Just an update

I have been a busy little bee! Sorry it has been awhile.

Ball Season is going okay, but I tell you it is a challenge with these 11-13 year old girls. They just aren't as aggressive as I was at that age. Aggressiveness isn't a bad thing in sports, really. Kristen is the baby on the team, she is the only 11 year old out there. The rest are 12 and 13. All in all they are a good group of girls and I think we will do okay this year, I just can't seem to get them placed in positions. I do have to say I am very proud of Kristen, to be so small compared to these girls she holds her own. Her attitude still needs adjustment though.

Joseph is still doing okay. He is still having some problems with his eyes but other than that he is not having any additional symtoms. His blood pressure is running high, and we are both working on loosing weight. His is doctors orders and mine, well have you seen me lately!!

We had our first Community Easter Egg hunt at church this past weekend. This was a vision of Brother and Sister Fraley's and I believe they would be proud. We had 64 kids show up and we hid 2000 plus eggs. We had several big prizes and lots of small ones, but I still don't think it was enough, so we are starting earlier to get prizes next year.

Riding Season (motorcycle)is here and boy am I looking forward to it. Joseph and I went on a ride last weekend for Relay for Life. It was about 164 miles round trip, lots of back country roads on the way home. It was fun but the wind was a little strong, so kindof scary toward the end when we were out on the open highway. I am looking forward to many more to come!

Ball Season

Well, ball season has begun!! First practices are today so we will see how it goes. I will be coaching Kristen's team this year, last minute! During tryouts they recruited me! I love it though, just worried about this age group 11-13, you know just getting into boys and thinking they may be too pretty to play! Anyway, i'm sure my patients will be tested. Katie was picked by an old teammate of mine, so i am very pleased with that. I feel Tanya will be a great help to Katie and teach her alot. I will report back after about a week, to let you know my predictions.

Rough Day

Well just wanted to share a few thoughts! Yesterday was a rough day for me! The last few days but yesterday in particular. First was that Kristen and Katie have been sick for a few days, Kristen since last Thursday, running fever, headaches and congestion. Katies started Monday, no headache, just fever and congestion and coughing. Well I kept both out of school and Tammy took them to the doctor for me. The doctor tested for the flu and thank God that was not the case. Kristen has a bad sinus infection and Katie a cold. Katie ran fever all day yesterday and both were not feeling well at all.

So now there is more!!! Joseph received his medicine in on Tuesday and the nurse come over yesterday evening to explain about the medicine and school us on his injections. I was very overwhelmed with this. My heart was pounding and felt like I was going to break down. I really struggled tring to keep myself together. I don't know why but I wasn't doing very good with this. First thing was the nurse has MS also and she has had it for 15 years and some of the things she was saying made me feel uncomfortable. Like how she would have bad days and things like that, but then she clarified that it was before she was put on this medicine. Since she has been on this medicine she has only had one attack in the last five years. (sigh of relief) Anyway learning to give the shots was kindof when reality set in!!! Then having to watch him give himself this shot, my heart just hurt. The thought of him having to go thru this everyday!!! Anyway it is hard to explain my feelings! I just ask that you keep us in your prayers!

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Well the results are in on all the tests Joseph has had. 3 tests indicate 90% most likely that it is the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis. He has to get Steroids through IV for an hour each day for 3 daysto combat the swelling, he is on day 2 today. This should releive the double vision. He will begin medication to greatly reduce the chances of future MS attacks. Also he will be taking self induced shots daily, which will be a challenge at first. He had more lab work yesterday and we will go back to see the doctor in a few weeks to see what meds are doing for him. Joseph and I are having a positive attitude about this and are determined we will live a normal happy life. I would appreciate your prayers and encouragement.

Update on Joseph

Well we are still in the process of tests! He has had 3 MRI's, Lumbar puncture, eye and brain tests and lab work 3 different times. Monday he goes back to the doctor for the results of the tests and maybe some answers.

Joseph

Well as most of you know, Joseph has been having trouble with his eyes since right before Thanksgiving. He describes it as "His eyes are bugging out", but basically it has been determined that he is having double vision. He had been having trouble periodically, but one day in particular he was to the point of stumbling and almost falling down, so he called and had me make a doctors appointment. I wasn't sure where to begin b/c I wasn't sure if it was an eye problem or if maybe his blood pressure or something was causing it. After consideration I chose an eye doctor. When he went to the doctor, she was able to trigger the double vision, but unable to figure out why b/c he passed the eye exam. So she sent him to another optomistrist that did some more extensive test and yet still no answer to what was causing it. So next step was an MRI, which come back normal but there were some white spots on his brain that concerned him. He said it could be nothing or could be Lyme Disease, West Nile or even MS. YEAH scary HUH!!!! Well, they made him an appointment with a Neurologist to try and rule some of that out. That appt. was yesterday and she first wanted to send him to Jackson for an angiogram to check to see if he had and anurism (sp?) but plans changed and now she just did some lab work yesterday, MRI of his spine today at 2:00 and Lumbar Puncture (spinal Tap) on Thursday at 3:00. Please keep him in prayer, I am stressed about it but I am not the one who has to go thru that. I will keep you informed as I find out.