My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 033122

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek. Today is Thursday, March 31. It’s going to be a cool, sunny day with a high of 69 degrees.

Happy Birthday to:

Clementine Bryant

It’s Friday Eve, the last day of March and the last day of Q1. Is it me, or did March take its time passing us by? Then again, I cannot believe tomorrow is April 1. No Joke (thank you, I’ll be here all week).

I got a call yesterday, but not the call I wanted. (I never, in a million years, thought I would be waiting by the phone to get a call asking me to be part of a stem cell study). It seems we are moving forward with getting this catheter out of my chest and putting in a permanent port.

It is out-patient surgery - I’ll take a day (maybe two) off work and be done with it. It is going to have to wait until the week after next because next week, I have Jury Duty - YAY! Oh, the joys of performing my civic duty - and yes, I am going to try and get out of it by playing the MS card. I just need a note from my neurologist. Stay tuned.

Tomorrow afternoon I have my plasma exchange, we kick off the weekend, Q2 and the month of April. I am ready for a little down time.

Anyhoozle, I need to mainline some coffee / caffeine. It’s time to get this work day started. Only a few meetings today, so not too bad.

Make it a great day and do everything today with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. Be one of them! And as always:

...wear a mask (when appropriate)

...be kind and compassionate to one another

...dance/sing/laugh it out. It might not help but it sure as hell couldn't hurt.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 033022

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek. Today is Wednesday, March 30. It’s going to be a sunny day with a high of 69 degrees. It’s still pretty cloudy outside. We had some decent thunderstorms last night.

Happy Birthday to:

Sally Thomas

Yesterday seems like a blur to me but this week is CREEPING by ever so slowly. But it is HUMP DAY. We made it half way through the week. Yesterday was light on meetings but today is the exact opposite - starting at 9am and ending at 4pm.

Still no call yet but I remain hopeful that it will be any day now - maybe even today. Eyes, toes, arms, legs and fingers crossed…and lots of prayers.

Anyhoozle, I need coffee and lots of it. It’s time to get this work day started.

Make it a great day and do everything today with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. Be one of them! And as always:

...wear a mask (when appropriate)

...be kind and compassionate to one another

...dance/sing/laugh it out. It might not help but it sure as hell couldn't hurt.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefatih

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 032922

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek. Today is Tuesday, March 29. It’s going to be a cloudy day with a high of 77 - a little cooler than yesterday - I’ll take it.

Happy Birthday to:

Barry Pierce

Michael Tomlinson

Another day, another dollar, another meeting, another pill to make my nerves settle down. I’m in a rut. But tomorrow should be interesting. I am going into the office to welcome a new person to my team. I am excited to have my new hire. She is highly qualified and she is going to hit the round running - LOL.

Today is light on meetings and heavy on work - I am fine with that.

Still waiting for my phone to ring and see UT Southwestern as the caller and have the person on the other end tell me I am in the stem cell study. I try to keep my mind off of it, and I do OK. Thank God my mind wonders a lot.

Anyhoozle, it’s time for another cup of coffee and time to get this work day started.

Make it a great day and everything you do today, do it with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. Be one of them! And as always:

...wear a mask (when appropriate)

...be kind and compassionate to one another

...dance/sing/laugh it out. It might not help but it sure as hell couldn't hurt.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 032822

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek. Today is Monday, March 28. It’s going to be a partly cloudy morning today with a high of 81 - a little cooler than yesterday. I think all the cold stuff is gone.

Happy Birthday to:

Timothy Thomas

Melody Bertrand

Time to kick off another work week. Not a lot going on today - well, work, but just a few meetings. I think since the MS Walk is over and my fundraising efforts for that are over for this year, I can check that box . That’s why yesterday was a bit of a mentally relaxing day (other than my board meeting which I was fully present for). :)

Is it wrong and/or sad that I just asked Siri how many day there are until my vacation? (Only one hundred and seven days if it ever comes up). I will take a few days off here and there before then. Mom and Dad are coming out for a bit at the end of the April but I still have a little bit of planning to do before my vacay arrives.

I am self-diagnosing again (I have not referred to the internet YET). I do not think the PLEX is as effective as it once was. I should be walking better - correction - I am usually walking better than I am. My neurologist said to keep her posted on anything - and I send her an update every week like clockwork - I guess today’s will be more detailed. Perhaps this will secure me a spot in the stem cell study. Wouldn’t that be great? Just don’t give me another pill!

Anyhoozle, it’s time for another cup of piping hot coffee and time to get this work week started.

Make it a great day and do everything you do today with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. Be one of them! And as always:

...wear a mask (when appropriate)

...be kind and compassionate to one another

...dance/sing/laugh it out. It might not help but it sure as hell couldn't hurt.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefatih

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek. Today is Sunday, March 27.

Happy Birthday to:

Mark Byrd

Gregg Adams

Volker Holt

It’s going to be another beautiful day in Big D with a high of 90 degrees. 90 Degrees! Is winter over?

The MS Walk and my fundraising (for MS) is done for another year. Last year, I started with a goal of $1000 which quickly turned into $11,373. I was just floored. This year, I ambitiously set my goal as $10,000 to start. That quickly turned into $13,125. I simply can’t believe it. Thanks to everyone who donated and supported me. I ended up being the #2 fundraiser in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and the #50 in the nation. THANK YOU to everyone for your donations and support.

But more than donations, I want to thank everyone who walked with me and for me; well, actually I rolled (and my arms and shoulders are incredibly sore). From my neighborhood in York, SC (thank you Nan Mitchell for organizing everything) across the country to Phoenix, AZ, I had people wearing orange and walking with me/for me supporting me. On the streets, on treadmills or in the halls of the Celebrity Suites, I Love You and I Thank You from the bottom of my heart.

Even today, both of the Dallas Titans Softball Teams are wearing orange socks in support of me.

I have never felt more loved and cared for. Thank You!

Well, I guess it’s time to get this week started - and it is starting off busy. The Titans play today plus church and a church board meeting this afternoon - and a little prep for the work week ahead. What’s your day like?

Come join us for church this morning at 11am at Oak Lawn United Methodist Church (or online on Facebook Live). All are welcome at OLUMC.

Anyhoozle, I hope you all have a wonderful day and whatever you do today and every day, do it with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one! And as always:

...wear a mask

...be kind and compassionate to one another

...dance/sing/laugh it out. It might not help but it sure as hell couldn't hurt.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefatih

#hopelovejoygrace

#wisdomknowledgeacceptance

#understandingforgivenessmercy

#wearamask

#lovethyneighbor

#laughitout

#danceitout

#singitout

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 032622

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek. Today is Saturday, March 26,

Happy Birthday to:

Cindy N Randy Knight (Randy)

John Horany

Kelsey Acosta

Well, it’s going to be sunny and 85 here in Dallas today - and a great day for the 2022 Walk MS Dallas walk. Time to walk (roll) my mile and probably take a nap - seriously!

I know that my neighborhood back in SC plus some other wonderful friends are walking for me. You have know idea how much that warms my heart. Creekwood (and York) is a small neighborhood (and city) with some big traditions. There is a lot of love, friends and family on that street (and in that city) and I am happy, proud, lucky and blessed to be a part of it.

#Creekwoord_Rules

#York_SC

#MS_Sucks

#AndyStrong

If you are walking for someone - anyone with MS today, throw on your orange shirt and post a picture. I would love to see it.

PLEX wiped me out yesterday but that is OK. No word on the stem cell study yet either. I just have to remain patient.

I am having lunch with some fantastic friends that I do not get to see that often but always have a good time when I see them. After that, I think I am going to need to take it easy.

What are your plans today?

Anyhoozle, it’s time to get Saturday and this weekend started. I hope you all have a wonderful day and whatever you do today and every day, do it with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one! And as always:

...wear a mask when appropriate

...be kind and compassionate to one another

...dance/sing/laugh it out. It might not help but it sure as hell couldn't hurt.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 032522

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek. Today is Friday, March 25.

Happy Birthday to:

Amy Beth

Daniel Correll

Happy Friday! TGIF! It’s FriYAY…and all that jazz. I’m right there with you. I couldn’t be happier that today is Friday. The weekend is here. This week, to me, has been a bit sluggish.

Friday for me means PLEX (plasma exchange). A little change of pace today - I am going in this morning (in a few hours) instead of this afternoon - and it’s a good thing too. This little snap of cold / cooler weather has smacked me down. My legs, either of them, feel like they could snap in two. If I didn’t have my chair, getting around would be an issue. I know I am self-diagnosing the situation but we are about to find out if I am right. It’s going to be in the low-to-mid 80’s for the next few days.

The 2022 MS Walk is tomorrow and thanks to you, I have surpassed my goal of $10,000 and raised a total of $13,100 to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis. Thank you so much for all the love and support you continually show me. I am beyond blessed!

Me:

Dallas / Fort Worth Leader Board:

National Leader Board:

Anyhoozle, it’s time to get Friday and this weekend started. I hope you all have a wonderful day and whatever you do today and every day, do it with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one! And as always:

...wear a mask when appropriate

...be kind and compassionate to one another

...dance/sing/laugh it out. It might not help but it sure as hell couldn't hurt.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 032422

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek. Today is Thursday, March 24.

No birthdays on my calendar today.

Happy Friday Eve! It’s going to be a bright, sunny day in Big D today with a high of 66. Just a few meetings on my calendar today so I hope to get some work done - not like the previous three days. We are inching closer to the end of March - only one more week.

Every time my phone rings I look to see if the display reads, “UT SOUTHWESTERN” in hopes of a call from the stem cell study. I am trying to be patient. But…

My body is screaming at me this morning so it must be time for my weekly plasma exchange. I am going in first thing tomorrow morning instead of tomorrow afternoon. The morning is fine with me, I just hope that both catheters in my chest are not still clogged and they don’t have to go through each arm again. That is not the PLEX I know and love - LOL

The 2022 MS Walk is this Saturday and thanks to you, I have surpassed my goal of $10,000 and raised a total of $12,800 to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis.

I am only $200 away from $13,000. If you would like to make a donation and sponsor me, click the link below:

https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/71804

Anyhoozle, It’s time to get Friday eve started. I hope you all have a wonderful day and whatever you do today and every day, do it with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one! And as always:

...wear a mask when appropriate

...be kind and compassionate to one another

...dance/sing/laugh it out. It might not help but it sure as hell couldn't hurt.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ 

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 032322

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek. Today is Wednesday, March 23.

Happy Birthday to:

Jan Sweigart

Will Shuler

It’s HUMP DAY! We made it half way through the week. My usual Wednesday is slap-full of meetings, but today it has lightened up a bit (no complaints from me).

I had a delightful dinner last night with some friends and one of my friend’s (Rick) mother. Shirley Thompson is adorable and a delight and it was a pleasure meeting her.

The weather (at least I think it is the weather) has really jacked up my legs. It was beautiful and warm on Sunday, rainy on Monday and yesterday and last night was just cold - and my legs were stiff as a board. This morning, it doesn’t feel as bad, but we will see as the day progresses.

PLEX seems to work for a few days, but weather being what it has been, these cold snaps tend to ruin the affects. Oh well, I cannot control the weather YET, LOL, so I will just have to roll with the punches and manage this beast as best as I can.

The 2022 MS Walk is this Saturday and thanks to you, I have surpassed my goal of $10,000 and raised a total of $12,545 to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis.

I am only $455 away from $13,000. If you would like to make a donation and sponsor me, click the link below:

https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/71804

Anyhoozle, It’s time to get this Hump Day started. I hope you all have a wonderful day and whatever you do today and every day, do it with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one! And as always:

...wear a mask when appropriate

...be kind and compassionate to one another

...dance/sing/laugh it out. It might not help but it sure as hell couldn't hurt.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 032222

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek. Today is Tuesday, March 22.

Happy Birthday to:

Chase Migliore

Michael Jasek

Wayne Young

I’m up a little early today - reaping the blessings afforded to me by multiple sclerosis - LOL.  My neuropathy is having fun with me this morning (and most of the night).  My nerves are having a field day in my body.  I believe there to be a soccer tournament of sorts going on in my feet.  They haven’t been still most of the night.  And I believe my arms and hands are celebrating the victory of those soccer games.  I can only imagine they are playing beer pong because they are tingly and very numb.

Oh the joys and blessings of MS abound.  I mustn’t wallow in this embarrassment of MS riches.  It is going to be a busy day - mainly this afternoon and evening.  Maybe I can get in a 30 minute nap at lunch.

The 2022 MS Walk is this Saturday and thanks to you, I have surpassed my goal of $10,000 and raised a total of $12,351 to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis.  

I am only $649 away from $13,000.  If you would like to make a donation and sponsor me, click the link below:

https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/71804

OK, time to get moving - or maybe I will try to go back to bed for a little bit.

Anyhoozle, I hope you all have a wonderful day and whatever you do today and every day, do it with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people.  If you can’t find one, be one!  And as always:

...wear a mask when appropriate

...be kind and compassionate to one another

...dance/sing/laugh it out. It might not help but it sure as hell couldn't hurt.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all.  -AJ