11 Years Ago!

I can't believe it!  It's been 11 years tonight since I went on a blind date with Chris.  I remember coming into the Triple on Broad St. in Richmond to meet him.  He was sitting there holding roses and I was so impressed that he was so romantic.  We ate dinner together and I remember a lot of talking and laughing but neither of us remember what we talked about.  Then we left The Triple to go to Bandito's in the Fan.  We stopped at my apartment to put my roses in some water.  As we were walking to the door of my apartment building, I said, "You're not a rapist are you?"  He said, "no" and seemed a little surprised by my blunt question.  My roommate, Nichole, was in the apartment so she was able to meet Chris briefly.  Then, we headed to Bandito's.  On the way there I said, "I like you car (his Ford Explorer), it has testosterone all over it!"  He said, "Oh man, and I even washed it this afternoon."  I remember thinking, ha!, he has a quick wit, I like that. 

We had a nice time at Bandito's and he took me home.  I remember thinking after he left that I'd like to see him again!  Here we are, 11 years later.  I'm thankful to spend my life with him.  He makes me laugh and smile a lot!  He gave me a wonderful dog, Molly, and 2 amazing and beautiful children.  I am so thankful to have met Chris and believe that the blind date truly was a gift from God.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy 67th Birthday Dad!

My dad is kind and giving.  He is open-minded and warm-hearted.  He is intelligent and spiritual.  He is sensitive but complicated.  He loves his family, nature, and his dogs.  I am so blessed to have him as my dad.  Today I celebrate you!  I couldn't imagine my life without you.

A Super Day!

Two years ago today I had my first symptoms of Transverse Myelitis.  Of course, at the time I thought I had just slept funny.  My left arm and fingers did not feel the same and neither did my left leg and foot.  On 2/7/09, I went to the ER to be sent away w/ a normal head CT (thankfully) and the diagnosis of "atypical migraine".  I finally got an MRI a week later and was on IV steroids soon after that.  I'm feeling very thankful for my good health even though I'm currently nursing a cold and hoping it won't get worse.  I had thought that I would honor this milestone with a long walk but unfortunately it will have to wait.  The two year mark is huge!!!  I remember when I first heard about TM, my coworker, Keelia, a nurse, googled my symptoms and said, "I think it's transverse myelitis and it says that you could be back to your baseline (normal) in 2 years."  At the time, it was just one more idea of what the diagnosis might be but I remember thinking, really?  2 years?!  I want to feel "normal" now.  But, thank God, 2 years have passed quickly and I am as "back to normal" as I would've hoped or dreamed.  I still have some strange sensations (parathesias) at times but I've accepted them and they are part of my post TM body.  I can live with that.  So, my outcome is as good as anyone could have ever predicted.  I believe that I did so well ultimately because my onset of symptoms was so subtle,  I thought I just had slept wrong.  The research on TM shows that if you have dramatic onset of symptoms, the outcome is not as good.  I also owe my good outcome to my own persistence and resourcefulness.  I kept telling people that "something is wrong" and thankfully I "know people" in pediatric neurology at MCV and that is ultimately how I got into MY neurologist sooner than later.  I also owe my outcome my neurologist, Dr. Waterhouse.  She was supportive and took time to explain everything to me and my family.  She was open to listening to the research I'd done and was more than willing to work with the TM expert from Johns Hopkins and prescribe anything he recommended.  I owe my great outcome to having amazing health insurance!  I never had any issue with medications or treatments (even IVIG) or tests being covered.  I did well because I knew I was loved and supported by so many people.  Chris, Meg, Amanda, Mom, Dad, Shirley, and all my wonderful friends were where I found support, concern and love.  Most of all, I owe my great outcome to my precious children who needed a mommy who was able to take care of them whether I felt like it or not.  They kept me going and I wanted to be better for them! 

Yes, it is the day we celebrate the Super Bowl (the Green Bay Packers just won), but I have much more to celebrate.  I'm celebrating being back to "normal" and enjoying this wonderful life. 

What Would I Do Without My Friends?

Last night, I enjoyed a lovely dinner with my friends, Leslie, Nichole, and Wendy.  I have been friends with these ladies for 12.5 years, ever since I moved to Richmond.  We've been gathering for dinner every 2-3 months for a while, which is pretty remarkable for such busy people.  We talk SO much that we are amazed when it is 11:15pm on a Sunday night!  The time flies.  We laugh, we cry, we challenge and support each other and we just enjoy being together.  Our lives have changed so much in 12.5 years, and Nichole has even moved all over the country and back (thankfully).  We still make our friendship a priority.  (Leslie, thank you for motivating me to blog again).

Last weekend, I met my college friends in Myrtle Beach for the weekend.  Susan, Anna, Billie, Deanna, Thea, and I had a blast!  Lots of talking, laughing, eating, and shopping!  We definitely had a lot less drinking than in college!   We saw the movie, No Strings Attached and loved it!  It was perfect for a girls' weekend.  We have been friends for approximately 15 years and our lives have dramatically changed as well.  I had not seen Susan in 6 years and we didn't miss a beat.  She's an amazing lady and I've missed her!  It just warmed my heart to see them all and to be together.   Thank God for Phi Mu for bringing us all together and creating this lifelong bond.  The weekend was rejuvenating!  I can't wait to see them all again.  Here are a couple of photos:

I've always thought that when you leave your family and go away to college or to a new town, your friends become your "new family".  I could not have chosen a more wonderful "family". 

I would be lost without my friends!

Visit to Washington, D.C.

We took the day to visit Amanda, Chris, and Drew in Washington, D.C.  We enjoyed a nice brunch at their house, a Metro ride, and a visit to the Smithsonian.  It was a fun day! 

Holiday Card from Shutterfly

Love Joy Christmas

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

CJSTUF Meal Fairies!

Please vote for CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation Meal Fairies.  http://pep.si/bSsFw5

CJSTUF is trying to win a $50,000 grant to provide meals for parents who have children in the hospital!  You can vote every day! And please do.