The MS Walk in Kemah is less than a month away and we're still $3,230.00 short of meeting our $6,000.00 goal! Let's really work hard these last couple of weeks to raise more funds!! Please e-mail or call me if you need suggestions or ideas on how to raise more money.
We can do it!! Let's go Angels!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
2 Months & 2 Weeks
The 2009 MS Walk at the Kemah Boardwalk is just around the corner! You know what that means....time to start the fund raising and registering!! I sent out a mass e-mail today to all of you who have either walked, donated, or done both in the past. We've got a lot of fun to make up for this year, since we didn't get to walk last year! And good news....the walk is in November this year, so hopefully we won't be dripping in sweat like the 2007 walk in September! Woohoo!!
Here's the link to my home page:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/TXHWalkEvents?px=3658802&pg=personal&fr_id=11721
And here is a link to the team page:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/TXHWalkEvents?team_id=158255&pg=team&fr_id=11721
Notice there are only 9 Angel's so far!! Let's get to work!! Send the links to everyone you think may want to participate!
Thank you in advance for your hard work, generosity, and support!!
Here's the link to my home page:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/TXHWalkEvents?px=3658802&pg=personal&fr_id=11721
And here is a link to the team page:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/TXHWalkEvents?team_id=158255&pg=team&fr_id=11721
Notice there are only 9 Angel's so far!! Let's get to work!! Send the links to everyone you think may want to participate!
Thank you in advance for your hard work, generosity, and support!!
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Spoon Theory
So, I just read this awesome story that brought me to tears and really hit home. My mom found it online and sent it to me. It is a little long, but I would really love for all of you to read it. It's called "The Spoon Theory." Basically, it's a great way to explain what myself, others with MS, and others with any disease or illness they live with go through on a daily basis. Luckily my daily struggles aren't quite as extreme as the author of this story. But, I do have daily struggles that most people don't realize because you can't physically see them. And I do have to "count my spoons" every day, especially during the heat of the summer. Here's the link and hopefully all of this will make more sense:
http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf
Let me know what you think!
http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf
Let me know what you think!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
This is going to be really long........
Wow, it's been super long since I last posted. I'm the worst blogger EVER!! Well, to update all of you.....I've been feeling well for the most part. I have some twinges and tingles here and there, but I've been able to pinpoint exactly what causes them....Not getting enough rest or getting too hot. So, the solution is pretty easy....get rest and NEVER go outside! Not really, I go outside, but I've got to be really careful and make sure I go inside to cool off often or stay in the pool or lake.
I know a lot of you have been asking about the MS Walk in Kemah. I asked you all to join my team several months ago during MS awareness week. I'll be getting back to all of you with details as it gets a little closer. It's not until November, so maybe like late August I'll start bugging you!!
I've been staying really busy with work. I'm working as an exercise physiologist in cardiac rehab at an amazing facility here in Longview. I'm loving it!! It's the most rewarding job I've had yet! I get to work with patients right after they've had a heart event, like a heart attack, open heart surgery, stents placed, etc. To see these patients come in discouraged, depressed, scared, and sometimes clueless as to what a heart healthy diet is or even exercise.....and by the end of their 12 weeks with us, they're totally changed! It's really amazing to watch:)
I did have a very difficult situation though at work, one that I hadn't had to encounter yet. I was doing my in-patient training in the hospital, which was about a month after I started the job. This consists of getting patients out of bed who just had open heart surgery to get them up and walking. Well, during my first week of training there were a lot of patients who needed A LOT of assistance. I don't know if you guys remember how my first bout of MS started, but it was caused by lifting a heavy book case. Then the next exacerbation was from lifting laundry detergent. So naturally, I get pretty nervous when I have to lift anything heavy.....especially a person!! I came home from work every day that week super anxious, nervous, and crying. I didn't want to have to tell my brand new supervisor that she hired a "dud." I was torn on whether to tell her or not. Doug and I decided my health was way more important than my job. So, I sat down with my supervisor and told her about my MS. I cried the entire time like a big baby!! I was surprised I cried because I'm not saddened by my MS. I guess it was just a situation I hadn't had to deal with yet and I was scared. I had no idea what my supervisor was going to think or say. I mean, my last employer knew me before I was diagnosed with MS. And he went through the whole thing with me and was SUPER supportive of me, along with all of my previous co-workers. I never really had to tell anyone at work the whole story because they all went through it with me. I was worried that my new supervisor and new co-workers would think of me as the new girl with MS or think that I'm not capable of fulfilling my job duties or think that I'm weak. Anyway, I sat down with my new supervisor and she was so supportive and understanding. She agreed that my health was #1! We found some ways to modify my in-patient duties and I'm pretty sure she doesn't think I'm a "dud." :) I also told my co-workers and they were all really nice about it. It's tough though because most people have heard about MS, but they really don't know what it is. But, maybe that's why I have it.....maybe I'm supposed to educate people and raise the awareness. Which in turn will hopefully lead us to a cure!!!
Anyway, on to other things....Longview is good. It's growing on me more and more each day. I still miss my family and friends like CRAZY, but we'll be near them again soon! Not soon enough:), but soon! We've made some great friends here. We've found the little restaurants and shops we like to go to, so it's kind of starting to feel like home. Apparently I've picked up a bit of an accent though! No one notices it here obviously, but everytime I go home to visit I get ragged on:)
We have a trip planned very soon that we cannot wait for!! We're going to Napa Valley in mid-July to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary!! Can ya'll believe it's been 5 years??!!
I think I've blabbed on enough now. I had so much to update you on though. I promise it won't be as long next time. I forgot how good it feels to blog!! Thanks to all of you who have asked about me and my blog. It's nice to know you guys are checking in on me:)
Stay cool in this Africa heat!!!
I know a lot of you have been asking about the MS Walk in Kemah. I asked you all to join my team several months ago during MS awareness week. I'll be getting back to all of you with details as it gets a little closer. It's not until November, so maybe like late August I'll start bugging you!!
I've been staying really busy with work. I'm working as an exercise physiologist in cardiac rehab at an amazing facility here in Longview. I'm loving it!! It's the most rewarding job I've had yet! I get to work with patients right after they've had a heart event, like a heart attack, open heart surgery, stents placed, etc. To see these patients come in discouraged, depressed, scared, and sometimes clueless as to what a heart healthy diet is or even exercise.....and by the end of their 12 weeks with us, they're totally changed! It's really amazing to watch:)
I did have a very difficult situation though at work, one that I hadn't had to encounter yet. I was doing my in-patient training in the hospital, which was about a month after I started the job. This consists of getting patients out of bed who just had open heart surgery to get them up and walking. Well, during my first week of training there were a lot of patients who needed A LOT of assistance. I don't know if you guys remember how my first bout of MS started, but it was caused by lifting a heavy book case. Then the next exacerbation was from lifting laundry detergent. So naturally, I get pretty nervous when I have to lift anything heavy.....especially a person!! I came home from work every day that week super anxious, nervous, and crying. I didn't want to have to tell my brand new supervisor that she hired a "dud." I was torn on whether to tell her or not. Doug and I decided my health was way more important than my job. So, I sat down with my supervisor and told her about my MS. I cried the entire time like a big baby!! I was surprised I cried because I'm not saddened by my MS. I guess it was just a situation I hadn't had to deal with yet and I was scared. I had no idea what my supervisor was going to think or say. I mean, my last employer knew me before I was diagnosed with MS. And he went through the whole thing with me and was SUPER supportive of me, along with all of my previous co-workers. I never really had to tell anyone at work the whole story because they all went through it with me. I was worried that my new supervisor and new co-workers would think of me as the new girl with MS or think that I'm not capable of fulfilling my job duties or think that I'm weak. Anyway, I sat down with my new supervisor and she was so supportive and understanding. She agreed that my health was #1! We found some ways to modify my in-patient duties and I'm pretty sure she doesn't think I'm a "dud." :) I also told my co-workers and they were all really nice about it. It's tough though because most people have heard about MS, but they really don't know what it is. But, maybe that's why I have it.....maybe I'm supposed to educate people and raise the awareness. Which in turn will hopefully lead us to a cure!!!
Anyway, on to other things....Longview is good. It's growing on me more and more each day. I still miss my family and friends like CRAZY, but we'll be near them again soon! Not soon enough:), but soon! We've made some great friends here. We've found the little restaurants and shops we like to go to, so it's kind of starting to feel like home. Apparently I've picked up a bit of an accent though! No one notices it here obviously, but everytime I go home to visit I get ragged on:)
We have a trip planned very soon that we cannot wait for!! We're going to Napa Valley in mid-July to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary!! Can ya'll believe it's been 5 years??!!
I think I've blabbed on enough now. I had so much to update you on though. I promise it won't be as long next time. I forgot how good it feels to blog!! Thanks to all of you who have asked about me and my blog. It's nice to know you guys are checking in on me:)
Stay cool in this Africa heat!!!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Day 6 of MS Awareness Week
Okay, your final task for MS Awareness Week is......DONATE!!!
Join the movement and donate now to create a world free of MS. Whether you want to make a one-time or recurring gift, a planned gift, fundraise at our events or give at your workplace, you’ll know your contribution is helping to fund cutting-edge research, drive change through advocacy, facilitate professional education, and provide programs and services to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.
There are several options when donating. Check out the link below:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/donate/index.aspx
You can also go to my MS Walk page and donate to Nicole's Angels.
Thank you so much for your generosity and support!
Join the movement and donate now to create a world free of MS. Whether you want to make a one-time or recurring gift, a planned gift, fundraise at our events or give at your workplace, you’ll know your contribution is helping to fund cutting-edge research, drive change through advocacy, facilitate professional education, and provide programs and services to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.
There are several options when donating. Check out the link below:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/donate/index.aspx
You can also go to my MS Walk page and donate to Nicole's Angels.
Thank you so much for your generosity and support!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Day 4.....sorry I skipped day 3.....of MS Awarness Week
So sorry I slacked off yesterday, it was a crazy day. I started my new job yesterday.....and I love it!!! I'm working in cardiac rehab as an exercise physiologist. The girls I work with are AWESOME and so is the facility I'm working in. It's brand new, half a mile from my home, it has cardiac rehab, physical therapy, a full fitness center with several pools, great fitness classes, and a full service spa!! I'm so blessed and thankful for this opportunity.
Okay, back to business!! The task for Day 4 of MS Awareness week is to Walk MS. You can do that by joining my team, Nicole's Angels. This will be our 3rd year! We unfortunately didn't get to walk last year due to Hurricane Ike, but we still raised a lot of money. To join my team or donate, check out my website:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/TXHWalkEvents/2032375347?pg=team&fr_id=11721&team_id=158255
We're going to do the Kemah walk again. Thank goodness they chose a cooler time of year for 2009, Saturday, November 7th. YAY!!!! Still in hurricane season, but hopefully this year we'll luck out. If you can't walk that day, please make a donation to the team.
If you're not a walker and would prefer to Bike MS , check out the following website:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/get-involved/events/bike-ms/index.aspx
It's a totally different event, but all for the same cause!
I really encourage you to walk with us though at the Kemah Boardwalk in November. We had a blast in 2007! Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the walk, signing up, or donating. And please pass my walk website on to everyone you know to have them sign up or donate. Our goal this year is $6,000, so I need your help!!
Thank you in advance for your support!
Okay, back to business!! The task for Day 4 of MS Awareness week is to Walk MS. You can do that by joining my team, Nicole's Angels. This will be our 3rd year! We unfortunately didn't get to walk last year due to Hurricane Ike, but we still raised a lot of money. To join my team or donate, check out my website:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/TXHWalkEvents/2032375347?pg=team&fr_id=11721&team_id=158255
We're going to do the Kemah walk again. Thank goodness they chose a cooler time of year for 2009, Saturday, November 7th. YAY!!!! Still in hurricane season, but hopefully this year we'll luck out. If you can't walk that day, please make a donation to the team.
If you're not a walker and would prefer to Bike MS , check out the following website:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/get-involved/events/bike-ms/index.aspx
It's a totally different event, but all for the same cause!
I really encourage you to walk with us though at the Kemah Boardwalk in November. We had a blast in 2007! Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the walk, signing up, or donating. And please pass my walk website on to everyone you know to have them sign up or donate. Our goal this year is $6,000, so I need your help!!
Thank you in advance for your support!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Day 2 of MS Awareness Week: VOLUNTEER
I hope everyone sent their e-mails to Congress yesterday!! Thank you to everyone who did! Today's task is..............VOLUNTEER
Check out this link to find ways to volunteer:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/get-involved/volunteer/index.aspx
Last year I volunteered in LaGrange at the MS 150 it was such a rewarding experience! Check out my posting from April of last year to read about it and see pics. I would highly recommend volunteering at the MS 150 this year. There are a million ways to help! And you don't have to drive all the way to LaGrange, you can help in Houston when the bikers leave and/or return. As of yesterday, they still need 3,000 volunteers!!! Here's a link to sign up to volunteer at the MS 150, just click on "Sign Up as a Volunteer":
http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?pg=entry&fr_id=10222
Unfortunately I won't be able to help at the MS 150 this year. Since I live so far from everything now except for Louisiana, Doug and I can't make the haul. We will be traveling the weekend before and after, so we have to stay in town that weekend. I'm super bummed because we had so much fun last year. I would highly recommend it!! Let me know if you have any questions on the volunteer process.
There are other ways to volunteer though if you're busy the weekend of the MS 150. Just click the first link I gave you and choose!!
Please send me comments or e-mails this week letting me know what you're doing to advocate, volunteer, and raise MS awareness. I've already received a few e-mails! Keem them coming!!!
Stand by for tomorrow's task.....
Check out this link to find ways to volunteer:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/get-involved/volunteer/index.aspx
Last year I volunteered in LaGrange at the MS 150 it was such a rewarding experience! Check out my posting from April of last year to read about it and see pics. I would highly recommend volunteering at the MS 150 this year. There are a million ways to help! And you don't have to drive all the way to LaGrange, you can help in Houston when the bikers leave and/or return. As of yesterday, they still need 3,000 volunteers!!! Here's a link to sign up to volunteer at the MS 150, just click on "Sign Up as a Volunteer":
http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?pg=entry&fr_id=10222
Unfortunately I won't be able to help at the MS 150 this year. Since I live so far from everything now except for Louisiana, Doug and I can't make the haul. We will be traveling the weekend before and after, so we have to stay in town that weekend. I'm super bummed because we had so much fun last year. I would highly recommend it!! Let me know if you have any questions on the volunteer process.
There are other ways to volunteer though if you're busy the weekend of the MS 150. Just click the first link I gave you and choose!!
Please send me comments or e-mails this week letting me know what you're doing to advocate, volunteer, and raise MS awareness. I've already received a few e-mails! Keem them coming!!!
Stand by for tomorrow's task.....
Monday, March 2, 2009
MS Awareness week is here......
Hi everyone! Can you believe it's already MS Awareness Week again??!! This year I couldn't find a calendar of things to do each day of the week. The reason is, this year's motto is "Make Your Mark 365." We want you to make your MS mark all year round, not just this week. But, here are some ideas to get you started this week and hopefully you'll carry on throughout the whole year!
Here's the first way.......
ADVOCATE
–verb (used with object)
–noun
Any day now Congress will start making decisions about crucial funding for MS research. This legislation would invest $15 million to support MS researchers whose discoveries could hold the key to new treatments or a cure. Click on the following link or copy and paste it into your browser to contact your members of Congress today!
https://secure3.convio.net/nmss/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=585
Here's another link to find other ways to advocate:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/TXH/take-action/index.aspx
Please show your support!!! I'll be posting tomorrow to give you your next task!! Thank you for raising the awareness!!
Here's the first way.......
ADVOCATE
–verb (used with object)
| 1. | to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly |
| 2. | a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. (usually fol. by of): an advocate of peace. |
| 3. | a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor. |
| 4. | a person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law. |
Any day now Congress will start making decisions about crucial funding for MS research. This legislation would invest $15 million to support MS researchers whose discoveries could hold the key to new treatments or a cure. Click on the following link or copy and paste it into your browser to contact your members of Congress today!
https://secure3.convio.net/nmss/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=585
Here's another link to find other ways to advocate:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/TXH/take-action/index.aspx
Please show your support!!! I'll be posting tomorrow to give you your next task!! Thank you for raising the awareness!!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Worst Blogger Ever......
So, it's been FOREVER since I've posted on my blog. I feel TERRIBLE about that. I picked up and moved to East Texas and you haven't heard from me since!!! I have no excuse other than I've been lazy when it comes to blogging and e-mailing.
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Dickinson, Christmas in Allen, and New Year's in Austin. Time has flown by that's for sure! I've already been living in ET for almost 3 months. For those of you who don't know by now, we are living in DEEP East Texas.....Longview to be exact. Longview is 2 hours east of Dallas and an hour and a half from Shreveport, LA. Going back to my cajun roots:)
ET has been a lot better than I had anticipated....or should I say dreaded. It's really beautiful here with the TALL pine trees and rolling hills. And it's been so nice to have a COLD winter.....it gets really cold up here! It is so dry here though, I NEVER thought I'd say I miss the humidity! We love our new apartment, it's super nice and so cozy. We have a great view of the pine trees. Our guest room is finally finished and is officially open for visitors! :) We'd love to show you around Longview and maybe party in Shreveport! We've met some really nice friends here and are so thankful for them.
Doug is loving his job! He's finally settled in to his new title.....Attorney at Law. He has a really nice, HUGE office. He's been meeting with and signing new clients, filing petitions, and is in charge of 12 or so cases.....all on his own! And he succeeded at his very first hearing!! He's kicking you know what and taking names:) I'm so proud of him!
As for me.....no luck on the job search. I have been working a temp job for the past couple of weeks in the HR department at the hospital in Marshall, which is about 30 minutes east of Longview. I am so thankful for the work! I really like the girls I'm working with and would love to stay there permanently, but they don't have any openings right now. I'm just helping them catch up on stuff while I look for a job. Please keep me in your prayers.
As far as my health.....I've been feeling GREAT! I would even say the best I've felt since my diagnosis! I'm pretty sure the cold weather is helping, as well as NO STRESS!!!! Hopefully Doug and I will be adding to our family in the near future, so I've got to keep up the good health! I'm headed to Houston Friday to see my retina specialist for my 3 month check up. My eyes are STILL giving me problems and I'm STILL on eye drops, but the plus side is they haven't gotten any worse.
I think this is enough of an update for now. I promise I will be better about blogging. I will update you all very soon. I miss my family and friends so very much, but ET isn't forever.....I will be back! Lots of love......
Here's the quote for today. A friend of mine sent me an e-mail that said this:
"When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly!"
I want you guys to really think about this. I feel like this really relates to how I was feeling several months ago when Doug got this job offer and we went round and round about whether Longview was the right decision. Now I feel like God definitely is teaching me how to fly:)
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Dickinson, Christmas in Allen, and New Year's in Austin. Time has flown by that's for sure! I've already been living in ET for almost 3 months. For those of you who don't know by now, we are living in DEEP East Texas.....Longview to be exact. Longview is 2 hours east of Dallas and an hour and a half from Shreveport, LA. Going back to my cajun roots:)
ET has been a lot better than I had anticipated....or should I say dreaded. It's really beautiful here with the TALL pine trees and rolling hills. And it's been so nice to have a COLD winter.....it gets really cold up here! It is so dry here though, I NEVER thought I'd say I miss the humidity! We love our new apartment, it's super nice and so cozy. We have a great view of the pine trees. Our guest room is finally finished and is officially open for visitors! :) We'd love to show you around Longview and maybe party in Shreveport! We've met some really nice friends here and are so thankful for them.
Doug is loving his job! He's finally settled in to his new title.....Attorney at Law. He has a really nice, HUGE office. He's been meeting with and signing new clients, filing petitions, and is in charge of 12 or so cases.....all on his own! And he succeeded at his very first hearing!! He's kicking you know what and taking names:) I'm so proud of him!
As for me.....no luck on the job search. I have been working a temp job for the past couple of weeks in the HR department at the hospital in Marshall, which is about 30 minutes east of Longview. I am so thankful for the work! I really like the girls I'm working with and would love to stay there permanently, but they don't have any openings right now. I'm just helping them catch up on stuff while I look for a job. Please keep me in your prayers.
As far as my health.....I've been feeling GREAT! I would even say the best I've felt since my diagnosis! I'm pretty sure the cold weather is helping, as well as NO STRESS!!!! Hopefully Doug and I will be adding to our family in the near future, so I've got to keep up the good health! I'm headed to Houston Friday to see my retina specialist for my 3 month check up. My eyes are STILL giving me problems and I'm STILL on eye drops, but the plus side is they haven't gotten any worse.
I think this is enough of an update for now. I promise I will be better about blogging. I will update you all very soon. I miss my family and friends so very much, but ET isn't forever.....I will be back! Lots of love......
Here's the quote for today. A friend of mine sent me an e-mail that said this:
"When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly!"
I want you guys to really think about this. I feel like this really relates to how I was feeling several months ago when Doug got this job offer and we went round and round about whether Longview was the right decision. Now I feel like God definitely is teaching me how to fly:)
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