Too Long TM

Sometimes I just don't feel like writing. I'm getting close to five years with Transverse Myelitis. It's hard to believe - and getting hard to remember life without it.

Yet...sometimes I forget. The mind remembers being able to do something, but the body doesn't react. Yeah, that comes with age as well. In fact, I can remember my Grandma Carlson stating that even though she was 90 years of age, in her head she still felt like a little girl.

So, last week, I forgot and tried to do a cannonball into the pool where we were swimming with two of our grandchildren. It was the shallow end. Not good. My legs don't work well as shock absorbers, and I hit my left heel quite hard. And yes, I felt it even though I don't feel many things. If you've got TM, MS or some type of spinal cord injury, you know what I mean. It still hurts after six days. But, it'll get better.

Today I did visit my Siskin doctor. We upped my Lyrica and added Zanaflex. I've been struggling with some spasms, so hopefully these changes will help. For me, I can tell that a spasm is coming because a muscular/neurological tension usually begins in one of my thighs. I can try and will it to stop, but a spasm is the best solution because it releases the muscular/neurological tension. And so, I'll have a shiver-like spasm and then feel "Ahhhh."

What We Do For Love

Two weeks ago we drove to Wilmington, NC for nephew Bobby's wedding. Driving, or even flying can be an ordeal when one has TM. Any type of stress, and this includes things that aren't stressful for healthy people, increases the effects of Transverse Myelitis. Pain increases, fatigue increases, soreness increases, muscles and ligaments get tighter and, well everything gets worse.

But, when one gets to middle age, many family events are either weddings or funerals - and it's more fun to attend weddings.

So, after driving 9 hours on Friday, resting a bit, attending the rehearsal dinner until late, and then on Saturday attending the wedding and reception, I sat down in a corner of the reception hall and put my legs up on another chair.

I was spent. Completely. I didn't want to visit with anyone. I just wanted to sit and "check out" by going into my own little world. I had started to develop spasms in my legs and abdomen and the nerve tingling that always exists was at least twice as bad. My legs felt like I was carrying around a 20 pound weight on each ankle.

But then a little girl came to me and asked, "Poppy, will you dance with me?"

My thoughts went...

1. "I can't, Sweety. Poppy is just too tired. Why don't you ask Uncle Bob?"
2. to... "I don't want my grandchildren to think of me as this old man who doesn't do things with the family."
3. to... "Suck it up, Doug. You can rest next week."
4. to... "Sure, Ella. I'd love to."

So we stepped onto the dance floor.

First, dancing has never been part of my life. Over the years many people have said that I would have been a good dancer because I feel the rhythms. But even feeling the rhythms doesn't help when the legs are gone, balance is a struggle, and the feet don't move quickly or smoothly.

But for love, we danced. And for love I would do it again and again.

Not Equal Time

While in Minneapolis a couple of weeks ago, we were able to enjoy Hayden, along with her mom and dad (of course).

This included her first sucker...

And her first cereal!

Cooper

For those who have asked, here are a few pictures of Cooper. No, he is not our fourth grandchild. But he is a lot of fun and the neighbors agree that he is cute and has great markings.

New Roomate

This is Cooper, our nine week old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who joined our family today. He flew in this evening from Utah.

We've talked about getting a dog for many years. I have been the resistant one. But now that I'm working from home most of the time, I started to think that this would be a good time.

So...I Googled, looking for a breed that would seem to meet our needs and desires. I finally narrowed it down to the Cavalier King Charles. No, not because it sounds like a classy breed, but because it is very loyal, smart, friendly, small, obedient, non-yippy, beautifully-marked dog.

I saw his picture on Puppyfind.com and loved how he looked. After some phone calls, emails and pictures, a check was signed and his flight from Salt Lake City to here was booked.

During this entire process,

Deborah had no idea.

In fact, I had to lie. (Though, is a lie a lie when you're keeping a secret for a surprise that is good and the lie you tell is that you're going to the airport to pick up some missionaries for church?)

Cooper and I made it home from the airport while Deborah was doing some shopping. She finally found us in the backyard and was s-h-o-c-k-e-d. :) [In a good way.] So the surprise was complete and worth the many hours of research and the secret phone calls.

Now, we just need to be alert and faithful so that he learns why it's important to "go" outside.