My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 113022

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas.  Today is Wednesday, November 30 and it’s going to be a sunny day in Dallas, Texas with a high of 58 degrees.  Back to chilly temps.

Happy Birthday to:

David Cherry

Kurt Anderson

Marcia Coleman Moon

Good Morning and Happy Holidays, Possums and Happy Hump Day!   We have made it half way through the week.  “Andy’s Chronic Disease Week of Treatment, Procedures and Whatnot” is in full swing,  though we have a few days off now for recovery before I am poked, prodded, filled with contrast dye and poison, scanned, plexxed and evaluated - I know - nothing but the glamorous life for me!   LOL

Yesterday went well.  I have leg muscles full of Botox.  I only need it to begin loosening up my muscles so that I may begin to walk a bit.  I did find out that I may be getting a new wheelchair.  While getting my botox, my Dr. informed me that I could ditch the deathtrap I currently reside in and get something better.  SIGN ME UP!  

Who knew that one day I would get excited about getting a new wheelchair? I never saw that one coming, but I digress…

I will be waking up in SC in one week and I cannot wait.  So many family and friends who are family I cannot wait to see and catch up with.  I am looking forward to being at home and out of Texas for a little bit.

Tomorrow we kick off the month of December.  I’m not sure where the first 11 months went.  As slow as (it felt) they went (sometimes), it’s hard to believe there is only one more month in 2022. I pray that blessings abound for all of us in 2023;  even in December 2022.  I have had several reasons to curse 2022, and I have (privately), but I am still hopeful things are going to get better.  MS Warrior / MS Supporter or another brand of Warrior, we got this, y’all.  Bring it on,  2023.

So…What’s on your schedule today?

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 112922

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas.  Today is Tuesday, November 29 and it’s going to be a sunny day in Dallas, Texas with a high of 77 degrees but a low of 38 degrees.… WTH?

Happy Birthday to:

Allen Royal

Jim Halloran

Patti Larkin Gray

Good Morning and Happy Holidays, Possums and Happy Tuesday.     This week has already started to be a busy one.  Forget Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, I’ve designated this week, Monday, November 28 thru Monday, December 5, as Andy’s Chronic Disease Week of Treatment, Procedures and Whatnot.

That’s right! I was able to have PLEX yesterday morning (at a moment’s notice (and THANK YOU, Stephen Soliz, for answering your phone so early yesterday, picking me up and taking me - you are a life-saver).  After PLEX I slept on and off throughout the day, it pretty much wipes me out.

This morning, I am having Botox shot into my legs to assist with spasticity (I have none).  So hopefully, I will have slightly better mobility (fingers crossed) I will have the legs of a young Juliette Prowse - nothing beats a great pair of legs, right?  Just ask Joe Namath.  (Look it up).

Mom gets here of Friday and then on Saturday is my trip to the Boardroom.  My head and face are having issues with hair….in that there’s entirely too much.

Sunday, I have a two and a half hour MRI. YAY!!!! I may do a cartwheel before-hand (he said sarcastically).

Monday morning I have PLEX again to prep for my trip home to SC for the holidays and an appointment with my neurologist in the afternoon.

And finally, on Tuesday morning, I have PLEX once again and then mom and I fly home for Christmas.

So…Andy’s Chronic Disease Week of Treatment, Procedures and Whatnot is officially in full swing.  I’m making t-shirts for next year.  Submit any t-shirt art work ideas to me by July 2023!  LOL

Also, I have actually started my holiday shopping;  well there are things in a shopping cart, I just need to press the Purchase button.

OK - enough about me.  What’s on your schedule today?

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

#hopelovejoygrac

#AndyStrong 

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 112822

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas.  Today is Monday, November 28 and it’s going to be a sunny day in Dallas, Texas with a high of 66 degrees. 

No Birthdays on my calendar today.

Good Morning and Happy Holidays, Possums and Happy Monday.     Time to kick off another work week.  While I may not be actually working right now or going into an office, I am certainly not sitting around eating bon bons and watching Hallmark Christmas movies.

I am taking this time seriously to understand what’s happening in my body and get things in order so that I can return to work in January, get my MS under control and get the help I need to live day to day independently.  There have been a few bumps in the road which have caused a few set-backs, but that’s OK and to be expected.    

Lots of things to get taken care of before I leave for SC (for most of December);  Plasma Exchange, Botox, MRI, and an appointment with my neurologist to discuss the MRI results and next steps.    I am hopeful that the chemotherapy has done it’s job and put out the fire (inflammation) in my brain and spinal cord.  They have been lit up like a Christmas tree for a year or so.

Also, I will find out which treatment / drug I will be taking next:  I know that it is an anti-organ transplant rejection medication (even though I have no new organs) but at this point they (the team of neurologists) are looking for a treatment to keep my immune system in-check.  I am looking forward to some new side-effects.  Chemo is so 2015 - LOL.

So - moving forward - focus on getting stable physically and controlling my MS, get back to work and enjoy this holiday season with my family, extended family, and incredible circle of friends-who-are-family.  Thanksgiving may have come and gone, but I am thankful every single day for the opportunities I have and the people in my life.   

And by the by - what’s up with hiring an assistant?  My first choice has ghosted me.  I offered her the job and she disappeared.  At this point, the starting date won’t be until the first of the year.  That’s OK.  So we will not start the new year off together - whoever the person is - LOL - a new adventure in 2023!

OK - enough about me and my multiple sclerosis trials and tribulations.  What’s on Your schedule today?

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 112722

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Sunday, November 27 and it’s going to be a partly cloudy day with a high of 61 degrees.

No Birthdays on my calendar today.

Good Morning and Happy Holidays, Possums and Happy Sunday. I continue to feel better each day. I am almost back to my baseline except for my legs. They just do not want to cooperate. I think it is the cooler weather, but what do I know? I got my first medical degree by watching ER and my second by watching Grey's Anatomy. LOL

I have PLEX scheduled the day after botox, but I think I need to reschedule that. I do NOT want the botox being flushed out by the PLEX. That would be a complete waste. Stay tuned…

Nothing but church today so I think it may be a good day to venture out. The last two days, not so much, and the three previous days, I wanted to hurl myself through my bedroom window - chemo will make you want to do that - don’t let anyone tell you different. But I think I am through with chemo - THANK GOD!

Speaking of thankful, I may not have participated in a traditional Thanksgiving, but as my appetite slowly returns, it’s a little touch-n-go sometimes, I have had some good friends take care of me - Carol Margo Stanners , Roger R Carbajal, Becca Wheeler and Kenneth George Janous - to name a few. They have shared their Thanksgiving feasts with me and kept me hydrated. I am eating little bits at a time, but still, it is delicious and I appreciate it more than they know.

Today is a shopping holiday, but tomorrow is Cyber Monday. Are you ready? I am not.

What’s on Your Sunday 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 112622

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Saturday, November 26 and it’s going to be a rainy day with a high of 57 degrees.

No Birthdays on my calendar today.

Good Morning and Happy Holidays, Possums and Happy Saturday. Another gloomy day in Dallas. I continue to feel better each day. The cooler weather has been playing havoc with my legs but that’s just going to happen.

I did not take part in Black Friday shopping but by all accounts it seems to have been a success Today is Small Business Saturday and I wish them all the same, Up next, to kick off the week, is Cyber Monday.

Kicking off my week is Botox and Plasma Exchange. To me, they both sound magnificent. And they should help my legs a good bit as well. Today looks to be fairly chill - a little laundry a little straightening up and a little napping. That’s what gray, rainy days are for, right? LOL

What’s on Your Saturday 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 Schlerosis 112522

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. It’s going to be a rainy day with a high of 57 degrees.

Happy Birthday to:

Derrick Ricketts

Lance King

Good Morning and Happy Holidays, Possums and Happy Friday.

I hope you all enjoyed a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving with family and friends, ate lots of good food and lots of fellowship.

We are passed Thanksgiving and now it is full-on Christmas. Today is Black Friday, tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, Sunday we rest in preparation for Cyber Monday, I am not doing any of that - LOL.

While I am still recuperating from Chemotherapy last Monday, I can happily say, I am much better today. The first two days following chemo were rough and yesterday was a nightmare with a hair stuck to it. But I think I am beginning to feel much better.

Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers, positive vibes and good juju sent my way.

What’s your Thanksgiving Day 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 112422

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. It’s going to be a rainy day with a high of 60 degrees.

Happy Birthday to:

David Anthony

Good Morning and Happy Holidays, Possums and Happy Thanksgiving Day.

There’s no Turkey Trot 5K this morning - no running in the rain - but there’s so much more to look forward to: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Dog Show, Football all day long, naps throughout the day, and a meal with friends and family.

Chemo still sucks a good bit. I have been more ill today than the last two days combined. I wasn’t too, terribly successful with soup/broth yesterday, so I‘m playing it by ear.

Back to the couch. Happy Thanksgiving!

What’s your Thanksgiving Day 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 112322

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Wednesday, November 23. It’s going to be a partly cloudy day with a high of 60 degrees.

Happy Birthday to:

Amy Plemmons Sturgis

Good Morning and Happy Holidays, Possums and Happy Thanksgiving Eve. It’s going to be a rainy, chilly day in Big D with a high of 60 degrees.

Chemo still sucks! I don’t hate everything as much as I did yesterday - so, some improvement. But I am still fairly miserable.

What do you have planned today?

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 Multioke Sclerosis112222

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Tuesday, November 22. It’s going to be a partly cloudy day with a high of 60 degrees.

Happy Birthday to:

Amanda Minkler

Will Smyth

Good Morning and Happy Holidays, Possums and Happy Tuesday. Another partly cloudy day in Big D with a high of 60 degrees.

Chemo sucks! Thats is all!

What do you have planned today?

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 112122

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Monday, November 21. It’s going to be a partly cloudy day with a high of 53 degrees.

Happy Birthday to:

Ben Jones

Brian Chesman

Glenn Mitchell

Steve Clayton

Good Morning and Happy Holidays, Possums and Happy Monday of Thanksgiving week. I think it may get busier and busier as each day passes. And the end of 2022 is in sight.

This morning, in two short hours, I will be heading off to (hopefully) my last round if chemotherapy. So no worries about over-eating and gorging myself on Thursday meals or any other meals on any other days this week. My appetite will be non-existent for a while.

Currently accepting good thoughts, prayers, positive vibes and good juju.

What do you have planned today?

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 112022

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Sunday, November 20. It’s going to be a partly cloudy day with a high of 50 degrees.

Happy Birthday to:

Ron Hernandez

Shirley Thompson

Good Morning and Happy Holidays, Possums and Happy Sunday. Another chilly day in Big D and time to prep for the week ahead. It may be a short work-week for some but a busy week at home prepping for Thanksgiving with family and friends.

I miss gearing up for the YMCA Turkey Trot 5K downtown with 40,000 of my closest friends at 8am Thanksgiving Day. I am sure my friends who did it with me (and not because they wanted to - probably just to shut me up - I’m OK with that) appreciate sleeping in a bit longer.

Only a few people in my group actually ran the Turkey Trot, the remainder of us walked at our own pace (still passing trotters) discussing plans for the day and long weekend. It’s possible that a little gossip and/or smack talk made its way into the conversation.

An hour later, when it was all over and we collected our well-deserved 20XX YMCA Turkey Trot Medals, we would wander around the ENORMOUS crowd for a hot minute and then pile in our cars for part deux of the event.

We would make way to a local watering hole that was/is open at 8am Thanksgiving Day, go in and have a celebratory drink (that we all finished the Turkey Trot), take a picture with us wearing our Turkey Trot jerseys, flash our medals and pound a shot of Fireball.

As we sat around and spoke (something I don’t think many of us enjoyed doing before 9am ANY REGULAR MORNING) about our plans or the rest of the day, we would eventually finish our drinks and head on to continue Thanksgiving - sometimes together - sometimes not.

Those were fun Turkey Days. They may seem unconventional and not like a real Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving at all, but miss that! I may not have been with my blood-related family, but I was definitely with my family. Blood-Related family had its time in December. One never replaced the other.

Enjoy and love and be blessed with the family you have and the family that has you on Thanksgiving.

I got nothing but church planned for today and chemotherapy is GOING to happen tomorrow. I still need to pick up a few things. What do you have planned today?

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