Diane, I was catching up on posts and, despite having so many things, it's
good to hear you sound so strong and positive.

Skip

What a crazy week it has been. My brother and his family came and went.
They did the usually Orando tourist stuff which I passed on. I thought
it better not to stress my body any more than necessary but have ended
up with a bad visit from Arthur anyway. My feet in particular my right
foot hurts so badly that I can barely walk on it. Right behind the two
smallest toes. It's lightly bruised and swollen almost as if I broke it
but have no recollection of doing anything other than walking. Not that
I haven't broken it that way before. But the foot and toes are hard
like in spasm and my anti-spascity med for the MS seems to calm it down
so it could be that. As far as the wound on the left leg, the new
plastic surgeon I saw thinks I will heal fine without a skin graft,
albeit slowly. He's more concerned about further complications with
surgery. I agree with him and will wait it out. We are going on a
cruise at Christmas and I was hoping to be able to swim by then but I
guess not. At this point I'll be happy to be able to walk!  So I'm
spending a lot of time on my fanny with my legs up to keep the pain and
swelling down. The only other joints Arthur seems interested in right
now are my elbows which are puffy. Feel very strange.  Had my 6th IVIG
infusion this week and got thru without side effects again. Seems like
25mg of benedryl and a little extra medrol does the trick. Even the
extra medrol didn't help my feet!  Time for Arava again.

As far as Mom goes, she's remarkably recovered her speech and use of
her hands once again. The neuro is really shaking his head. He didn't
expect her to this time on account of the three strokes. He seems to
disagree with a previous neuro who thought these attacks were caused by
seizures. Whatever causes them, it's been 10 attacks now and the only
common denominator is that she has a UTI everytime it happens. She was
in the hospital for almost 3 weeks this time and is very week. She
still needs help eating as she gets tired easily and gives up even tho'
her hands are working. Other than thinking that the year is 1900, she's
very oriented. I think it's a word problem more than a factual issue.
She certainly has a strong will to live.

And finally, with the death of Mike Gibbons, drummer for Badfinger and
the father of my son's friend David, it's been a busy weekend. The wake
was last night and the a memorial/celebration was held this afternoon.
I've never laughed so much at a memorial service! I had only met Mike a
few times in picking up and dropping off kids over the past 5 years but
I was so warmed by the endearing friendships so evidenced in the
stories told today, I was sorry I didn't make a more concerted effort
to get to know Mike and his wife. It certainly gives one pause to thing
of what you can be missing when you are so caught up in your own life.

Anyway, thanks to all of my cyberfriends for listening and giving me
such wonderful support!  I don't know what I'd do without you all!

Cyberhugs,
DianeW

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential
is invisible to the eye. --Antoine de Saint Exupéry

Hope things continue to heal and get better for you and your Mom.
Thinking of you always.

I must say that life must be interesting in your family.  Sounds like you all
never have a  dull moment.  Hoping things are a bit calmer for a while!