MRI, neurologist, and a great day!

This is an update on my MS. I know a lot of you read my blog and want to know, so here it goes!!!

Last Wednesday Terry and I went to Bismarck for my MRI and then meeting with my new neurologist, Dr. Dunnigan. I was super nervous that morning, but kept occupied by buying a new backdoor from Menards right before our appointment (totally not relevant, but filling you in on all the details)! Let me just say that I haven't had an MRI in 5 years. With MS, that isn't good. As an MS patient you should have an MRI every year to 2 years to check the status of the lesions on your brain and how they have progressed or gotten worse or have accumulated. But, since I was pregnant and then miscarried, pregnant and had Isabella (stillborn), and then pregnant with Kael and then breastfeeding, MRI's weren't a possibility. So, finally after 5 years, I scheduled my MRI and dreaded it.

The MRI went pretty smoothly itself. The fire alarm went off when I put on my robe in my own dressing room. Wasn't sure what I was supposed to do, so I opened the door and saw no one. Great...just my luck. But, a tech came to my door a few seconds later and said that I don't have to do the "drill". Off to the machine I went. Strapped in, head secure, and 45 minutes of MRI"ing" I was in for. After the first set of "pictures", the tech pulled me out and inserted the contrast dye, known as Gadolinium. I usually get super sick when this is injected and throw up for the majority of the day. It is a sick joke, really. But that day...nothing. I did not throw up at all! So, back into the machine I went for the 2nd round of "pictures".

Terry and I had a quick bite to eat and then headed over to Dr. Dunnigan's office for the results. Waiting in the waiting room, and then waiting in the dr.'s office for him to come in, was excruciating. Man, they say time flies when you are having fun, but we were NOT having fun waiting. He finally came in (which wasn't even that long) and started reviewing the MRI that I had just had taken over at St. Alexius. Terry and I pulled our chairs up closely and were looking intently at the computer monitors as he scrolled through 100's or even 1000's of scans.

After quite a few minutes of silence, Dr. Dunnigan confirmed what I was thinking...the scans were WONDERFUL!!!! ONLY 1 NEW LESION IN 5 YEARS....INCREDIBLE!!!! It was a silent attack since I didn't have any outward symptoms of this lesion and it looked to be older. He was impressed and thought it was amazing that I would only have 1 lesion in 5 years. God is awesome! All the prayers that have been lifted up have been answered (answered in the way we were asking, that is)!!! It is pretty unheard of for a Multiple Sclerosis patient to go 5 years with only 1 lesion!

With that said, we don't see him again for another year for another check up (unless something major happens) and another possible MRI. We did not have to decide on what interferon injections to start me on, we didn't have to figure out how we were possibly going to pay for them ($1000-$1800/week), and we don't have to worry that my MS is progressing fast. God is great!

***I wanted to put a disclaimer at the bottom of this post. First, MS is a highly unpredictable disease. The results I got today and how the last 5 years have went doesn't mean that tomorrow I couldn't have a huge attack or in another year when I have my MRI I don't have 100's of lesions. I pray that I will continue to maintain my physical activity, mental stability, and the progression of MS in me remains minimal to none. But, wanted all to be aware of the devastating effects MS can have. Also, MS is different in EVERY patient and EVERY person. So, please do not email me and tell me about this person with MS or that person with MS and how they do it, because EVERY patient is different and the plan of action with their MS is different as well. (unless of course you would like me to add their names to my prayer list!)****

Go Twins!

Terry, Kael and I had the opportunity to take in a Twins game in the cities. Thanks to our friend Jess, we got great seats and had a wonderful time. Kael was totally soaking it all in.

Here's daddy and Kael from the parking garage looking at the Metrodome:

The cutest new Twins player, Kael!

Watching the game so intently.

Our family before the game started. Players on the field warming up.

Leaving the game....tired and done, so need a ride from Daddy.

MOPS Ice Cream Social

We have been working our little tails off getting ready for the MOPS ice cream social. This year I am Co-Chair of MOPS and Co-Chair of MOPPETS. It is a big responsibility and more work than I ever thought it would be. So, when last night was a HUGE success and more and more moms and dads and kids kept coming through the door, it was INCREDIBLE!!! Here's a few pictures of the evening!

Now I just can't wait for MOPS to start. Next Thursday can't come soon enough!!

Randomness!

Here are some pictures of such random things that I haven't even posted for a while. Seems like we are crazy busy, with nothing in particular happening! Couldn't resist this one....Kael in his Elmo undies helping with the dishes!

We moved the piano I had growing up from my parents' house in Bismarck to our house in Hazen. Mom has been wanting it out for about a year, and we finally made it happen. Here is Kael helping Daddy get it loaded and tied down.
At home and Kael climbed in the piano bench with his hammer to "fix it". I actually got my camera out in time to catch this one!

Piano with all my willow tree angels on it. I LOVE it!

Kael eating a "pickle on a stick" during Crazy Days in Hazen. I told you these were random!

Locks of Love

Yesterday I had 12 inches of hair cut off to donate to "Locks of Love". I thought I would be more sad then I actually was...it was a great experience and I have a cute new hairstyle. A picture is worth 1,000 words:

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!! Thanks Amber...you did a fabulous job and you are great!

Spillway Pond

A group of friends took our kids to Spillway pond last week when it was SUPER hot. We had a wonderful time catching up and the kids had a BLAST! Even though I put sunscreen on 3 times, I still burnt the crap out of my back. My MS stayed under control as I spent most of the time in the water staying cool. If I would just have been out in the heat, I would have never made it.

Here are pictures of Kael (red life jacket/red trunks) and his friends!

Splish Splash

We had a lot of "water" going on this weekend, so thought I would title this post "splish splash". Friday night we had Terry's old boss' retirement party at Hazen Bay and got to go watch the shop guys tube. Kael got to go on his very first boat ride. It was a blast!

Today we had my family out for a birthday get-together for myself. Kael, Mara, Aubrey, and Evan had a great time on the slip n' slide (or slippery slide as Evan calls it). We also had a water balloon relay and fight and running through the sprinklers. The adults enjoyed playing some games and hanging out in the shade. It was HOT! My friend Kimberly stopped by with her boys and Kael and Cayden played on the slip n' slide for even longer, but I didn't get any pictures of that. Dang it!

So, since it was entirely too hot for me to be out in the heat all day, my leg is killing me. My left arm is ok right now, but my face is tingly and numb. Off to watch some t.v. with the hubby!