Let's Update This Thang!

I'm still alive and morbidly depressed here in Oregon. ; )

I kept the Rebif going, never missing an injection, until my new neuro (Dr. Bourdette at OHSU) told me to ease up for a while because the side effects were painful.

So... I stopped the Rebif in July, and then... well... I'd like to say the headache disappeared, but it didn't. If anything, it seemed to get worse. Constant head pain can drive you mad. I tried Topamax, Lyrica, and Cymbalta to nuke the headache; nothing worked. What does work is Dilaudid. I know that's one of those opiates that should hardly ever be used, but it works.

My beloved grandmother passed away unexpectedly in March of 2006. That sent most of our family into a state of bereavement and shock. We depended on her emotionally. She was from Wyoming, and she was so tough, so fiercely loyal, and so smart that I was afraid of her even though she was only 5'2" and 100 pounds! Her passing ripped a big hole in our hearts and lives.

Grandpa, her husband, passed away a few months later--in November of 2006. He was a three-star general in the Air Force, but without his sweetie his health declined. We gathered around again for another goodbye...and a funeral that included fighter jets overhead in formation, and the gun salute.

We are all so fragile and precious. Rest in peace, Grandma and Grandpa.

I'm on Tysabri now for my MS. Yup, I'm on the big T. I had my first infusion almost two days ago. I feel better! I am not quite so fatigued. 'Bout time.

The kids: Eric is 4, and beautiful. And potty trained! Yes! No more diapers, he is a big boy! Bayley is 11 and still my beautiful, kind girl. She's tall...! She started the sixth grade at a private college prep school and is doing very well.

And last but not least, my husband: He deserves much of the credit for keeping us all together and safe this year. He is amazing, my rock, and I have had to rely on him more this year than I ever thought I'd have to for emotional support. When you're contemplating the uselessness of your life, there's nothing quite like having someone to hold you and say, "I love you. Stay with me. I love you."