Getting Normal

Gee, I cannot believe I forgot to blog on Thursday. I do not know what I was doing in the evening. I had a good day. I totally rocked PT. My balance has gotten so much better! The PT did note that it was much worse with my eyes closed, which means that I am partially relying on vision for balance. Maybe I am getting better at compensating that way. Fine, as long as I do not have a fall. Hmmm... Oh, I did not have a lot of pain on Thursday. I would rate it a 4.

Yesterday I had such a good day. I almost felt normal. I got tired sometimes, and my strength is still not what it was. But I am able to do more than I have been, and I am needing less rest during the day. I went to the temple in the evening, which was so enjoyable. I did begin to have some pain (the nasty, electricity/heat kind), but it subsided. I got tired toward the end of the session--it was late for me, because we started at 7:45.

I am walking so well lately! And I can go up the stairs upright. Using the wall or rail to help pull myself up, but NOT going up on all fours. Seriously, that is what I have been doing--and it has been a struggle. I guess I could get embarrassed, but whatever.

A few times I thought to myself, is my MS going away? Will I not have it anymore? Or did I not really have MS?

Kind of silly.

One thing that was tough was when I went skiing.... Yup, skiing again! I had awful burning pain. It felt like my feet were on fire. I guess they were hot, or the boots were tight. But I always make my boots tight. I do not know why it hurt so much that day. Maybe it was the socks. I usually use thinner socks. Anyway, it was very painful, but it did calm down when I took the boots off.

My shot went fine. I am getting quicker at the whole process. It takes less than five minutes, from alcohol wipe to band aid. I did not take Tylenol this time, just 1000 mg of ibuprofen before the shot and 440 mg of Aleve four hours later. Then I forgot to take more Aleve until 10:30 this morning. More than 12 hours! I think I may not be having a reaction anymore. I am almost wondering if I was really sick the first time and not having medication side effects.

Sensory:

-Pins and needles: 1
-Tingles: 1
-Dysesthetic pain: 0 much of the day.. of course 9 for skiing.. and 3 for evening
-Paresthesias: 2, buzzing and pulling in my right mid back. I told Alyssa and Dr. Rick; they said to keep an eye on it and let them know if it gets worse

-Numbness: 2
-Vision: 0-1
-Nerve pain: 1
-Hearing: 1

Motor:
-Walking: 1
-Sore muscles: 3
-Fine motor: 1
-Weak muscles: 4
-Spasticity: 3

Cognitive:
-Processing: 0
-Memory: 1
-Attention: 0
-Confusion: 1

General:
-Fatigue: 1
-Balance: 0
-Sleep: 1, over eight hours
-Bladder: 1, desipramine side effect
-Proprioception: 0
-Swallowing: 1
-A: 3
-B: 0

Emotions: Happy to ski, happy to go to the temple. And touched at the concern of a sweet friend.