My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 123022

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums! 

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites on Creekwood Estates in York, SC. Today is Friday, December 30. It’s going to be a cloudy day in York with a high of 60.

Happy Birthday to:

Susie Gaertner Grant 

Good Morning, Possums and Happy Hump Day. It's a dreary day in South Carolina - my last day before heading home to Dallas. Southwest has assured me that my flight will be (somewhat) on time tomorrow. I would just like to make it back in one piece and before the new year begins.  

I have had a fantastic time at home and a got a bonus week (thank you Southwest Airlines). The first day was a little rough - navigating around new settings in my chair, but it got much better and easier.

My MS has been fairly manageable. I don't know if it's the high-octane steroids from my hospital stay a few weeks ago or the anti-organ transplant rejection treatment I am on now (no, I have not had an organ transplant), but my legs are behaving for the most part and I have even been using my walker instead of my chair. It isn't a runway walk or even a pretty walk or a fast walk, but I am walking and getting where I need to be.

The next two weeks are full of plasma exchanges, blood draws, scans and x-rays, physical and occupational therapy, neurology appointments and hiring my personal assistant - something literally every day. I just know there is an MRI in there somewhere. I will find out next Thursday.

This just in:

Kankle-Watch 2022 - I still have two normal feet. My shoes are too big. I have feet and ankles....separately! I would take a picture and show you but I need a pedicure - LO

OK, I better get crack'in. I've got laundry to do, a suitcase to pack, a plethora of pills to take.....and The Price is Right at 11am (EST).

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day again. 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 122822

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites on Creekwood Estates in York, SC. Today is Wednesday, December 28. It’s going to be a sunny day in York with a high of 51.

Happy Birthday to:

Marty Grant

Jan Tickle

Scott Reister

Good Morning, Possums and Happy Hump Day. It's a beautiful day in SC, still a bit chilly, but I'm not going outside.

I rescheduled all of the medical appointments I had this week for next week, I just need to get home. I'm going to run out of meds on Saturday, so I definitely needy to get home - LOL. Come on Southwest Airlines. Get it together and get me home.

It has been a wonderful three weeks at home - no hospital visits, needles, blood draws, plasma exchanges - nothing of the kind. But I am going to make up for it every day next week - appointments every day.

But for now, I'm enjoying time with monad dad!

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day again. 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 122722

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums! 

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites on Creekwood Estates in York, SC. Today is Tuesday, December 27. It’s going to be a sunny day in York with a high of 43.

No birthdays on my calendar today.

Good Morning, Possums and Happy Tuesday. I suppose I should be packing and dressing and getting ready to head to the airport, but my plans have changed.

My return flight to Dallas was cancelled yesterday along with flights for the next four days.

Something hinky is going on at Southwest (they keep blaming the weather, but no other airline has canceled flights like they have (or lost luggage). Sorry Southwest, I am loyal to you, but that dog just won't hunt).

Now I am scheduled to fly back to Dallas on Saturday! So, I have an extra four days in SC with the folks. We are all battling the same nasty cold so we are kind of pitiful right now. It's probably best I don't get on a plane for the next few days. Combine that with the nausea from this new treatment medication and you cannot imagine how attractive I feel.

While my legs are cooperating (for the most part), I am still concerned about missing my plasma exchange tomorrow morning and physical therapy on Friday, but the situation is out of my control. Regardless, I get extra time here at home and I'm not mad about that!

Also, I am not made about the disappearance of my kankles and, in return, getting two feet. I still have two normal looking feet.

What are your plans today?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day again. 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 122522

Merry Christmas, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums! 

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites on Creekwood Estates in York, SC. Today is Sunday, December 25. It’s going to be a sunny day in York with a high of 36. It's 13 now.

Happy Birthday to:

Lisa Daniel Jacobs

Good Morning, Possums, Happy Sunday and Merry Christmas. As we wait for our family members to arrive and enjoy and hot breakfast together before attending church, I wanted to wish you all wonderful day with you and your family or friends-who-are-family. Let's be thankful for what we have, love our family and friends and offer a helping hand to anyone in need.

Also, I still have two feet and NO KANKLES.

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 122422

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums! 

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites on Creekwood Estates in York, SC. Today is Saturday, December 24. It’s going to be a sunny day in York with a high of 29. It's 18 now.

No birthdays on my calendar today.

Good Morning, Possums and Happy Saturday. It's Christmas Eve. You know kids everywhere are jumping out of their skin with excitement. I have gotten to see lots of friends who have been nice enough to drop by. Mom, Dad and I have been fighting nasty little colds this week - but it's Christmas and we are fighting them together. LOL

This cold weather is really jacking up my legs. I don't know what MS has against it, but it is NOT a fan. It sucks because I wanted to go to church tonight and tomorrow morning, but I'm not going out in the cold and make things worse. Also - this just in:

KANKLE-WATCH 2022: My feet still look like feet. I still do not have kankles. They haven't looked like feet for this long in months. My shoes fit loose - almost too big.

Not much planned today - just some family coming in tonight for Christmas Eve dinner and church service. 

What are your plans today?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day again. 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 122322

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums! 
Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites on Creekwood Estates in York, SC. Today is Friday, December 23. It’s going to be a sunny day in York with a high of 47.....well, it was 47, but it's dropping quickly. It's 31 now.

Happy Birthday to

Nan Mitchell

Good Morning, Possums and Happy Friday. It's Christmas Eve Eve. Only 2 days until Christmas day. Gosh, that got here quickly. I think we have everything done here. This year Christmas has been more relaxed (aside from all of the surgeries) and sort of a Come-As-You-Are experience. We have not had all of the usual parties and drop-ins and I'm sad about that. That's where really get to catch up with everyone I see only once or twice a year.

But this year it's still a little too risky.  I'm hesitant to go anywhere with a big crowd. Having mo immune system will do that to you.

I am doing my best to focus on the next few days with my family and not the endless parade of medical appointments I have upon my return to Dallas next Tuesday: Plasma Exchange, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Botox, Neurology, Blood Work - and I guarantee you there's and MRI in there somewhere.

Yes, it's only the glamorous life for me - LOL

I know - I shouldn't say that. I am blessed beyond belief to have what I have and blessed to be getting the medical attention / treatment that I am getting. 

Not much planned today. Just relaxing and STAYING INSIDE!

What are your plans today?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day again. 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 122122

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites on Creekwood Estates in York, SC. Today is Wednesday, December 21. It’s going to be a partly cloudy day in York with a high of 47.

Happy Birthday Belayed Birthday to:

Nhan Hoang

Happy Birthday to

Dave Nelson

Grady Callaway

Joey Levi

Michael Deen

Good Morning, Possums and Happy Hump Day. We are half way through the week. Only 4 days until Christmas day. And today is also theWinter Solstice. It's the shortest (daylight) day of the year. After today, each day will be full for more sunlight - bit by bit.

It's also fix'in to get cold up in this neighborhood (and all over( - in the teens. Not that I am going to be playing outside or anything, but MS and cold weather do not mix.

I had some wonderful visits from some Creekwood neighbors/friends/family yesterday afternoon. I hate our yearly get together is canceled, but I suppose it is for the best. However, I got to see my friends. We shared hospital stories, doctor stories, medicines we are taking, discussed needles and shots and MRI's and IV's and mobility. These types of conversations weren't supposed to happen for a while longer - not until my 60's or 70's, but multiple sclerosis ushered them in sooner than expected.

And then last night, I realized that it has happened. I have officially turned into a Golden Girl - probably Dorothy with some Sophia accents.

But I wouldn't trade that time or those conversations with them for anything! PRICELESS!

No real plans today. I am still able to walk (with the walker) - I hope and pray I continue to make progress. All my gifts are bagged and tagged and under the tree. I just need my brother and father to completely recover from their surgeries....and they will, I have no doubt.

What are your plans today?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day again. 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 121922

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums! 
Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites on Creekwood Estates in York, SC. Today is Monday, December 9. It’s going to be a partly cloudy day in York with a high of 46.

Happy Birthday Belayed Birthday to:

Jayme Saunders Reeves
Lisa Birgerson Jackson

Happy Birthday to

Rosemary Jones
Diane Ferguson Hanlon

Good Morning, Possums and Happy Monday. Only 6 days until Christmas day. It has been an eventful first week at home - in a good way. For the first time in a very long time, it's not me being carted off to the hospital. Dad's surgery went well. He is up and around like nothing happened. My brother's knee surgery is tomorrow - and I know he will be fine in no time as well.

This new treatment medication is doing a number on me. I hope my body will being to accept / adapt to it soon. I now understand why my neurologist prescribed another medication to protect my stomach lining. Add the daily dose of steroids and I am a walking ray of sunshine - LOL

On the other hand, I am moving around better than I have in MONTHS! AND......I don't have kankles anymore. My feet look normal. I have two real feet and not two swollen hooves.

So is it going to be a trade off? Meds / treatment that make me miserable and improve my condition and normal looking feet and decent mobility? Or, crappy mobility and swollen hooves and medicine that keeps my condition stable.

I guess I will find out on 1/5/23.

I suppose I should do a little bagging and tagging this morning...after another cup of coffee.

What are your plans today?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day again. 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 121722

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums! 

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites on Creekwood Estates in York, SC. Today is Saturday, December 17. It’s going to be a partly cloudy day in York with a high of 50.

Happy Birthday Belayed Birthday to:

Lyle Maddox
Brantlie Wolfe
Oran Steiner
Terry Bax

Happy Birthday to

Shannon Pursel
Ken Martin

Good Morning, Possums and Happy Saturday. Only 8 days until Christmas day. I took a few days off from posting, I did. Just taking a little holiday break. My shopping has been done and all my gifts have arrived. It's just a matter of bagging and tagging and delivering a few.

My first week at home has been very good. There were a few challenges the first day or two - learning how to navigate my childhood home in a wheelchair was a little dicey and frustrating at first. I think, the first day or two, I said the same expletive so many times that it lost all meaning.....and a little fun. But now, I have it down. I can roll where I like/need to with no issues (and no expletives).

Dad had his surgery on Thursday and everything went well. On Friday, you would never know he had it at all. My brother has (knee) surgery next Tuesday. It's a Medical Merry Christmas on Creekwood this year.

I had a great visit with my Carolina Girls yesterday - Tricia Sluder Witherspoon and Laura Walden Reister. They were gracious enough to come over and hang out with me for a while. I think we got caught up. COVID screwed up our yearly Christmas visits for the last few years so it was GREAT to finally get together again.

While I (mostly) kept to my chair the first two days, on Thursday my legs became more useful (and compliant). And today they are even more so. Yesterday I used my walker to get around the majority of the day - not my wheelchair. Granted, I'm not very graceful, but still, my legs are working better than they have in months.

I don't think it can be the new treatment. I just started it on Wednesday. It's too early. Maybe it's the steroids - those god-awful, yet incredibly effective, steroids. Something is going on in my body. I don't know what but I just hope it continues. I guess I will find out on 1/5/23 - my next appointment with my neurologist.

Now - if I can get passed the nausea from the treatment, well, that would be great!

I suppose I should do a little bagging and tagging this morning, I should. This afternoon, I have a card game too loose to some friends coming over - I never win but it is still a lot of fun.

KUDOS to my Dallas Titans for delivering all of our gifts to our two adopted hospital families yesterday. GREAT JOB, TITANS.

What are your plans today?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day again. 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 121222

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas.  Today is Monday, December 12.  It’s going to be another cloudy day in Dallas with a high of 63.

Happy Birthday to:

Nicholas Drew

Scott Fryer

Good Morning, Possums and Happy Monday.  I’m preparing to head home to SC this afternoon.  Navigating the airport should be my only obstacle today…and that is enough.

Short post today.  I need to get crack’in and finish a few things.

What are your plans today?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR  day again.  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 121122

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Sunday, December 11. It’s going to be another cloudy day in Dallas with a high of 70.

Happy Birthday to:

Emily Elizabeth

Greg Nipper

Good Morning, Possums and Happy Sunday. Lots to do today - church this morning, a load of laundry and then I need to pack to fly home tomorrow. I am excited it get home and see everyone.

I ventured out last night and saw the touring production of the broadway musical, “Six.” I found it to be entertaining but I am still formulating my opinion about it. Just like “Hamilton” encouraged me to read up on Alexander Hamilton, “Six” has made me want to do a little research and read up on the stories of each of Henry’s wives.

On the MS front, I am still moving around fairly well. My legs still want to cooperate most of the time and I am happy with that. I am anxious to get all my test results back but that won’t be until after I return to Dallas after Christmas. Oh well - I won’t let that ruin my holiday and my time at home.

What are your plans today?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day again. 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 121022

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!

Coming to you once again from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Saturday, December 10. It’s going to be a gray, rainy day in Dallas with a high of 70.

No birthdays on my calendar today.

Good Morning, Possums. How nice it was to NOT wake up in a hospital bed this morning - no leg pain, no swollen legs, no one coming in at 4am to feed me pills and take my vitals and draw 6 tubes of blood; I’ll tell you….pretty damn good.

I did get some results from all the blood work and testing. Most of the blood and spinal fluid was sent off to the Mayo Clinic so that will take a few weeks, but my new MRI results showed that the inflammation in my brain and spinal cord has gone significantly. Steroids are from the devil, but they work.

Also, my neurologist is testing for another neurological/ autoimmune disorder which would cause the swelling (because I need more than one). If that is the cause/case, I may not have to have my last two rounds of chemo after all. It depends on the results of the tests. So - after the holidays, I will get the news and a new treatment plan will be implemented.

Fellow MS Warriors, when MS flares up, you have got to beat that sh*t back down. Listen to your body. Do NOT give up!

But for now, it’s the holidays and time to be with my family, friends and friends-who-are-family. I can’t wait to fly home on Monday. As of yesterday, my shopping is complete I just need to wrap it all up when I get home, And by wrap it all up, I mean put it in a gift bag with some tissue paper and a name tag.

Although there are still a lot of unanswered questions, I feel loved. I feel lucky, I feel blessed and I and thankful.

What are your plans today?

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR day again. 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 120922

  

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Coming to you from the 'Celebrity Suites of the UTSouthwestern Spa and Resort in Dallas, Texas.  Today is Friday, December 9.  It’s going to Be a cloudy, rainy day in Dallas with a high of 69 degrees.  Happy Birthday to:

Beth Caruso

Shad Roscoe

II have received steroid infusion #5 of 5 and now I wait for my final Dr. visit, instructions and discharge orders.

I am ready to be at home and ready to head to SC on Monday.  I pray all goes as planned today.  My doctors and entire medical staff have worked really hard to get everything completed by today and by all accounts they have succeeded.

Time for a little Brekky, a shower and pack up my stuff.

What’s on your schedule today?

Anyhoozle, I wish  you   everyone around you a SPECTACULAR  day again.  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 right decision to stay and push-through the myriad of poking, prodding, needles, scans and tests.  I will bring SC on Monday.

Short post today.  I am anxiously awaiting my release (I pray),

 

   Anyhoozle, I wish  you   everyone around yo u a SPECTACULAR  day again.  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

https://andystrong1.blogspot.com

My Life with Multipletl Sclerosisil 120822 C

Live from the UT Southwestern Spacand Resort, Celebrity Suite #993.

Sterroid infusion # 4 is complete and Spinal Fluid Draw is complete.  The last remaining obstacles are sterroid infusion #5 and DISCHARHE / check out from spa tomorrow morning around  11am if not sooner.

I’m sad that I couldn’t come home on time but I needed to do this.  Home on Monday for sure.

Blessed and thankful for my healthcare team and my amazing Neurologist.  Just as thankful for all of my possums for your thoughts, prayers, positive vibes and goodjuju.

Blessings to you all -AJ

#AndyStrong 

#TurtleCreekBoundTomorrow

#CarolinaBoundonMonday

My Life with Miltiple Sclerosis 120722B

Cheese and Crackers, my Neuro and the UTSW Staff are working hard to get me out of here on Friday.  I’m going in for my MRI tonight instead of Friday AND scheduling my spinal fluid withdrawal for tomorrow.  That just leaves my final steroid infusion Friday morning!

Fingers Crossed!

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 120722

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Coming to you from the 'Celebrity Suites of the UTSouthwestern Spa and Resort in Dallas, Texas.  Today is Wednesday, December 7.  It’s going to be a gray, rainy day in Dallas with a high of 70 degrees.

Happy Birthday to:

Rachel Griffin Baughman

Samuel Partida

Melinda McKeown

Good Morning, Posssums.  The Celebrity Suite of the UT Southwestern Spa and Resort, Room #993 (don’t tell the paparazzi) is wonderful.  The staff is helpful and knowledgeable and the doctors are top notch.  I know I am where I need to be though I’d rather be in SC as originally planned.

I had PLEX and round #2 of 5 of my high-octane steroids yesterday, however my sticking, probing, prodding and testing schedule has changed slightly.

Today is round #3 of 5 of steroids.

Tomorrow is round #4 of 5 of steroids and possibly PLEX.

Friday is round #5 of 5 of steroids, and possibly PLEX.

And Saturday (maybe even Friday), I have the pleasure of another 2.5 Hour MRI and I will be discharged!!!!!!  BUT HOPEFULLY ON FRIDAY!!!  I am begging and praying for Friday.

Also, I will have to finish the two remaining rounds of chemotherapy in the new year.  I will also be extending my time away from work but only for two weeks,  But no worries.

I am thankful to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, positive vibes and good juju.  I am thankful that mom got home safely last night. And I am thankful for an evening visit from my Bestie, Shannon Brown, yesterday evening.

I am moving a great deal better after two round of steroids and PLEX.   I can only hope that the three remaining rounds of these Steroids is going to really tame the beast within.

OK…time to finish some Christmas shopping, interview a few assistants, await a few visitors and chat with my doctors regarding my remaining stay and activities (aka excursions….excursions sounds better).

What’s on your schedule today?

Anyhoozle, I wish  you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR  day again.  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 120622

 Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums! 

Coming to you from the 'Celrbity Suites of the UTSouthwestern Spa and Resort in Dallas, Texas.  Today is still Tuesday, December 6.

Happy Birthday to:

Ashley Graham

Eric T. Phillips 

Jake Lewis

James Dedes

Rebecca Taylor    

Good Morning, Posssums.  I checked into Celebrity Suite #993 (don’t tell the paparazzi) last night.  I was immediately fitted into delightful hospital gown by the most delightful staff, spoke to the attending neurologist about my schedule today and my release date.

On my sticking, probing, prodding and testing schedule today:

-Round #2 of 5 of high octane IV steroids

-Round #2 of 4 of PLEX

-Drain and test spinal fluid - not fun

I may actually get out on Friday.  Time will tell.

What’s on your schedule today?

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

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 120522B

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Coming to you once AGAIN from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas.  Today is still Monday, December 5.

Exciting nerves from the world of multiple sclerosis.  While yesterday’s MRI was the best/worst MRI experience to date, I have some new lesions and more active lesions on my brain and on my spinal cord.

How lucky am I?

This has changed my holiday plans somewhat.  I will not be flying home with mom tomorrow.  Instead, I will be checking into the UT Southwestern SPA and Resort (this afternoon, probably) for three rounds of high octane IV steroids, four more rounds of plasma exchange, one spinal fluid tap and a partridge and a pair tree.

There is no need for mom to stay for this…besides, dad has a little surgery upcoming and she needs to go home and be there with him.  I’m going to be in the hospital receiving the best possible care….plus, my neurologist is going to be on call and will be there to supervise my care.

She (my Neurologist) is sufficiently pissed and is determined to find out what is going on inside my body.  Gotta love her for that.

So I shall be  lying in a hospital bed with an IV drip in my arm and plasma being exchanged from the port in my chest.  When I know my room number I will post it/let you know so you can come by and visit if you like.   Please don’t not repost that information (often).  The paparazzi is just awful - LOL.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Indeed - LOL.

Anyhoozle, I wish you and everyone around you a SPECTACULAR  day again.  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 120522

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas.  Today is Monday, December 5.  It’s going to be a cloudy in Dallas, Texas with a high of 52 degrees and a maybe some rain this afternoon. 

Happy Birthday to:

Dannie Edwards

David Morales

JL salinas Badillo

Lee Gonzalez

Good Morning and Happy Holidays, Possums and Happy Monday.  Time to kick off the first full week in December!  Christmas is fast-approaching.

Not sure if you heard, but I had an MRI yesterday. I hate them more than just abut anything - claustrophobia and all.  But I must say, this team of three was such well-oiled machine, it was no doubt the BEST worst MRI experience I have ever had.  

Your thoughts, prayers, positive vibes and were received and fulfilled and answered.

The scanning was done in the order I requested it be done.  

They pull me out of the machine in between scanning sections (brain, cervical spine and spinal cord) so i could breathe for a hit minute.

And best of all……they put headphones on me before I was placed in the MRI death trap and piped in…..JUDY KUHN.

I was high from the valium I took (that was prescribed to me), still nervous as hell, but I had the voice of an angel singing to me for two and a half hours.  It went by in the blink of an eye and I was content (as I could possibly be given the circumstances).

One of the nurses spoke to me in between songs - which was great - and updated me on scan times.

That team working yesterday gets a five-star Yelp rating from me!

However, I got the results emailed to me last night and I have NO IDEA what they say.  I shall find out at 1pm.  This also makes me nervous but I am glad that mom is here with me and gets to meet my Neurologist.  Whatever, they are - we will deal with the results when we get them and not worry about anything before-hand.

First up this morning at 8am, I have PLEX.  So back into a hospital bed I go, but with the BEST of nurses - all of whom I have known for almost two years.  Mom made them some tasty treats (they fussed at me last time because I told mom not to worry about it), so this should make them happy.

Laundry and packing will commence after all of my appointments and procedures today then mom and I head to SC for the Christmas holiday tomorrow.  I am ready.

So - busy day here.  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 120422

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Sunday, December 4. It’s going to be a cloudy day with a high of 57 degrees.

Happy Birthday to:

Kathy Vichakchon DiFrancesco

Good Morning, Possums and Happy Sunday. It’s so nice to feel my face and my head again. Yes, I had a trip to the Boardroom yesterday and my head and face were shaved within an inch of my life, It was FABULOUS! Having Covid, a flu shot, the Covid booster, Covid Booster fallout, Chemo and chemo fallout, I had not been in for a haircut or shave. The look I was going for (and believe I achieved) was Disheveled, Disabled and Delightful.

November 2022 was NOT my finest hour/month!

Mom and I have been making lists and checking them more than twice. I have two new people to interview for my assistant position as well - start date January 2023.

On the MS front, my speech is beginning to deter somewhat. I find that I need to speak slower in order to get everything said properly. I love to sing as well - always have - but that’s not much of an option for me either at this point. Don’t get me wrong, I do not plan on going silent anytime soon. And it is currenltly NOT much of an issue. But things are changing.

In eight hours, I will be cloaked in a delightful hospital gown adorned with who-knows-what, a needle in my arm ready to pump me full of dye at a moments notice and I will be slowly entering the belly of the beast - the MRI - the Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine. While there, I will spend two and a half fun-filled hours having my brain, cervical spine and spinal cord committed to film. Don’t worry, I haven’t sold the rights to Netflix or any other streaming service yet. Hopefully, I will be three sheets to the wind and remember none of it - fingers-crossed.

Monday afternoon, I should find out whether or not I have to have one more round of chemo or not. But that all depends on the results of my pre-Holiday vacation to the world of the MRI machine. Don’t be fooled. We (people) only say the MRI is a horrible experience because we don’t want to share. We are really enjoying cocktails and hanging with Hollywood's A-List (NOT the Kardashians).

I know - it’s a jam-packed exciting day for me and you’re pretty jealous. I get it. It’s OK. If you like, you may take my place! But I promise not to let this sudden onslaught of fame and notoriety change me into someone different. It’s not who I am. LMAO - OK, I’ll stop!

So - 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