Aa
My update - reporting in!!!
A few people have asked if I’m ok since I have been less than a regular presence here, recently; more than recently - I would say more like the past six months. It has been a crazy ride, to say the least – here’s the highlights:
Research and education – I went to Mayo in October for their conference on Social Media. It was a great week. The research group I am working on wants to look at MS information gathering, and submitted our grant application to PCORI in early December after working on it since March. It was a long haul. (no word on it until late April, at least).
As part of the PCORI process, they encouraged us to apply to be reviewers. I was selected as a patient reviewer, and had 8 – yes, EIGHT! – proposals to read and comment on. Each one averages about 100 pages and required me to read over and over to grasp the scope of the projects. This gives me a very new appreciation for grant reviewers everywhere. There were also training sessions and other conversations to attend to better understand the process. I’ll be traveling to complete a live review of grants in early April.
Health – I took the major fall right after Thanksgiving. Then I took the second fall in February - both while in our RecPlex and associated with exercising. Those took the wind out of me literally and figuratively. I’m still sore in several places. I had a relapse in between the two falls and that took time and energy for treatment. I am also still traveling to Columbus monthly for my Tysabri and had an extra two days of trips this month to complete the Tysabri study I have been in.
Monday—Friday are still work days for me, although if I had to give up anything, this would be it! Unfortunately that is not an option since our health insurance is through my job. On Saturdays, at least half of the day is devoted to the MS Swim group. In the evenings, I am writing quite a bit for a blog and enjoying that creative side a lot.
There are many other things going on in the background as well. To say it has been hectic, bordering on manic, would be an understatement. :-) I try to at least check in on the forum daily, but even that wasn’t happening and I have to remind myself that this is a volunteer position as a community leader and there is no time commitment required. But I miss staying on top of all of your news and updates.
So where have I been lately? Everywhere!!! I hope it will slow down and I’ll be back here with you a bit more.
Be well, Laura
Research and education – I went to Mayo in October for their conference on Social Media. It was a great week. The research group I am working on wants to look at MS information gathering, and submitted our grant application to PCORI in early December after working on it since March. It was a long haul. (no word on it until late April, at least).
As part of the PCORI process, they encouraged us to apply to be reviewers. I was selected as a patient reviewer, and had 8 – yes, EIGHT! – proposals to read and comment on. Each one averages about 100 pages and required me to read over and over to grasp the scope of the projects. This gives me a very new appreciation for grant reviewers everywhere. There were also training sessions and other conversations to attend to better understand the process. I’ll be traveling to complete a live review of grants in early April.
Health – I took the major fall right after Thanksgiving. Then I took the second fall in February - both while in our RecPlex and associated with exercising. Those took the wind out of me literally and figuratively. I’m still sore in several places. I had a relapse in between the two falls and that took time and energy for treatment. I am also still traveling to Columbus monthly for my Tysabri and had an extra two days of trips this month to complete the Tysabri study I have been in.
Monday—Friday are still work days for me, although if I had to give up anything, this would be it! Unfortunately that is not an option since our health insurance is through my job. On Saturdays, at least half of the day is devoted to the MS Swim group. In the evenings, I am writing quite a bit for a blog and enjoying that creative side a lot.
There are many other things going on in the background as well. To say it has been hectic, bordering on manic, would be an understatement. :-) I try to at least check in on the forum daily, but even that wasn’t happening and I have to remind myself that this is a volunteer position as a community leader and there is no time commitment required. But I miss staying on top of all of your news and updates.
So where have I been lately? Everywhere!!! I hope it will slow down and I’ll be back here with you a bit more.
Be well, Laura
After all this - I'm sure you have visions of Summer swirling around your head! That is, if you don't already have that schedule packed too!
Glad to read the update. Your doing a good job of juggling all of this!
-Shell
Glad to read the update. Your doing a good job of juggling all of this!
-Shell
I really feel like I've been lacking around here, too. And that there are new members that I don't even know anything about - unfortunately.
It is difficult between work, doctor appts/procedures, and everything else going on, I understand your limited time. It's like I go to work, come home, eat, & then it's already time for bed. I have no extra time.
It is difficult between work, doctor appts/procedures, and everything else going on, I understand your limited time. It's like I go to work, come home, eat, & then it's already time for bed. I have no extra time.
Sounds like you've had an eventful six months! I hope you're soon fully recovered from your fall's and that the relapse was shortlived? Take care
And on top of everything, you took time to meet with this newbie! Wow! I hope things will slow down a bit for you soon so you can catch your breath a bit. Hugs,
Laura
Laura
I hope that you are doing well. I am in the same boat is you Lulu.
My job really wears me out. I don't have the energy to do much on the weekends. Today I never got out of my pajamas and I took a 4 hour nap. i need to keep my job though because I carry the health insurance for my family.
My job really wears me out. I don't have the energy to do much on the weekends. Today I never got out of my pajamas and I took a 4 hour nap. i need to keep my job though because I carry the health insurance for my family.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hey Laura,
I always look forward to reading what you have to say, um even if it is a brief synopsis of your world gone mad! Hopefully all this will be a distant memory soon and you can get back to being only 98% busy instead :D
Miss you babe
Hugs.........JJ
I always look forward to reading what you have to say, um even if it is a brief synopsis of your world gone mad! Hopefully all this will be a distant memory soon and you can get back to being only 98% busy instead :D
Miss you babe
Hugs.........JJ
Wow!,, you sure have been super busy. I admire you so much. I know that I don't have even a fraction of your stamina and you are putting it to such good use.
I do hope you get a chance for some R&R time soon :)
Take care Super girl!
Deb
I do hope you get a chance for some R&R time soon :)
Take care Super girl!
Deb
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