It is great to be back. :) I have so missed the blogging world! As you may have noticed I have been spending the last couple of days trying to catch up with all of you. I have been stopping in to catch up on all of your happenings. Unfortunately, I have been gone long enough that I will not be able to go back and read everything going on (that would take forever) but I got the gist of it and wish you all the best New Year yet!

So, why was I away so long? Of course one of the reasons was because my old computer died on me. I was waiting till after the holidays when things settled down to get a new one, but thanks to my parents here I am. The other reason is all too familiar. My health! Some days I think of it as just a trial in my life and I am okay with it......other times I feel as if it never ends and wish I could just be one of those lucky people who are healthy. If nothing else my hope for 2008 is that I will be healthy enough to stay out of the hospital and resume things as normal (okay, as normal as possible, lol).

This past 6 months has been a challenge. Not just with my MS either. As you all know, I was in the hospital for a while during July. Well, I got sick in September with the cold from hell. The cold itself was not bad at first, however it decided to become a permanent fixture. October brought my one year anniversary of Novantrone. At first it seemed as if I was not going to respond to this treatment (as I had not been doing well since the last one in July) but I must have just been off to a slow start as it finally kicked in towards the end of the month and into November. I was actually starting feel well enough that I got back to some of my regular routine. My mom and I went back to Curves and I even had a great Thanksgiving with my family.

Unfortunately it did not last. Just a few days later I woke up and then suddenly could not breathe. I instinctively started my nebulizer. Fortunately my sister happened to be at my house visiting for the weekend and as I turned blue (as Katie put it) she called 911. A few minutes later when the EMS arrived my BP was high, I was tachycardic and my O2 sat was only 86%. It turned out that I was having an anaphylactic reaction to one of my medications. A medication that interesting enough is supposed to help my Asthma. This is a very rare side effect (only about 1% chance of having it) and so of course I would be that lucky person to actually have it happen. After several days in the hospital on oxygen, nebulizers, high dose IV antibiotics and steroids I was able to go home. It has been almost a month and I still require the use of the nebulizer and oral steroids. Needless to say I will NEVER take that medication again.

Ironically this is the first time since I started the Novantrone that I did not have problems towards the end of the 3 months. I'm convinced all the steroids and other meds they pumped through me helped my MS as well. Fortunately I am feeling much better now and am ready to get back to everyday life. And, all this just in time for my next Novantrone treatment (next week). Such is life!

So, today I am hopeful for a bright new year! Good ridden 2007! I'm looking forward to a happier and healthier 2008. I hope you all are doing well and that the New Year brings you the best. Take care.
~ Jaime