AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!

Once again I began a post, had to leave, hit the “save draft” and now am back and the draft is gone. Such a wonderful post it would have been, all about the fun of having MS along with some even more fun symptoms. But now I forget if I remember it or not.

To begin with, AGAIN, March is MS Awareness month, a detail I’ve, well, face it, I knew in the back of my mind about it but when it came time to sit down and write about it I got side tracked every time. That seems to happen more often lately. Not that I’m forgetful, of course (and if you believe that there’s a blue bridge across the Ohio River I’ll sell you), it’s just that there is too much going on in the world to remember a little thing like the fact that my MS is acting up at the moment.

Sure, as if I could forget that! I was doing some research, or if I call it like it is, snooping for something new on the ‘net this morning, and on Web MD I found some new to me symptoms of this fun disease. Oh, in case you are wondering, I’m not really having much fun with it but trying to put it in a new light that makes it easier to accept sometimes.

Anyhoo, I’ve been one complete itch lately. No rash, nothing to indicate a reason for the itching, just nerve wracking itching all over. Thought it was an allergic reaction to something, so switched laundry detergent with no better results, switched body wash, equally no change, clawed a few furrows in my skin with a lot of results but no answers except practice in creative bandaging.

This morning, on Web MD, I finally found my answer. Itching without a rash or any other kind of reason is a sign of MS activity. I think I forgot to see if there’s an antidote though. Phooooyyy! Oh well, at least now I know why I’m clawing the skin off. Now all I need is a body bandage, which, of course, I would also claw off as soon as it was in place.

I’ve known MS has multiple symptoms for years, probably because I’ve had it for years. The headaches can be debilitating but I’m used to those. Overheating can really do a number on the MS prisoners symptoms, which can lead up to death if overheated for too long. Fortunately I’m cold natured so as long as I stay inside I bundle up in long sleeves and at times even my coat and hood to warm up. I discovered several other icky symptoms that I won’t relate here, even though they really run me ragged at times. When they aren’t sending me down to kiss the floor, that is. While I wouldn’t mind a short trip, that’s not the kind I prefer. At least my bones seem to be stronger now, thanks to the Vitamin D and the Folic Acid.

I’m beginning to wonder if my laptop has MS as well, since it sometimes seems to have a mind of its own. To say it’s acting up at the moment is putting it mildly. But then again, this is the third time I’ve opened it up in the past 2 hours. First time was to look for a photo, 2nd was to eat lunch (which was delicious) and now this time when it opened immediately and right to the correct page. We are getting used to each other after only 3 years of continued use.

This has been a pretty good week. On Tuesday I got a call from my sister who lives in Colorado asking me if I wanted a visitor. Of course I did, and wondered when she would be travelling to KY. She was coming in my door as I turned the phone off! I love surprises like that. She had spent a week with my older brother, helping to take care of him when he would let her. She brought me a couple of photos of him, looking better than anyone has a right to look with his little dog on his shoulder. HUH? He once made fun of his wife’s Maltese, although truth be told, he could often be seen cuddling that little mop! I’m not sure what breed Lacy is, but she is smaller than the Maltese, Sophie. Fits in the palm of his hand, but he does have large hands. He’s looking good in the photo. If I didn’t know he is dying of cancer I sure would never think it when I look at that photo. Meg was on her way back to Colorado but being tired she decided to stop by and see me first. We spent a very pleasant afternoon, going down the hall to visit our aunt as well.

Friday evening, late, my daughter popped in, bringing me some of my favorite Monterrey Spaghetti, a double batch this time. Her hubby was running in a marathon in Owensboro on Saturday and they were spending a couple of nights in town. He stayed at the hotel gearing up for the 13.3 mile race that began at 7:30 Saturday morning. Just looking at that number makes me tired but he runs them a lot. He finished at 10:25 and while the original plan was for them both to come for a longer visit he had to beg off to recover from the run. According to him, this race was better than than the ones he runs at home because we are mainly flat land while Frankfort is hills and valleys. I love the guy a lot but sometimes wonder about loose screws when he runs these races! All of my screws would fall out if I tried, but then I don’t have that many left to worry about. They are on their way back home now, where he will continue recovering from the run. I found a cartoon somewhere that describes my outlook on running: “If you ever see me running past your house, please come out and kill the huge animal that is chasing me”.

So, my daughter walked in just as I was putting the final stitch in her birthday quilt. Her birthday was March 7, but since she was coming in I didn’t get in a rush finishing the quilt. I’m going to attempt to post a photo of it — my 3rd time attempting that today, because I couldn’t remember what I used to take it. Found finally on the Kindle. So, here goes, I hope!

It worked! Of course not immediately, but after several failed attempts to bend it to my will. The Tulip Quilt is twin sized rather than the lap quilt I had intended it to be. Now I want to make another just like it for myself. Time will tell.