Re: Val....... My Update, and reintroduction........

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Hi Val,........write me offline and catch me up with whats been happening in your life! Hugs, Jackie rubyjax7@... Val Lee wrote: Hey Jackie!~ It is so good to hear from you! Yepper, it's me, Val, the one and the same. I'm sorry to hear that you are having some problems with the MS. Man, I know what it's like when you have a husband who although, claims to understand, but you know in your heart that he doesn't. Not really. I don't believe anyone who doesn't have it, can really understand. I also know how this disease causes mood swings and changes in our total emotional well being. Seems Tom and I really have our moments when I'm not doing so well. But, I'm not going to claim the MS as the only trigger. He has his own problems as well that he choses to ignore. But, when I know it's the MS that's rearing it's ugly head, that's when I try to keep to myself and not rock the boat. I'm no good to myself, let alone anyone else. So, have you been watching American Idol

this year? If so, who are you rooting for? I'm kind of rooting for Archuleta or (I can't remember her name), the colored girl. But, it's really so hard for me this year. The people who are left at this point are all so good. Any one of them could win and I'd be happy. So how is the weather in Oregon? My youngest daughter lives in Tigard. But, the last time I spoke with her, she didn't say anything about the weather. It's been rainy here for the last few weeks. Something we needed, but I'll be glad when it finally passes. This is the first Spring in about five years when it actually feels like Spring. Usually, we just go from Fall to Summer, then Summer to Fall. There's rarely been a Spring or Winter. We are actually experiencing all the seasons so far this year. Well, I'll let you go. Just really wanted to say how happy I am to hear from you again. I hope we hear from you more often.

I'm glad to hear that you have started a group for DD. I hope it continues to be a great success. As always, I'm lifting you in prayer.Love and blessings... Val <*)))>< http://www.happytrailsfarm.us Euphemisms are unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne. ~Quentin Crisp~ From: Jackie H <rubyjax7>Subject: My Update, and reintroduction........To: MSersLife Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 2:21 PM Hi everyone, and Welcome to all the newcomers that have joined since I've been gone. I'm Jackie from Oregon, and have had MS since '81, but not confirmed until '95. Mine started with Transverse Myelitis where I met Sharon on that group, and then joined her group for MS'ers because my TM seemed to have progressed to MS. [which I was told was common, as TM is a distant cousin to MS] Anyhow, my progression has been slow, and for many years it stabolized and I didn't have but a couple exasserbations where I lost the use of my legs for a few days. I never went into the hosp. for that, probably should have, but after all the Dr. visits I had gone thru just to get my dx soured me on going back unless something drastic happened. You'd think not being able to walk would be drastic, but I just waited it out and eventually my legs grew stronger and I went back to a normal walking, except I had foot drop so I kind of

drug that foot, but I managed and didn't let it stop me from any activities. That was all in the '90's, and since then I've had more episodes of exasserbations, but I don't think I knew it was happening as I felt crappy most of the time. I do think I progressed to Secondary Progression as I stopped having any good days. Its been slow, but little by little I started noticing changes that I thought at first it was Fibromyalgia which I have also, and now a new dx of Dercums Disease which is kind of like FM and MS together, only I have areas of very painful fat, and lumps. So I started a womens group for DD and up until lately I was doing pretty good managing it, and we have a small group of ladies that are pretty terrific. I fashioned my group after Sharons because she is such a great list owner I took her cue on how to develop a close and friendly group of people. Thank you Sharon for being a great example of what a group leader is all about.! Now that Challis is helping out

too, she is also a great moderator, and I appreciate both of you more than you know. Not just for my group, but for always having a encouraging and friendly word for me and all of you. So, anyhow this is all leading up to whats happening to me now. About 3 weeks ago I started getting these shock like zingers in my neck and it spread towards my ear and around to the base of my skull. Man did they hurt! [still do] So I posted a message on here about how those who had TN experienced those symptoms because after doing some googling I thought possibly thats what was happening to me. I think someone said TN was common with MS, but I didn't get any details exactly to how theirs affected them. Except its very painful. Well after the neck zingers started it must have been a week and I started getting the zingers in my knee down my leg, foot and back up into my thigh. Now the neck

ones hurt, and they cause awful headaches and bee sting like sensations that vibrate. But the leg ones are the type of pain that you need to bite a bullet to keep from crying out. It doesn't last very long but man they are bad. So after 3 weeks of all of this going on I saw my Dr. for both and she was convinced it was the MS, and it was originating from my cervical spine. Thats where I have my first lesion, so I am assuming another one is forming. Long story, I am now not able to walk more than a couple steps without holding on to something, and I can't even get out of my house to get the x-rays done that have been ordered for both areas. So I talked with my Dr., and she has put in an order for a power chair, and home health care. She also put the dx as advanced MS with paraplegia. This latest progression has really thrown me for a loop, and I am having a hard time dealing with it. I have pain meds and muscle relaxers to help with the zingers, but the weakness and not

being able to walk is pretty disturbing. I know some of you are in this same situation, and I feel for you, and now can relate a little bit how hard it is for you. I need some encouragement right now because my husband is trying, but he's not dealing with it very well himself, and we find each other getting short tempered when I can't do something. My daughter has moved away, and she doesn't call, or really want to have anything to do with us, which broke my heart, so she doesn't even know what is happening. My son has his own physical problems, and two little girls to raise by himself, and try and keep his job, but he at least calls to see how I am doing. This got a lot longer than I intended, but I felt I needed to introduce who I was to the people I've never met, and then one thought lead to another,.... ....etc, etc...... So thats my story for now, and I hope to hear from

you all. I've been trying to keep up with whats been going on with everyone, so I kind of know whats happening. Val, are you the same one who use to write me before? Anyone can write me privately too as I can use all the friends I can get. I'm a little scared about this new developement, and not knowing what will happen next. Thanks for listening, and I'll try and post more often when I can. Jackie from NW OregonHugs and Love, Jackie :-) Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Be a better friend,

newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Hugs and Love, Jackie :-)

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