I just checked on the Team MMSJ website and I am happy to report that currently we have raised $500. I am so grateful for everyone who has and will be donating to Team MMSJ this year. As you may already be aware, the MS Walk this year in Kennewick will be held on Saturday, April 12th. So, there is plenty of time to help us out. We would love to have you on our team!

So, now that I have reported on Team MMSJ.....

How is everyone? I hope that now that everyone is well into the year and done with everything holiday related, you are all doing well. The holidays can bring such stress for so many people and we all know one of the worst things for MS is stress. So hopefully this finds each of you stress free and doing well.

Things here have been slow. As mentioned in my chemo post, I have not been feeling well. That has finally turned around. I am still REALLY tired, but overall I am doing a lot better. The whole chemo experience has been so different this time. The whites of my eyes turned blue, my urine was green, and although I always knew these are possible side effects of the "smurf blood" I have not had these effects since about my 2nd dose. Then with the severe reaction with nausea and overall not doing well, it is almost as if I got a larger dose than normal. Of course I know this is not the case, but for some reason it seems to have really made an impact on my body. What I am hoping for (trying to be positive here) is that since I had such a strong reaction to the chemo that will mean that it will work extra hard this time around and I will feel that much better! One could hope. :) Only time will tell of course.

I do have to say there is something to doing your best to have a positive outlook though. Yesterday the nurse at the oncology unit where I get my chemo (had my post-chemo labs) said that she was just so amazed at how positive and happy I always seem to be. I do my best, but the reality is that my family would probably not agree. I do my best to not go out on my bad days and if I have to (for like an appointment) then I put on a happy face. I find that I function better, even if it is difficult, when I tell myself everything is okay. And, 9 times out of 10, everything is okay!

So here's to thinking positive and doing some good! Take care.