Doctors Visit "WOO HOO"!

(Let me first set the premise here for those who don't know...I have MS so its always a concern when going to the doctor!)I went and had my annual doctors visit and all is wonderful! He was very pleased with me. He used words that I love like "perfect" when describing my blood tests! (it's so hard to top that word!) Motor skills are good, weight is good, reflexes all good....looking everywhere and found absolutely nothing wrong! (as far as new and different that is) He checked my hip and its range of motion and was amazed at how much better than before. (must be all those reverse scrunches and squats I do! heehee) He's keeping me on my major supplement regiment ( btw, I don't take any prescriptions) but changed the time I take certain ones. I complained of restless legs and since it only happens when sleeping he told me to take 4 of my regular supplements at bed time. That would be my mega multi-mineral, 1000 i.u. vitamin E, 1300 mg Evening Primrose and B-100. (amazing how that worked!) So with that said I'm good to go for another year!....:) This is where I say "WOO HOO"!
                                     Personally speaking and being the walking proof I believe that my diet, nutritional supplements, exercise, paying attention to my limits and attitude are the reasons for my success! Life is short but beautiful so live for today!   you can check out my diet at  jansrecipebook.com     

Going to the Doc today!

This is my annual visit.... nothing to really report to him about. I'll post what he says after I go. Hopefully all will be good since I feel so great!

as of late....

It's just so weird sometimes to think about having MS. I feel pretty good as of late. I stay with my diet for sure 100% and I keep up my exercise as to stay fit and somewhat toned. (squats and crunches...whew!) It's important after losing all that weight 4+ years ago. I do have my moments of fatigue which I've learned to accommodate by recognition. (so I've adjusted my life so it doesn't "get me") My right hip is more of an issue than the MS. (arthritis probably from a childhood injury) That being said I just had a weird moment thinking about MS. I was at work and my co worker's client said "Hi Jan" and proceeded with the question "How's your MS?". I was just taken aback by that question! I know she was just sincere and it wasn't harmful in any way in fact it was a caring question. What was weird to me was that (and I explained this to her) I haven't even thought about MS and or even my having MS until she asked me. Wow! I feel very fortunate indeed and thankful for all that is at this time going and doing well. (hip and all!)....

Did all my Dr. visits "Hurray!"

Got all my yearly stuff done and everything looks great. My blood work is actually phenomenal! The best its ever been! (I was told it was like the blood work from someone who is 18 years old!) Wow! I have to say that makes me feel really good. My hip hasn't given me too much trouble either. Ever since taking that St. John's Wort (a couple months now) my overall mood and sense of well being has improved. Still working....that too is better since altering my schedule. I'm still creating fab gluten free, dairy free, etc. free recipes. I also lost another 7 lbs.! Wow....that just amazes me after all the chocolate chip cookies I made and ate recently!(cookie recipe on my  blog  ) Diet.....being what you eat.....makes all the difference!  http://jansrecipes.blogspot.com/  The trick is taking control of that!........

Getting Better

Things are getting better now that I worked out a new schedule. Still doing the same amount of hours just not as late and not as strenuous. (starting earlier) Overall I feel pretty good. (cutting back and paying attention to my limits is really paying off!) If only my hip wouldn't hurt. I've been doing some exercises for my hip and that really does help. (trying to strengthen the muscles around the hip)  With that said, it's been another day in paradise! :)

Some things are hard to do....

For me lately?... it has been acknowledging my priorities and boundaries. It's always easy to blame everything on MS but I don't like to do that because I know other things are at play like arthritis, menopause, and just getting older. The thing I blame MS for at this point is FATIGUE which makes all the other stuff a lot worse. Fatigue is not just being tired or out of energy, it's all consuming.(like falling into a well, unable to get out and it is too hard to even try) I wish just a nap or a rest could make it end but it isn't that simple. I've been dealing with arthritis in my right hip and bursitis or rotor cuff issues in my right shoulder(a hairdressers occupational hazard) and I still have numbness in my right hand.(have for 5 years so until they repair nerve damage it's my norm) So with all of that I usually make a joke to myself about cutting off my right side and how life would be better! (just kidding of course) ....back to my priorities and boundaries... I've been having to reevaluate my work. I start off the day energetic and planning for dinner after etc. then by 2 or 3 I'm spent and by the time I get home I just can't bring myself to have the energy for cooking.  Being the author of a recipe book I am still formulating new recipes and possibilities for my blog and blog followers but lately it has had to take a back burner. (no pun intended) I've also had to reformulate my work schedule and reform my clientele. That has been the hardest thing to do because I've had some of my clients for more than 15 years but some are now just too hard for me to do. I can only hope that they will be understanding. ....

Every crazy weekend!!

It seems that every weekend has been crazy lately! I'm almost afraid to answer the phone! Let's see.....going back a few weekends....it snowed and my daughter drove through it with the car (our car)we just gave her!(to drive not own) Thankfully nothing happened to her but a semi driving by flung a rock and cracked the windshield! Then the following weekend she was running late to her job (she live approx.70 miles away) and said she couldn't start the car. So while she was working we checked the car out and found it had been visited by pack rats which chewed some wiring so she had to leave the car with us to be fixed. Then today the computer was having a malfunction which took my husband all day to remedy. During all this my daughter and her boyfriend decided to buy a dog! Of course we babysat today....9 week old border collie...he's soooo cute! Now we're talking about two students in college full time plus.(plus means 20+ credits per semester).....as a parent you know the worries! I just have been putting myself on auto pilot because stress and I do not get along! Then....(yes, there's more).... our other vehicle has been having problems and now after hundreds of dollars it still remains in the shop! I really need a vacation. I haven't had one for many years! In the complete need zone now! Thinking of California. I love California or maybe Illinois (Chicago)since I have family there. Or maybe New Mexico for the weekend! I don't know .......please say a prayer.... God will direct.....I'm open! As far as MS? I've been too preoccupied to think about it.......Oh....In the midst of all this I managed to make some chocolate chip cookies.....the recipe I've been working on for some time to eventually post on my other blog site....they were okay but still not perfect!!!Damn!!! Soon I promise! It's just when I make them I must eat them (I'm not one to waste) so whats for breakfast? maybe an egg,,, and a cookie.....what for lunch? maybe a tuna wrap and a cookie....what's for dinner? maybe shrimp scampi and a cookie! get the gist?  I may end up disliking chocolate chip cookies by the time I arrive at the ultimate!.......'til next time.....Jan

A trip to the opthamologist!

I've been feeling like my vision hasn't been right and thought I should have it checked out. Sometimes its so easy to blame everything on MS. 5 years ago when I was diagnosed with MS I did have some optic trouble (double vision) so I felt like I needed to make sure what I've been experiencing wasn't a nerve thing (optic nerve to be exact) which could cause inflammation requiring an anti-inflammatory like a steroid. Well, I feel much better after going. Everything appears to be just normal and some of what I've been experiencing is most likely due to age. (Damn! I hate getting old!) I feel very fortunate though because I've been relapse free now for over 5 years! I'm not taking any modifying drugs either just doing diet and supplements. Of course I give the credit to my diet (very close to The Best Bet Diet). If anyone wishes to know about my diet check out my website  http://jansrecipebook.com  .  Laters, Jan

My new blog!

This is my blog for sharing my life .......family, food, thoughts, living with MS, etc. "Welcome to my world".