6x9S6VlA/WTEHCo8epTI/AAAAAAAAUyY/1XK7jsGbsrIpajl-ueGVH_cBYCJcsY5uACLcB/s1600/2017-05-22%2B18.52.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7fe6x9S6VlA/WTEHCo8epTI/AAAAAAAAUyY/1XK7jsGbsrIpajl-ueGVH_cBYCJcsY5uACLcB/s400/2017-05-22%2B18.52.36.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">goat cheese and spinach frittata with sriracha</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GkapEr5ills/WTEHCiHfHnI/AAAAAAAAUyc/CFCm_WWci4URx0kedy_dJelbCNUE9X3wQCLcB/s1600/2017-05-23%2B17.09.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GkapEr5ills/WTEHCiHfHnI/AAAAAAAAUyc/CFCm_WWci4URx0kedy_dJelbCNUE9X3wQCLcB/s400/2017-05-23%2B17.09.30.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">got some sweet new paper from my sistar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYgz86BWC_U/WTEHEq5zlLI/AAAAAAAAUyk/mgfyNl-GmmcXfyN31kN8Y1T3eKxx2o87ACLcB/s1600/2017-05-24%2B18.47.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYgz86BWC_U/WTEHEq5zlLI/AAAAAAAAUyk/mgfyNl-GmmcXfyN31kN8Y1T3eKxx2o87ACLcB/s400/2017-05-24%2B18.47.17.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">might not look pretty, but this coconut curry is crazy delish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9w9zG4Dz6s/WTEHFKJc9bI/AAAAAAAAUyo/5R1J4bPEgXgRnBI85vZxbKe4i7UHC7RpwCLcB/s1600/2017-05-26%2B13.16.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9w9zG4Dz6s/WTEHFKJc9bI/AAAAAAAAUyo/5R1J4bPEgXgRnBI85vZxbKe4i7UHC7RpwCLcB/s400/2017-05-26%2B13.16.02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a good book helps pass the hours of infusion time</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38yypY90eHA/WTEHFurk5vI/AAAAAAAAUys/tkMOgYDkYkoo_g-kivaWE7Y0lh_mOet_gCLcB/s1600/2017-05-26%2B14.08.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38yypY90eHA/WTEHFurk5vI/AAAAAAAAUys/tkMOgYDkYkoo_g-kivaWE7Y0lh_mOet_gCLcB/s400/2017-05-26%2B14.08.59.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this month's Tysabri treat: favorite sandwich place, Grand Junction!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LWE2DgtwOtQ/WTEHFrtOqJI/AAAAAAAAUyw/Qam7BLTbWrIuQfPhIRGZ94G1-7j-qE3vQCLcB/s1600/2017-05-27%2B15.14.07-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LWE2DgtwOtQ/WTEHFrtOqJI/AAAAAAAAUyw/Qam7BLTbWrIuQfPhIRGZ94G1-7j-qE3vQCLcB/s400/2017-05-27%2B15.14.07-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peony for your thoughts!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HpdWvEXOTLU/WTEHpGVUBUI/AAAAAAAAUy8/4zmGbWqiMos5S-K9K4kx_zICAm8FSlmpwCLcB/s1600/2017-05-27%2B15.50.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HpdWvEXOTLU/WTEHpGVUBUI/AAAAAAAAUy8/4zmGbWqiMos5S-K9K4kx_zICAm8FSlmpwCLcB/s400/2017-05-27%2B15.50.13.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cloud love</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNtvp4aXv58/WTEHokAW94I/AAAAAAAAUy4/YWRRjPCykDMvX0M7uYeiP5hTIlwdpCtzwCLcB/s1600/2017-05-27%2B16.48.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNtvp4aXv58/WTEHokAW94I/AAAAAAAAUy4/YWRRjPCykDMvX0M7uYeiP5hTIlwdpCtzwCLcB/s400/2017-05-27%2B16.48.53.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my mom's childhood church</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gK2yVhadQak/WTEHoT1Oc8I/AAAAAAAAUy0/xayZWuTiueYfXiWGGg_33sNDMWb_1y8fgCLcB/s1600/2017-05-27%2B17.59.43-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gK2yVhadQak/WTEHoT1Oc8I/AAAAAAAAUy0/xayZWuTiueYfXiWGGg_33sNDMWb_1y8fgCLcB/s400/2017-05-27%2B17.59.43-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">take me home, country roads</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nks0czZnfww/WTEHqDGfIFI/AAAAAAAAUzE/oa8NbJIqH_U3P6_VMZCvYXXeJ4pTDPVDQCLcB/s1600/2017-05-27%2B18.06.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nks0czZnfww/WTEHqDGfIFI/AAAAAAAAUzE/oa8NbJIqH_U3P6_VMZCvYXXeJ4pTDPVDQCLcB/s400/2017-05-27%2B18.06.22.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so glad cloud season is back</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYvx-bjMUqI/WTEHqK7jf9I/AAAAAAAAUzA/oXpP3gDQrKw2TOSLqXQ5rCltqXC7g6D3wCLcB/s1600/2017-05-27%2B18.20.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYvx-bjMUqI/WTEHqK7jf9I/AAAAAAAAUzA/oXpP3gDQrKw2TOSLqXQ5rCltqXC7g6D3wCLcB/s400/2017-05-27%2B18.20.54.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on the drive</td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tyd7T4fiQrk/WTEHrIvWH0I/AAAAAAAAUzM/o7lRlVG36YwMj-JK8D4MiGrgYVe9sN9VwCLcB/s1600/2017-05-27%2B19.20.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tyd7T4fiQrk/WTEHrIvWH0I/AAAAAAAAUzM/o7lRlVG36YwMj-JK8D4MiGrgYVe9sN9VwCLcB/s400/2017-05-27%2B19.20.49.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gPD2MThNpsg/WTEHrPRb-oI/AAAAAAAAUzQ/rcpzsmmYSNcRuDwreBuwKnjRMWxs4peuwCLcB/s1600/2017-05-28%2B16.38.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gPD2MThNpsg/WTEHrPRb-oI/AAAAAAAAUzQ/rcpzsmmYSNcRuDwreBuwKnjRMWxs4peuwCLcB/s400/2017-05-28%2B16.38.46.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in which a little puppy and a giant cat become friends</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTpBH7JPa6Q/WTEIdrKVQnI/AAAAAAAAUzU/UFp3NvQv2m49VkzI0wjEIYeY_dGd-2MHQCLcB/s1600/2017-05-28%2B21.33.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTpBH7JPa6Q/WTEIdrKVQnI/AAAAAAAAUzU/UFp3NvQv2m49VkzI0wjEIYeY_dGd-2MHQCLcB/s400/2017-05-28%2B21.33.43.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my heart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXeYP-8MMjc/WTEIfhntJhI/AAAAAAAAUzY/vwVZt11h1j840lm6uHojtPzjN59-KIInQCLcB/s1600/2017-05-29%2B13.36.43-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXeYP-8MMjc/WTEIfhntJhI/AAAAAAAAUzY/vwVZt11h1j840lm6uHojtPzjN59-KIInQCLcB/s400/2017-05-29%2B13.36.43-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice stick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nbXBo3zJEMw/WTEIf7rRzrI/AAAAAAAAUzc/Ui-nuMJpyacqrPeyBU3klu1RyHiFX-khQCLcB/s1600/2017-05-29%2B13.49.18%2BHDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nbXBo3zJEMw/WTEIf7rRzrI/AAAAAAAAUzc/Ui-nuMJpyacqrPeyBU3klu1RyHiFX-khQCLcB/s400/2017-05-29%2B13.49.18%2BHDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing volleyball with my girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dubMGJ0C0aY/WTEIhBUgyYI/AAAAAAAAUzg/ObUnIRWflv4RnGb7gq6HErxT7frgwdB-wCLcB/s1600/2017-05-29%2B13.49.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dubMGJ0C0aY/WTEIhBUgyYI/AAAAAAAAUzg/ObUnIRWflv4RnGb7gq6HErxT7frgwdB-wCLcB/s400/2017-05-29%2B13.49.27.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the best</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-591iFIawQ5c/WTEIi1NygFI/AAAAAAAAUzs/u6Rg7kpeq18PiXrWONuVs9JhKQ6nTOpVACLcB/s1600/2017-05-29%2B13.54.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-591iFIawQ5c/WTEIi1NygFI/AAAAAAAAUzs/u6Rg7kpeq18PiXrWONuVs9JhKQ6nTOpVACLcB/s400/2017-05-29%2B13.54.04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this stuffed cat's name is Crenshaw</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0y_uTl_-QYI/WTEIh9eNwfI/AAAAAAAAUzk/_Fu4Ju6XapkICpoNWP2NDBdRmVl1YlROACLcB/s1600/2017-05-29%2B14.53.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0y_uTl_-QYI/WTEIh9eNwfI/AAAAAAAAUzk/_Fu4Ju6XapkICpoNWP2NDBdRmVl1YlROACLcB/s400/2017-05-29%2B14.53.14.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I gave her this 3D pen for her birthday</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-En7iHJKVN-U/WTEIihUBTVI/AAAAAAAAUzo/lEt5QKagoxU-vhfeuc_HigVDLaV7VzoGQCLcB/s1600/2017-05-29%2B15.04.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-En7iHJKVN-U/WTEIihUBTVI/AAAAAAAAUzo/lEt5QKagoxU-vhfeuc_HigVDLaV7VzoGQCLcB/s400/2017-05-29%2B15.04.38.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so fun! I doodled my name. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFYTkI2bcdE/WTG8ruz40MI/AAAAAAAAU0s/RqeovSDAWQsTR-OKHCDinTATB0VFJAkXgCLcB/s1600/2017-05-29%2B18.07.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="1600" height="377" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFYTkI2bcdE/WTG8ruz40MI/AAAAAAAAU0s/RqeovSDAWQsTR-OKHCDinTATB0VFJAkXgCLcB/s400/2017-05-29%2B18.07.12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cookie time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SAqKLLqfAU/WTEInFUKeiI/AAAAAAAAU0A/n0hRGQzAnBcpF2jf-wLZG6pNnwjnVyI_gCLcB/s1600/2017-05-29%2B19.10.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SAqKLLqfAU/WTEInFUKeiI/AAAAAAAAU0A/n0hRGQzAnBcpF2jf-wLZG6pNnwjnVyI_gCLcB/s400/2017-05-29%2B19.10.11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">had my bro grill and then it started pouring rain but he made it work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vU59Sey3uIM/WTEIl_7v5MI/AAAAAAAAUz4/wJsfMPO6G_8Ix-Qrtx32Kj5gHFiU4ChxwCLcB/s1600/2017-05-29%2B20.19.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vU59Sey3uIM/WTEIl_7v5MI/AAAAAAAAUz4/wJsfMPO6G_8Ix-Qrtx32Kj5gHFiU4ChxwCLcB/s400/2017-05-29%2B20.19.10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">why just take a walk when you can dance with an umbrella?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyoKwWmv5m8/WTEIkt3NApI/AAAAAAAAUz0/rmPrhnXOzaICyBN8rCbuuAONDsziqG9PACLcB/s1600/2017-05-29%2B20.27.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyoKwWmv5m8/WTEIkt3NApI/AAAAAAAAUz0/rmPrhnXOzaICyBN8rCbuuAONDsziqG9PACLcB/s400/2017-05-29%2B20.27.58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsOUghAnZGw/WTEIm4zCVeI/AAAAAAAAUz8/6wc8wqOBkHM0jQVl6nh1tuKtZpNnJXwoACLcB/s1600/2017-05-29%2B23.19.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsOUghAnZGw/WTEIm4zCVeI/AAAAAAAAUz8/6wc8wqOBkHM0jQVl6nh1tuKtZpNnJXwoACLcB/s400/2017-05-29%2B23.19.30.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my niece's book has a character with MS! so now I'm getting it from the library<br />
and we're going to have a long-distance book club via Skype</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2IPe-pjt4P4/WTEI3Z9QKeI/AAAAAAAAU0Q/MmenNYtSYI8Dk9lQbYa9Ry5MSJPrIXjRwCLcB/s1600/2017-05-30%2B09.26.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2IPe-pjt4P4/WTEI3Z9QKeI/AAAAAAAAU0Q/MmenNYtSYI8Dk9lQbYa9Ry5MSJPrIXjRwCLcB/s400/2017-05-30%2B09.26.41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_mPgpb4pqeU/WTEI21PLMLI/AAAAAAAAU0I/Bged9xhfkc4Fz35_wpqWpO_9kwxjmRkdACLcB/s1600/2017-05-30%2B09.50.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_mPgpb4pqeU/WTEI21PLMLI/AAAAAAAAU0I/Bged9xhfkc4Fz35_wpqWpO_9kwxjmRkdACLcB/s400/2017-05-30%2B09.50.01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">watching Mako Mermaids</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxOw5UqxQ9I/WTEI43UvbCI/AAAAAAAAU0Y/xzh1k0r2CCAmpKI6902CIHgRUtiPwXMCgCLcB/s1600/2017-05-30%2B11.06.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxOw5UqxQ9I/WTEI43UvbCI/AAAAAAAAU0Y/xzh1k0r2CCAmpKI6902CIHgRUtiPwXMCgCLcB/s400/2017-05-30%2B11.06.19.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">aren't they cute?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yMsc85HUrlU/WTEI50_ZAYI/AAAAAAAAU0g/2AgGqJK2GaMagU1IdVPkNUqKc5iyD3ekQCLcB/s1600/2017-05-30%2B11.19.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yMsc85HUrlU/WTEI50_ZAYI/AAAAAAAAU0g/2AgGqJK2GaMagU1IdVPkNUqKc5iyD3ekQCLcB/s400/2017-05-30%2B11.19.26.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">goodbye hug...saying goodbye is the WORST</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VJhPSVrYRyE/WTEI4O7gZWI/AAAAAAAAU0U/6B0EiNTBcKc1f8nTNPEkVGH2IjRa6n2TgCLcB/s1600/2017-05-30%2B11.23.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VJhPSVrYRyE/WTEI4O7gZWI/AAAAAAAAU0U/6B0EiNTBcKc1f8nTNPEkVGH2IjRa6n2TgCLcB/s400/2017-05-30%2B11.23.34.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess I should go to the dentist</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tPGE83y67rw/WTEI5sT8TmI/AAAAAAAAU0c/OuTjTuiNH4MOv7IeJQ-NTizqfk8J9VfvgCLcB/s1600/2017-05-30%2B20.39.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tPGE83y67rw/WTEI5sT8TmI/AAAAAAAAU0c/OuTjTuiNH4MOv7IeJQ-NTizqfk8J9VfvgCLcB/s400/2017-05-30%2B20.39.59.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">happiness</td></tr>
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<br />Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-11503718637479839012017-05-16T18:02:00.003-05:002017-05-16T18:02:55.839-05:00This Month: May 2017, part 1Hey there, blogland. I guess I missed the April part 2 post, what with feeling like I got hit by a bus and then dragged by that bus up a mountain and then left there to limp back down. So this post will cover the second half of April and the first half of May.<br />
<br />
<b>The MS Update</b><br />
The last you heard, I had some new lesions, and then I was having a relapse, then things got worse, then they got a bit better, and then I was preparing for an intense week of playing in the symphony. Things did continue to improve, to the point where my walking wasn't noticeably (I don't think) impaired anymore. I was still in an extraordinary amount of pain and still had some weakness.<br />
<br />
In the middle of symphony week, I learned I had a few new spinal lesions as well after another round of MRIs. I was offered steroids but decided against it, for many reasons.<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, I survived symphony week. The concert was Rite of Spring, which is a challenging thing to play, both mentally and physically. I didn't play perfectly by any means, but I feel pretty proud of how well I did, especially considering how I was feeling. And I survived climbing up and down precarious risers when my leg strength and stability were both questionable, an accomplishment in and of itself. And I did even manage to have some fun. Maybe not as much fun as I could have had playing this piece with these people, but more than I expected to be able to have given how I was feeling.<br />
<br />
Symphony weeks always wear me out. It generally takes me at least a week to recover. This time was a thousand times worse. It was a huge accomplishment for me to just get through the week, but the recovery from the week has been monstrous. In the two weeks after symphony week, I left the house exactly three times (once to see a movie with a friend, once for my Tysabri infusion, and once for a 30-minute meeting). I did a little bit of work on my couch, but it wasn't a very productive stretch. Yet I felt like I had been working 80 hour weeks and running marathons or climbing Everest on the weekends.<br />
<br />
This is in large part because the MS itself hasn't fully settled down, though it does continue to improve. The pain is still at pretty extreme levels most of the time. I'm not sleeping well at all because of it. On top of the regular MS fatigue plus the relapse-exacerbated fatigue, I'm not exactly bursting with energy.<br />
<br />
I've had pain from knees-down for years, but had gotten to a place where it was managed fairly well (minus a handful of bad days a month) with meds and various coping strategies. The pain is now hips to toes and the meds aren't doing all that much most of the time. I cannot take more meds than I'm taking now as I'm already taking the maximum (and way above the FDA-recommended max for one drug) amount I can safely take. Needless to say, I'm terrified that this level of pain is going to be my new normal. I've had a few days lately where it hasn't been quite as bad, so I'm hoping desperately that will start to happen more often.<br />
<br />
<b>The view from here:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-29pXxqrDt7A/WRtrqfHcDiI/AAAAAAAAUvI/ZHk95iRQP9wlAkuQlUiZ58P4PXRwU4FBgCLcB/s1600/2017-04-17%2B19.51.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-29pXxqrDt7A/WRtrqfHcDiI/AAAAAAAAUvI/ZHk95iRQP9wlAkuQlUiZ58P4PXRwU4FBgCLcB/s400/2017-04-17%2B19.51.26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pFLeKT-fq8c/WRtrqzODABI/AAAAAAAAUvQ/8BQ-jVIoLNAIRBBHdBM9CIHPdKvnUNmNQCLcB/s1600/2017-04-23%2B12.06.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pFLeKT-fq8c/WRtrqzODABI/AAAAAAAAUvQ/8BQ-jVIoLNAIRBBHdBM9CIHPdKvnUNmNQCLcB/s400/2017-04-23%2B12.06.40.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rite of spring - haha, get it?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9YPpr_3lyUg/WRtrrX9YjlI/AAAAAAAAUvU/p_8qQuydLV4A7hraE0gpLO8F5wexDhqSQCLcB/s1600/2017-04-23%2B14.17.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9YPpr_3lyUg/WRtrrX9YjlI/AAAAAAAAUvU/p_8qQuydLV4A7hraE0gpLO8F5wexDhqSQCLcB/s400/2017-04-23%2B14.17.39.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking up backstage</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b9cd67KAfS4/WRtrrfZoGBI/AAAAAAAAUvY/lRxHAf8jWM4Ch1LFXJ-YFlDSX2h9004hQCLcB/s1600/2017-04-23%2B14.51.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b9cd67KAfS4/WRtrrfZoGBI/AAAAAAAAUvY/lRxHAf8jWM4Ch1LFXJ-YFlDSX2h9004hQCLcB/s400/2017-04-23%2B14.51.53.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still one of my favorite people to play with. it was fun to play this concert together.<br />
she also sent me a text during the week that really helped boost my spirits. ❤️<br />
. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LUi2P87hpY/WRtrsZcl4-I/AAAAAAAAUvc/m6PV1Wp-7y8TbHAo7TvhsTD8SgSEsSHPwCLcB/s1600/2017-04-26%2B22.55.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LUi2P87hpY/WRtrsZcl4-I/AAAAAAAAUvc/m6PV1Wp-7y8TbHAo7TvhsTD8SgSEsSHPwCLcB/s400/2017-04-26%2B22.55.35.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just late April snow, nothing to see here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-INrnC2NjgzI/WRtrtbSN42I/AAAAAAAAUvk/BecKECKOd8YFfBurIlvNUqElBeadyO7QACLcB/s1600/2017-04-28%2B10.24.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-INrnC2NjgzI/WRtrtbSN42I/AAAAAAAAUvk/BecKECKOd8YFfBurIlvNUqElBeadyO7QACLcB/s400/2017-04-28%2B10.24.47.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a few days before May, this is not something we should see!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0mV6xUKTX8w/WRtrtHIFz8I/AAAAAAAAUvg/Fx9AlDLgpVUXjjE6avOVqaeYTwGlrfNYQCLcB/s1600/2017-04-28%2B12.03.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0mV6xUKTX8w/WRtrtHIFz8I/AAAAAAAAUvg/Fx9AlDLgpVUXjjE6avOVqaeYTwGlrfNYQCLcB/s400/2017-04-28%2B12.03.18.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">come on veins, I need my drugs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAz1lWEU2Cs/WRtrvMKE9pI/AAAAAAAAUvo/iqHMwqfflhorpXZsoX0vpGbsFbe6vh4-wCLcB/s1600/2017-04-28%2B20.40.21-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAz1lWEU2Cs/WRtrvMKE9pI/AAAAAAAAUvo/iqHMwqfflhorpXZsoX0vpGbsFbe6vh4-wCLcB/s400/2017-04-28%2B20.40.21-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T_yQ8stbsxQ/WRtrx7RuSyI/AAAAAAAAUv8/371T-W9_PQU92v9mcnRNL66M9CEd1JitwCLcB/s1600/2017-04-30%2B20.37.19-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T_yQ8stbsxQ/WRtrx7RuSyI/AAAAAAAAUv8/371T-W9_PQU92v9mcnRNL66M9CEd1JitwCLcB/s400/2017-04-30%2B20.37.19-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YlN76Z6_bvM/WRtrxxnWXpI/AAAAAAAAUv4/dO7VStyUnVItypjF-UmlZ8CLv26SocWOQCLcB/s1600/2017-04-30%2B20.37.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YlN76Z6_bvM/WRtrxxnWXpI/AAAAAAAAUv4/dO7VStyUnVItypjF-UmlZ8CLv26SocWOQCLcB/s400/2017-04-30%2B20.37.52.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xk4dc0z6K3A/WRtrwnaDG_I/AAAAAAAAUv0/qcwUC2IXTxEVlclnBeY72Wp97Bn4ih5nwCLcB/s1600/2017-05-01%2B14.26.12-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xk4dc0z6K3A/WRtrwnaDG_I/AAAAAAAAUv0/qcwUC2IXTxEVlclnBeY72Wp97Bn4ih5nwCLcB/s400/2017-05-01%2B14.26.12-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I do the website for this church.<br />
The guy who designed this window has a special place in my heart related to college.<br />
My college friends will recognize this style.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PewocUDIqzo/WRtryPftDZI/AAAAAAAAUwA/Niq3sFgO3-Y9jKTxtnNoXFOoHMK7qlmlgCLcB/s1600/2017-05-03%2B01.39.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PewocUDIqzo/WRtryPftDZI/AAAAAAAAUwA/Niq3sFgO3-Y9jKTxtnNoXFOoHMK7qlmlgCLcB/s400/2017-05-03%2B01.39.29.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will not watch the movies, but I am the kind of aunt who will<br />
send a homemade" May the Fourth" card to a niece who loves them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDiCyn6iNJM/WRtr0mL5-xI/AAAAAAAAUwQ/hv2qwA_MxA8NBIGH7Xbe6FHGQ1uZRMXcwCLcB/s1600/2017-05-07%2B05.37.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDiCyn6iNJM/WRtr0mL5-xI/AAAAAAAAUwQ/hv2qwA_MxA8NBIGH7Xbe6FHGQ1uZRMXcwCLcB/s400/2017-05-07%2B05.37.04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you can't sleep all night because of pain, you watch the sunrise from the balcony.<br />
Wearing the style first popularized by my sistar as a child, natch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xK_nnjT55wM/WRtr2dtT3rI/AAAAAAAAUwY/QrSwCLPNBAUzpXWgMqHAVW4pqWUTDTCsQCLcB/s1600/2017-05-07%2B05.56.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xK_nnjT55wM/WRtr2dtT3rI/AAAAAAAAUwY/QrSwCLPNBAUzpXWgMqHAVW4pqWUTDTCsQCLcB/s400/2017-05-07%2B05.56.13.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I photograph allllll the sunsets, but I'm never around for these and they are glorious, too.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXIFKoN90Ug/WRtr2cQrjZI/AAAAAAAAUwU/yId2ej7CXJALkozz8pCRF07EMH-I2VKhQCLcB/s1600/2017-05-07%2B05.56.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXIFKoN90Ug/WRtr2cQrjZI/AAAAAAAAUwU/yId2ej7CXJALkozz8pCRF07EMH-I2VKhQCLcB/s400/2017-05-07%2B05.56.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="381" width="475"><param value="https://www.youtube.com/v/18hm1VHe9HM&showsearch=0&rel=0&fs=1&autoplay=0&ap=%2526fmt%3D18" name="movie"><param value="window" name="wmode" /><param value="true" name="allowFullScreen" /><embed width="475" height="381" wmode="window" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/18hm1VHe9HM&showsearch=0&fs=1&rel=0&autoplay=0&ap=%2526fmt%3D18"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the wind chimes and the birdsong make it even better!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MC4xb1Elg2E/WRtr2heB4pI/AAAAAAAAUwc/lMBbRAaQjRQCu4nbY6LRZhBbbb1WUikywCLcB/s1600/2017-05-07%2B18.06.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MC4xb1Elg2E/WRtr2heB4pI/AAAAAAAAUwc/lMBbRAaQjRQCu4nbY6LRZhBbbb1WUikywCLcB/s400/2017-05-07%2B18.06.44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OFkF8DwkN3s/WRtr_zIBY1I/AAAAAAAAUxI/st9GBveVWbYeCw0iRX3sfQ-3KVAcNrkrACLcB/s1600/2017-05-14%2B18.17.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OFkF8DwkN3s/WRtr_zIBY1I/AAAAAAAAUxI/st9GBveVWbYeCw0iRX3sfQ-3KVAcNrkrACLcB/s400/2017-05-14%2B18.17.08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvMBv1rV0oY/WRtv68qGoAI/AAAAAAAAUxU/YpBryV19uUEzrwAb8_mrdKpWKyNMQfPTQCLcB/s1600/2017-05-14%2B16.28.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvMBv1rV0oY/WRtv68qGoAI/AAAAAAAAUxU/YpBryV19uUEzrwAb8_mrdKpWKyNMQfPTQCLcB/s400/2017-05-14%2B16.28.51.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a sweet postcard from my friend Ramona with a timely and much appreciated message:<br />
"hoping you are finding ways to float above the pain and find peace and calm in beauty."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lp2SaqiWoH0/WRtrviNyZpI/AAAAAAAAUvw/RgLYfZ9c9yotIBSriWc5RSzQYuzKg4BXwCEw/s1600/2017-04-28%2B16.04.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lp2SaqiWoH0/WRtrviNyZpI/AAAAAAAAUvw/RgLYfZ9c9yotIBSriWc5RSzQYuzKg4BXwCEw/s400/2017-04-28%2B16.04.49.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">preparing to bloom...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hcXakZPYbYI/WRtrzvAzuOI/AAAAAAAAUwM/hqrs8-sRrIQvyYWf306EFDlITpanRslFgCEw/s1600/2017-05-05%2B17.13.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hcXakZPYbYI/WRtrzvAzuOI/AAAAAAAAUwM/hqrs8-sRrIQvyYWf306EFDlITpanRslFgCEw/s400/2017-05-05%2B17.13.13.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tada!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U4p6STdHAtQ/WRtrzPgoQzI/AAAAAAAAUwE/aJ0NUd8Z1jU9rLhBk4xTwjHcvtIMkoKbgCEw/s1600/2017-05-05%2B17.13.33-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U4p6STdHAtQ/WRtrzPgoQzI/AAAAAAAAUwE/aJ0NUd8Z1jU9rLhBk4xTwjHcvtIMkoKbgCEw/s400/2017-05-05%2B17.13.33-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
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<br />
<b>Things I grilled:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTosdt3Zol4/WRtrzQDXIjI/AAAAAAAAUwI/TadTdEnIYZI-HRAKrtFPR9IX8m3uZIa7QCEw/s1600/2017-05-04%2B17.40.11-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTosdt3Zol4/WRtrzQDXIjI/AAAAAAAAUwI/TadTdEnIYZI-HRAKrtFPR9IX8m3uZIa7QCEw/s400/2017-05-04%2B17.40.11-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asparagus!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfEJ2l9YgG8/WRtr48jGVNI/AAAAAAAAUwk/VT8Wd1ZfxJEAD9HiK_B8ron1jNfYrNvUgCEw/s1600/2017-05-07%2B19.14.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfEJ2l9YgG8/WRtr48jGVNI/AAAAAAAAUwk/VT8Wd1ZfxJEAD9HiK_B8ron1jNfYrNvUgCEw/s400/2017-05-07%2B19.14.03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar snap peas!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3qZp9k50VFQ/WRtr6uNqm-I/AAAAAAAAUws/Oaf-EJHKzb0_-KQL42_T7YkRbWGUzqyZACEw/s1600/2017-05-10%2B18.11.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3qZp9k50VFQ/WRtr6uNqm-I/AAAAAAAAUws/Oaf-EJHKzb0_-KQL42_T7YkRbWGUzqyZACEw/s400/2017-05-10%2B18.11.58.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brussel sprouts!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_qX68U_V-LM/WRtr7MRX3jI/AAAAAAAAUww/GVFAqIRzsMUYc2KWrHWY7O64lPmLZdN4wCEw/s1600/2017-05-11%2B18.08.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_qX68U_V-LM/WRtr7MRX3jI/AAAAAAAAUww/GVFAqIRzsMUYc2KWrHWY7O64lPmLZdN4wCEw/s400/2017-05-11%2B18.08.59.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green beans!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bk1cdexsQu0/WRtsAI-1aHI/AAAAAAAAUxM/3-G0a--VtyYD7L7MoDxpKMlcwjpc6tDAwCEw/s1600/2017-05-13%2B19.27.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bk1cdexsQu0/WRtsAI-1aHI/AAAAAAAAUxM/3-G0a--VtyYD7L7MoDxpKMlcwjpc6tDAwCEw/s400/2017-05-13%2B19.27.28.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinach and goat cheese frittata!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b></div>
Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-2909604379739922632017-04-17T11:38:00.000-05:002017-04-17T11:38:15.887-05:00This Month: April 2017, Part 1<b>Relapse Update</b><br />
In case you missed <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2017/04/becoming-immune-to-bad-medical-newsor.html" target="_blank">this post</a> last week, I'm having an MS relapse/exacerbation/flare-up. Yay. Since I wrote that, things got quite a bit worse. Namely, my right leg joined BFF left leg and became super weak. Also, the nerve pain I have all the time (to varying degrees of intensity) in my feet and below-the-knees legs became REALLY BAD and was now affecting ALL of my legs. Then, some good news. The spasticity and the spasticity-specific pain improved significantly, though not fully. And the weakness has been improving somewhat as well, though not fully. Walking is probably 90% better, though I'm still walking pretty slowly. The full-leg nerve pain is still extremely bad much of the time, making it very hard to concentrate. In sum, things got worse, then some things got much better, but some things are still quite bad. It's been just over a week now. MRIs are tomorrow.<br />
<br />
The improvements (despite the continued issues) are a HUGE relief as I start symphony rehearsals this week. I'll have to carefully modulate my meds centered around rehearsals and performances for an optimal blend of pain relief and mental focus. Hopefully, that will get me through. Hopefully, things will also continue to improve so that my pain goes back to "normal" levels.<br />
<br />
<b>The view from here:</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i4uAe_O0jHE/WPTr5fTVriI/AAAAAAAAUoU/V4uybPHHQtUY8Lzz-HsjwkztSYeAxl6jgCLcB/s1600/2017-04-01%2B21.53.35.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i4uAe_O0jHE/WPTr5fTVriI/AAAAAAAAUoU/V4uybPHHQtUY8Lzz-HsjwkztSYeAxl6jgCLcB/s400/2017-04-01%2B21.53.35.png" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facetiming with someone with even weirder sleep positions than me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OQlzJ0_oq4M/WPTr5mjuDLI/AAAAAAAAUoY/NUKpyplKbcEaJRu1VNQ7MBW2o1Xht3tgQCLcB/s1600/2017-04-05%2B17.12.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OQlzJ0_oq4M/WPTr5mjuDLI/AAAAAAAAUoY/NUKpyplKbcEaJRu1VNQ7MBW2o1Xht3tgQCLcB/s400/2017-04-05%2B17.12.42.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more springtime cheer courtesy of my friend Ramona's garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Message from my niece that I DO NOT SUPPORT, having once gone <br />in the ditch from a last-week-of-April snowstorm 6ish years ago.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anticipating April giving birth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flowers brought by a sweet friend upon news of the relapse.<br />they brought much-needed cheer to the room during an awful week.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">imposter spotted ;-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally!</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-42235512458630172772017-04-12T01:54:00.000-05:002017-04-12T13:29:59.409-05:00Becoming Immune to Bad Medical News...Or NotOriginally, this post was going to be about how getting bad medical news doesn't really faze me anymore. But in a matter of days, that statement became less true.<br />
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Last week, I had an MRI and was expecting good results since I wasn't really experiencing any new or worsening symptoms. (Other than <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2017/03/on-being-clumsy.html" target="_blank">the throwing stuff thing</a>, I guess.) The MRI wasn't terrible but it also wasn't good. There were 5-6 new lesions (or maybe more but they just got a new more detailed machine so some of the maybe-new lesions might have just been old ones that the other machine wasn't good enough to pick up). This is not normal for me while on Tysabri. When off it, I have allllll kinds of new lesions and the old ones get bigger but when on it, my MRIs are usually great. </div>
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This was bummer news (I've had more than one MRI with 25+ new lesions, so 5-6 felt like no biggie) but I didn't get upset hearing it. In fact, I spent the entire rest of the day kicking myself for not responding to the doctor with some sweet (or awful) brain puns. Like:</div>
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Doc: So, there's 2 new lesions right here in the pons.</div>
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Me, in reality: Okay.</div>
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Wish I'd said: Okay, could you maybe <i>pon</i>tificate about that a bit?</div>
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Doc: Another new lesion here in the right frontal lobe.</div>
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Me, in reality: Okay.</div>
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Wish I'd said: <i>Right</i>, I'd <i>lobe</i> it if you could <i>front</i> me some information about what that means.</div>
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Doc: And a couple new ones here in the left parietal lobes.</div>
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Me, in reality: Okay.</div>
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Wish I'd said: (I couldn't come up with one here. Any ideas?)</div>
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Now, none of those are great puns. <b><span style="color: red;">[Please share brain anatomy puns in the comments, for my future use!]</span></b> But, instead of bumming out all day that my disease is progressing and my miracle drug is maybe not working as well as it used to, I was doing this playful daydream dance thinking of brain puns.</div>
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wanted: brain puns!</div>
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I can take bad news in stride. I've had a lot of it in the last decade plus. Really terrible MRI reports, drugs not working at all, awful new symptoms, awful side effects, etc. I roll with the punches. I've had very little strong emotional reaction to any health stuff, really, for a long time. Even when I was first diagnosed, there were few tears. The few times I have really lost it, crying and getting angry, have been related to the financial side of being chronically ill like fighting with insurance companies and hospital billing offices and getting denied and things like that. But the disease itself, I'm mostly pretty chill about it all. [Technically, I did have a serious cry earlier this year but that's a story I'll tell in another post that is currently half-written.]</div>
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In talking with some friends recently, I said that one of the things this disease has taught me is that <b>I'm okay</b> and<b> I'll be okay no matter what happens</b>. That's not to say I'll be happy if I have new symptoms or further disability or any of that, but I'll be okay. I've experienced not being able to walk. I've experienced incontinence. I've handled that and I can handle whatever else. I'll still be okay. Even with the things that scare me the most that I know could happen with this disease, I'll be okay.</div>
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I do stand by that. I will be okay. But...</div>
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A few days later, some new stuff started. It's now been 48+ hours later and the new stuff is holding steady and getting a bit worse. One symptom isn't new but has returned with a vengeance: major weakness in my left leg. Another symptom is very new: spasticity and pain in my hip flexors and hamstrings. This is a painful, tight, sore feeling and it is impacting my walking. I'm walking stiffly and I'm told I'm stomping. I haven't tried walking super long distances, only around my house. It's not like I'm tripping or falling or feeling unsafe. (My mom is very worried about tripping and falling and not being safe on stairs and the like, but she worries about that stuff for me already so it's just more urgent right now.) Walking is just weird. It's something I have to think about. It's no longer an unconscious activity that my body just knows how to do. </div>
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In other words, I'm having a flare-up/relapse/exacerbation/whatever-you-want-to-call it. This is literally <b>my first ever exacerbation while on Tysabri</b>. Before the drug, I had a dozen or more. Then immediately once I started Tysabri I experienced beautiful disease stability. 7 years of it! Some of the damage was permanent and I dealt with those symptoms, but the disease was stable and there were no new symptoms. Then, off the drug and tried 2 new drugs (Gilenya and Aubagio) and they were both disasters for me. Exacerbations and TONS of new awful disease activity. Then, back on Tysabri and everything cleared up right away. The MRI was perfect again. And almost a year of no new stuff. But now here we are.</div>
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And I am okay. But also I'm not at all okay. I sobbed today, a full-on ugly cry.That's something I mostly only do when a beloved tv character dies or a true story sports movie coach gives an inspiring speech or something tragic or beautiful happens in a book. But today, I sobbed.<br />
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I cried because the timing for this is beyond awful. I have a big (physically and mentally demanding) concert next week with lots of rehearsals and driving. It's a concert I've been looking forward to for a long time and I refuse to not do it. But...I worry about what if things get worse? What if my left arm gets weak again or what if my face is numb and I can't play? </div>
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I cried because I'm worried that my wonder drug isn't working for me anymore. And I don't like the sounds of any of my few remaining options. And I don't want to have to make that kind of impossible decision.</div>
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I cried because this trouble with my walking made me realize once again that I've taken for granted the beautiful, precious gift that walking without thought is. It's something I reflected on a lot in the past when I had walking issues (admittedly far worse than what I'm experiencing right now) and I vowed to always feel grateful for the gift of walking. And I haven't been taking advantage of using my body in the ways it could be used of late. I haven't been taking walks or done much other physical activity. There are plenty of good reasons why I haven't done much of this, namely the fact that walking and standing and exertion, without fail, make my pain significantly worse. But still, I enjoy walking and I want to use my body when I can! Why haven't I been? Why haven't I been hiking in Colorado (my favorite activity in my favorite place!) in over 5 years? What if I missed my last window of being able to do things like that?<br />
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I cried because I already have pain every single day, sometimes mild and sometimes severe. Adding <b>more</b> pain? Constant pain is soul-crushing but I eventually learned to be okay with pain, especially after finding ways to manage it. But adding a new, different layer to the pain is depressing and overwhelming. And soul-crushing.</div>
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I cried because I worry that I might be on the cusp of transitioning to the progressive form of the disease where things don't get better in between exacerbations. And it's just a decline.</div>
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I cried because I guess I'm not quite as immune to bad news as I thought.</div>
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But I wiped my tears. And I'm okay. I can handle this. I can hope for the best. I can feel gratitude for what I can still do. I can promise myself to use my body as best I can when I can in a way that I won't regret not doing in the future.</div>
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I have to get a new MRI (brain + cervical spine + thoracic spine...I only did brain last week and these symptoms are probably suggestive of spinal lesions) and the soonest I could get in is next week. So if I were to do steroids, I'd have to wait until after that. Which is in the middle of symphony week. And there's no way I could do steroids during that. It's a rock-and-a-hard-place situation.<br />
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Okay, I'm going to end this long ramble of a post now. I'm okay and I'm not okay...but I'll be okay.<br />
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Friends, if you can walk easily and without thought, please take a moment to feel grateful and to celebrate it for the beautiful and precious thing that it is. And if you can run, bike, hike, dance, etc., please do it for those of us who can't. And celebrate the gift of all that your body can do.<br />
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Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-71498984017867491042017-03-31T22:55:00.000-05:002017-03-31T22:55:07.960-05:00This Month: March 2017, part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>The view from here:</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0pnUXdFxEAs/WN8dXRG4n7I/AAAAAAAAUl0/g0WFIxrUSaEavIfroKq_JHwJJ85AnLCyQCLcB/s1600/2017-03-24%2B20.08.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0pnUXdFxEAs/WN8dXRG4n7I/AAAAAAAAUl0/g0WFIxrUSaEavIfroKq_JHwJJ85AnLCyQCLcB/s400/2017-03-24%2B20.08.44.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">watching a livestream of my brother-in-law's US Navy Band Concert</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because nobunny knows Easter better than Cadbury.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mmmmm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my happy place. for real, I typically love my time in the MRI machine!<br />(well, usually. this was not my best time ever.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first DQ of the season from the one specific DQ location that truly deserves the title of Queen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Springtime blooming, courtesy of my gardener extraordinaire friend<br />YAY SPRING!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got the brain model room again!<br />I was tickled to see the models are now cleaned and sanitized! ;-) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tysabri time. PRIVATE ROOM AGAIN! <br />that makes 3/12 for the year on private room versus cramped, loud, torture chamber spaces with all of the people</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the infusion was fine until this rabbit floated into the room on a cloud</td></tr>
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<b>Coming Soon:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>A small rant on 4 recent articles about MS that I found to be more than a tad upsetting.</li>
<li>An update on my MS generally, including my MRI results from this week which I found not as upsetting as those articles but not at all delightful.</li>
<li>Maybe maybe maybe one of those last 2 <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/p/my-ms-symptoms.html" target="_blank">symptoms series</a> posts.</li>
<li>A guest post from a friend!</li>
</ul>
Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-76871273087018572042017-03-23T00:08:00.000-05:002017-03-23T00:08:01.241-05:00On Being ClumsySomething happened the other day that I'm struggling to let go of. In many ways, it's not a very big deal and in many ways, it's funny. But, it's also bumming me out. I'll get to the story in a minute. I'm bummed out mostly because it made me notice for the first time in a while just how clumsy I am these days. By clumsy, I mostly mean that I drop things (my phone, meds, keys, glasses and dishes, etc.) A LOT, and I bump into things (walls, doorways, chairs, etc.) A LOT. Like multiple times a day, every day. This is another thing that has just slowly and steadily gotten worse over the years that I should have mentioned <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2017/02/birthday-reflections.html" target="_blank">here</a> when I talked about the "little things" that have been progressing.<br />
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For the most part, this isn't a big deal. Yes, I've broken quite a few dishes and glasses over the past few years. Yes, I've gotten a few bruises. Yes, I have shattered many a phone screen, and learned that the "life-proof" Otterbox cases are not up to the rigors of my life, apparently. But for the most part, none of this is a big deal. Stuff is replaceable and bruises heal. As of now, no serious injuries or massive expenses have come as a result of my clumsiness. And I know that <i>everyone</i> drops stuff sometimes and <i>everyone</i> bumps into things sometimes. And it's not a big deal.<br />
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I asked my mom yesterday, just making sure, "have I always been clumsy?" She assured me that I was not a clumsy person before, which I knew or thought I did. But I am clumsy now, without question. The rate of this stuff happening is just exponentially bigger. And that bums me out. Even though it's not really a big deal each little time I am "clumsy." The frequency with which these little times happen is a big deal. And it is definitely a big deal to know that this rate of clumsiness may well get worse, even a lot worse, over time.<br />
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First, the backstory - as you probably know, I play the horn. This is a brass instrument with a gaggle of tubes that you can remove to empty the instrument of condensation. It's colloquially referred to as "spit" but this isn't the time or place to explain to you why that's inaccurate. ;-) It's something I have done literally tens of thousands of times. It's something I have to do, dozens of times, every single time I play the instrument.<br />
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Now, the story. I was playing a symphony concert last weekend. Before the concert, the orchestra was warming up onstage. I played some notes and then, as I do before the start of any concert, started emptying out several of my slides. I took out a slide and then somehow, I didn't just drop it, but I sent it flying. It bounced off the riser I was sitting on and landed down on the ground in between my riser and the one in front of me. I was afraid it had gone under the riser and would be impossible to reach. My colleague/friend sitting next to me quickly got down and retrieved it for me. (Thanks, Denise!) At this point, it was just a fluke, a funny thing that could happen to anyone. I laughed about it and continuing emptying my horn. A few slides later, it happened again. This time, I sent it flying maybe 12 feet. It landed almost offstage. Again, this was so absurd that it was funny. I shared a laugh with the horn section. And while I was laughing genuinely, I was also somewhat mortified and upset.<br />
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I cannot tell you how glad I am that this happened before the concert started and not during the concert! I don't know what I would have done if this happened mid-performance. You better believe that every time I emptied my horn during the concert I did it slowly and with a <i>death grip</i> on the slide. Emptying my horn is something I typically do without thinking. No longer! When I play now (in public, anyway), I'll be paying a lot more attention and using a forceful grip and trying to make sure this doesn't happen again.<br />
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I literally have no idea how this actually happened. I don't think I had any numbness or a tremor in that hand that day to explain this. Then again, sometimes I'm not entirely consciously aware of symptoms like these. Dropping something is one thing, but unintentionally throwing something?<br />
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This slide-throwing story also hit me because of another absurd story from about a month ago. I was sitting on the couch using my laptop when I needed to get up to do something. In moving my laptop from my lap to a footstool I set my laptop on when I'm not using it...in moving it a distance of less than one foot...I didn't just drop my laptop, but I <i>somehow</i> threw it into the air. It landed awkwardly on its side but it didn't break, luckily. When this happened, it was so absurd as to be funny. It was baffling as to how it possibly could have happened but it didn't really make me pause and reflect like this. But when taken with the horn story, yikes.<br />
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So, I'm a clumsy person now. I drop things, I bump into things, and now I apparently throw things. So far, I only throw really expensive stuff, though. Which is <i>great</i>.<br />
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Any other throw-stuff klutzes out there, MS-related or otherwise?<br />
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<br />Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-56313746248023821672017-03-17T16:54:00.000-05:002017-03-17T22:11:55.085-05:00This Month: March 2017, part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As usual, I'm not sure how we're already halfway through the month. Well, I made it through my decision to share this blog with more people unscathed. I've received several lovely comments and messages that have made me feel glad to have shared. </div>
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<b>The view from here: </b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">long article about service dogs for MS has me wanting one, but also not.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">arm burrito...heat packs wrapped in a hot blanket...but veins still didn't want to cooperate</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">those scribbles are supposed to be my initials haha (written at an awkward angle with my non-dominant hand)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 sticks later, I have an IV and it's Tysabri time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">planning to start making frittatas regularly again, but we'll see if I follow through.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lotsa bruises this month from attempts at starting an iv<br />
out of the 6 sticks, 3 spots have bruises like this...I wonder why some bruise and some don't?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crazy high winds on this day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cousin's skating show...this was my favorite part.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Qdoba veggie tacos!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">backstage at the concert hall...but this is just good advice all the time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cCe2qhqHtiE/WMxNZMR5kfI/AAAAAAAAUj8/D0EhIQQaT6wzwOMPR1s_-VAuoW4-OLu7QCLcB/s1600/2017-03-14%2B13.29.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cCe2qhqHtiE/WMxNZMR5kfI/AAAAAAAAUj8/D0EhIQQaT6wzwOMPR1s_-VAuoW4-OLu7QCLcB/s400/2017-03-14%2B13.29.19.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just reached this page in the little journal/notebook my niece sent me. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">❤</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">❤</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">❤</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">(I have been using it a lot and I am enjoying it!)</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Wz0PL_3XL8/WMxNaFTM5zI/AAAAAAAAUkI/kyrbGqsIbUo0hOg0dkB9DiD2zbCwli6OACLcB/s1600/2017-03-14%2B16.13.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Wz0PL_3XL8/WMxNaFTM5zI/AAAAAAAAUkI/kyrbGqsIbUo0hOg0dkB9DiD2zbCwli6OACLcB/s400/2017-03-14%2B16.13.54.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my 7th year as part of this research study on aging and quality of life for people with MS and a few other diseases.<br />
it's 48 pages of questions about pain, fatigue, current physical abilities, finances, and mood.<br />
I always find it pretty depressing to fill out, to see my honest answers to certain questions.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CVUSePe37ak/WMxRYyhuFzI/AAAAAAAAUks/N2296-3VLdoM3tVzWUu7cDElPFfXWUt9gCEw/s1600/2017-03-14%2B16.03.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CVUSePe37ak/WMxRYyhuFzI/AAAAAAAAUks/N2296-3VLdoM3tVzWUu7cDElPFfXWUt9gCEw/s400/2017-03-14%2B16.03.36.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">example. to be fair, it had been a particularly bad pain week when I filled this out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ps3Sdv0J5jQ/WMxNaN6a-kI/AAAAAAAAUkM/Adul-jNWrPA5btjOegcwdIcrgGEZVfSHwCLcB/s1600/2017-03-15%2B13.40.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ps3Sdv0J5jQ/WMxNaN6a-kI/AAAAAAAAUkM/Adul-jNWrPA5btjOegcwdIcrgGEZVfSHwCLcB/s400/2017-03-15%2B13.40.29.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">farewell, pretty flowers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W9NBJyN8R7w/WMxNar4tGYI/AAAAAAAAUkQ/W2oBAJ8jPnoCnTsJN2jrFDIJJOLgR6SkQCLcB/s1600/2017-03-16%2B16.43.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W9NBJyN8R7w/WMxNar4tGYI/AAAAAAAAUkQ/W2oBAJ8jPnoCnTsJN2jrFDIJJOLgR6SkQCLcB/s400/2017-03-16%2B16.43.35.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loved this...but, seriously, I thought the chip reader was required to be everywhere by now</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-de4VHJyV3xc/WMxNbNKGzaI/AAAAAAAAUkU/Gh8Flw3R-LIUSyexhbY6EDrgHsDq-iU5QCLcB/s1600/2017-03-16%2B19.12.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-de4VHJyV3xc/WMxNbNKGzaI/AAAAAAAAUkU/Gh8Flw3R-LIUSyexhbY6EDrgHsDq-iU5QCLcB/s400/2017-03-16%2B19.12.49.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">symphony week = yay but it creates need for a major rebalancing of <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2014/08/on-spoons.html" target="_blank">my spoons</a>.</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <b>MS Research I'm Excited About</b><br />
<b><br /></b> <a href="http://www.nationalmssociety.org/About-the-Society/News/Researchers-Uncover-Molecule-Secreted-by-Immune-Ce" target="_blank">Researchers Uncover Molecule Secreted by Immune Cells that Promotes Regeneration of Nerve-Insulating Myelin</a><br />
<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Coming Soon:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>those last 2 <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/search/label/my%20ms%20symptoms" target="_blank">symptom series</a> posts...really, they will eventually arrive</li>
<li>the long-awaited guest post from my friend Heather! (I've already read part of it...it's really happening, this is not a drill!)</li>
<li>my non-political thoughts on the health care bill and things certain politicians have said lately that broke my heart</li>
<li>a post about diet and MS</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b>Let's all approach the weekend like the kids from that BBC interview:</b><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//giphy.com/embed/xUPGcGLIjSLAc01A1W" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/kids-bbc-xUPGcGLIjSLAc01A1W">via GIPHY</a><br />
<br />
<b>And hope it doesn't turn out like this:</b><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="342.8571428571429" src="//giphy.com/embed/inAeEKMJ2CkdW" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/fail-accident-falls-inAeEKMJ2CkdW">via GIPHY</a>Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-54553295310732001712017-03-09T02:53:00.002-06:002017-03-09T13:37:35.000-06:00On Awareness & Vulnerability<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EuENw8zFDig/WMEGGUVYAII/AAAAAAAAUiY/A0r9d0X_wYsv8wTfvemuibRGSXyZzSwiwCLcB/s1600/fb%2Bprofile%2Bms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EuENw8zFDig/WMEGGUVYAII/AAAAAAAAUiY/A0r9d0X_wYsv8wTfvemuibRGSXyZzSwiwCLcB/s320/fb%2Bprofile%2Bms.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the FB picture I posted, with the NMSS frame</td></tr>
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It's MS Awareness Week and I decided on a whim this year to put something up about it on Facebook because of it being my 10-year MS-anniversary this year. For the most part, I've avoided posting anything much about MS on any social media. I've avoided it for a few reasons. One, I'm a pretty private person. Two, I do the thing so many of us do and curate what I want to share. I share the good (pretty places I've been, cool things I'm doing professionally, etc.) and occasionally might share a link to something interesting/funny/inspiring on the web.<br />
<br />
The image I want to present to the world is Kayla-swimming-with-dolphins and Kayla-teaching-in-Brazil and Kayla-looks-fabulous-or-adorably-ridiculous and not so much Kayla-peed-her-pants or Kayla-fell-down-again or Kayla-is-depressed-and-scared-and-worried or Kayla-doesn't-have-the-energy-to-shower-much-less-get-dressed-or-put-on-makeup-today. In a lot of ways, this isn't limited to FB-land. I'm not always all that open about my experiences with this stuff even with those close to me IRL. In part, it's because I don't want to be seen <i>like that.</i> I want to be the same old Kayla they know, not this sick person. I don't want to be pitied. I don't want to be a drag, a downer.<br />
<br />
But MS is part of my life every single day. Even on the days when I can easily pass as a healthy person, I'm not. Every single day, I'm in pain. Every single day, I deal with overwhelming fatigue, brain fog, and a slew of relatively minor things like wonky balance and weird sensations. Those are the good days. There are also bad days, and weeks. And there is also all the annoying business of being chronically ill. Dealing with doctors and insurance companies and pharmacies and all of the related hassles. Stressing about how I'm going to pay that medical bill or whether my insurance company will approve this medication or anxiously waiting for that test result. I don't have the luxury of ever not thinking about this disease, so I enjoy the few spaces where I'm not sick-Kayla and where I'm just Kayla.<br />
<br />
But, of course, the reality is that I'm both people. I'm the Kayla that does some cool things and I'm the Kayla that can't do cool things. I contain multitudes, as do we all. And the sick Kayla informs the rest of me. Part of why I jump at certain opportunities to go places and do things is because a big part of me worries or knows or believes that one day I won't be able to do those things.<br />
<br />
I'm also sometimes cynical about the very concept of awareness and advocacy. Does it really make a difference? Despite this cynicism, I do believe that awareness is important. I know that I wish I had known something about this disease before I got it. And I know that I've been glad to learn about other people's health conditions (and just life experiences, in general, especially the hard things), as a way to understand them better and just a way to try to see the world from a perspective other than my own.<br />
<br />
And for the people that know me or want to, the people that care, I know that I sometimes do them a disservice by letting them only see part of me. And I do myself a disservice as well. Yet, I still really struggle with this. I still <i>want to be</i> the Kayla unencumbered by the health crap and that's how I want to be seen.<br />
<br />
Back to my FB post...I mentioned my blog and said that while I wouldn't just share the link publicly, I would share it with people who asked. I regretted doing this almost immediately, even before anyone said they wanted the link. It was scary. My nearest and dearest already know about and read the blog, but the idea of other people who know me (or knew me once and now know me only through that carefully curated social media presentation) was somewhat unsettling. I get pretty vulnerable on here sometimes and I'm not someone who is easily vulnerable in front of others. But despite my fears, I left it up, and people asked.<br />
<br />
So...welcome, new readers! If you want to dive in and read about my particular experience with the disease, check out some nitty gritty and occasionally embarrassing/TMI details in my <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/p/my-ms-symptoms.html" target="_blank">symptoms series</a>. I've technically been writing on here for 7 years, so there are over 200 posts. Some are mostly just pictures of sunsets, but there is plenty of detail about the things MS makes me think about as well. MS can be very lonely, and writing about it here sometimes helps alleviate the feeling. Comments don't hurt either ;-)Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-66163337129770424092017-03-01T17:00:00.000-06:002017-03-01T17:00:00.310-06:00This Month: February 2017, part 2Let's start with good news, the best news. If you missed my <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2017/02/birthday-reflections.html" target="_blank">birthday blues post</a>, I was in that point of medication-insurance-terror I know all too well. Med got approved, just in the nick of time!! I was pretty shocked that it happened as quickly as it did. I still live in great trepidation of the future of insurance and coverage and expect continual struggles with getting this and other drugs. But for now, I'm okay. Thanks to the loved ones who sent their support and offered their help. And, don't worry, my annual birthday blues didn't turn on to a full-on funk. I always tend somewhat toward the melancholic, but I'm mostly happy these days. I'll dive deep into mood soon, in one of the last posts in the <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/search/label/my%20ms%20symptoms" target="_blank">symptoms series</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>The view from here:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sparkling snow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">INSANE weather month! this is NOT NORMAL for a MN Feb.<br />but it was awesome! soooooo warm, felt like spring, and the snow was GONE!<br />and then we had a THUNDERSTORM.<br />sadly, none of this lasted. scroll down to see the sad continuation of this story.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bday facetiming with a dog. :-D<br />I think this is her reaction to my insurance nightmare.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bday flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">winter returned. :-(</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ick.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oh well, it was nice while it lasted.</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-91996265552726768062017-02-24T02:35:00.001-06:002017-03-08T17:43:06.669-06:00Birthday ReflectionsI'm writing this after midnight, so it's officially my birthday. I had good intentions of writing a 2016 year in review post but that never happened...so here is a look back at age 33 instead. My birthday always seems to trigger angsty, sad feelings, so I hope this doesn't get too dark.<br />
<br />
This birthday will be spent, in large part, stressing/panicking about a med + insurance issue! This is the exact same story I wrote about <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/02/lyrica-insurance-saga-sweet-resolution.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I only got approved for one year then and now we're at that point again. I have enough pills through Monday and not even close to the $1000 needed out-of-pocket for another month's worth and not really enough to buy even a week's worth. So please send all your thoughts/prayers/good vibrations/etc. my way or to the evil, evil insurance jerks. Because I truly <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2014/10/on-lyrica-withdrawal.html" target="_blank">cannot handle withdrawal from this med again</a>. I have very little, if any, hope that this will be resolved by the time the drugs run out. Because these things ALWAYS move at a snail's pace. No matter how on top of it and proactive you are. :-(<br />
<br />
<b><u>MS</u></b><br />
This year, I "celebrated" my <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/06/10-years-ago-this-month.html" target="_blank">10 year anniversary with the disease</a>.<br />
<br />
It was by no means my worst year ever with this disease, but it also definitely wasn't the best. Though the flare-ups I had this year weren't completely devastating, they were bad enough. And the MRI results WERE completely devastating. On the positive side, the MS crap and awful MRIs meant going back on my beloved Tysabri. And things got much better pretty quickly. And so far, I remain JC-free. I worry about if/when I may become JC-positive, though, and how to make the decision about what to do then.<br />
<br />
Overall, I feel like a lot of the "little" stuff is just ever so slowly moving in the wrong direction. Things like fatigue/lassitude/brain fog/mental clarity/coordination/balance. And recovery time after I push myself and do too much. It's like you don't necessarily notice how your appearance changes until you see a picture of yourself from X years ago. But when I reflect on a year ago or five years ago, it really feels like things are just worse. I suppose it can be explained by the slow and steady onslaught the disease has waged against my brain for a decade and especially the few really hard hits in the past two years. But it's a very depressing thing to reflect on. How much further down this path will I be in another year or five years?<br />
<br />
<b><u>This blog</u></b><br />
I wrote 71 posts in 2016, my most prodigious year yet. Mostly the weekly, photo-heavy look at my life, but also 8 posts in my series about <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/search/label/my%20ms%20symptoms" target="_blank">my MS symptoms</a><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/12/my-ms-symptoms-top-10-countdown-3.html" target="_blank">Weakness</a></li>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/10/my-ms-symptoms-top-10-countdown-4.html" target="_blank">Cognitive Challenges</a></li>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/09/my-ms-symptoms-top-10-countdown-5.html" target="_blank">Pruritis</a></li>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/09/my-ms-symptoms-top-10-countdown-6-all.html" target="_blank">Paresthesias</a></li>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/08/my-ms-symptoms-top-10-countdown-7.html" target="_blank">Fatigue & Lassitude</a></li>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/08/my-ms-symptoms-top-10-countdown-8.html" target="_blank">Trouble Walking</a></li>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/search/label/my%20ms%20symptoms" target="_blank">Diplopia</a></li>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/search/label/my%20ms%20symptoms" target="_blank">Bowel + Bladder Problems</a></li>
</ul>
And a few other random MS posts:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/11/my-ms-related-thoughts-on-election.html" target="_blank">My MS-related Thoughts on the Election :-(</a></li>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/06/10-years-ago-this-month.html" target="_blank">10 Years Ago This Month...</a></li>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/05/a-tribute-to-my-mom-who-makes-ms-easier.html" target="_blank">A Tribute to My Mom, Who Makes MS Easier</a></li>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/03/an-ode-to-my-favorite-fictional.html" target="_blank">An Ode to My Favorite Fictional President, Jed Bartlet (Who Has MS)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/12/magazine-monday-jamie-lynn-sigler.html" target="_blank">Magazine Monday: Jamie-Lynn Sigler</a></li>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/02/texts-from-chronic-pain.html" target="_blank">Texts from Chronic Pain</a></li>
<li><a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/02/lyrica-insurance-saga-sweet-resolution.html" target="_blank">Lyrica Insurance Saga: Sweet Resolution At Last</a>, </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JRLDUkNwDSU/WK_b__ok7xI/AAAAAAAAUgg/I5Y2YUSE6akfYh0laL7jN9K7WHDc4mKgwCLcB/s1600/2016-12-25%2B13.44.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JRLDUkNwDSU/WK_b__ok7xI/AAAAAAAAUgg/I5Y2YUSE6akfYh0laL7jN9K7WHDc4mKgwCLcB/s200/2016-12-25%2B13.44.57.jpg" width="200" /></a>I made zero progress on two MS-related projects I hinted at over a year ago. :-( Maybe this year?<br />
<br />
Analytics show that my most popular post during the past year was, naturally, the one about <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2016/07/my-ms-symptoms-top-10-countdown-10.html" target="_blank">bathroom problems</a>!<br />
<br />
I'm hoping I didn't lose too many readers this year who come here for the MS stuff and didn't want to see so many sunset pictures. I need to find the balance.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Adventures</u></b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>a week in Michigan doing things like kayaking with my friend Heather</li>
<li>niece time! visiting her, her visiting me, summer roadtrip-capped week o' fun</li>
<li>a week in DC with my sister and my mom</li>
<li>a fun (minus the initial flight nightmare) road trip adventure with my friend Heather from California to Minnesota</li>
<li>time with friends: Gwen and a few others</li>
<li>(mostly) weekly fun playing my horn with a few local friends - duets and trios and lots of talking and laughing</li>
<li>taking 8 zillion pictures of amazing sunsets and spectacular clouds</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b><u>Terrible Things</u></b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>the election and its aftermath</li>
<li>continual major financial stressors</li>
<li>big decisions that still need to be made that are ever so hard to make</li>
<li>feeling like I accomplished pretty much nothing all year</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Books</u></b><br />
I only read 40 books in 2016, which is way too low of a number for me. :-( The breakdown was 29 fiction and 11 nonfiction. So far in 2017, I've read.....zero books. Excuse me while I slink off to hang my head in shame.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Professional</u></b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Crossed the 100-sales mark in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/elegamipapercrafts" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> and had several sales outside of Etsy. A lot of positives in the origami part of my "career" but I still haven't done half of the things I planned to do. </li>
<li>Huge, crappy changes in my job teaching online courses...as in, that's over.</li>
<li>Main source of income these days is writing. (This is making it harder than ever to find the time/energy/brainpower to write here.) It's often fun, interesting work, but it's also stressful to have to reach a certain quota of work to get by. :-\</li>
<li>Doing a fair amount of web work as well, and in theory, I plan to ramp up that business to offset some of the writing.</li>
<li>Still getting paid to play my horn periodically. Wish it was more often, but I'm happy that it's still happening at all. Also loving just playing for fun with friends regularly.</li>
<li><a href="http://thedailyquipple.com/" target="_blank">The Daily Quipple</a> is still chugging along.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><u>Overall Reflections</u></b></div>
<div>
It's been a pretty stressful year overall, and I don't necessarily see that letting up anytime soon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I feel like I've barely accomplished anything, even though I know several of my <strike>not at all objective</strike> readers will try to make the case that I've done a lot. I'm struggling not just with my productivity and accomplishments, but also considering whether I've been a good friend/daughter/sister/aunt/blogger this year. In the midst of my annual birthday funk, I'd say the answer is no. Those same people will argue this point with me as well, but I just feel like I could have and should have been better. I can say with certainty that I haven't been a very good friend to myself.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>Next Year</u></b></div>
<div>
I'm typically the kind of person that if I set an actual goal or resolution, that almost guarantees that I will not follow through on it. Last year, I said I was going to write on here weekly and I stuck to that. And now I'm kinda sorta committed to writing on here at least a few times a month this year. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My other goals/resolutions mostly fizzled or stayed stagnant last year, so I'm not making many this year.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The only other goal I've committed to this year is to write a letter to my niece every single week.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, see ya later 33. Hope you're good to me, 34.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have the birthday funk, but luckily I have this cure-all remedy:</div>
<div>
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Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-84925663335901947482017-02-17T17:38:00.000-06:002017-02-17T17:38:08.620-06:00This Month: February 2017, part 1Somehow it is already halfway through another month! And I've done zero posts. :-(<br />
<br />
Sorry, readers. I really do have some great MS posts planned. It's just finding the time to get them done.<br />
<br />
<b>Some MS content from others I enjoyed this month:<br /></b><br />
<a href="https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/2017/02/03/correlation-ms-harry-potter-pure-magic/" target="_blank">Correlation Between MS and Harry Potter Characters is Pure Magic</a> [I don't think I knew that JK Rowling's mom had MS.]<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/videos/a52940/cruz-congratulates-woman-multiple-sclerosis/" target="_blank">Good Guy Ted Cruz Congratulated a Woman on Having Multiple Sclerosis</a> [Obviously, I didn't "enjoy" this one. In trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, what he really meant was probably something like "good for you, fighting the good fight, and looking 'so good'" which is potentially annoying and patronizing in and of itself, but the way he said it was SO AWFUL. IT'S HIS JOB TO TALK IN PUBLIC. IN THIS CASE ABOUT HEALTHCARE WITH REAL PEOPLE. HE HAD TO KNOW THERE WOULD BE PEOPLE WITH STORIES LIKE THIS AT A TOWN HALL ON THIS ISSUE. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREPARED TO HANDLE IT BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!]<br />
<br />
<a href="https://themighty.com/2017/02/how-to-help-friend-with-multiple-sclerosis/" target="_blank">10 Things I'd Like Help With on the Bad Days of Multiple Sclerosis</a><br />
<br />
<b>The view from here:</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMFNEzBEtOs/WKeACEmavYI/AAAAAAAAUe4/FCQ9UZk-S_sowioBXDZFPM7xpzkuJLEUQCLcB/s1600/2017-02-05%2B18.08.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMFNEzBEtOs/WKeACEmavYI/AAAAAAAAUe4/FCQ9UZk-S_sowioBXDZFPM7xpzkuJLEUQCLcB/s400/2017-02-05%2B18.08.08.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">opera fun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-06aXl4kgoug/WKeADnx5b2I/AAAAAAAAUfA/9qSKWD7HmNwEiSp2zHcoiAlOfSGy-t6hQCLcB/s1600/2017-02-05%2B23.28.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-06aXl4kgoug/WKeADnx5b2I/AAAAAAAAUfA/9qSKWD7HmNwEiSp2zHcoiAlOfSGy-t6hQCLcB/s400/2017-02-05%2B23.28.51.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been playing Words With Friends lately. This was a TERRIBLE letter selection!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r5IfOqQ6Gx8/WKeADK7AdxI/AAAAAAAAUe8/X9Ali32jMews9yN3_tsO4cep54qW5F7fwCLcB/s1600/2017-02-07%2B10.53.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r5IfOqQ6Gx8/WKeADK7AdxI/AAAAAAAAUe8/X9Ali32jMews9yN3_tsO4cep54qW5F7fwCLcB/s400/2017-02-07%2B10.53.57.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Favorite card I've made, a punny collaboration with my sistar from <a href="http://thedailyquipple.com/" target="_blank">The Daily Quipple</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WsknhkDHvXw/WKeAEtbJr0I/AAAAAAAAUfE/pBatFHB91kENIfewhMn1TRotequxRq5qgCLcB/s1600/2017-02-07%2B11.05.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WsknhkDHvXw/WKeAEtbJr0I/AAAAAAAAUfE/pBatFHB91kENIfewhMn1TRotequxRq5qgCLcB/s400/2017-02-07%2B11.05.28.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I think every time I see this sign at the post office.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DTsHlnsjHY4/WKeAGWWplnI/AAAAAAAAUfQ/rUi6GzwdXiU0F-7vxLPNCHPHOB1cKy-vACLcB/s1600/2017-02-11%2B17.46.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DTsHlnsjHY4/WKeAGWWplnI/AAAAAAAAUfQ/rUi6GzwdXiU0F-7vxLPNCHPHOB1cKy-vACLcB/s400/2017-02-11%2B17.46.46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5yDniPtlR8/WKeAFyKCFvI/AAAAAAAAUfM/76-6ml0esXgRg7D0RNeCrnlYWMVR3dgawCLcB/s1600/2017-02-11%2B20.11.05-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5yDniPtlR8/WKeAFyKCFvI/AAAAAAAAUfM/76-6ml0esXgRg7D0RNeCrnlYWMVR3dgawCLcB/s400/2017-02-11%2B20.11.05-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BByiS0Gq1PY/WKeAHLqqfUI/AAAAAAAAUfU/22C2Bk7LiXMahnGo5XQWS3o9yBvhmOuUgCLcB/s1600/2017-02-12%2B16.34.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BByiS0Gq1PY/WKeAHLqqfUI/AAAAAAAAUfU/22C2Bk7LiXMahnGo5XQWS3o9yBvhmOuUgCLcB/s400/2017-02-12%2B16.34.50.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horn love.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lx9jYdT5j7I/WKeAHgBK7UI/AAAAAAAAUfY/Bj4gggCen2stmXP_Ifa-I7lh0o9hrCCEQCLcB/s1600/2017-02-13%2B17.20.12-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lx9jYdT5j7I/WKeAHgBK7UI/AAAAAAAAUfY/Bj4gggCen2stmXP_Ifa-I7lh0o9hrCCEQCLcB/s400/2017-02-13%2B17.20.12-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best ever pop-up valentine's card from occasional MS Muse commenter "anonymous." ;-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4F5jxQsrB_s/WKeAHriMi3I/AAAAAAAAUfc/zjY7cIJtjOYbydzbByoVQhIGP42kgYB6ACLcB/s1600/2017-02-14%2B19.52.51-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4F5jxQsrB_s/WKeAHriMi3I/AAAAAAAAUfc/zjY7cIJtjOYbydzbByoVQhIGP42kgYB6ACLcB/s400/2017-02-14%2B19.52.51-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mood lighting on V-Day with my one true love in the opera pit.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umdIxnvXN6g/WKeAIFCIP-I/AAAAAAAAUfg/Djm5OxeoKAY1XQ12HCcPF3aJnNJoP5p9ACLcB/s1600/2017-02-15%2B07.05.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umdIxnvXN6g/WKeAIFCIP-I/AAAAAAAAUfg/Djm5OxeoKAY1XQ12HCcPF3aJnNJoP5p9ACLcB/s400/2017-02-15%2B07.05.52.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a sunrise, you guys! Something I am only awake for a few times a year.<br />I thought this frost in the foreground was cool.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8mvZX4_N5Rc/WKeAI5JgBWI/AAAAAAAAUfk/sz69ljx9pDIPCNQeiBL4hkELSkLRZj6SgCLcB/s1600/2017-02-16%2B18.09.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8mvZX4_N5Rc/WKeAI5JgBWI/AAAAAAAAUfk/sz69ljx9pDIPCNQeiBL4hkELSkLRZj6SgCLcB/s400/2017-02-16%2B18.09.48.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the heart eyes emojis in the world!!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ar933uvb95s/WKeAJefvfDI/AAAAAAAAUfo/x5RHZO_5JyIcN6ysanAnYQc2K3Tv5ZQkQCLcB/s1600/2017-02-16%2B18.09.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ar933uvb95s/WKeAJefvfDI/AAAAAAAAUfo/x5RHZO_5JyIcN6ysanAnYQc2K3Tv5ZQkQCLcB/s400/2017-02-16%2B18.09.58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7Byh0zDvJM/WKeEK-ZYijI/AAAAAAAAUf4/12odvweEHm89TKo5BVZZZ3ZqHPApzSF1gCLcB/s1600/2017lovehorn2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7Byh0zDvJM/WKeEK-ZYijI/AAAAAAAAUf4/12odvweEHm89TKo5BVZZZ3ZqHPApzSF1gCLcB/s400/2017lovehorn2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horn love with friends.</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-84839602337258837202017-02-05T12:23:00.000-06:002017-02-05T12:23:19.489-06:00This Month: January 2017, part 2I know that this post should technically be titled Last Month, but just roll with it. The delay is due to it being a very difficult and busy few weeks.<br />
<br />
My grandfather passed away at age 86. I had my first ever cup of coffee with him. I will always think of him when I eat a green onion. The funeral and time with family led to reflection not just on my grandpa, but also on my grandma who died in 1996. She had a wonderful sense of humor. They are both dearly missed.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E-5k147FD4s/WJZklWU2K0I/AAAAAAAAUcM/0Mi7gc3MXvEStpJwo0M_fh_MpdHYutm1QCLcB/s1600/1988%2Bgrandpa%2Band%2Bkayla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E-5k147FD4s/WJZklWU2K0I/AAAAAAAAUcM/0Mi7gc3MXvEStpJwo0M_fh_MpdHYutm1QCLcB/s400/1988%2Bgrandpa%2Band%2Bkayla.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me and Grandpa in 1988</td></tr>
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<b><br />The view from here:</b><div>
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These pictures are chronologically out of order, but I'm not going to take the time to fix it.<br /><div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kDfqTzQwRv4/WJZmrOvq8YI/AAAAAAAAUcY/IF5EW5qP0U005DO_adwQSJdtRDNQCsQ0gCLcB/s1600/2017-01-18%2B10.33.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kDfqTzQwRv4/WJZmrOvq8YI/AAAAAAAAUcY/IF5EW5qP0U005DO_adwQSJdtRDNQCsQ0gCLcB/s400/2017-01-18%2B10.33.16.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun to connect with college friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nRGHOYhWvT0/WJZmszXy5QI/AAAAAAAAUck/an9804NKC4k2TSYz4fluO1S41PCoFeX4gCLcB/s1600/2017-01-18%2B15.37.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nRGHOYhWvT0/WJZmszXy5QI/AAAAAAAAUck/an9804NKC4k2TSYz4fluO1S41PCoFeX4gCLcB/s400/2017-01-18%2B15.37.52.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you play this spot just right, a rainbow appears!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Origami sloth Valentine's cards are selling like hotcakes in my Etsy shop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister made a delicious pasta dish while she was home.<br />This picture tells me she could totally pursue a career as a hand model.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister and I played together at the funeral. <br />It was fun to have instruments with for this obvious photo opportunity at the airport.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tysabri time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-np_MfLymMa4/WJZnwevnRoI/AAAAAAAAUdE/tU_mK3bJbT8xPC8Wq3TAEryl5krauVylACLcB/s1600/IMG_20170127_204839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-np_MfLymMa4/WJZnwevnRoI/AAAAAAAAUdE/tU_mK3bJbT8xPC8Wq3TAEryl5krauVylACLcB/s400/IMG_20170127_204839.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the cousins. It looks like my arm is REALLY long in this shot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xL_i2gmPMkM/WJZrlbjOQTI/AAAAAAAAUdc/2FLjBVS6Ceoos-BbzjULxD2-NyqvSEoWACLcB/s1600/2017-01-26%2B15.08.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xL_i2gmPMkM/WJZrlbjOQTI/AAAAAAAAUdc/2FLjBVS6Ceoos-BbzjULxD2-NyqvSEoWACLcB/s400/2017-01-26%2B15.08.21.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 16-year-old cousin did my makeup.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YT34Za_6HhY/WJavEPAjL6I/AAAAAAAAUdw/QFvZA_jjdegF2AIn6-SHuu43moAG7k8AACLcB/s1600/2017-02-04%2B17.43.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YT34Za_6HhY/WJavEPAjL6I/AAAAAAAAUdw/QFvZA_jjdegF2AIn6-SHuu43moAG7k8AACLcB/s400/2017-02-04%2B17.43.38.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We always used to do spa days together growing up, so it was fun to do face masks together again.</td></tr>
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A piece from The Onion a few weeks ago that really made me laugh <strike>through the tears of anxiety:</strike> <a href="http://www.theonion.com/article/gop-promises-americans-will-be-able-keep-current-m-54995" target="_blank">GOP Promises Americans Will Be Able To Keep Current Medical Conditions If Obamacare Repealed</a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>“Whatever health problem you have right now, you will absolutely still be allowed to continue having it once Obamacare has been dismantled,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan, adding that the repeal of the landmark healthcare legislation would in no way prevent patients from maintaining their existing medical issues or even adding to their afflictions. </i></blockquote>
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Hopefully, you'll be getting the penultimate <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/search/label/my%20ms%20symptoms" target="_blank">symptoms series</a> post this week. *fingers crossed*</div>
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Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-6070964859545323252017-01-15T13:11:00.000-06:002017-01-15T17:37:23.141-06:00This Month: January 2017, part 1I had thought I was just going to go ahead with monthly my-life-lately-not-necessarily-about-ms posts, as opposed to the <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/search/label/This%20Week%20in%20My%20Life" target="_blank">weekly ones I did last year</a>. But then a few of my nearest and dearest have been <strike>hassling me</strike> letting me know they are missing the weekly updates. So, this is a compromise. Twice a month, you'll get a little glimpse into my life. I also hope to get out at least weekly MS-specific posts. This next week, you'll get one of the last two <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/search/label/my%20ms%20symptoms" target="_blank">symptom series</a> posts. These last two are the hardest to write, so I've been procrastinating.<br />
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<b>The view from here:</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Technically this was December 31, 2016.<br />
Playing my horn at a wedding in a stadium!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RpmHY_QzjXg/WHu9440WCVI/AAAAAAAAUYI/83ZpUtRcUGsTr9MHppTB-U1EprklGhGggCLcB/s1600/2017-01-01%2B17.48.03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RpmHY_QzjXg/WHu9440WCVI/AAAAAAAAUYI/83ZpUtRcUGsTr9MHppTB-U1EprklGhGggCLcB/s400/2017-01-01%2B17.48.03.png" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My niece has a habit of adding items to my calendar on random dates.<br />
This is the first thing I had on my agenda for the new year. ;-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2017 is Year of The Rooster</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle of the night light snow showers. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too cold to step out the front door to get a shot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It just won't stop. Toooooo much snow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lyFI12U-4Q4/WHu99mki8EI/AAAAAAAAUYk/5LbME8e12w8vozjVqBBYhoBR-t5PG7JYQCEw/s1600/2017-01-06%2B22.52.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lyFI12U-4Q4/WHu99mki8EI/AAAAAAAAUYk/5LbME8e12w8vozjVqBBYhoBR-t5PG7JYQCEw/s400/2017-01-06%2B22.52.07.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tysabri time.<br />
2nd time ever I've gotten a private room at this infusion center. SO MUCH BETTER.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a 4-hour gap this time between the doc appt and the infusion. Coffee + book time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interstate sunset gazing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moon over the frozen lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hsyidHx_uAA/WHu-CjTkCSI/AAAAAAAAUZI/dTyHbL5RtignlMNxsQ9k65_9RIDT1gxVgCEw/s1600/2017-01-11%2B16.09.29-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hsyidHx_uAA/WHu-CjTkCSI/AAAAAAAAUZI/dTyHbL5RtignlMNxsQ9k65_9RIDT1gxVgCEw/s400/2017-01-11%2B16.09.29-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter sky.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAbl2ZInClA/WHu-B5NuGoI/AAAAAAAAUY8/P5SopqJFcF4FGImue0uSYL6Q4FkpXjX2QCEw/s1600/2017-01-11%2B18.52.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAbl2ZInClA/WHu-B5NuGoI/AAAAAAAAUY8/P5SopqJFcF4FGImue0uSYL6Q4FkpXjX2QCEw/s400/2017-01-11%2B18.52.22.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made frittatas for the first time in a long time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-egjV4RENjlk/WHu-C0mbyqI/AAAAAAAAUZE/jm7eobbr98MhDG_eEvusT_W_ShFec87hgCEw/s1600/2017-01-11%2B20.24.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-egjV4RENjlk/WHu-C0mbyqI/AAAAAAAAUZE/jm7eobbr98MhDG_eEvusT_W_ShFec87hgCEw/s400/2017-01-11%2B20.24.50.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea in this sweet bookish mug, a gift from a friend who gets me. A riend who no<br />
longer has a good excuse for not writing a guest post for this blog. ;-)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6qJbwyGRRQ/WHu-Cy7yYDI/AAAAAAAAUZA/s-i3Am4waV0S4cZBDybMO77HzXOw7mPvwCEw/s1600/2017-01-12%2B07.45.31.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6qJbwyGRRQ/WHu-Cy7yYDI/AAAAAAAAUZA/s-i3Am4waV0S4cZBDybMO77HzXOw7mPvwCEw/s400/2017-01-12%2B07.45.31.png" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While drinking that cup of tea, this was my first play in a round of Words With Friends. :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgrGxiYNt3w/WHu-D0LzlfI/AAAAAAAAUZY/FmVJYfEGxBEtyoVciOe-gidlNmUbgF7uACEw/s1600/2017-01-13%2B17.03.04%2BHDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgrGxiYNt3w/WHu-D0LzlfI/AAAAAAAAUZY/FmVJYfEGxBEtyoVciOe-gidlNmUbgF7uACEw/s400/2017-01-13%2B17.03.04%2BHDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another too-cold-to-go-outside-for-the-shot sunset shot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_qsYoOPsA8/WHu-Dsj9_1I/AAAAAAAAUZQ/gUKfRqOfwFovY86T3zhgYTRJLXaPw-r8QCEw/s1600/2017-01-13%2B21.29.21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_qsYoOPsA8/WHu-Dsj9_1I/AAAAAAAAUZQ/gUKfRqOfwFovY86T3zhgYTRJLXaPw-r8QCEw/s400/2017-01-13%2B21.29.21.png" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This ad on my Instagram feed cracked me up.<br />
When I sweat, it is always with Kayla.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jl5Y43C8M1E/WHvCLqRZNwI/AAAAAAAAUZs/10D7vLNQkJ8Yrce-vEnGCr_0fFZ94gG0gCEw/s1600/2017-01-09%2B22.34.30.mov" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jl5Y43C8M1E/WHvCLqRZNwI/AAAAAAAAUZs/10D7vLNQkJ8Yrce-vEnGCr_0fFZ94gG0gCEw/s400/2017-01-09%2B22.34.30.mov" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Discovering a big old leak in your basement just before midnight is always fun.</td></tr>
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Quasi MS-related story related to the leak: As I said, this was late at night. I did not want to have to call the maintenance guy. I go out of my way to not call the maintenance guy, like I've actually fixed plumbing issues myself by buying the part and watching YouTube videos to not have to call the maintenance guy. Something like this, though, was obviously beyond my abilities. So instead of calling the maintenance guy, I texted my brother a bunch of pictures, videos, and questions. Is this dangerous? Is there any compelling reason this couldn't wait until morning? And so on. He told me, it was *probably* not dangerous, but he couldn't really tell from my pictures and videos how close the electrical wires were to the leak. He told me definitely not to touch anything, though. He said that this was pretty urgent, as it would mean a massive water bill and it could potentially damage the ceiling/floor.<br />
<br />
In my gymnastical efforts to not call the maintenance guy (he was probably sleeping, after all) I asked my bro if I could just turn off the water and wait until morning. Yes, he said. And then he tried to explain what the shut-off valve would look like and where it might be. Only one room in the basement has any light at all, so my search involved using my phone flashlight. It did not go well. At all. I finally reached a point where I had to contact the maintenance guy but I realllllly didn't want to. My bro kept texting me annoying things like "You better be calling him now." and Even if he's sleeping." and "I know you don't want to but do it anyway." and "Call him right now or else." I wrote back, "Ha, you know me too well."<br />
<br />
At this point, I sent the maintenance guy a text. Bro said fine, but if he doesn't answer in a few minutes, I had to call. A few minutes passed, so bro started harassing me to make the call again. Naturally, this reignited my efforts to find the water shut-off valve. I started sending my bro pics of random things I thought might be the shut-off valve. No luck. Finally, I discovered a new valve and turned it. The water stopped. It was a sweet victory. My bro said I was off the hook for calling that night and "I guess having to call someone really motivates you." And now, finally to the MS-relevant portion of this rambling tale. Bro texted, "Save your spoons for something more important than the maintenance guy." I recognize that he makes a good point, but I doubt that will change my future avoiding-calling-the-maintenance-guy behavior. But this <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/2014/08/on-spoons.html" target="_blank">#spoonie</a> loves that he said that. :-)Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012043996452330123.post-19048309874380481782016-12-31T00:50:00.000-06:002016-12-31T00:50:37.098-06:00This Week in My Life: Week 52 of 2016!Wow, the end is here. I made it through 52 straight weeks of consistent posts in this series. Should I continue? I know some of the people close to me IRL like these posts, but do the rest of you like them? I haven't decided yet if I want to continue this series. Right now, I think I'm leaning towards doing a monthly version of this where I share pictures and highlight what my month has been like. I'd also like to write more MS-y posts overall. The end of my <a href="http://themsmuse.blogspot.com/search/label/my%20ms%20symptoms" target="_blank">Symptoms series</a> is coming soon!<br />
<br />
<b>The view from here:</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N4x-32hprUE/WGdRIN5PqhI/AAAAAAAAUXA/BlemvAHEpeoUTgr7AVqFKpq9lhXkt0UXQCLcB/s1600/2016-12-25%2B16.31.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N4x-32hprUE/WGdRIN5PqhI/AAAAAAAAUXA/BlemvAHEpeoUTgr7AVqFKpq9lhXkt0UXQCLcB/s400/2016-12-25%2B16.31.41.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Day featured an ice storm turned blizzard. Glad we weren't on the road that day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0To3rlgrgc/WGdRGtiVcuI/AAAAAAAAUW8/Oq8OjtMSH4UiQ637OO6Pte5Cnm2VFaxTQCLcB/s1600/2016-12-27%2B11.58.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0To3rlgrgc/WGdRGtiVcuI/AAAAAAAAUW8/Oq8OjtMSH4UiQ637OO6Pte5Cnm2VFaxTQCLcB/s400/2016-12-27%2B11.58.33.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sloth earrings I made!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8XY1jTXF2sQ/WGdRI6C3PkI/AAAAAAAAUXE/OVHU1tzPaUsB0zVYUWdpSAQvycc_6Yl0ACLcB/s1600/2016-12-28%2B16.59.34-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8XY1jTXF2sQ/WGdRI6C3PkI/AAAAAAAAUXE/OVHU1tzPaUsB0zVYUWdpSAQvycc_6Yl0ACLcB/s400/2016-12-28%2B16.59.34-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother Nature reminding me that not <b>all</b> of 2016 was crappy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2sVANZ3VuuQ/WGdRJm3laCI/AAAAAAAAUXI/OkSFCTpXMo8lPBtMs7GVb6CfJwdY2cR5gCLcB/s1600/2016-12-30%2B15.13.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2sVANZ3VuuQ/WGdRJm3laCI/AAAAAAAAUXI/OkSFCTpXMo8lPBtMs7GVb6CfJwdY2cR5gCLcB/s400/2016-12-30%2B15.13.29.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm sorry, what now?! <br />We haven't even quite hit NY's much less Valentine's Day so this is ridiculous.<br />(The fact that they are only selling regular Cadbury Eggs and no Caramel ones makes this even worse.)</td></tr>
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I hope you all have a lovely NYE. I'm going to a NYE wedding where I'll be performing some lovely music.<br />
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I do plan on doing a year-in-review type post and a the-year-ahead post. I suppose I should have done the former already, but you'll probably get them both at some point during the first week of the year.<br />
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Thank you all for reading The MS Muse this year. Thanks especially to those of you who have left comments! They make me happy, so please leave more. ;-) One comment to leave right now would be to let me know if you'd like me to continue this weekly post or if you like the idea of a monthly post plus more MS-specific posts.<br />
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See you in 2017!<br />
<b><br /></b>Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407273346397749707noreply@blogger.com4