Training in full swing

Only 78 days until the Boulder Half-Marathon and I've got my training in full swing. I spent the past couple of weeks getting back into shape and now I'm trying to boost my running time so I can go long distances. Today I went for about 8 miles and ran for the majority of the time.

Going for greater distances, I'm noticing that my feet start to go numb after about 3 miles. It's really annoying. I can't tell if it's an MS thing, back out-of-wack thing, or running form. OR it could be all of the above. I figure that the smart thing to do would be for me to call the neurologist my aunt recommended and make an appointment. I haven't had an MRI in over a year, and it's probably a good idea to get one to try and rule out any obvious MS related issues (i.e. new lesion development on my spine). Then if it is MS related, maybe the doctor could prescribe some type of physical therapy to help with my form to keep my feet from going numb when I run.

Happy New Year!!

Good Bye 2011, Hello 2012!!

I'm really excited for what this year can bring. 2011 was a good year for me in terms of the positive changes and the growth I've made and I'm looking forward continuing forward in 2012.

I have some big plans for myself this year jumping off from what I accomplished in 2011. My first big thing I'm doing is the Boulder Half-Marathon on April 1st.  It will be my first half-marathon. After the half-marathon my goal is to do at least four triathlons this year, two of them Olympic distance, and the two day BikeMS. Jeremy and I also want to hike up a 14er this summer as well.

My big goal for 2012 is to remain MS symptom free and I feel that continuing to be active and getting into shape will serve to further that goal.

Hello Winter

Winter comes early and often times hard in Colorado. This week we've experienced a wide range of weather patterns from record highs on Monday to freezing and snow tonight and all through out tomorrow. It's all well and good, anyone who lives here knows to expect the unexpected from the weather.

As much fun as sitting by my window watching the first snow of the season can be, the drastic change in weather is aggravating some of my previously dormant MS issues. I have a feeling that no matter how far into remission I get, I will probably always experience some MS related issues that goes along with drastic changes in weather, especially from hot to cold. My body does not react well to sudden changes.

Good-Bye Dr. M

I do not like my current neurologist. Honestly I've never liked her; from the moment she first stepped into the exam room she and I didn't click. First she was judgmental about my weight, then indifferent to how I was feeling when it came to the pain and neuropathy, and finally she doesn't listen to my issues around the medication. The list can go on and on, but those are the main issues.

Now, you could ask why, if I never liked her, have I stayed with her practice for two years?

Good question... The answer would probably be that I don't like going to see doctors in general, so I've never really put too much effort in finding ones I like. Sometimes I'm lucky and I find a great doctor with out trying very hard, such as our family physician. Other times I'm indifferent because I will honestly avoid going to see a doctor, even one I like, unless it is absolutely necessary. I guess it didn't occur to me when I was first experiencing the MS symptoms that I would have to find a doctor I could live with for over the long haul, all I cared about at the time was figuring what was going on and how to stop it.

Getting my groove back

Back in winter 2010 when I had my massive relapse, we had to turn my art/writing room into a makeshift bedroom because at that time I was having issues getting up and down the stairs safely. We had to breakdown my work table and rearrange all the furniture to make room for a bed. I had to move most of my art supplies to the basement thinking that I wasn't going to be able to use them anymore. The whole thing was just depressing.