Update on my life and Hello to everyone

Greetings.  It's been a long time since I've been on the forum regularly; so much has changed!  New format, new people, new advertisements, lol!

Since my friend/catsitter died in July I've dealt with that sadness.  On my birthday I went to the beach with my roommate & aggravated my right knee.  The next day in Gentle Yoga for People with MS I aggravated it even more and watched it swell before my eyes.

I rested, iced, & elevated, and the swelling persisted.  Under advice from my doctor's advice nurse, I went to Urgent Care, where I was given a neoprene brace & the advice to keep doing what I was doing, skip yoga and my volunteer work for a couple weeks.

I saw my primary care doc, who referred me to an ortho, who I couldn't get in to see until Sept.1.  I finally will have an MRI of my right knee tomorrow, and a follow-up with the ortho on the 29th.

During the same time, I had an outbreak of a cold-sore-type thing on the left side of my face that got a secondary infection; it was really not pretty and I felt awful.  I picked up my roommate at the airport and she drove me straight to my doctor's office, where I was put on mega-doses of an anti-viral and some antibiotics.

I had a mini-flare, with nerve pain jolts, dizziness, blurry vision, and extra fatigue.

I've had to ask for help with my volunteer work at CAT and may need to change to a less physically challenging position.  I miss yoga.  

I've gained weight (again!).

My roommate had two trips planned to Las Vegas; one last week and one towards the end of October.  I was wondering if I would be able to go, but I started feeling better and found a good cat boarding place for Beau where I knew he would be comfortable.

Happily, the weather cooperated for my week in Vegas; there were thunderstorms (I love them!) and some cloudy & cooler days.  My roommate's convention didn't take up too much time, and we had some fun.

We drove up to Mt. Charleston, something I've been wanting to do for years.  It's much cooler after the 5000 ft. gain in 20 miles on the drive up.  We hiked on Mary Jane Falls trail, though we couldn't make it to the falls.  My roommate quit before me, so I went on alone.  The air was so fresh and clear well above 7000 ft in elevation and the trees were gorgeous; aspen, ponderosa pine, white fire, and mountain mahogany.  I made it just over halfway, quitting when the gradual ascent became a "steep climb up a series of switchbacks and rock steps".  On my way back down, and jogger ran by me up the trail.  I didn't let it dampen my sense of accomplishment.

The next day a flash flood hit the area from series of thunderstorms.

Later in the week we were heading for Red Rock Canyon, where we had visited a few years ago.  There was some construction on the road there, and we missed the turnoff, ended up going "over the hump to Parumph".  The road to Parumph is long and straight through high flat desert, with no places to legally turn around.  We did finally did use a turn-around for official vehicles only; by that time we were ready to pay a fine to get off that road to nowhere!

We decided to check out Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, and had a lovely time.  I've posted a few pictures.  We hiked on a wonderful trail, saw lizards, butterflies, ducks, jackrabbits, chipmunks, an old cemetary, reservoir, and a lake.  The views were fabulous, and we did see some red rocks of Red Rock Canyon, lol.  

We visited several casinos, ate some good food,(M Casino has the best buffet, in my opinion), and I rested in the timeshare condo while my roomie was at her conference.  I ate healthy stuff I prepared, went to the fitness room and rode a recumbent bicycle, and swam in the cooler pool.  I'm planning on trying water aerobic again soon; I loved being in the pool.  I did an Avonex injection while I was there, and had a decent day after.

I managed to lose a couple pounds on my week in Las Vegas, buffets, and all!

Beau was fine at the Cat Retreat where I'd boarded him, but was really glad to be home (me too)!

I've gone to a soccer match and a volunteer appreciation picnic since I've been back, and am feeling decent.  Beau has been keeping me awake some these past couple nights, so I'm tired, but doing OK.

Sorry this is so long; just wanted to share and got carried away!

Missed you all,

Kathy

[Sailorsong]

What a bittersweet post, but not in the way you might think. It was wonderful to hear about your trip, but it made me jealous. Before MS I would have been the first in line for that kind of trip as I love nature, but I can't handle a 1/2 mile hike these days, especially at those kind of altitudes.

Dennis

[Wobbly]

Hi Kathy.  I too haven't been on for awhile and missed everyone.  You have been busy too.  Nice to hear from you and hope you continue to get well.

take care
wobbly

[Fluffysmom]

Dennis, you would have loved it; wish I could send you the memories I have of the sights, sounds, and smells.  On the second hike, we saw deer tracks on the trail, overlaid by cat tracks; don't know if it was bobcat or cougar, don't know enough to recognize which.  Closer down to the ranch you could see areas where deer bedded down under low trees.

I cherished every step I took.  I had to go slowly & pause often to breathe in the thinner air, but it smelled

[Fluffysmom]

Dennis, you would have loved it; wish I could send you the memories I have of the sights, sounds, and smells.  On the second hike, we saw deer tracks on the trail, overlaid by cat tracks; don't know if it was bobcat or cougar, don't know enough to recognize which.  Closer down to the ranch you could see areas where deer bedded down under low trees.

I cherished every step I took.  I had to go slowly & pause often to breathe in the thinner air, but it smelled so sweet it was a pleasure to go slowly, drink it all in.  

Wobbly, it's so good to see you. I hope you're doing well.

Kathy

[Fluffysmom]

Oops, accident while posting on my cell phone, sorry about repeating myself!

:o)

[Lulu54]

Kathy, Your's is certainly a welcome voice from my early days here.  I did a shoutout for older members last week and I wish I had heard then from you and WOBBLY.

I love reading your stories, Kathy - you haven't lost your touch with the words and being able to bring us into your experiences.  You make me smile that you are still traveling and hiking and doing your volunteer work with the cats.  

It really sounds like having your dx for the MS has let you get on with your life and living it to the fullest.

Don't be a stranger, ok?

hugs,
L

[Fluffysmom]

Thank you, Lulu!  It's great to see you again.   My phone didn't have good reception in the condo in Vegas, same as the WiFi connection for the laptop or I would have been on the forum last week to respond to your shoutout.

You and many others on this forum helped me through the dark days & helped celebrate the bright spots on my search for answers & finally diagnosis. I think of you as extended family & always enjoy posting pictures & sharing adventures with you all.  I see the family is still growing!

Hugs,

Kathy

[kelly97]

I'm glad you're getting some time away to relax and enjoy nature and eat some good food.  It all sounds like fun.  We saw a mom and 2 baby deer over the weekend in my brother's backyard.  He lives in the foothills, so he gets to see more deer traffic than we do.  

[Lulu54]

now that you are reconnected, I hope you will come around more often and share your experiences with all the new people here - we have quite a few limbolanders who could take notes from your story.

hugs, L

[Fluffysmom]

I will indeed come around more often.  All limbolanders are welcome to read about my journey to diagnosis in my journals.  Fair warning; I included most of my health issues while trying to figure out what was going on.  

I'll gladly answer any questions about it all that I'm able. Some of my story isn't totally public because I found it was showing up under google searches.

Without this forum my story would have been really messy!  This place kept me sane during an insane time.  

Kathy

[HVAC]

Kathy.
  Sounds like life has been an adventure good and bad. i am glad you are back.

Alex