My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 083122

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Wednesday, August 31. It’s going to be a cloudy day in Dallas today with a high of 89 degrees and some very decent rain possibilities.

Happy Birthday to:

Doug Thompson

Sandy Cox

HAPPY HUMP DAY! We made it half way through the week.. And…it’s the last day of August. Just when I thought January 2022 would never end, I close my eyes and we are hours away from September.

Mom and Dad left yesterday morning and made it home safely to SC. That means I have to make my own breakfast today. I know - First World Problem. No waffles, sausage, bacon, ham, cheesy grits, scrambles eggs, toast or coffee will be headed my way unless I make it. This makes me sad. LMAO

Not to worry, they will be back for Chemotober (October chemotherapy infusion).

I am headed to UT Southwestern in a few hours for my quarterly injection of Botox into my legs…and I can tell it is time. I can tell it is time for PLEX as well. My legs are getting worse and I am spending more and more time in this wheel chair than I would like. I used to get frustrated using my walker / roller, but I would give anything for a good walk / roller day again.

Thinking like that will just make things worse. I own great home in a beautiful neighborhood. I get great care from my doctors. I have terrific friends and family near and far, amazing church families and work families and I will always have a place to sit.

Sometimes I just have to remind myself that while one part of my life is not what I want it to be or think it should be, the other hundred parts are even better than I thought. Oh, and God. Though we still have a bit of a dysfunctional relationship, I know he is on my side as well. Though sometimes, I think he has a funny / odd way of showing it.

Anyhoozle, HAPPY HUMP DAY! What’s on your schedule today?

Whatever it is, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day. Do everything today with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one!

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 083022

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Tuesday, August 30. It’s going to be a cloudy day in Dallas today with a high of 86 degrees and some very decent rain possibilities.

Happy Birthday to:

Bill Deramus

Happy Tuesday Morning, everyone. Another busy day at the (home) office. Lots of work to do but only one meeting (for now). Mom and dad will be heading to the airport in a few hours and I will be on my own again. I sure am going to miss them but they will be back for “Chemo Days” in October.

We are another day closer to a three-day weekend. Ain’t nothing wrong with that - and there is plenty to do. I really need take a look at these applications and set up a few interviews for next week, Turns out, I can go ahead and (hopefully) hire someone - mid-month of September is the target start date of my assistant.

Of course, there will be some down time to enjoy the weekend. I forgot the US Open (tennis) is on and best of luck to my Dallas Titans this weekend as well. You guys are going to do GREAT!

Have you made any plans for Labor Day weekend?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day. Do everything today with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one!

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 082922

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Monday, August 29. It’s going to be a cloudy day in Dallas today with a high of 94 degrees.

Happy Birthday to:

David Watson

Kimberly Julian Arnold

Thomasea Hall

Alrighty then - it’s Monday and time to kick off another work week. We're working towards a 3-day weekend (Labor Day).

The weekend was pretty quiet; church, lots of baseball, a few errands, PLEX recovery and time with mom and dad before they head back to SC tomorrow. They have been so helpful and comforting to me. I hate they are going back but they have a great grand daughter to spoil and a trip to prepare for. They have things to see in Israel and pyramids to see in Egypt. They will be back for my October dose of chemo. My September dose is in 24 days (if my numbers are where they should be) - fingers-crossed.

But enough about chemotherapy. There’s a whole day ahead full of work, people coming to clean my house, mom cooking and freezing some meals and reviewing some applications for my personal assistant. I have received 16. The selected individual will have to start a little later than I would like (insurance stuff), but that’s OK. I can wait and I am simply ready to get started and get a routine.

That’s what I have going on today. What’s on your schedule?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day. Do everything today with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one!

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 082822

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Sunday, August 28. It’s going to be a sunny day in Dallas today with a high of 96 degrees.

Happy Birthday to:

Clara Jones

Shannon Wherry

Steve Chan

Still battling insomnia last night and a tiny bit of nausea. I am glad I do not have a lot to do today other than church.

But enough about me. Today is a special day. It’s the birthday of the HAPPIEST BABY on the PLANET. MY NIECE (OK fine, Great Niece), Clara Jones is 1 year old today. She is walking and talking and discovering everything she possibly can.

I haven’t seen her since last Christmas so she will not even remotely remember me, but I can play with her and hold her this Christmas and give her back if she starts to fuss. Sadly, I have no idea what to get a one year old for Christmas. I want to say finger paint, a cap gun, lawn darts and a drum set, but it can’t be that easy.

Well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLARA. Uncle Andy loves you.

Not much happened yesterday. Pop was happy - he got to watch the Brave’s play the Birds last night. They beat the Cardinals Friday night but the Birds came back and beat the Braves last night. (It’s rare when a Brave’s game is televised here so - YAY).

Not much planned for today other than church. Mom and Dad will be heading back to SC Tuesday morning and Monday morning I (we all) will be working towards a three-day weekend.

What’s on your schedule this weekend?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day. Do everything today with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one!

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 082722

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Saturday, August 27. It’s going to be a partly cloudy day in Dallas today with a high of 91 degrees.

Happy Birthday to:

Celia Klein

A bit of insomnia last night / tonight - been awake since 2:30am. I am glad I do not have a lot to do today. I see a nap or two in my future.

PLEX yesterday afternoon went well and very quickly. I’m telling you, this port really speeds the process up. It also knocks me out. I slept through the entire thing. It sure was nice to see everyone in the Aphaeresis Clinic. I haven’t seen them in two weeks so I actually missed them a bit. I was glad to introduce them to mom and dad (the ones who haven’t met them yet).

Not much planned for today - not sure what mom and dad have in mind, but I think it is a recovery day for me.

What’s on your schedule this weekend?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day. Do everything today with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one!

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 082622

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Friday, August 26. It’s going to be a partly cloudy day in Dallas today with a high of 90 degrees.

Happy Birthday to:

Jane Scott Sherer

Megan Karpa Kiely

Paul DeFrancesco

Selso Sifuentes

TGIF! It’s FriYAY! And Happy Friday. This week is about to be done. It started off kind of rough but now we are easing into the weekend. Fine By Me!

Mom and Dad have been busy all week - making sure I am OK after chemo (and in general) and helping me get things settled . I need to hire my personal assistant now that I have more of a clear picture / idea of what I need help with around my casa and in general.

Today is also PLEX Friday. I haven’t had new / fresh frozen plasma in two weeks (could not have it last week because of chemo) and I can tell it is time. My legs have not been very cooperative the last couple of days so I think it’s time to get my tank topped off.

I am looking forward to reducing my PLEX to every two weeks instead of every week. To have a week where I do not have to go to the hospital; a week where I do not have needles jammed into my arm and chest; a week where the blood is not drained from my body sounds like heaven and a distant memory all at once.

Fingers crossed.

Only one meeting this morning and then some busy work and then it’s off to the hospital. What’s on your Friday schedule?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day. Do everything today with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one!

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 082522

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Thursday, August 25. It’s going to be a partly cloudy day in Dallas today with a high of 91 degrees.

Happy Birthday to:

Gary Walden

Rusty Debetaz

Happy Friday Eve, Everyone. It’s been a bit of a week. Catching up / keeping up at work, chemo recovery, keeping up with mom and dad - but the week is coming to an end. I can’t believe mom and dad have already been here for a week. Time sure does fly by when they visit, but we have gotten so much done.

Tomorrow is have PLEX but and I believe starting tomorrow, that will only be done every other week instead of every week, That’s fine with me except will miss seeing hospital family every Friday. We have had a standing appointment every Friday for almost a year and a half.

Well, I have to move where the treatment takes me (and where the doctor says to go).

No meetings today and an old friend is bringing diner over this evening - sounds like a good day to me. What’s your day going to be like?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day. Do everything today with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one!

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong 

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 082422

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Wednesday, August 24. It’s going to be a partly cloudy day in Dallas today with a high of 87 degrees..

Happy Birthday to:

Betsy Haynes Winchip

RJ Ochoa

HAPPY HUMP DAY! We made it half way through the week. How great is that? The sun is almost shining, it’s Wednesday, I had a decent night’s sleep, the elevators are working again, I can get out of my casa if needed, I have a cup of hot coffee, I am lite on meetings today and chemo has left the building!!!!!

Yep, I am feeling pretty good today. The majority of the chemo side effects are gone. Man, that’s some nasty, hateful stuff. But, for the relief it gives me, it is worth it…..I think.

I do have some questions COMPLETELY unrelated to MS or chemo. The questions are of the succulent variety. Cactus’s (or Cactii). Yes or No? Do you have any? Do you like them? How hard is it to kill them?

Let me know. I am anxious for your thoughts.

Anyhoozle, what’s your day going to be like?

I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day. Do everything today with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one!

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 082322

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suite of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Tuesday, August 23. It’s going to be a mostly cloudy day in Dallas today with a high of 80 degrees and another decent chance of thunderstorms this afternoon.

Happy Birthday to:

Brian Adams

Chip Anderson

Debbie Garrick

Steven Sykes

It’s Terrific Tuesday morning, gang, and time to get to work. Yesterday was good - it had it’s peaks and valleys. I had only intended to work a half day yesterday - I stopped working at 5pm. I had grand delusions of really getting some things ‘off my desk’. Instead, all I did was get things off of other people’s desks. Go figure!

Additionally, we got so much rain Sunday night / Monday morning, the garage flooded (not bad), but bad enough that they had to turn off the elevators to pump the water out. So we were all stranded in my casa all day. But it was fine. I worked. Mom cooked. Dad read and watch Fox News!

Hopefully, the elevators will be back on today and we can escape; or at least mom and dad can escape and get out for a bit. I’ll be here at my desk until 5pm again.

Not too much on my work calendar today - just a few meetings. Still fighting a little bout of nausea here and there, but for the most part I think I am through the rough part. WHEW!

#MS_Sucks and #Chemo_is_Brutal

What’s your day going to be like?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day. Do everything today with kindness in your heart. The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one!

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong