My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 022423

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Today is Friday, February 24, 2023.  It’s a cloudy morning in Dallas with a high of 46.

Happy Belated Birthday to:

Ben David Anderson

Beth Welsh

Colton King

Isabel Marqueq

Kelly Rentzel

Kenny Janous

Beclky Burton Biller

Cindy Jones-Knight

Lance Mceil

Brenda Brandon

Cnristina Sanchez

Evelyn Correll

Happy Birthday to:

Chloe Jones

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas and  Friday / FriYAY / and Happy Weekend.

Has it been a week or what?  I’m telling you -when you’re off work on Monday, that four day week is brutal.  Well, this one was no exception.  I stayed home on Tuesday because of my kankle-itis, but I was in the office on Wednesday and Thursday and I’m home again today.

I know, I know…first world problem!

I woke up this morning anxiously waiting my piping hot cup of coffee.  I turned on the kitchen lights this morning;  four of them come on when you flip the switch. When I flipped the switch this morning only one of them had the nerve to come on.  Can you believe that?

Well, they are the same bulbs that were in when I brought and moved in the place two years ago so who knows how old they are.  I guess I will need to make a trip to Home Depot / Lowe’s.  But first I need someone to climb up there and get one down so I know what I am getting.

My ladder climbing days are over (can’t say I am upset about that), but I do need a little more light in my kitchen.

Again…another first world problem.

My indoor garden is looking a little sketchy.  It needs a little love and attention.  Sadly, I have not given it much lately;  focusing mainly on myself.  This, too, can also be remedied by a trip to Home Depot and/or Lowe’s.

And again…another first world problem.

I guess I know how I will how spending my weekend!

Anyhoozle, what are your plans today? 

Whatever, your day holds and whatever your plans may be, I wish you all 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!  

To all of my fellow MS Warriors, keep fighting the good fight. And to all MS Warrior Supporters, Thank You!   Your support means everything.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all.  -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 022023

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Today is Monday, February 20, 2023. It’s a partly cloudy morning in Dallas with a high of 81.

Happy Belated Birthday to:

Billy Joe Stover
Christopher Long
Jason Salazar
Lee Davenport
Mandy Barrera
Marion Fischer
Jason Ramsey
Cass Castillo
Mildred Lacey (may she rest in peace)
SueAnna Newsome McPhail

Happy Birthday to:

Eunice Hiott Blain
Charles Urich
Jeff Sams (may he rest in peace)

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas and Happy Presidents Day.

I am enjoying a day off from work catching up on a few things (and still doing some work as well). Getting back in the swing of things has been a little more difficult than I thought. Adjusting to my new working schedule - working from home and also going into the office - physical therapy and occupational therapy - well, it certainly has been an adjustment and exhausting. 5 years ago I could have knocked all of this out in a heartbeat. It’s amazing the things that can change in the blink of an eye.

I have been negligent of posting daily but I am back to doing that now. It is so therapeutic for me type out what I am doing and what’s going on whether anyone reads it or not.

I miss so many birthdays too. I may not see a lot of these friends but it’s still their day and everybody deserves a Happy Birthday!

I seem to be putting ‘may he/she rest in peace' more and more behind my birthday wishes. Am I already at that age where it is going to start happening more and more?

The search for my personal assistant has ended. MY SEARCH has ended. Since I have had NO luck, I have a meeting with an agency at 9am to tell them what I need and how often. They will send someone. That person will be my Personal Assistant unless it tis not a good fit or my MS decides to go into remission and I no longer need him/her.

SO - tomorrow is Fat Tuesday which means Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. What are you giving up? Or what are you taking on?

I am giving up MS. God can have it for the next 45 days. I am going to do my best to get my ashes at church, but I’m going to need to wait and see how my mobility and neuropathy is.

My boss has been working from home with some health issues the same time I have been. She started going back into the office I few weeks before me. She will be taking a leave of absence for the next seven or eight weeks. So we are going to be down a team member. She is going to be just fine but I told her that she has been trying to steal me thunder since I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 1:30pm and to knock it off. LOL

Softball Season is going to kick off in a few weeks. I am excited about that. I am trying to plan a few trips - one home in July to the beach with my family and the other right before I fly home at Christmas.

I want to see New York City at Christmas AND as many times as I have been, I have never seen the Rockettes Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall.  I want to see that (just to say I have seen it) and a few other shows and do a little shopping as well. Two or three friends have already said ‘YES’ so now it is just a matter of planning the trip.

I am scheduled to be HEAVILY sedated and gently placed in the MRI monster in three weeks. I am very anxious to see if this new treatment is doing/has done what it is/was expected to do. Some days I think it has, others I have no idea. I have been walking with my walker - more than before - but it’s slow and shaky and some days it is painful. The painful days are the ones I have to push myself and that’s OK.  

There is just so much going on - stuff I could organize and do and take care of in a heartbeat. Now I spend so much time each day figuring out how I am going to accomplish a task. A lot of times I can never do things the same way every day. It is time consuming and frustrating and funny. Those are the times I either fuss at God or just mutter, ‘well shit,’ and get on with my day.

Well Shit - that’s a lot so I will stop for today. I’m off work and The Price is Right come son in an hour - and I will be watching.

Anyhoozle, what are your plans today? 

Whatever, your day holds and whatever your plans may be, I wish you all 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!  

To all of my fellow MS Warriors, keep fighting the good fight. And to all MS Warrior Supporters, Thank You! Your support means everything.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith
#hopelovejoygrace
#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 021423

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Today is Tuesday, February 14, 2023. It’s a cloudy, rainy morning in Dallas with a high of 69.

Happy Belated Birthday to:

David Pass
Doug Marriott
Elizabeth Armando Brown
John Andrejack
Michael DeMoss (may he rest in peace)
Steve Boyd
Anthony Balding
Chance Frazier
Gil Gonzales (may he rest in peace)
Mikę Thømpsøn

Happy Birthday to:

Jasmin Rollins

Good Morning, Possums. From the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas and Happy Tuesday and Happy Valentines Day to you all. Hugs and Kisses to you all.

It’s starting a dreary and rainy Valentine’s day here in Dallas, but hopefully it is going to clear up and the sun will peak through clouds later on.

Love is in the air on Valentine’s Day on February 14. Even though I believe that love should be spread and celebrated every day, we all don’t remember to do that. So on this dedicated day, go above and beyond in expressing your love for family, friends, and of course, your significant other.

In Kankle news: My left foot/ankle/kankle is the size of a small European country…..one of nicer ones…let’s go with Monaco - so I am working from home today and I am keeping it propped up. My right foot/ankle is normal. We like my right/foot ankle.

Can you believe that we are half way through the month of February? WTH? Where did January go? There is so much going on and so much planned for 2022, it’s going to be the Holiday season before you know it.

But let’s not rush or wish the year away. Let’s enjoy what we have now - Valentine’s Day…and Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday and National Margarita Day (2/22/23) are just around the corner.

Anyhoozle, what are your plans today? Again - sending all my possums love, hugs, kisses and smiles on Valentines Day!

Whatever, your day holds and whatever your plans may be, I wish you all 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!  

To all of my fellow MS Warriors, keep fighting the good fight. And to all MS Warrior Supporters, Thank You! Your support means everything.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith
#hopelovejoygrace
#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 021123

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Today is Saturday, February 11, 2023. It’s going to be a mostly sunny day in Dallas with a high of 56.

Happy Birthday to:

Bill Scott
Frank Smith
Jennifer Brungardt-Thomas
Nathan Baker
Penelope Winchester Herring

Good Afternoon, Possums. From the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas and Happy Saturday and Happy Weekend to you all.  

It’s a mostly sunny day today. My neuropathy is a bit better today but my sleeping pattern is a little of kilter, but I can work on that.

While it is a sunny day, I think I will, get out and about a little bit - cut to twenty minutes later. I have showered - no problems there. Picked out my clothes - again, no issues. However, (you saw this coming. I know you did) my left foot has turned into a kankle. My right foot, not so much.

I went to pick out my compression socks/sleeves for my legs and much to my disappointment, the only clean ones I have left are the white ones. The white ones are the ones they put on me when I checked in for COVID six months ago. The white ones, which not only cover my foot and my leg below my knee, but the white ones that are indeed thigh-high. The white ones that look like the tights little kids wear to church on Sunday morning.

And forget getting these things on quickly and easily. It’s takes an entire system of levers and pulleys to get them on. I there is a crane and a sky hook outside my window - and possibly Dallas Fire and Rescue. Superman just called for back up!

Well, I got them on and I need a nap. Thanks to Dallas Lever and Pulley, Build-It-Right Construction, Dallas Fire and Rescue as well as Superman, Wonder Woman and the Green Lantern.

Just so we are clear - MS SUCKS!

OK - on with my day. I shall forgo the LMS and Kankle News - we seem to have covered that already.

Anyhoozle, what are your plans today?

Whatever, your day holds and whatever your plans may be, I wish you all 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!  

To all of my fellow MS Warriors, keep fighting the good fight. And to all MS Warrior Supporters, Thank You! Your support means everything.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith
#hopelovejoygrace
#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 021023

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Today is Friday, February 10, 2023. It’s going to be a cloudy day in Dallas with a high of 46.

Happy Birthday to:

Cathy Campagna
Cathy Heron
John Brown (Happy Heavenly Birthday)
Quenten Schumacher
Wrenn Holland

Good Afternoon, Possums. From the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas and Happy Friday, Happy FriYAY and Happy Weekend to you all. I don’t know abut you but I’m ready to be done with this work week.

It’s a gloomy, chilly day today. My neuropathy is going a little haywire and my legs are cramping here and there. Personally, I blame the cold. Or maybe I have ticked off a lesion on my spinal cord. Who knows? It’s annoying as hell, but I am still moving around fairly well. I could probably hydrate more, so that one is on me!

This weekend is Super Bowl weekend too! I don’t really have a dog in that fight so best of luck to whoever is in it.

Anyhoozle, what are your plans today?

Whatever, your day holds and whatever your plans may be, I wish you all 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!  

To all of my fellow MS Warriors, keep fighting the good fight. And to all MS Warrior Supporters, Thank You! Your support means everything.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all. -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith
#hopelovejoygrace
#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 020923

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

 

Today is Thursday, February 9, 2023.  It’s going to be a mostly cloudy and rainy day in Dallas with a high of 60.

 

Happy Birthday to:

 

Andy Vance

Debbie Hammond Black

 

Good Morning, Possums.  From the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas and Happy Friday eve to you all.  It has been a while since I posted, it has, but it’s just been busy.

 

Going into the office still wears me out and then yesterday was occupational and physical therapy and that wore me out as well.as well.

 

I think I may have to pick a fight with Uber.  The drivers seem to not want to pick up anyone in a wheelchair. It happened occasionally in 2022.  But in 2023 (and it is early 2023), I am amazed at the cancellations I get when they see I am in a wheelchair. 

 

When I call for an Uber, and I always call an Uber X so there is room for my chair, I immediately send the driver the following note, “I am disabled and in a wheelchair.”  Once they receive that I get an immediate cancellation or if they don’t bother to look at the note, they cancel upon seeing the wheelchair.  That happened twice yesterday and, no joke, 10 times last December.  The drivers that did pick me up always asked if I had trouble getting a ride – and it explained it all to them – and they got a big tip!

 

Come on Uber – I am NOT the only disabled person in Dallas that has places to go and people to see.  Granted, I am not the most important person in Dallas (but I like to think I’m in the top ten) that needs assistance accomplishing things in my day-to-day life, but you can do better. Also, Uber is moving (or has moved) their headquarters downtown.

 

I am meeting my “potential” new assistant tomorrow.  She is coming over to check out my place and discuss meal prep and all that stuff.  I hope this one works out.

 

In Kankle News, my left foot continues to inflate and deflate as it sees fit, and my right foot continues to resemble a human foot.  I’ll just have to prop up my left foot through the day and at night.

 

In other MS-related news, physical therapy is rough, I am sore from yesterday and Multiple Sclerosis still SUCKS. However, I am not defeated!

 

Anyhoozle, what are your plans today?

 

Whatever, your day holds and whatever your plans may be, I wish you all 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!  

 

To all of my fellow MS Warriors, keep fighting the good fight. And to all MS Warrior Supporters, Thank You!   Your support means everything.

 

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all.  -AJ

 

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 020623

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Today is Monday, February 6, 2023.  It’s going to be a mostly scloudy day in Dallas with a high of 56.

Happy Birthday to:

Patty Anderson

Shelly Reevfes

Good Morning, Possums.  From the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas and  Happy Monday to you all.  It’s time to kick off another work week.  It is already shaping up to be a very busy one.

I imagine lots of folks are living for next weekend and Super Bowl LVII.  (I am the same age as the Super Bowl but I obviously look much younger).  If I have to pull for a team on Sunday, I’m a bit torn.  I have friends in/from both cities.  Then again, I’m only watching the Super Bowl for the commercials (although last year, I thought they were awful).  I guess I don’t really have a dog in this fight (sorry for that reference PETA - I’m sure it offended someone).

It just occurred to me that I don’t even have to watch the Super Bowl for the commercials.  All of the commercials will be online bundled together the following morning.  I think I just saved myself four or five hours.

However, I really do enjoy hanging out with my friends and (sort of) watching the game, eating junk food and having a few cocktails until after the halftime show and I start yawning in which case I’ll see who won in the morning when I watch the bundled commercials.

Regardless, best of luck to both teams.

Good News (he says hesitantly), I am interviewing someone for my personal assistant position this afternoon.  She cleans AND COOKS and does MEAL PREP.    I hope this one does not flake on me like the other two.

In Kankle News. my left foot continues to inflate and deflate right foot continues to resemble a human foot.  I’ll just have to prop up my left foot through the day and at night.

In other MS-related news, the new treatment still seems to be doing something, I’m just not sure what other than giving more use of my leg (which I am grateful for).

I received a call this morning asking me if I was in participating in an MS study here in Dallas - not sure what it involves.  I said YES.  After a few minutes of answering their questions, the person taking my information said, “OK, never mind.  You don’t qualify”!  I don’t think they have any idea how frustrating that is.  AAAARRRGGGHHHH!

Anyhoozle, what are your plans today?

Whatever, your day holds and whatever your plans may be, I wish you all 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!  

To all of my fellow MS Warriors, keep fighting the good fight. And to all MS Warrior Supporters, Thank You!   Your support means everything.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all.  -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 020423

Today is Saturday, February 4, 2023.  It’s going to be a mostly sunny day in Dallas with a high of 56.

Happy Birthday to:

Angie Suttles Bryant

Ann Farrell

John Cromer

Morgan Witherspoon

Good Morning, Possums.  From the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas, Happy Saturday and Happy Weekend.  Today, I am breaking free and getting out (at least that’s the plan).

It’s going to be a sweltering 56 degrees and I’ll take it.  It’s the perfect temperature for a trip to the Boardroom for a little pampering and some trash talk with my favorite stylist.

I watched a few documentaries (docuseries) on the Peacock streaming service last night on the FLDS (Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints) Morman church and the Amish and I have never been more happy to be Methodist in my entire life.  They are both just awful - especially the Amish.  The Amish one was very good and eye-opening.  It will ruin the sqeaky-clean, cutesy perception of Amish Life.  (They already don’t have electricity, cable and the internet.  That’s strike one  and two for me).

Also (on Peacock), Poker Face is worth a watch.  I think the first four episodes are out.  It comes out weekly.

My neuropathy is going a little haywire (last night) and this morning.  Not sure why that has suddenly resurfaced.  It doesn’t hurt or anything, but it’s uncomfortable.  In Kankle News, my right foot is gorgeous, but my left one is still a little puffy, not November 2022 puffy, but not what it should be.  It’s not a kankle, but it’s trying it’s best.

OK - I need to get crack’in and start my day.

Anyhoozle, what are your plans today?

Whatever, your day holds and whatever your plans may be, I wish you all 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!  

To all of my fellow MS Warriors, keep fighting the good fight. And to all MS Warrior Supporters, Thank You!   Your support means everything.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all.  -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 020323

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Today is Friday, February 3, 2023.  It’s going to be a sunny day in Dallas with a high of 47.

No birthdays on my calendar today.

Good Morning, Possums.  From the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas and Happy Friday !  Happy FriYAY! And Happy Weekend!

Well, it has been an interesting week.  I guess this is our ice storm for the year.  Ice is still covering the highways and streets and the news crews are telling everyone to stay put until the temperature warms up and it all melts away.  Of course, it looks as though not too many people are listening to them because there are a ton wrecks and backups all over the place on television.

If I don’t burst out today, tomorrow I shall break out.  Cabin fever is real, people.  The walls are closing in.  Also, I have an appointment at the Boardroom tomorrow morning to get my head shaved and my beard trimmed and hell if I’m going to miss that.

I hate to bring this up but one thing we have not discussed in a while, and I am embarrassed at my omission and that is the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Reunion.  No worries, you didn’t miss a thing.  It was boring and a complete letdown.  To sum it up, Meredith is still nasally and talks through her nose, Heather’s black eye storyline was lame and she is still sticking to the story that, “I have no idea how it happened.”  Whatever Mary?  Whitney is annoying and I love her.  And Lisa is an airhead who I am fairly certain can cry on command.

There were only four ladies on the couch.  We were missing the fifth one, Jen Shah, who has been found guilty of Mail Fraud and sentenced to six and a half years in prison.  I swear - or I swanee, being a “Real Housewife” on television in any one of these franchises and going to prison has become so cliche.

While I am completely enthralled with a few of the Real Housewife shows, I can’t help but wonder why these women, some of who are role models and others who could be role models, want to fuss and fight and gossip and cuss and yell and have all their biznatch (business) on television?

Is the money and publicity really worth it?  I have no idea.

Is the lack of privacy worth it?   I have no idea.

Is entertaining me and my friends (of whom there are many) worth it?  This one I can answer.  Yes…..Yes it is!

I blame Andy Cohen.  I don’t care for him in the first place.  He’s making money off of these women and all of their over-the-top, ridiculous crap and they allow it.  They are getting something out of it as well, but I just don’t know if it’s worth (other than entertaining me and my friends) and I probably never will.

OK - enough of that.  Time to get to work.

Anyhoozle, what are your plans today?

Whatever, your day holds and whatever your plans may be, I wish you all 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!  

To all of my fellow MS Warriors, keep fighting the good fight. And to all MS Warrior Supporters, Thank You!   Your support means everything.

Peace, Love and Blessings to you all.  -AJ

#strengthpatiencepeacefaith

#hopelovejoygrace

#AndyStrong 

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 020123

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas.  Today is Wednesday, February 1, 2023.  It’s a sweltering 27 degrees in Big D today and a sheet of ice has blanketed the city.  More sleet and freezing rain is on the way.

Happy Birthday to:

Jeremy W, Smith

Good Morning, Possums - Happy Hump Day. I hope everyone is staying warm (if you are being affected by this wintry mix). And…It’s February.  We survived the first month of 2023.  January is just a memory.

I am working from home today (as are most people) and I am anxiously awaiting our next round of sleet and freezing rain.  It is supposed to be pretty rough.  Tomorrow, it should get up to 36 degrees but still rain all day/  I hope a great deal of this will melt away and we can get back to business as usual on Friday….in time for the weekend.  LOL

My legs are still behaving but then, they have not been exposed to the cold and the power has stayed on.  I think I may take a walk down the hall (with my walker).

OK - That’s it for today, possums.  Y’all stay warm and safe.  

What are your plans 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