Yup it’s that time again. I seriously have slacked off this year with the promoting of the walk. My walk is this Sunday, April 15 at the Rose Bowl.
I roll so no one will ever have to hear the words, “You have MS!” No child should have to watch their mommy slowly lose her abilities. No child should have to see their mommy be taken away in an ambulance. No mommy should have to explain to their children why she can’t get out of bed, why she can’t drive them places, why she can’t play with them. (Daddies and others also have MS, but this is what has happened to me) MS is a family disease, not only the person with MS is affected.
My fabulous team, Tracy’s MSKateer’s, is comprised of the best people ever from NBC/Universal. Best looking team too! 😉
If you are able to help, please click on the banner below and donate to help find the cure. If you are not able, please share my page and/or blog as maybe someone you know is able to donate.
Click the banner to go to my page! xx
I hope for the day when I can get out of my wheel-chariot. If that doesn’t come for me, I hope with research no one else has to ever be in a WC again.
Sometimes I wonder if my rescue babies realize they are safe now! I know I would love to be a ‘dog’ in my home. Take over the bed, get treats and love all day. But, I still wonder if they know how loved they are.
Charlie, Dexter and Chance
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” -Mahatma Gandhi
This quote is so very true! Like children, we are the animals only voice! My foster fail 😉 Charlie still shakes and goes into the submissive pose. I hold her and tell her that no one will EVER hurt her again because if they tried they would have to deal with a bat toting wheel-chariot mama! WAKE up World, we need to speak for those who can’t!!
nuff said!
Hug and love your pet today and, if you are able, check out your local shelter and save a life today!
There are so many times I cannot put my life, my emotions into the right words. In my head it comes out clearly, but when trying to express it into words it comes out jumbled. I tend to use music to to let my feelings known. [as shown in my blogs more than once]
Many of the songs I post will resonate with others who deal with chronic illness’.
Todd Rundgren is an amazing artist and his songs show real emotion.
This is the Music video for Todd’s 1981 song “Time Heals”.
If I’m not mistaken it was the third video ever played on MTV, when MTV was actually music videos… ah the good ole days!
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If you’re bleeding,
Then everyone can see you’re bleeding
They can call for the doctor,
Who’ll provide what the diagnosis says you’re needing
Then he’ll take away your pain
But if your heart,
Your heart has been broken
And you don’t wear it on your sleeve
No one can tell,
Your hell goes unspoken
But there’s one thing you must believe
Time heals the wounds no one can see
Time heals the wounds that no one can see
If you’re crying
Then everyone can see you crying
And they all sympathize
But it just doesn’t matter
Though they may be trying,
They can’t feel the hurt inside
You can’t go on,
You’ve gone to the limit
And your life seems to slip away
You’re on your own
Alone you must face it
And tomorrow’s so far away
You got to hold on baby
Got to give it time to heal
Time heals the wounds that no one can see
You must believe what they say is true
It do’s wonders for ya, yeah, yeah
This is an amazing song of true love and commitment! A very special meaning to me…
Chris Medina is my new Idol!
2011 American Idol castoff Chris Medina – the guy who touched everyone’s hearts and possibly made us shed a little tear with his heartbreaking love story about his girlfriend who currently suffers from brain injury due to a car accident – is the first example of the new partnership between American Idol and Universal Music Group. Chris Medina has been given the opportunity to release his debut single online. “What Are Words” which hit iTunes on February 24th is a beautiful ballad, inspired in his AI story, written by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins.
Anywhere you are, I am near
Anywhere you go, I’ll be there
Anytime you whisper my name, you’ll see
How every single promise I keep
Cuz what kind of guy would I be
If I was to leave when you need me most
What are words
If you really don’t mean them
When you say them
What are words
If they’re only for good times
Then they don’t
When it’s love
Yeah, you say them out loud
Those words, They never go away
They live on, even when we’re gone
And I know an angel was sent just for me
And I know I’m meant to be where I am
And I’m gonna be
Standing right beside her tonight
And I’m gonna be by your side
I would never leave when she needs me most
What are words
If you really don’t mean them
When you say them
What are words
If they’re only for good times
Then they don’t
When it’s love
Yeah, you say them out loud
Those words, They never go away
They live on, even when we’re gone
Anywhere you are, I am near
Anywhere you go, I’ll be there
And I’m gonna be here forever more
Every single promise I keep
Cuz what kind of guy would I be
If I was to leave when you need me most
As I started my new treatment this issue came in to play. On August 23, 2011 I had my first infusion of Tysabri.
My very own Tysabri bagMy very own arm!
One major side effect is Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), which may cause death. This medication suppresses my over active immune system due to my progressive MS, which can lead to this viral infection. I will be monitored for medicinal hepatitis [liver damage] and UTI’s. Now that my system will be suppressed I am more prone to getting other issues.
When getting ready for my appointment we [hubby and I] discussed the possibility of PML. When Roger looked at me and said that this way I can get my wish, to die, I sat open mouthed. I have stated, when in depression, that death is freedom and sometimes I do not want to wake up in the morning, I guess he took it literally. With tears welling up in my eyes I explained that I do NOT WANT to die, I just want the pain to go away. I want to walk again, to be able to hold my bladder, to be able to go out in to the sun, to be able to drive, to not have mental and physical pain… I want to play with my kids!! I will be honest… there are days I do not want to be here anymore. Unless you suffer from a serious chronic illness it is hard to grasp. But, in all actuality, I do not want to die. I just want my life back, a quality of life back.
I’m not even asking for much from this medication. I just want to be able to drive again and hold that bitch of a bladder! 😛 I’m not expecting much, as when I do my hopes are always dashed, so I am just waiting. It’s all I can do. I’ll keep fighting until my strength is gone. I need to be here to annoy my kids for a long time to come. It’s what I live for! lol
I will now go once a month for the two hour infusion. They [who the hell are they] say it can take 6 months to a year to see a difference. I’ve waited this long, so what’s another year or so. My problem is when I want something, I want it now. MS has certainly taught me patience… for the most part! [I try, really I do]
A new adventure is happening, and as always, I will go in head first! Wish me luck!
With over 45 volunteers and friends of Halfway to Home bused in from the Antelope Valley, last night in a Bakersfield night court a decision was made.
Halfway to Home’s permit was not renewed… yet. The court has ruled that on September 22, 2011, Kern County will give Suzanne of list of what they want done at the rescue, concrete work, etc. She will be allowed 50 dogs, where the county only wanted 10. WINNING! And, she has 3 years to get all of this in order! WINNING again!
NOW, the hard work begins… HWTH is run solely on donations and Suzanne’s Social Security. She has the largest number of volunteers for a rescue.
Some of the amazing volunteers!
But, to save this shelter they will need help! To get the concrete work done, in itself, will be a big undertaking which will be costly. Three years may sound like a long time, but in reality it is just a flash in time. They will need donations! This rescue is dear to my heart as two of my furbabies were rescued here. I know times are hard, the economy is bad, but maybe instead of that Starbucks coffee, donate! You get my meaning. 😀
I ask you to please share this information, please help save Halfway to Home and the countless dogs that are rescued every year!
Click the banner below to go the their website and you can donate there.
Lucky is an awesome doggie. I had the pleasure of meeting him personally when we went to the lake. If you are able, please help Erik and Caroline with the high cost of making him all better. Either way Lucky will get what he needs done, but I just want to help them with the costs.
Please click the link above if you can help!
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Lucky’s Journey
I have personally met Lucky. He found his forever home with my nephew Erik Bol and his wife Caroline. They are true dog whisperers and now he is home with them and their 5 other furbabies.
Lucky’s diabetes is under control, but he now needs surgery to restore his sight. They have taken on all his costs up to now and will continue to do so. I wanted to start this page to help get them some donations for his eye surgery. I hope you can help this amazing couple! ~ Tracy – A Dog Named Patrick — Below is their story! ?
Background: Lucky was abandoned on the side of Consumnes River on Hywy 49 between El Dorado and Amador County in January of 2010. My brother William Fallscher discovered Lucky on the river’s edge, he was blind, emaciated, ravaged with open cuts and scrapes, and clinging to life. Lucky was rescued later that night by William and my husband Erik Bol. Erik and I (Caroline Bol) gave him refuge in our home so he could have the best chance at survival. Initially, Lucky laid in our garage on a dog bed for close to 3 weeks, unable to crawl more than three feet as not to soil where he rested. He finally was able to officially stand to do normal things, like go to the bathroom and eat food, it was so exciting. During those first weeks a veterinarian visited our home multiple times, her initial estimation was that he had been on the rivers edge for weeks and that it was especially troubling because he appeared to be diabetic and should have died due to lack of treatment, which is more than likely the reason he went blind. We sought to determine the status of Lucky’s health, the vet said she would see what she could do, because of her love for animals she was determined to help Lucky as best she could. Blood work was ran and it was conclusive that he was in fact a diabetic and needed to be treated ASAP. We began treating him immediately for his diabetes, helping him through his recovery.
Then
When we took Lucky into our home he weighed approximately 30 lbs., currently he is at his ideal weight of about 70 lbs. He has completely integrated into our household, plays with our other dogs, and sleeps on a dog bed right next to my side of the bed on the floor. His diabetes is now completely controlled by my husband and I, but he is still blind. Our mission is to give Lucky a second chance at life, ultimately enabling him to see once again. He is the sweetest dog and my husband and I would not have changed anything, we are so happy to have Lucky in our lives. Every time I see Lucky warm and safe in our home, protected from the elements and any wildlife predators that he certainly had to fight to protect his life, I am overcome with joy. He is the ultimate fighter. Unfortunately though, he will remain blind until we can find him some help getting his eyes fixed. Currently he does not see anything and runs into everything. It would be the greatest thing if he could see again.
Vet information: Bronwyn Szignaroitz, DVM- she is a mobile vet, Phone # 916-673-8890
Well, it’s official, my MS has progressed faster than my neuro would like.
There are no real medications out there yet for primary progressive ms [ppms]. Most of the medications are for relapsing-remitting ms [rrms].
I asked what, if anything, can help me regain any strength or any movement in my legs. Even transferring from my chair to my bed or the tinkletorium is getting quite hard.
I had mentioned a medication last year with some serious side effects, death being one. There have been incidents of patients getting an infection called progressive mutifocal leukoencephalopathy [PML]. They have found that these people may have had PML before starting the medication so that may be the reason why.
It has not been tested on many patients with the more severe form like my ppms. My neuro has patients on it that have ppms and they have regained some to a lot of strength back. It can take 6mos to one year to see any results. It is a 3 hour infusion every four weeks 40 mins from my home.
I have a friend who uses it and he said his life has changed for the better, and he has been on it for over two years.
The referral was called in directly by my neuro so I should find out if I can try it in the next week or so.
I’m scared to death, but not trying something is even scarier. It’s only a matter of time before I lose complete mobility and am bed-ridden, so if this might help me to even be able to go back to using my walker in my home, it will be worth it.
There are now many FB communities for Patrick, my new one is A Dog Named Patrick. There are three California groups now to fight for Patrick. I hope to see you become a member at any one or all three of them. What information one does not have, another may.
On our show yesterday, The Padded Room, my bff Ruby and I talked about Patrick. It got a bit emotional at times, but it is hard to keep control and emotions in tact when discussing such horrific abuse of a living creature. You can listen to the 30 minute archive by clicking on our The Padded Room link.
Making it Through the Rain 