Thursday, December 31, 2009

Bring it 2010

I am, like a lot of people happy to see the end of 2009 and the start of 2010.

2009 was not all bad but I have a very good feeling about the new year.
I think good things will happen all round!

This past year was filled with the good, the bad and simply the weirdest stuff ever!

The bad of course was mostly geared around MS for me but so was the good.

Without this year I would not have learned that there are things that are simply not worth any of my energy or yours for that matter! For the most part I don't focus on the negative and bad things that surround me. I let way more things roll of my back as they say.

I listen to my body way more then I ever did. I think we all need to focus on this one!

I don't take health for granted anymore. It has never been "fun" to be ill but now I realise there are serious repercussions if you don't take care of #1 first!

My resolutions for the new year...I haven't given it much thought but...

First - watch my bad words...Grace is trying very hard to repeat everything we say!
Second - read, read and read some more! All the new findings in MS means I need to be aware and be my own research guru!
And third - Focus on the happy things in life. That is all that I think is truly important.

Do what makes you happy...go into the new year with that!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

One test down!

I have not been excited and nervous like I was for my ultrasound yesterday in a very long time!

It did in fact take an hour and was not what I expected at all!

Genie (my technician) took images of my neck on both sides but the way it works is like this...
I had to take deep breaths as well as push like I was trying to ... poo!
The reason for this is that it would usually expand the veins and let blood flow faster.

The vein on the right side of my neck is completely collapsed from the base line where my collar bones starts all the way up to the base of my ear. Right below my ear they could actually see the blood pooling, turning around and going back up to the brain. I pushed like I was in labour - ready to passed out and still nothing.

The left side is also collapsed but this one does sneak some blood through but only with deep breaths and minor pushing.

They also did an ultrasound on my eyes. The weirdest feeling ever!
Think about it...warm jelly on the outside of your eye, a hard probe pushing into your eye and hearing a strange knocking...Just didn't feel right!
This was done to also see if the veins leading to the back of the eye were functioning. Mine Are!

This all indicates the same findings that Dr. Zamboni discovered!

What happens now?
The way that Dr. Steed explained it is this...
The research in Canada and worldwide really is still so new that having test subjects come in and letting the technicians practice is terrific.
They are following a strict protocol on what they are looking for. In me and many others that they have tested they found what they were looking for. The problem now is that they are not sure what to do with the information.

Dr. Steed is working closely with the MS clinic and told me that at this time he doesn't recommend evasive procedures as they are simply not sure of the implications as well as the safety and dangers. He did explain all of this to me and it does make sense.

He believes that with all the research being done that he believes that in a year they will be ready to do something with the information gathered and that from there they will be doing the procedure to expand the arteries and veins.

Dr. Steed is looking for more test subjects both MS patients and normal healthy people to help build his research. If you are interested you can contact him at Sunridge Diagnostics. 403-568-7676

Monday, December 21, 2009

Liberation treatment

I have been wanting to write about this for so long.
I think I have a bit of time so let's do it!

Dr. Zamboni in Italy made the discovery that MS may not be an auto immune disease after all.
After much research he found that the MS brain had very high iron deposits. Digging deeper he found that the blood was also not draining properly from the brain.

This prompted him to perform MRI and ultrasound testing on the veins and arteries.

The reason for his curiosity was that his wife had been diagnosed and his specialty was neurology. he wanted to become a surgeon but he himself has a neurological problem that has left him with minimal mobility in his hands.

Any who, his discovery was all in the jugular artery.
With many test subjects he found that all MS patients had blocked arteries in the neck.

the ultrasounds show that the blood does in fact try to flow back to the heart but either can't get by or only a small amount does which is the reasoning for the high iron deposits. These deposits are because the blood that typically leaves your brain goes to your kidney's to get cleaned up and then back to the heart.

This is what I'll be getting looked at tomorrow!

We've had it!

Grace and I have had it with each other!..I think!
Mark worked all weekend and is on hour 12 as I write.
That means I have been alone with Grace this whole time - while she's been ill.
It makes me long for a few hours by my self!

I am very tired however I can't sleep. I am so excited for the ultrasound tomorrow!

I'm going to stop here are do an other post talking about the Liberation treatment...

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Sleep...not so much

Grace has had a hard week which in turn means I've had a hard week.

Tuesday we had the faking sick day.
Thursday she came home with what we were sure was pink eye.
Friday I stayed home in case it was pink eye...it wasn't and she was fine.
Friday evening..Well we had a bit of fever, a swollen eye, a bit of sleep, a bit of well...everything really.
Saturday was a cry and complain and whimper all day long. The evening was filled with more fever, chills, blue hands, lips and feet not to mention the 8 bottles of milk and no food in over 3 days.

We are now Sunday morning, I have not had a good night sleep in 4 nights and I am feeling spent.
I think tonight will be a better night! Maybe positive thinking will get me somewhere!

This week I have my ultrasound and am quite looking forward to it!
It should take at least 1 hour and this will indicate if my jugular arteries are plugged, have a kink or are simply not draining the blood properly from my brain.

Does it excite you like it does me?

Monday, December 14, 2009

Ultrasound

Today I booked my research ultrasound with Dr. Steed.

I must say Thank you to Steve for letting me know that Dr. Steed was starting his own research on MS and the possible blocked jugular arteries.

I promise to take the time this week and explain the 2 new treatments that you may have heard about. I have been looking up both for several month. Long before they hit mainstream and you will see it is very fascinating!

On the 22nd of December I will go for this ultrasound. It takes about an hour and what they will be looking for are the areas that seem to be blocked in all MS patients but not in a healthy person.

I'll keep you posted!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Jingle bells...

Today the low for Calgary is to be -54C with wind chill. Can you say COLD!
I really don't mind the cold or the snow. I hate the wind!

I think we have all started thinking about Christmas and well we have already started celebrating!

We had a small party last night. Grace has opened quite a few gifts but she absolutely loves her toboggan! She sits in it and waits patiently until one of us pulls her around the house! Too cute!

Today Grace has her "Kids of the DI" party. I really enjoy kid parties because they are just too cute! They love to just have fun and take it all in! I think that this is the most important thing we loose when we become adults. It's good to be a kid and have no other pressing matter then Play Play Play!

Last night we watched the movie "Up" finally!

This is the best movie I have watched in a very long time...Go rent it...cuddle up on the sofa with a blanket and hot chocolate and enjoy!

Stay warm!


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

This Tuesday will be a good day

Well, if it's not one thing it;s another right!
Being busy keeps me well and I know that with MS you should relax and get as much rest as possible but I have proven things wrong before!

We had a great Snow Blizzard this passed weekend and that was...lovely!

Today, after being in the car for 1 1/2 hours trying to get to work I finally made it only to have to leave a few minutes later to go see Dr. Costello and get my 6 month MRI.

I will be a great day... I have Tuesday's but I am saying it will be a good day!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

I think I'm busy!

I guess you can all tell when I start to get either very busy or ill. That's typically when I don't write!

In the next 10 days I have lots to do...read this!

Today I had an eye exam which I need to do every 3 months for 2 years because of the Optic Neuritis.
Friday I have chiro in the morning and dentist in the afternoon.
Tuesday I have a meeting with Dr. Costello (my neurologist) and then a 2 hour MRI. This one will be to monitor the lesions on my brain.
Friday I have chiro again.
Saturday I have an other 2 hour MRI and this one is the study that Dr. Costello is leading.

On top of all this I have a few Christmas events that I am either planning or attending!

All of this and it doesn't even include my work, being with my family, working on the Christmas WishList (www.homelesspartners.com ) for the DI and well just getting groceries!

I will do my best to write within the next few days to explain the 2 new treatments available for MS.

Oh... I almost forgot...I still need to finish my shopping for all the Christmas gifts!