My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 042823

Hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, 

Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas.  Today is Friday, April 28.  It’s going to be a cloudy day in Dallas.  Strong / Severe thunderstorms may pop up later this afternoon, so I’ll be staying at home.

No birthdays on my calendar today.

Good Morning, Possums and Happy Friday, FriYAY and TGIF.  We are prepping to hunker down later today for some rough weather today. Be on the look-out or as my meteorologist says, be weather-aware.  As for it being the weekend, my days just run together, that is, until I become gainfully employed once again.

Around noon, I am heading over to the UT Southwestern Spa and Resort for a plasma exchange (PLEX).  Tomorrow, I have trip to the Boardroom for a trim and a shave.  And Sunday, my softball team is having a fundraiser in the afternoon/evening for Camp Esperanza- Summer camp for kids with cancer.  See attached video.  Over the last few years, the Dallas Titans (my softball team) has sent 15 kids to camp - all expenses paid.  After our fundraiser Sunday, we hope to add five more kids to that count.  That’s about it for me.

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

#INeedaJob

#MS_Sucks

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 042623

Hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, 
Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Coming to you from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Today is Wednesday, April 26. It’s going to be a cloudy, rainy day in Dallas. Strong / Severe thunderstorms later this afternoon, so I’ll be staying at home.

Happy Birthday to:

Carol Burnett - 90 years old (I actually got to meet her/work with her a few years ago ).

Good Morning, Possums and Happy Hump Day. We are prepping to hunker down later today for some rough weather today. It’s that time of year in tornado alley, but it seems the weather is jacked up all over the country. Everybody stay safe.

Last night, I saw Tootsie, the Musical, the Broadway touring production. Here is my review.

There are a few things a show has to do to make it a sure-fired winner FOR ME:

The Overture - Many of the older musicals like My Fair Lady, She Loves Me and Sweet Charity played and overture at the beginning of the show; for you youngsters that is sort of a ‘mash-up’ of the popular songs in the show. Not many shows do that any more and it’s a shame. So imagine my surprise when they played an overture (of sorts) at Tootsie. I began to have a little hope for this show.

2) One or more songs in the show has to move me/bring me to tears from either sadness, laughter or tears of joy. Out of the over 130 shows I have seen, this has only happened a few times:

The Book of Mormon - laughter
Avenue Q - Laughter
Dame Edna; The Royal Tour - laughter
The Phantom of the Opera - joy (because my friend from home was playing the lead female role (Christine))
My Fair Lady - joy
Come From Away - sadness/joy
Wicked - Sadness
An American in Paris - Joy
Fun Home - Sadness

Unfortunately, I felt nothing.

3) I have to leave the theater humming or singing and butchering the lyrics to one or more of the songs.

My friends I left talking about getting out of the theater and to car before the traffic got terrible.

4). There has to be life on the stage. Luckily, I found a few peaks in a show that is mostly valleys.

I feel for the actors in the show. I know they are all excited (ALL of them making their debut - I read the playbill looking for any Broadway credits - there were none). Given the material, they all had to work really hard to sell it. Sadly, I wasn’t’t buying it.

I give this show one possum out of five. Save your money and rent the movie.

Toot, toot, tootsie goodbye.
Toot, toot, tootsie don’t cry.

Several things on my calendar to do today - finish polishing up my resume, search for and apply for jobs, work on getting some insurance and get ready to hunker down this afternoon/evening.

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
#INeedaJob
#MS_Sucks

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 042523

Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums.

Good Morning, Possums. It's a cloudy Tuesday morning in Dallas with some thunderstorms rolling in later this afternoon and a high of 69 degrees.

A few more donations have rolled in - the three year total is:

2021 - $11,294.66
2022 - $13,306.00
2023 - $11,451.82

Total - $36,052.48

If you have not donated but would still like to show your support, click the link below to make your donation.

https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/286400

I am completely undone by the show of love and support I received yesterday via the Facebook and the texts. Thank you all so much. I received several job leads and I cannot thank you enough for everything. #Loved and Blessed

While gaining employment is at the top of my To-Do list, I think my biggest concern right now is Insurance. Without that, it kind of puts a damper on PLEX, receiving care from the best neurologist in the universe (in my opinion), all of my medication, my MS treatments, and most importantly, and I think you will agree…….the botox I get in my legs. I fear my legs will revert from a young and toned Juliette Prowse to an aged, yet still entertaining and hilarious, Phyllis Diller (please tell me you know who those two people are). But I digress…

Tonight, I am attending performance of the Broadway touring production of, Tootsie, the musical, with my best gal-pal, Sallie Ann Plaxico as well as Shannon Brown and Timothy Thomas. My review of the show to follow.

What's on your schedule today?

Anyhoozle, I hope you all have a wonderful week, and 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
#BeyondBlessed
#INeedAJob 
#MS_Sucks
#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 042423

Hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums.

Good Morning, Possums. It's a partly cloudy Monday morning in Dallas and a slightly chilly too - 53 degrees.

I know I haven't posted for a bit but there has been a lot going on.

First, I must thank you all again for support in the Dallas MS Walk for a cure. I am still receiving a few last minute donations, but currently my fundraising total is $10,375 - and I just deposited another $1000 on Saturday. So it will update to $11,375 (plus or minus a few sheckles).

This will bring my (our) three year total to:

2021 - $11,294.66

2022 - $13,306.00

2023 - $11,375.00

Total - $35,975.66

YAY US and THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

If you have not donated but would still like to show your support, click the link below to make your donation.

https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/286400

Second, me and 200 of my co-workers were laid off from our jobs. My feelings on that at a later date. After 16 years with that company, there are somer people who very nice, helpful and understanding. I will miss them.

I am actively looking for another job. Something will happen and things will work out -one way or another. I have faith and confidence. Whether it is a new job or maybe I retire and/or go on disability - I have a lot to think about and decide. Decisions, Decisions…

If you know of any Instructional Designer, eLearning Developer positions out there (that are preferably REMOTE), let me know. My resume is updated and ready to go.

More on the layoff at a later date.

Anyhoozle, I hope you all have a wonderful week, and 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

#BeyondBlessed

#INeedAJob

#MS_Sucks

#AndyStrong

My Life With Multiple Sclerosis 041223

Hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums.

 

Good Afternoon and Happy Wednesday and Happy Hump Day.  We made it half-way through the week.   I’m not sure how.  Monday and Tuesday (and even today) has been a complete blur. So I guess I should update you all on your Dr. appointments.

Monday, I met with my Neurologist.   After forgiving her for making me fell abandoned and neglected, we moved on to my MRI.  She was thoroughly unimpressed.  The same lesions on my spinal cord were lit up.  Those lesions are the ones giving me such trouble with my legs.

 

I explained to her that I took it upon myself to modify my medication dosage and intake – (I decided to take less of some things and other things I just quit).  Am I qualified?  Yes – I watched several seasons of ER and Grey’s Anatomy until they bored me to tears at which point I felt I had graduated with honors with my medical degree.

 

She was OK with my new dosages and whatnot but she was not willing to share her prescription pad.  Sigh!  She performed a few tests on me and was impressed with my leg strength.   Also we may UP the dosage of my cellcept (the anti-organ transplant rejection medication) one more time.  It seems to be working but she said it really takes about 3-6 months to see any results.  I have only been on it for three and a half months.  So another MRI in three months followed by a meeting with her the very next day.  I will continue PLEX every two weeks and then move to only once a month or as needed.

 

As for my meeting with the Hematologist, I can report that I do not have blood cancer or and blood disease of any type, but I am staying on the blood thinners for the time being.

And there you have it.  I know what I know.

 

I can’t thank you all enough for supporting me and donating to the MS Dallas Walk this Saturday.  And THANK YOU to @Nan Mitchell and @Jane Sherer for organizing a walk back home in SC on Creekwood Road for me. I tell you – that’s one fine neighborhood I grew up in – in SC – nothing but love, kindness and friendship.  This is the third year they have done this in my honor.

 

As my total stands now:        $10,225.00

It will be:                                  $11,250.00 (I got a $1000 donation in the mail) 

My three year total:              $11,294.66(2021) + $ 13,306 (2022) and $11,250(2023) = $35,850.66

 

If you have not donated but would still like to show your support, click the link below to make your donation.

 

https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/286400

 

Anyhoozle – I hope you all are having a SPECTCULAR day.  Be good.  Be kind.  Be Happy.  Peace, love and blessings to you all.

 

-Andy

 

 

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 040723

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums! 

 Today is Friday, April 7, 2023.  It’s going to be a mostly cloudy with a high of 65.

Happy Belated Birthday to:

Michael Little

Suzanne Loftis

Happy Birthday to:

Ryan Wager

Tracey Francis

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas and Happy Good Friday.  Easter is upon.  Jesus is crucified and rises from the dead and ascends to heaven all for the forgiveness of our sins.  (There’s a little more to the story than that).

Now, I will be the first one to admit, I do not have the healthiest of relationships with God, but I do have one.  My time is split 50/50 – 50% of the time yelling at him, and 50% of the time thanking him for all of the wonderful people in my life.

One thing about MS (for me), is I always have to look for (or create) a silver lining for the situation – kind of a Pollyanna with the mouth of a sailor.  So recently, in one of my yelling sessions, I stopped asking God “why me” and decided to turn it around and ask him, “Why not me?”  Mind you, I don’t really care for the multiple sclerosis, but maybe I’m here to show other people that you can still live a good, no, GREAT life with MS.  (Plus, I have a kick-ass parking spot for LIFE).  Why not me to raise over $36,000 over the last three years to find a cure for MS?

So the next time you ask him “why me”, turn it around and ask him “why not me.”  The answer may surprise you.

Given everything I just told you, I also need to tell you that I am a believer.  I believe Jesus Christ died so that we all may be forgiven.  And as a Christian, I really have to…..because this whole weekend is what we, as Christians, really hang our hats on!  LOL

I survived my five rounds of PLEX (plasma exchange) and while it was painless, my body is exhausted.  I have an appointment with my neurologist Monday morning to discuss next steps.

I want to THANK EVERYONE who has donated to my MSWALK fundraiser.  In three weeks, $9805 has been raised - 98% of my goal and a week left. 

I only need $195 to reach my goal.  Help me crush my $10,000 goal - we need a cure.  I don’t wish this on anyone.

I hope I can count on your support again this year to help find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis and sponsor me in the WalkMS. 

If you would like to support me and make a donation, click the link provided below to make your online donation.  If your company matches, please indicate that as well.

If you are uncomfortable donating online and would like to send a check, please text me or send me a note through Facebook Messenger and I will send you my mailing address.

Once again, thank you for your support.  Let’s eradicate Multiple Sclerosis, if not for any other reason than it just sucks.  I kicked the fundraising off with a $500 donation.  Gotta walk that walk and talk that talk.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/286400__;!!BBIv6UDJ3i0zTw!-V1GMFe2Rk1KqtyHWC3DnIRiXeQuqAcs2LzIUGexikpgL1alvhWzEdJHKK0RrrOsTyjkkbTxZkr-_ecLhq83ROVA1_c$

Anyhoozle, I hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend?

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.

#StrengthPatiencePeaceFaith

#HopeLoveJoyGrace

#BeyondBlessed

#MS_Sucks

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 040523

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums! 

 

Today is Wednesday, April 5, 2023.  It’s going to be a mostly sunny afternoon with a high of 71.

 

Happy Belated Birthday to:

 

Linda Gaetan Gaura

Tamika Singleton

 

Happy Birthday to:

 

Eric Peay

 

Good Morning, Possums, from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas and Happy Hump Day.  We made it half-way through the week.

 

Well, I never though today would get here, but this morning I will have my last plasma exchange (PLEX).  Not my last one forever, mind you, but for now.   I meet with my neurologist on Monday to discuss further steps and plans.  I’ll be heading off to the UT Southwestern Spa and Resort in a few hours for some fresh frozen plasma.  (Bless You to anyone who donates plasma).

 

To say that my body is tired is an understatement.  However, I know the PLEX has done some good.  I can tell in the use of my legs and the pain in my toes and feet every time I accidently ram them into a door frame.  Before-hand, I would not feel anything, but now when my toes feel like they have been run over by a truck, the expletives that float from my mouth are so melodic and joyful – my toes/feet hurt and I can feel it!  YES!!!!  But I digress…

 

I used to wonder if disabled people got pissed off when someone who wasn’t disabled was in the disabled people’s stall in the bathroom when all the other ones are available.  The answer is YES.

 

That happened twice to me at work yesterday.  The first time I left and returned a few minutes later.  But the second time, I made it known that ‘wheels’ was waiting.  The stall-stealer can read the paper and text at his desk.  I’m not rude or mean about it.  In fact I didnt say anything.  But I have no idea why they won’t look at me when they leave.  Could I go to a bathroom on anther floor?  Yes, but that’s a whole other set of hoops to jump through.

 

I want to THANK EVERYONE who has donated to my MSWALK fundraiser.  In two and a half weeks, over $8700 has been raised - 87% of my goal and a week and a half left.  I received $300 in the mail yesterday but it may not be showing up yet.  I believe the total is $8710.

 

I only need $1290 to reach my goal.  Help me get to $10,000 - we need a cure.  I don’t wish this on anyone.

 

I hope I can count on your support again this year to help find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis and sponsor me in the WalkMS. 

 

If you would like to support me and make a donation, click the link provided below to make your online donation.  If your company matches, please indicate that as well.

 

If you are uncomfortable donating online and would like to send a check, please text me or send me a note through Facebook Messenger and I will send you my mailing address.

 

Once again, thank you for your support.  Let’s eradicate Multiple Sclerosis, if not for any other reason than it just sucks.  I kicked the fundraising off with a $500 donation.  Gotta walk that walk and talk that talk.

 

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/286400__;!!BBIv6UDJ3i0zTw!-V1GMFe2Rk1KqtyHWC3DnIRiXeQuqAcs2LzIUGexikpgL1alvhWzEdJHKK0RrrOsTyjkkbTxZkr-_ecLhq83ROVA1_c$

 

Anyhoozle, I hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend?

 

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.

 

#StrengthPatiencePeaceFaith

#HopeLoveJoyGrace

#BeyondBlessed

#MS_Sucks

#AndyStrong

My Life with Multiple Sclerosis 040123

Hellooooooooooooooo, Possuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuums!  

Today is Saturday, April 1, 2023.  It’s going to be a beautiful day in Dallas with a high of 83.

Happy Belated Birthday to:

Clementine Bryant

Happy Birthday to:

Gerard Burgess

GlennColley

Portia Cantrell

Good Afternoon, Possums, from the Celebrity Suites of the Wyndemere Condominiums on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas and Happy Saturday and Happy Weekend.  It’s been a bit of a long week, but it’s over now.

My body is pretty tired from the events of the week - only two more PLEX to go.  But just when I consider giving up and feeling sorry for myself, something always slaps me in the face and says STOP IT.  Well today, it was one of my Besties, Shannon Brown.

I have known Shannon since God was a boy, OK, 27 years - and he always looks out for me.  We have lived together and worked together and for some odd reason, my he looks out for me (as do Roger and Christopher - both of whom are just awful - LOL).

So I volunteered with Shannon and Roger this morning at the Irving Marathon.  All three of us sit on the Board of Directors for the Irving Schools Foundation (http://irvingschoolsfoundation.org).  Check it out and see what we do.

Now, I’m home and getting ready to go to the “Toast to Life” fundraiser for the Resource Center.  It’s an 80’s theme.  The Resource Center is the Parent organization of the Community Health Clinic I volunteered for…for 12 years.  Michael Urie (Ugly Betty, Shrinking) is Guest Host so it should be fun.  Not sure how long I will last.  I know I keep pushing myself, but three PLEX this week has kicked my butt and I have two more to go.  But I am NOT complaining.  I have amazing family and friends at home in SC who continually support me and pray for me and the BEST group of family/friends here in Dallas who constantly look out for me.

#Beyond_Blessed

I want to THANK EVERYONE who has donated to my MSWALK fundraiser.  In two weeks, over $8000 has been raised - 80% of my goal and two weeks left.

Help me get to $10,000 - we need a cure.  I don’t wish this on anyone.

I hope I can count on your support again this year to help find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis and sponsor me in the WalkMS.  

If you would like to support me and make a donation, click the link provided below to make your online donation.  If your company matches, please indicate that as well.

If you are uncomfortable donating online and would like to send a check, please text me or send me a note through Facebook Messenger and I will send you my mailing address.

Once again, thank you for your support.  Let’s eradicate Multiple Sclerosis, if not for any other reason than it just sucks.  I kicked the fundraising off with a $500 donation.  Gotta walk that walk and talk that talk.

https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/286400

Anyhoozle, I hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend? 

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.  

#AndyStrong 

https://andystrong1.blogspot.com