Go Big or Go Home

And I went big. First caffeinated drink was a Red Bull, oh boy. I just took a few sips, and it made my headache go away! Hopefully it's gone for good, but I do have the can in the fridge in case it comes back.

Yesterday I spoke on the phone with a friend from work, Candy, for over an hour. She is the only person I'm going to tell. I sure do love her. She just had a personal tragedy, so we're both in interesting places in our lives. Maybe turning points. She's considering a new career and wondering if/how God will answer her prayers about what to do. I'm so blessed that I can answer that question, because God answers my prayers all the time. I know how it's done. So I explained it to her. And of course we talked about my MS.

She is concerned that I have enough help at home, that I'm not the one doing things for everybody else. And she wanted to know how she can help me at work. She said she'll help me make sure no one finds out. We work at a super gossipy, nasty place, and I absolutely do not want those witches finding out.

I wasn't sure how else she could help me, except to remind me to pace myself. I tend to go full force (go big, see?) until I hit a wall. So I could use reminders not to expend all my energy in the morning. She was thinking she could walk the kids down the hall to my room or have an assistant do that. That's a really good idea, actually, because walking down the hall absolutely could use up the energy I need to work with the kids when we get there.

And she made me practice the phrase, "I can't do that." Some days I might not be able to do my high-energy dog-and-pony show, and she can step in.

We cried and laughed together, and it was just really nice to talk with her.

And I answered some emails asking how I'm doing. Now I've told my story in whole or in part so many times that I do know what I've said to whom.

I emailed my best friend, Jessie, who lives in another state, and just said I have MS. I suppose we'll talk one day next week. I only speak to her once a year or so, but every time we talk it's like we just did yesterday. We're just too busy with our lives to talk more often. She has a whole bunch of kids. I'm not sure how many, but I think it's 8 or 9.

I need to email another friend. I sort of raised her kids for a few years, and I'm pretty close with the oldest. I took care of that child from one month to four years of age, and now she is 11. Old enough to be hurt that I didn't visit this summer, and I always visit. She emailed me once or twice, and I told her I've been sick and can't go up there (5 hour drive) unless a friend drives me.

That's why I didn't go to the beach this year. I LOVE the beach but couldn't go because a. I was afraid I'd get hot and really sick, and b. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get back.

I hope I can ski this year! I was planning to teach skiing, but I guess I won't. Well, we'll see how I'm feeling then. My friend from work thinks I should stop freelance interpreting and just do my full-time job and my private clients. I really need the money, but I guess it will all work out.