Kickin' MS with HSCT

Sept. 15, 2013 – +11

We’ll no blood test today, since I was in the normal yesterday, and it’s Sunday.

So, we are moving right along with slowly removing my restrictions today. A little strange, that a door that that has been my shield for the last 11 days, was left open this morning, between my room and the bathroom.

ISO door open

So, the restrictions continue to be lifted.
1. No one suited up to come see me today, they just wore mask and gloves.
2. ISO door open… very strange feeling.
3. My suitcase was returned
4. I can brush my teeth with a toothbrush… oh, this felt so good, you can’t imagine.
5. I can wear my own clothes, getting rid of the night gown will be nice. My nice jammies await me this evening.
6. I can walk out into the hallway, with a mask on today.
7. I can walk outside tomorrow, and will totally breath in the fresh air, even if it’s raining. I don’t care.
8. Dr. F came by and said I was doing wonderful, and he even noticed my walking was improving. This after being stuck in one room for 11 days, seems pretty big to me. Especially since I’ve had to walk barefooted the whole time, because I have to have the tightness across my feet to keep my foot drop from being so bad. So, even though many will bring crocks to wear in ISO, it was a safety issue for me personally, so I went without.

My symptoms:
On the subject of improvements, I’ve already seen a few. Remember, I have PPMS, so they had told me, “if we can stop the progression, be happy, no further promises.” And I was totally fine with that, otherwise I wouldn’t be here. And in the email from Dr. Fedorenko, he told me up front, only 50-60% chance the progression could even be stopped in my case, did I want to proceed? Of course I did, that was better than the big ZERO everyone else had given me. Then after my test he increased the percentages to 60-70% chance to stop progression, but no promise of gaining anything lost. Still, I was able to walk, and get around, though with lots of limitations, so let’s keep pushing forward. And I’m so glad I did.

1. Spasticity has been one of my major complaints, and it caused me a great deal of pain in the late afternoon and evenings. I tried Baclofen, but it just made me feel tired and I couldn’t function. So, my Chiropractor suggested I try Formula 303, a natural muscle relaxer with Magnesium and Valerian Root, and some other natural relaxers. Those things were a life saver and totally safe. Only complaint I could find was they smelled, and they do. I would take one in the late afternoon, then a couple before bed. Well, when I first arrived, that was still an issue and showed them to Dr. F to see if I could continue to take them along with the treatment. He said they were fine to take. Well, after a couple of days I no longer needed them, and haven’t taken them since. He ask me daily about the Spasticity and I have to tell him, I have none. Such a great feeling to be without that pain.

2 Foot drop -We’ll I haven’t be able to get out of this room in a while, but I can tell you that my drop foot is much better. I don’t seem to trip over or drag my right foot the way I’ve done over the past couple of years. The test will be when I actually can put on my shoes and walk around a bit to see how I’m doing there.

Those are the improvements I’ve noticed so far. At this point I’m physically very weak, and don’t want to push too hard and fall, so baby steps. I was all gung ho to jump in the shower after my clothes arrived, then after brushing my teeth and cleaning the dishes, I decided to blog and take a nap first. Sure would be embarrassing to fall in the shower after such a big day. So, I’ll finish this up and take a little rest and save the shower for the afternoon.

On a lighter note:
I was able to catch the end of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss Rebels) game this morning when I woke up and it was a great win over UT. HOTTY TODDY REBELS! I have my cap back on today! Thomas I expect the appropriate flag to be flying at the house when I arrive on the 25th. 🙂
VW

Ole Miss Victory! Over University of TX.

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Today’s selection was suggested my a former HSCT Moscow Alum, Tammy. This is for all of us Tammy, Freebird!