The latest on Missy! | Filed under General
I feel many emotions, some anger and rage; at Missy for touching me, at such a young age. No matter how long, or what is in store, I’ll cherish every moment and long for more. As I face Missy, there will be good and bad days. I’ll laugh with you, on those good days, I’ll wish for someone to hold me on those days when they aren’t. I’ll never take life for granted and whatever comes my way, I’ll grasp it with both hands and enjoy every day the best I can. Sometimes, things come our way, we know not why. That is the time to begin the fight and to know you’ll win the battle. Life is but a journey, through mountains, hills, and valleys. We could not have the sunshine, if we had no rain and storms. So, we should each learn to enjoy very precious moment always remembering to give our best. Remember, keep faith, then we will be truly blessed.
Earlier last week I had an appointment with my neurologist who is also a dear friend. This visit was one I feared for I know my body and the many things that Missy had taken pride in doing but even more than that was this….
You Know It’s Gonna Be A Bad Day When……Mother Nature Gives You The Finger!
Knowing and being prepared to hear them from a professional is two very different things but just how long does one wait. The time came and my appointment went as I anticipated. Each visit I have at this place is very special to me as eight years ago there was no MS Center at this large Medical Facility. It was in those good ole days of my busy professional life, I was asked to serve as a member of the Community Advisory Board to the Medical Facility. During the time I served one of the issues we addressed was the additional Centers of Excellence that was needed. Of course, my interest went right to Ms. Missy and the need to have the best medical care available right there if possible. Little did I know that seed was not just planted but it actually sprouted during those meetings and today it is said I was one of the main involved in the establishment of the MS Center. Now enough of that and back to my point, my physician of course knows me well from the large amount of work we have done together not just as physician/patient but in other areas for the Center and the education we have done about Missy.
It took her no time to realize things had changed, the long and the short of it is….Missy has kicked me hard many times and where in the past I was allowed to hold onto the fact I was border Relapsing-Remitting/Secondary Progressive that is no longer the case at all. The MRI that was done with and without contrast to see if there were signs of active disease showed I am at a plateau. However because of the length of time I have had Missy and the fact my symptoms never leave and all the previous areas still remain very visible on the MRI’s I am Secondary Progressive and no longer border…it is what it is. Now what does that mean…..People with Relapsing-Remitting experience very clear flare-ups or relapses and then they are followed by partial or complete recovery periods (remissions) free of disease progression. However with Secondary Progressive as I have you start out with relapsing-remitting and followed by a steady worsening course with or without flare-ups, minor recoveries or remissions, or plateaus. Over 50% of the people who have relapsing –remitting will go onto develop secondary progressive after 10 years and for me Missy has been around kicking for 17 years. In relapsing-remitting, the symptoms may go away completely or partially mine did improve for a period of time but when was that now I ask? Yes it has been that long but Life will go on and I will soon again be found saying “Life Is Simply Good”
It is friends like you who help the difficult days seem less difficult and I do not know what tomorrow brings just as you do not know, I just have a warning and do the best I can to listen and enjoy life. So I will live for today with hope for tomorrow. Speaking of hope and tomorrow, maybe there can be some more fun on my porch so please check back often. By the way, Bob thank you for your special kindness in keeping others updated, and to Karen and Melissa for the phone calls, and cards and to the many others for your special comments, thoughts and prayers.
January 23rd, 2006 at 10:37 am
Ms Vickie, I have huge respect for you. You go girl. I think you are doing wonderful. I can think of no one else who is a willfully strong as you. I can only hope that I can have half your strength.
Thank you Bubba, Coming from you I know I have just received a great compliment. :+:
January 23rd, 2006 at 11:48 am
There are those who are lights on this earth, leading others to become better; you are such a light Ms Vickie. A true voice in the wilderness, showing others the way.
My prayers go out to you; my love follows closely behind.
May the Lord hold you in His hand.
SC, You always have a way of brining a smile to my face. Thank you for your very special comment. I have had several very good teachers here on this earth. Several can be found right in the blogging community. I count you as one of them.
January 23rd, 2006 at 12:05 pm
I’m happy to be here for you, as you’ve been there for me more times than I can count. You are an inspiration to me and I’m sorry (and angry too) that this is happening to you. But like you said, we need the rain to appreciate the sunshine. Missy may have progressed but she hasn’t beaten you, not by a long shot.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers that you have more good days than bad (with a large margin!).
I love you, my dear friend. *HUGS*
Karen, we have been around for each other and supported each other but more than that we have and are true friends and for that I thank you.
We better watch the I love you, on here you know what I mean…You female me female….something is wrong with that picture…NOT.
January 23rd, 2006 at 12:40 pm
We are all saddened to hear that things have been so tough Vickie, you can be sure that our love and support is there for you,
Hope you are back on that porch real soon and peeling those onion layers again too.
Thank you Peter, my friend. I hope I am back on the porch with a few breaks as I now know I will have to take. I will be peeling away a few layers soon and you are one of the loyal ones I can count on to be here.
January 23rd, 2006 at 12:40 pm
You are more than welcome Vick!:+:
While we’re on the subject of thanking me, when can I expect the next shipment of cookies?
Sweetie, I need to check with Booper on that but I do have a great surprise for the next order.
January 23rd, 2006 at 12:51 pm
I’ve heard said ‘every cloud has a silver lining’ - my prayer for you, silver and gold, as many, many blessings unfold. God bless you, sweet Vickie. You are a God-send to all of us, and love surrounds you. As Karen posted this mornings, there are miracles every day; may this day and all that follow bring miracles to you. Much love and many huge hugs.
Ms. Sally, You are a silver lining in my world. Thank you for being my friend and always sharing. I always feel so much love when you are around.
January 23rd, 2006 at 1:10 pm
I hate that this terrible illness is ravaging you, and I’d do anything to make it go away. Of course, I can’t. But I can keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you many rainbows and no more rude clouds.
Ellen, Daily you are in my thoughts and prayers for you have taught be inspiration. I am so sorry to know you are having the difficult days you have.
January 23rd, 2006 at 1:14 pm
You go, girl! You continue to demonstrate a lot of strength. Clearly, you are a woman of great character and an inspiration to us all. Most of all, you are our dear friend. Much love to you. The prayers continue.
Deb, Thank you strength , character and prayers are necessary to me. May you continue to expereince those same very important qualities. As you have shared with me life is not always easy for us but we can make the best of it.
January 23rd, 2006 at 2:14 pm
Simply - special prayers and thoughts for you and your struggle. Thanks for taking time to teach us as well.
David, Thank you for being a loyal reader and friend. We teach each other and life is a learning experience for each of us. Some are forced to learn more due to the things they do face in life. I am one of those but you are right there as well. :+:
January 23rd, 2006 at 2:27 pm
Your porch has certainly been a much quieter place with Missy taking you away from us for extended periods. However Miss Vickie, we have kept it swept and tidy, awaiting more cherished moments with you, laughing and talking…..and enjoying the moments whenever we can.
Jude, I knew I could count on you to keep the porch clean but what about the language
Of course you are in my prayers, and the power of prayer is awesome…
Thanks my friend for the prayers.
January 23rd, 2006 at 3:11 pm
And we laugh on the good days, and hug tightly when they are not so good. There’s this thing about kissing that suprises me. I love kissing her, every day, often. She’s as attractive to me as the day we met. I’m happy to have found true love. And, oh yeah, I’ll have that Bud there in the front row. Keep reaching out, Vickie, we’re here for your touch.
RD, You have a very lucky wife. The first time I read your previous blog blogbudsman and read about you and your wife, Kerry, I knew here was a couple who understood my life. As her caregiver, husband, and soulmate you suffer everday in many ways just as she does. It brought a smile to my face knowing as I read your comment you got it more than many.
Now about that Bud, is one enough
Also stay off the bike after the Bud.
January 23rd, 2006 at 3:56 pm
As always you continue to be in my thoughts dear friend. I was glad to hear some of the news that you had to tell me. I know you’ll have some rough days, but it isn’t all gloom and doom. You’ve got a whole troup of people rallying around you. BTW we should see what we can do about having some kind of blogger’s meeting like Big Orange Michael had.
Love you!
Mel, As always you have been one who knew when I would need someone before I did, the recent reconnection was just another one of them I guess.
I do have a special group of friends pulling for me.
A blogger’s meeting would be great. I send you my love.
January 23rd, 2006 at 3:58 pm
Hey girl, just checking in for my hug for the day! Hang in ther tiger!
Hi Joe, A hug you got but from a tiger:?:
January 23rd, 2006 at 6:23 pm
What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Nothing that I can see here.
You are experiencing my greatest fear in this fight Vickie. I only hope that when my time comes that I can handle it with the dignity that you show here.
Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and if you ever need a shoulder, and hand, a hug or a gentle boot in the backside i’m always here.
(((hugs)))
Trace, You are always in my thoughts as we share Missy. I often think before I post and wonder should I say this or not because I know you are reading. Then I realize yes if for no other reason maybe I will be for you what one of my sepcial friends was for me —-a special inspiration as well as my mentor.
I am always here if you need me as well Trace and please always remember that.
January 23rd, 2006 at 6:44 pm
I told Karen how worried I was and I was so glad when she told me she had talked to you. You’re on the prayer lists at both churches, friend. You’re also in my heart. I love you.
Ms. Monica, Thank you for always making certain I am on the prayer lists at both of your churches during my difficult times. You are a special friend and one I am so blessed to have in my life.
I love you
By the way, we just need to have a few more chats in the hall
January 23rd, 2006 at 8:47 pm
I’m proud to call you a blog-friend. We’re all here for you.
Thank you my friend, it is nice to have friends like you FTS. :+:
January 24th, 2006 at 12:40 am
Stay srtong, miss vickie, stay strong.
Thanks G-man, I’ll do my best
January 24th, 2006 at 1:56 am
OK, Vickie… I’ll keep the “Love” to our private conversations. ROFMLAO!!!!!!! *angelic smile and batting eyelashes*
Karen, GF watch the *batting eyelashes* and love with that smile….you are just about to tell all. Gee WHIZ somethings are best NOT shared and then other things are to be shared…LMAO
January 24th, 2006 at 2:47 am
Missy is too nice a name for this creature. I would have trouble not being angry, Vickie. You sound like a much nicer person than I. I’m sending you loving thoughts!
Margaret, You are such a nice person and so full of love I know if you should ever need to deal with a difficult time as I am you would handle whatever should be sent your way with dignity. Thanks for the special thoughts.
BTW–now that you have pointed it out just maybe Missy was to have been Messy but somehow I got confused.
Go Seahawks and don’t listen to Bob if he says I pulled for North Carolina.
January 24th, 2006 at 10:57 pm
Sending good thoughts and best wishes your way!
By the by, LOVE the porch, we Southern Gals find it a nice place to socialize yes?
Lisa, Thanks for the wishes and oh do we Southern Gals enjoy socializing on the front porch. Others have no idea just what a place it is and the fun we can have. I enjoy your adopted city as well, just might have to visit one day.