Update from - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2009 06:23 PM, CDT

[Guest guest]

It has been 6 weeks since my surger to repair the Chiari Malformation I was born with. I started physical therapy 2 weeks ago and I have been doing a lot better. I am excited about my future and I am having more good days than bad. For the past 4 days I have been able to be up an about a lot and I have been cooking for the family. I think I am starting to get in the swing of things.

is doing better as well, our whole family is really. has been off for 5 1/2 months and will be going back to work soon. That will be quite an adjustment but I think I am almost ready for it. I hope he is.

I have a follow up appointment with Dr Oro on April 6th. I am going to call tomorrow and see if we can move it to April 3rd instead, but it will be soon either way.

My biggest issue right now is trying to get my body adjusted to not needed pain medications. For 4 years I have taken pain medicine pretty much every day because of the severe pain I am in. I am happy to say that the pain decreases day by day and I am taking less pain medication but that makes me have headaches. Different headaches though. This too shall pass. :-)

The SUPER FANTASTIC news is that wonderful things are happening. My dream is to become a doctor and help patients that suffer from orphaned (rare) diseases. Since I have 2 rare disorders (Chiari & PSC) I understand what it is like. Yesterday I launched my website www.forgetmenotnebraska.com and I am so happy that I have already got 3 people to add to my mailing list.

Forget Me Not is a support group for Nebraskan's with rare diseases/disorders. I am going to start by doing stories each month about different rare diseases that Nebraskan's suffer from and sharing their story if they would like. I am from Nebraska, which is why I have focused on Nebraskans. This summer I will be hosting monthly meetings for us to get together and fellowship. I am really excited about it and hope to turn it into a Patient Advocacy Organization.

In addition to that I have applied to UNO, UNL, and UNK so that I can go back to school for pre-med and then get in to medical school. AWESOME!!!

 To send a message to melissa and family goto;

 

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/melissahall

-- Ian Cribb  P.Eng. (604) 862-7247