Oh Come ON, Brain.

I thought we had a deal.

I had my 1-year followup MRI today. Some lesions have faded, others have gotten worse, and there were several new ones. That, combined with the lesion they found in my cervical spinal cord (might be old, not sure; didn't scan that last year), my episode around Christmas, and other various symptoms, lands me squarely in the full-blown MS diagnosis category. No more Clinically Isolated Syndrome for me.

Son of a bitch.

Nothing changes aside from the looming, horrible possibilities that lurk in my future inching in just a bit closer. My neurologist told me to keep taking my current medication and live my life.

So I will. I'll be over here with my swiss-cheese-brain and weird nerve issues and sudden-onset fatigue and lumpy, bruised appendages and oh-so-many blessings that outshine it all, living my life.

Robots Don't Know Everything

which is kind of comforting, really.

[click to enlarge]

And Every Little Thing

gonna be alright.

Blah. Sorry to leave things on such a negative note for so long. I have about a half-dozen half-started posts in the hopper, but just haven't taken the time to finish them out. Here's a quick one, though.

I have 33 amazing friends who have joined my team for the upcoming Bike MS 150-mile event in the Sedona Verde Valley. I put together the group as a way to raise money for the National MS Society, and when I was registering the team, I was blanking on a team name. I ended up just using a nickname that a lot of my triathlon friends call me (which is almost always some variation on my initials), and thus Team K-Lar was born. (In hindsight, I kind of regret naming the team after myself because it makes me feel kind of douchey every time I refer to it, but there it is.)

Tonight, my friend Lauren pointed this out to me:

So "Klar' is a word in German, it means 'ok' or 'clear'. And there is a phrase "Alles Klar" that means "everything is alright". I think this phrase needs to find its way into everyday use immediately. Only if you are REALLY in the know, you will say "Alles K-Lar".

That just made my night, because on May 18th and 19th, 30+ people are going to be out there wearing jerseys with my name on it, supporting me and people like me, in celebration of the fact that everything currently is--and hopefully will continue to be--alright.

The Effing 13%

I avoided it for one hundred thirty two days.

Approximately 13% of individuals using Copaxone will experience, at one time or another, a transient reaction immediately after injection. This reaction includes flushing or chest tightness with heart palpitations, anxiety, and difficulty breathing.

They really nailed that description. Let me tell you, it's all kinds of fun to experience alone.

I know I have a lot of things to be grateful for, and I'm trying my hardest to stay positive and upbeat about this whole stupid situation, but sometimes it just really, really sucks.

They Will See Us Waving From Medium Heights

'cause I got pretty decent seats.

SO excited!

The Roots Of My Being

My family is my greatest blessing.

I got this email from my mom today:

Today your Grandma would have been 93.
 

I just wanted to remind you where you came from – the roots of your being. 

Your Grandparents were your fan club, your cheerleaders, and from the day you were born – prayed for you every day of their lives. They were very proud of all of you and I’m sure are still smiling down on each of you.

I don’t think a day goes by that they do not pop into my thoughts – some little reminder, from the Ram Truck commercial about farmers during the Superbowl, to thinking about reNOVonating our house.

We have been truly blessed – not by perfection – but by parents/grandparents that wanted only the best for all of us and gave their all to make that happen.

Wishing you happy memories on Grandma’s birthday.

Love, Mom

Truly blessed indeed.

Race Schedule 2013

So far...

January 1st - Commitment Day 5K
January 26th - Color Run 5K
February 3rd - Runner's Den Double Down (5K followed by 10K)
February 17th - Austin Half Marathon
February 22nd & 23rd - Ragnar Relay Del Sol
March 23rd - Neon Run 5K
March 24th - Tri for the Cure
May 5th - Esprit de She Triathlon
May 18th & 19th - MS 150 Bike Ride

All I can think about is how I need to find something for April.


I have a problem.