Re: Saturday at Pegi's; a response, and Kate's Sat.

[Guest guest]

Pegi...wow, this is some email! I love that you have a sunroom/gym. I've been wanting to add one of those on as well. I originally wanted an Endless Pool--do you know what those are? Now that my town has built a huge pool, I could keep the cost down by just having a Four Seasons sunroom, and making it smaller than the original idea. Did you have your sunroom built on, or was it part of your house? I have a recumbent exercise bike, as well as a really good Landice treadmill. I have handweights and a yoga mat as well. My dream is to add on a 12 x 15' sunroom, so I can get the recumbent out of my Family room, and the huge treadmill out of my living room! It would be awesome to have a room as an exercise room!

I'm being a bit of a slug getting my day started; slept til 9am! I'm not feeling terrific, and am having a fair amount of eye pain, coupled with bladder junk and vertigo stuff...My kids and I are going to head down to the Farmer's Market and see what sorts of fresh local veggies and fruit they might have. Later, we are going to go on about a 7 mile bike ride with my sister to go to another fruit/veggie stand.

Have you had times when you've needed a scooter? I think it's great your parents know about your MS--my parents don't know. They are 83 and 84, and live in Assisted living down in PA. My mom gets too stressed with bad news, so my sis and I decided not to tell.

I worry about your feeling that you need to get to work to help with finances. I am in the same boat, but thankfully have awesome insurance that picks up most everything. But with 4 kids still at home--we used to go through a gallon of milk in about a week or 10 days--now we go through 2 gallons in a week. They are growing; eating more; needing clothes of course, etc. I feel I'm not pulling my weight at all in terms of bringing in money. Right now, it is only $45 for 3 hours I do for a Bible class for 2 and 3 yr olds at my church once a wk. It helps a bit with groceries, but not a whole lot!

I hope the rest of your day is well...I need to get going with mine! love, kate Saturday at Pegi's

Last night I had some sort of beginning of a cramp, but dh laid hands on me and I prayed too and it went away. It took a long time to fall back asleep and of course I lay awake thinking and crying about all this 'stuff'. It is so hard to control your mind, isn't it?

After we got up and read the paper we went bike riding, there were yard sales out like dandelions in the spring. Hubby bought me an elliptical trainer for $20! It is in our sunroom/gym right now. Also my scooter is being delivered from the family that borrowed it. A young man with Fredrick's Ataxia used it for a while, but it is just too big for his home right now, so he is giving it back. It will sit in the sunroom waiting for the day I may need it. My mom paid $3000+ for the thing so I am glad to have it if I ever should need it.

is off at work. He started his part-time job of delivering pizzas today. He also works full-time and does part-time ministry/computer work so he really had three paying jobs now. had a friend over and there will be another one coming later this afternoon. So she is in girlfriend heaven. ANYONE who says homeschooled kids are not 'socialized' never actually met a homeschooled kid I do believe.

I called about working as a caregiver part-time from a couple at church that are starting a homecare business. He said he was just wondering if he should call me or not. I told him I was stronger now and ready to go, so in a couple of weeks he said he should have his business up and running. I hope it all pans out so I can help pay for some of the massive medical bills we are having. I have had over $40,000 in MRIs over the past seven weeks alone, not to mention all the labs, x-rays, three doctors, lumbar puncture and other assorted things that have happened. I am trying to 'just believe' and put things on the shelf and just take one day/moment/minute at a time and thank God that I am still able to walk/see/take care of myself.

Hope you all are having wonderful days!

Love, Pegi

When your enemy is staying up all night plotting your destruction, remember your King never sleeps.Tommy Tenney

[Guest guest]

My dad died about 10 years ago, after that my mom came to live with

us. She built a 20 x 20 sunroom on the back of our home. She died

about five years ago. Our 'gym' is just some equipement that we have

accumutlated from the newspaper ads and yard sales. We have a weight

bench, free weights, two spin bikes (mine and hubby's) a stair master

and a waist spinner thing and now the eliptical trainer. Hubby would

love to have a rowing machine, other than that we are complete. In

the spring - fall though we ride our bikes and walk more than

anything. The sunroom is mostly a hang out place for the kids to

play their games, have friends over or watch dvds. We do not heat it

in the winter so all that stuff comes into the main house. We have a

hot tub in there, but we use it for storage as it is too expensive to

run and I could not use it now anyway. I think a hot tube would be

certain death!

I have never needed the scooter. My mom was diabled and she had it

when she died. So it sat in our shed/barn for years until this young

man needed it. All it needed was dusted and then a new battery, so

now it is coming back in case I ever do need it. It is virtually new.

Our insurance carries a $4000 deductible and then they pay 80%. We

are using up all our health savings account, but that is all gone, so

we are using our retirement to pay off the medical bills for this

year. IF I need medicene that is where my fear comes in. I keep

thinking of the verse My God shall supply all my needs. Well, if I

need meds He will show us how to afford them.

We don't drink much milk, but I drink almost a gallon of distilled

water a day. I drink/use rice milk though for cereals and cooking

for myself. I read dairy is very inflammatory and have not touched a

drop since.

I hope you finally got going.

Love, Pegi

>

>

> Pegi...wow, this is some email! I love that you have a

sunroom/gym. I've been wanting to add one of those on as well. I

originally wanted an Endless Pool--do you know what those are? Now

that my town has built a huge pool, I could keep the cost down by

just having a Four Seasons sunroom, and making it smaller than the

original idea. Did you have your sunroom built on, or was it part of

your house? I have a recumbent exercise bike, as well as a really

good Landice treadmill. I have handweights and a yoga mat as well. My

dream is to add on a 12 x 15' sunroom, so I can get the recumbent out

of my Family room, and the huge treadmill out of my living room! It

would be awesome to have a room as an exercise room!

> I'm being a bit of a slug getting my day started; slept til

9am! I'm not feeling terrific, and am having a fair amount of eye

pain, coupled with bladder junk and vertigo stuff...My kids and I are

going to head down to the Farmer's Market and see what sorts of fresh

local veggies and fruit they might have. Later, we are going to go on

about a 7 mile bike ride with my sister to go to another fruit/veggie

stand.

> Have you had times when you've needed a scooter? I think it's

great your parents know about your MS--my parents don't know. They

are 83 and 84, and live in Assisted living down in PA. My mom gets

too stressed with bad news, so my sis and I decided not to tell.

> I worry about your feeling that you need to get to work to help

with finances. I am in the same boat, but thankfully have awesome

insurance that picks up most everything. But with 4 kids still at

home--we used to go through a gallon of milk in about a week or 10

days--now we go through 2 gallons in a week. They are growing; eating

more; needing clothes of course, etc. I feel I'm not pulling my

weight at all in terms of bringing in money. Right now, it is only

$45 for 3 hours I do for a Bible class for 2 and 3 yr olds at my

church once a wk. It helps a bit with groceries, but not a whole lot!

> I hope the rest of your day is well...I need to get going with

mine! love, kate Saturday at Pegi's

>

>

>

> Last night I had some sort of beginning of a cramp, but dh laid

hands on me and I prayed too and it went away. It took a long time

to fall back asleep and of course I lay awake thinking and crying

about all this 'stuff'. It is so hard to control your mind, isn't it?

>

> After we got up and read the paper we went bike riding, there

were yard sales out like dandelions in the spring. Hubby bought me

an elliptical trainer for $20! It is in our sunroom/gym right now.

Also my scooter is being delivered from the family that borrowed it.

A young man with Fredrick's Ataxia used it for a while, but it is

just too big for his home right now, so he is giving it back. It

will sit in the sunroom waiting for the day I may need it. My mom

paid $3000+ for the thing so I am glad to have it if I ever should

need it.

>

> is off at work. He started his part-time job of

delivering pizzas today. He also works full-time and does part-time

ministry/computer work so he really had three paying jobs now.

had a friend over and there will be another one coming later this

afternoon. So she is in girlfriend heaven. ANYONE who says

homeschooled kids are not 'socialized' never actually met a

homeschooled kid I do believe.

>

> I called about working as a caregiver part-time from a couple

at church that are starting a homecare business. He said he was just

wondering if he should call me or not. I told him I was stronger now

and ready to go, so in a couple of weeks he said he should have his

business up and running. I hope it all pans out so I can help pay

for some of the massive medical bills we are having. I have had over

$40,000 in MRIs over the past seven weeks alone, not to mention all

the labs, x-rays, three doctors, lumbar puncture and other assorted

things that have happened. I am trying to 'just believe' and put

things on the shelf and just take one day/moment/minute at a time and

thank God that I am still able to walk/see/take care of myself.

>

> Hope you all are having wonderful days!

>

> Love, Pegi

>

> When your enemy is staying up all night plotting your

destruction, remember your King never sleeps.

> Tommy Tenney

>

[Guest guest]

My dad died about 10 years ago, after that my mom came to live with

us. She built a 20 x 20 sunroom on the back of our home. She died

about five years ago. Our 'gym' is just some equipement that we have

accumutlated from the newspaper ads and yard sales. We have a weight

bench, free weights, two spin bikes (mine and hubby's) a stair master

and a waist spinner thing and now the eliptical trainer. Hubby would

love to have a rowing machine, other than that we are complete. In

the spring - fall though we ride our bikes and walk more than

anything. The sunroom is mostly a hang out place for the kids to

play their games, have friends over or watch dvds. We do not heat it

in the winter so all that stuff comes into the main house. We have a

hot tub in there, but we use it for storage as it is too expensive to

run and I could not use it now anyway. I think a hot tube would be

certain death!

I have never needed the scooter. My mom was diabled and she had it

when she died. So it sat in our shed/barn for years until this young

man needed it. All it needed was dusted and then a new battery, so

now it is coming back in case I ever do need it. It is virtually new.

Our insurance carries a $4000 deductible and then they pay 80%. We

are using up all our health savings account, but that is all gone, so

we are using our retirement to pay off the medical bills for this

year. IF I need medicene that is where my fear comes in. I keep

thinking of the verse My God shall supply all my needs. Well, if I

need meds He will show us how to afford them.

We don't drink much milk, but I drink almost a gallon of distilled

water a day. I drink/use rice milk though for cereals and cooking

for myself. I read dairy is very inflammatory and have not touched a

drop since.

I hope you finally got going.

Love, Pegi

>

>

> Pegi...wow, this is some email! I love that you have a

sunroom/gym. I've been wanting to add one of those on as well. I

originally wanted an Endless Pool--do you know what those are? Now

that my town has built a huge pool, I could keep the cost down by

just having a Four Seasons sunroom, and making it smaller than the

original idea. Did you have your sunroom built on, or was it part of

your house? I have a recumbent exercise bike, as well as a really

good Landice treadmill. I have handweights and a yoga mat as well. My

dream is to add on a 12 x 15' sunroom, so I can get the recumbent out

of my Family room, and the huge treadmill out of my living room! It

would be awesome to have a room as an exercise room!

> I'm being a bit of a slug getting my day started; slept til

9am! I'm not feeling terrific, and am having a fair amount of eye

pain, coupled with bladder junk and vertigo stuff...My kids and I are

going to head down to the Farmer's Market and see what sorts of fresh

local veggies and fruit they might have. Later, we are going to go on

about a 7 mile bike ride with my sister to go to another fruit/veggie

stand.

> Have you had times when you've needed a scooter? I think it's

great your parents know about your MS--my parents don't know. They

are 83 and 84, and live in Assisted living down in PA. My mom gets

too stressed with bad news, so my sis and I decided not to tell.

> I worry about your feeling that you need to get to work to help

with finances. I am in the same boat, but thankfully have awesome

insurance that picks up most everything. But with 4 kids still at

home--we used to go through a gallon of milk in about a week or 10

days--now we go through 2 gallons in a week. They are growing; eating

more; needing clothes of course, etc. I feel I'm not pulling my

weight at all in terms of bringing in money. Right now, it is only

$45 for 3 hours I do for a Bible class for 2 and 3 yr olds at my

church once a wk. It helps a bit with groceries, but not a whole lot!

> I hope the rest of your day is well...I need to get going with

mine! love, kate Saturday at Pegi's

>

>

>

> Last night I had some sort of beginning of a cramp, but dh laid

hands on me and I prayed too and it went away. It took a long time

to fall back asleep and of course I lay awake thinking and crying

about all this 'stuff'. It is so hard to control your mind, isn't it?

>

> After we got up and read the paper we went bike riding, there

were yard sales out like dandelions in the spring. Hubby bought me

an elliptical trainer for $20! It is in our sunroom/gym right now.

Also my scooter is being delivered from the family that borrowed it.

A young man with Fredrick's Ataxia used it for a while, but it is

just too big for his home right now, so he is giving it back. It

will sit in the sunroom waiting for the day I may need it. My mom

paid $3000+ for the thing so I am glad to have it if I ever should

need it.

>

> is off at work. He started his part-time job of

delivering pizzas today. He also works full-time and does part-time

ministry/computer work so he really had three paying jobs now.

had a friend over and there will be another one coming later this

afternoon. So she is in girlfriend heaven. ANYONE who says

homeschooled kids are not 'socialized' never actually met a

homeschooled kid I do believe.

>

> I called about working as a caregiver part-time from a couple

at church that are starting a homecare business. He said he was just

wondering if he should call me or not. I told him I was stronger now

and ready to go, so in a couple of weeks he said he should have his

business up and running. I hope it all pans out so I can help pay

for some of the massive medical bills we are having. I have had over

$40,000 in MRIs over the past seven weeks alone, not to mention all

the labs, x-rays, three doctors, lumbar puncture and other assorted

things that have happened. I am trying to 'just believe' and put

things on the shelf and just take one day/moment/minute at a time and

thank God that I am still able to walk/see/take care of myself.

>

> Hope you all are having wonderful days!

>

> Love, Pegi

>

> When your enemy is staying up all night plotting your

destruction, remember your King never sleeps.

> Tommy Tenney

>

[Guest guest]

My dad died about 10 years ago, after that my mom came to live with

us. She built a 20 x 20 sunroom on the back of our home. She died

about five years ago. Our 'gym' is just some equipement that we have

accumutlated from the newspaper ads and yard sales. We have a weight

bench, free weights, two spin bikes (mine and hubby's) a stair master

and a waist spinner thing and now the eliptical trainer. Hubby would

love to have a rowing machine, other than that we are complete. In

the spring - fall though we ride our bikes and walk more than

anything. The sunroom is mostly a hang out place for the kids to

play their games, have friends over or watch dvds. We do not heat it

in the winter so all that stuff comes into the main house. We have a

hot tub in there, but we use it for storage as it is too expensive to

run and I could not use it now anyway. I think a hot tube would be

certain death!

I have never needed the scooter. My mom was diabled and she had it

when she died. So it sat in our shed/barn for years until this young

man needed it. All it needed was dusted and then a new battery, so

now it is coming back in case I ever do need it. It is virtually new.

Our insurance carries a $4000 deductible and then they pay 80%. We

are using up all our health savings account, but that is all gone, so

we are using our retirement to pay off the medical bills for this

year. IF I need medicene that is where my fear comes in. I keep

thinking of the verse My God shall supply all my needs. Well, if I

need meds He will show us how to afford them.

We don't drink much milk, but I drink almost a gallon of distilled

water a day. I drink/use rice milk though for cereals and cooking

for myself. I read dairy is very inflammatory and have not touched a

drop since.

I hope you finally got going.

Love, Pegi

>

>

> Pegi...wow, this is some email! I love that you have a

sunroom/gym. I've been wanting to add one of those on as well. I

originally wanted an Endless Pool--do you know what those are? Now

that my town has built a huge pool, I could keep the cost down by

just having a Four Seasons sunroom, and making it smaller than the

original idea. Did you have your sunroom built on, or was it part of

your house? I have a recumbent exercise bike, as well as a really

good Landice treadmill. I have handweights and a yoga mat as well. My

dream is to add on a 12 x 15' sunroom, so I can get the recumbent out

of my Family room, and the huge treadmill out of my living room! It

would be awesome to have a room as an exercise room!

> I'm being a bit of a slug getting my day started; slept til

9am! I'm not feeling terrific, and am having a fair amount of eye

pain, coupled with bladder junk and vertigo stuff...My kids and I are

going to head down to the Farmer's Market and see what sorts of fresh

local veggies and fruit they might have. Later, we are going to go on

about a 7 mile bike ride with my sister to go to another fruit/veggie

stand.

> Have you had times when you've needed a scooter? I think it's

great your parents know about your MS--my parents don't know. They

are 83 and 84, and live in Assisted living down in PA. My mom gets

too stressed with bad news, so my sis and I decided not to tell.

> I worry about your feeling that you need to get to work to help

with finances. I am in the same boat, but thankfully have awesome

insurance that picks up most everything. But with 4 kids still at

home--we used to go through a gallon of milk in about a week or 10

days--now we go through 2 gallons in a week. They are growing; eating

more; needing clothes of course, etc. I feel I'm not pulling my

weight at all in terms of bringing in money. Right now, it is only

$45 for 3 hours I do for a Bible class for 2 and 3 yr olds at my

church once a wk. It helps a bit with groceries, but not a whole lot!

> I hope the rest of your day is well...I need to get going with

mine! love, kate Saturday at Pegi's

>

>

>

> Last night I had some sort of beginning of a cramp, but dh laid

hands on me and I prayed too and it went away. It took a long time

to fall back asleep and of course I lay awake thinking and crying

about all this 'stuff'. It is so hard to control your mind, isn't it?

>

> After we got up and read the paper we went bike riding, there

were yard sales out like dandelions in the spring. Hubby bought me

an elliptical trainer for $20! It is in our sunroom/gym right now.

Also my scooter is being delivered from the family that borrowed it.

A young man with Fredrick's Ataxia used it for a while, but it is

just too big for his home right now, so he is giving it back. It

will sit in the sunroom waiting for the day I may need it. My mom

paid $3000+ for the thing so I am glad to have it if I ever should

need it.

>

> is off at work. He started his part-time job of

delivering pizzas today. He also works full-time and does part-time

ministry/computer work so he really had three paying jobs now.

had a friend over and there will be another one coming later this

afternoon. So she is in girlfriend heaven. ANYONE who says

homeschooled kids are not 'socialized' never actually met a

homeschooled kid I do believe.

>

> I called about working as a caregiver part-time from a couple

at church that are starting a homecare business. He said he was just

wondering if he should call me or not. I told him I was stronger now

and ready to go, so in a couple of weeks he said he should have his

business up and running. I hope it all pans out so I can help pay

for some of the massive medical bills we are having. I have had over

$40,000 in MRIs over the past seven weeks alone, not to mention all

the labs, x-rays, three doctors, lumbar puncture and other assorted

things that have happened. I am trying to 'just believe' and put

things on the shelf and just take one day/moment/minute at a time and

thank God that I am still able to walk/see/take care of myself.

>

> Hope you all are having wonderful days!

>

> Love, Pegi

>

> When your enemy is staying up all night plotting your

destruction, remember your King never sleeps.

> Tommy Tenney

>

[Guest guest]

Pegi,

When it comes to the CRAB part of the CRAB-T drugs.. I know that Biogen has

a program to help with financing Avonex.. (probably Tysabri too), and I'm

pretty sure that Shared Solutions has a program to help with finacing too..

when it comes to Copaxone.. I'm betting the Rebif and Betaseron also have

programs.. Most drug companies DO have something to help people pay for what

they need.. you just might have to do a little " legwork " to find out who and

how much and all the little details.. I know that most of my brother's can

be covered by the manufacturers.. IF someone does the " legwork " to get it

all in place.. The Personal Care Home, never supplied me with a list of his

meds so I could do it for them.. or I would have.. The new PCH is much

better at seeing he gets what he needs.. but it's much smaller than the

other place... old hotel turned PCH.. He doesn't have a " private " room at

the new place.. but he's got a lot more care.. and he claims better food..

LOL...

I know that a daily injection is daunting to most people... but I would

highly recommend Copaxone if it turns out you need to be taking something..

With it I went from barely making it from a handicapped parking spot at the

grocery store to the wheelchair or motorized cart inside the store.. Used my

cane AND 's arm to get me there.. Days of taking a stroll were LONG

gone.. I NEVER saw the inside of a mall... Well 3 or 4 times in 5 years..

(when we went to J.C. Penney to get 's suits)... and THEY had an outside

door from the mall... could park outside and walk directly into the men's

department.. LOL.. (Sear's didn't seem to want our money... we couldn't get

anyone to answer questions or point out suits or anything... LOL)...

I'm back to work 3 days a week.. cept this week will be all 5 days.. (last

week of the month.. the push is on to get a zillion checks printed and

stamped or signed and stuffed into envelopes to be mailed this coming

month).. I can do laundry.. though I still haven't regained all of my

balance.. I can do way more things this year than I could do last year at

this time.. and I'm loving every second of it all!!! And the best part of it

all.. my legs don't feel like they are going to drop out from under me..

It doesn't work for everyone, so my neuro states.. but for those it does

work for.. it works great.. and the statistics they've put together for

Copaxone are... that..

50% of the people diagnosed with the MonSter, if left untreated will be in a

wheelchair after 10 years..

92% of the people diagnosed with the MonSter, treated with Copaxone for 10

years or more, are still walking " unassisted " ...

I like those odds... I took Avonex for 4 years.. had the flu-like symptoms

EVERY week for 4 years.. and the last two years, I knew it wasn't working as

well as it did the first two years.. because I was progressing into

disability.. And I figured, I was progressing anyway.. why continue to make

myself sick every week and run the risk of developing CHF.. so I stopped...

I just started Copaxone October 18th, 2006.. and I think the progression has

stopped.. I know that I feel better and can do more, and can walk further..

maybe not in a straight line yet.. but can stand on my feet longer.. and my

days at work aren't as tiring as they were when I started in the Spring...

(muscle tone is coming back, as well as endurance.)..

And try to remember this...

Being diagnosed with the MonSter is NOT the end of the world.. nor is it a

Sentence of impending Doom..

It is a learning experience... We learn to " adapt " and be " creative " in how

we do things... the old adage " Where there's a will there's a way " .. is

true...

The x-hubby couldn't lean over to lift the toilet seat following shoulder

surgery.. rather than my running to the bathroom to lift the seat for him

each time he needed to go... I tied string around the toilet seat, and to

the shower curtain rod.. by pulling the string, he could lift the seat for

himself...

If I wanted to sweep the kitchen floor.. before Copaxone... I used a whisk

broom and a small dustpan.. and sat my butt directly on the floor and

scooted around to do it.. Washing dishes? niece gave me one of her small

bar stools.. which sits nicely in front of the sink.. I open the cupboard

doors and put my feet under the sink.. and sit and wash tons of dishes! We

rearranged the kitchen shelves.. not the best places for the dishes to be..

but well within my reaching limits from the stool.. so I can put the dishes

away once they've dried.. without having to reach over my head, and lose my

balance, or play myself out too quickly...

And Hey.. the memory loss thing???? It's great for family members... the can

give you the same gifts over and over again for birthdays and Christmas and

anniversaries... LOL.. And holding a grudge.. well.. it's hard to hold a

grudge when you can't remember what it was that the person did that you're

holding the grudge against... LOL.. It's easier to forgive and forget when

you can't remember what it was that you had to forgive..

|}onna

Sorry if that was lame.. it's part of the MonSter's imposed sense of

humor... Gotta laugh about it.. cause the only thing left to do would be sit

and cry...

Saturday at Pegi's

>>

>>

>>

>> Last night I had some sort of beginning of a cramp, but dh laid

> hands on me and I prayed too and it went away. It took a long time

> to fall back asleep and of course I lay awake thinking and crying

> about all this 'stuff'. It is so hard to control your mind, isn't it?

>>

>> After we got up and read the paper we went bike riding, there

> were yard sales out like dandelions in the spring. Hubby bought me

> an elliptical trainer for $20! It is in our sunroom/gym right now.

> Also my scooter is being delivered from the family that borrowed it.

> A young man with Fredrick's Ataxia used it for a while, but it is

> just too big for his home right now, so he is giving it back. It

> will sit in the sunroom waiting for the day I may need it. My mom

> paid $3000+ for the thing so I am glad to have it if I ever should

> need it.

>>

>> is off at work. He started his part-time job of

> delivering pizzas today. He also works full-time and does part-time

> ministry/computer work so he really had three paying jobs now.

> had a friend over and there will be another one coming later this

> afternoon. So she is in girlfriend heaven. ANYONE who says

> homeschooled kids are not 'socialized' never actually met a

> homeschooled kid I do believe.

>>

>> I called about working as a caregiver part-time from a couple

> at church that are starting a homecare business. He said he was just

> wondering if he should call me or not. I told him I was stronger now

> and ready to go, so in a couple of weeks he said he should have his

> business up and running. I hope it all pans out so I can help pay

> for some of the massive medical bills we are having. I have had over

> $40,000 in MRIs over the past seven weeks alone, not to mention all

> the labs, x-rays, three doctors, lumbar puncture and other assorted

> things that have happened. I am trying to 'just believe' and put

> things on the shelf and just take one day/moment/minute at a time and

> thank God that I am still able to walk/see/take care of myself.

>>

>> Hope you all are having wonderful days!

>>

>> Love, Pegi

>>

>> When your enemy is staying up all night plotting your

> destruction, remember your King never sleeps.

>> Tommy Tenney

>>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Pegi,

When it comes to the CRAB part of the CRAB-T drugs.. I know that Biogen has

a program to help with financing Avonex.. (probably Tysabri too), and I'm

pretty sure that Shared Solutions has a program to help with finacing too..

when it comes to Copaxone.. I'm betting the Rebif and Betaseron also have

programs.. Most drug companies DO have something to help people pay for what

they need.. you just might have to do a little " legwork " to find out who and

how much and all the little details.. I know that most of my brother's can

be covered by the manufacturers.. IF someone does the " legwork " to get it

all in place.. The Personal Care Home, never supplied me with a list of his

meds so I could do it for them.. or I would have.. The new PCH is much

better at seeing he gets what he needs.. but it's much smaller than the

other place... old hotel turned PCH.. He doesn't have a " private " room at

the new place.. but he's got a lot more care.. and he claims better food..

LOL...

I know that a daily injection is daunting to most people... but I would

highly recommend Copaxone if it turns out you need to be taking something..

With it I went from barely making it from a handicapped parking spot at the

grocery store to the wheelchair or motorized cart inside the store.. Used my

cane AND 's arm to get me there.. Days of taking a stroll were LONG

gone.. I NEVER saw the inside of a mall... Well 3 or 4 times in 5 years..

(when we went to J.C. Penney to get 's suits)... and THEY had an outside

door from the mall... could park outside and walk directly into the men's

department.. LOL.. (Sear's didn't seem to want our money... we couldn't get

anyone to answer questions or point out suits or anything... LOL)...

I'm back to work 3 days a week.. cept this week will be all 5 days.. (last

week of the month.. the push is on to get a zillion checks printed and

stamped or signed and stuffed into envelopes to be mailed this coming

month).. I can do laundry.. though I still haven't regained all of my

balance.. I can do way more things this year than I could do last year at

this time.. and I'm loving every second of it all!!! And the best part of it

all.. my legs don't feel like they are going to drop out from under me..

It doesn't work for everyone, so my neuro states.. but for those it does

work for.. it works great.. and the statistics they've put together for

Copaxone are... that..

50% of the people diagnosed with the MonSter, if left untreated will be in a

wheelchair after 10 years..

92% of the people diagnosed with the MonSter, treated with Copaxone for 10

years or more, are still walking " unassisted " ...

I like those odds... I took Avonex for 4 years.. had the flu-like symptoms

EVERY week for 4 years.. and the last two years, I knew it wasn't working as

well as it did the first two years.. because I was progressing into

disability.. And I figured, I was progressing anyway.. why continue to make

myself sick every week and run the risk of developing CHF.. so I stopped...

I just started Copaxone October 18th, 2006.. and I think the progression has

stopped.. I know that I feel better and can do more, and can walk further..

maybe not in a straight line yet.. but can stand on my feet longer.. and my

days at work aren't as tiring as they were when I started in the Spring...

(muscle tone is coming back, as well as endurance.)..

And try to remember this...

Being diagnosed with the MonSter is NOT the end of the world.. nor is it a

Sentence of impending Doom..

It is a learning experience... We learn to " adapt " and be " creative " in how

we do things... the old adage " Where there's a will there's a way " .. is

true...

The x-hubby couldn't lean over to lift the toilet seat following shoulder

surgery.. rather than my running to the bathroom to lift the seat for him

each time he needed to go... I tied string around the toilet seat, and to

the shower curtain rod.. by pulling the string, he could lift the seat for

himself...

If I wanted to sweep the kitchen floor.. before Copaxone... I used a whisk

broom and a small dustpan.. and sat my butt directly on the floor and

scooted around to do it.. Washing dishes? niece gave me one of her small

bar stools.. which sits nicely in front of the sink.. I open the cupboard

doors and put my feet under the sink.. and sit and wash tons of dishes! We

rearranged the kitchen shelves.. not the best places for the dishes to be..

but well within my reaching limits from the stool.. so I can put the dishes

away once they've dried.. without having to reach over my head, and lose my

balance, or play myself out too quickly...

And Hey.. the memory loss thing???? It's great for family members... the can

give you the same gifts over and over again for birthdays and Christmas and

anniversaries... LOL.. And holding a grudge.. well.. it's hard to hold a

grudge when you can't remember what it was that the person did that you're

holding the grudge against... LOL.. It's easier to forgive and forget when

you can't remember what it was that you had to forgive..

|}onna

Sorry if that was lame.. it's part of the MonSter's imposed sense of

humor... Gotta laugh about it.. cause the only thing left to do would be sit

and cry...

Saturday at Pegi's

>>

>>

>>

>> Last night I had some sort of beginning of a cramp, but dh laid

> hands on me and I prayed too and it went away. It took a long time

> to fall back asleep and of course I lay awake thinking and crying

> about all this 'stuff'. It is so hard to control your mind, isn't it?

>>

>> After we got up and read the paper we went bike riding, there

> were yard sales out like dandelions in the spring. Hubby bought me

> an elliptical trainer for $20! It is in our sunroom/gym right now.

> Also my scooter is being delivered from the family that borrowed it.

> A young man with Fredrick's Ataxia used it for a while, but it is

> just too big for his home right now, so he is giving it back. It

> will sit in the sunroom waiting for the day I may need it. My mom

> paid $3000+ for the thing so I am glad to have it if I ever should

> need it.

>>

>> is off at work. He started his part-time job of

> delivering pizzas today. He also works full-time and does part-time

> ministry/computer work so he really had three paying jobs now.

> had a friend over and there will be another one coming later this

> afternoon. So she is in girlfriend heaven. ANYONE who says

> homeschooled kids are not 'socialized' never actually met a

> homeschooled kid I do believe.

>>

>> I called about working as a caregiver part-time from a couple

> at church that are starting a homecare business. He said he was just

> wondering if he should call me or not. I told him I was stronger now

> and ready to go, so in a couple of weeks he said he should have his

> business up and running. I hope it all pans out so I can help pay

> for some of the massive medical bills we are having. I have had over

> $40,000 in MRIs over the past seven weeks alone, not to mention all

> the labs, x-rays, three doctors, lumbar puncture and other assorted

> things that have happened. I am trying to 'just believe' and put

> things on the shelf and just take one day/moment/minute at a time and

> thank God that I am still able to walk/see/take care of myself.

>>

>> Hope you all are having wonderful days!

>>

>> Love, Pegi

>>

>> When your enemy is staying up all night plotting your

> destruction, remember your King never sleeps.

>> Tommy Tenney

>>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Pegi,

When it comes to the CRAB part of the CRAB-T drugs.. I know that Biogen has

a program to help with financing Avonex.. (probably Tysabri too), and I'm

pretty sure that Shared Solutions has a program to help with finacing too..

when it comes to Copaxone.. I'm betting the Rebif and Betaseron also have

programs.. Most drug companies DO have something to help people pay for what

they need.. you just might have to do a little " legwork " to find out who and

how much and all the little details.. I know that most of my brother's can

be covered by the manufacturers.. IF someone does the " legwork " to get it

all in place.. The Personal Care Home, never supplied me with a list of his

meds so I could do it for them.. or I would have.. The new PCH is much

better at seeing he gets what he needs.. but it's much smaller than the

other place... old hotel turned PCH.. He doesn't have a " private " room at

the new place.. but he's got a lot more care.. and he claims better food..

LOL...

I know that a daily injection is daunting to most people... but I would

highly recommend Copaxone if it turns out you need to be taking something..

With it I went from barely making it from a handicapped parking spot at the

grocery store to the wheelchair or motorized cart inside the store.. Used my

cane AND 's arm to get me there.. Days of taking a stroll were LONG

gone.. I NEVER saw the inside of a mall... Well 3 or 4 times in 5 years..

(when we went to J.C. Penney to get 's suits)... and THEY had an outside

door from the mall... could park outside and walk directly into the men's

department.. LOL.. (Sear's didn't seem to want our money... we couldn't get

anyone to answer questions or point out suits or anything... LOL)...

I'm back to work 3 days a week.. cept this week will be all 5 days.. (last

week of the month.. the push is on to get a zillion checks printed and

stamped or signed and stuffed into envelopes to be mailed this coming

month).. I can do laundry.. though I still haven't regained all of my

balance.. I can do way more things this year than I could do last year at

this time.. and I'm loving every second of it all!!! And the best part of it

all.. my legs don't feel like they are going to drop out from under me..

It doesn't work for everyone, so my neuro states.. but for those it does

work for.. it works great.. and the statistics they've put together for

Copaxone are... that..

50% of the people diagnosed with the MonSter, if left untreated will be in a

wheelchair after 10 years..

92% of the people diagnosed with the MonSter, treated with Copaxone for 10

years or more, are still walking " unassisted " ...

I like those odds... I took Avonex for 4 years.. had the flu-like symptoms

EVERY week for 4 years.. and the last two years, I knew it wasn't working as

well as it did the first two years.. because I was progressing into

disability.. And I figured, I was progressing anyway.. why continue to make

myself sick every week and run the risk of developing CHF.. so I stopped...

I just started Copaxone October 18th, 2006.. and I think the progression has

stopped.. I know that I feel better and can do more, and can walk further..

maybe not in a straight line yet.. but can stand on my feet longer.. and my

days at work aren't as tiring as they were when I started in the Spring...

(muscle tone is coming back, as well as endurance.)..

And try to remember this...

Being diagnosed with the MonSter is NOT the end of the world.. nor is it a

Sentence of impending Doom..

It is a learning experience... We learn to " adapt " and be " creative " in how

we do things... the old adage " Where there's a will there's a way " .. is

true...

The x-hubby couldn't lean over to lift the toilet seat following shoulder

surgery.. rather than my running to the bathroom to lift the seat for him

each time he needed to go... I tied string around the toilet seat, and to

the shower curtain rod.. by pulling the string, he could lift the seat for

himself...

If I wanted to sweep the kitchen floor.. before Copaxone... I used a whisk

broom and a small dustpan.. and sat my butt directly on the floor and

scooted around to do it.. Washing dishes? niece gave me one of her small

bar stools.. which sits nicely in front of the sink.. I open the cupboard

doors and put my feet under the sink.. and sit and wash tons of dishes! We

rearranged the kitchen shelves.. not the best places for the dishes to be..

but well within my reaching limits from the stool.. so I can put the dishes

away once they've dried.. without having to reach over my head, and lose my

balance, or play myself out too quickly...

And Hey.. the memory loss thing???? It's great for family members... the can

give you the same gifts over and over again for birthdays and Christmas and

anniversaries... LOL.. And holding a grudge.. well.. it's hard to hold a

grudge when you can't remember what it was that the person did that you're

holding the grudge against... LOL.. It's easier to forgive and forget when

you can't remember what it was that you had to forgive..

|}onna

Sorry if that was lame.. it's part of the MonSter's imposed sense of

humor... Gotta laugh about it.. cause the only thing left to do would be sit

and cry...

Saturday at Pegi's

>>

>>

>>

>> Last night I had some sort of beginning of a cramp, but dh laid

> hands on me and I prayed too and it went away. It took a long time

> to fall back asleep and of course I lay awake thinking and crying

> about all this 'stuff'. It is so hard to control your mind, isn't it?

>>

>> After we got up and read the paper we went bike riding, there

> were yard sales out like dandelions in the spring. Hubby bought me

> an elliptical trainer for $20! It is in our sunroom/gym right now.

> Also my scooter is being delivered from the family that borrowed it.

> A young man with Fredrick's Ataxia used it for a while, but it is

> just too big for his home right now, so he is giving it back. It

> will sit in the sunroom waiting for the day I may need it. My mom

> paid $3000+ for the thing so I am glad to have it if I ever should

> need it.

>>

>> is off at work. He started his part-time job of

> delivering pizzas today. He also works full-time and does part-time

> ministry/computer work so he really had three paying jobs now.

> had a friend over and there will be another one coming later this

> afternoon. So she is in girlfriend heaven. ANYONE who says

> homeschooled kids are not 'socialized' never actually met a

> homeschooled kid I do believe.

>>

>> I called about working as a caregiver part-time from a couple

> at church that are starting a homecare business. He said he was just

> wondering if he should call me or not. I told him I was stronger now

> and ready to go, so in a couple of weeks he said he should have his

> business up and running. I hope it all pans out so I can help pay

> for some of the massive medical bills we are having. I have had over

> $40,000 in MRIs over the past seven weeks alone, not to mention all

> the labs, x-rays, three doctors, lumbar puncture and other assorted

> things that have happened. I am trying to 'just believe' and put

> things on the shelf and just take one day/moment/minute at a time and

> thank God that I am still able to walk/see/take care of myself.

>>

>> Hope you all are having wonderful days!

>>

>> Love, Pegi

>>

>> When your enemy is staying up all night plotting your

> destruction, remember your King never sleeps.

>> Tommy Tenney

>>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Just butting in here. MSLifelines is a good place to go if you're in need of help for Rebif or Copaxone. When I was on Rebif, I was able to get it for no cost at all. I think they go by your income. At the time, I wasn't married, had no income, so I qualified for no cost.

I am now looking to get Copaxone. I didn't care for the Rebif at all. I'm thinking that since I am so forgetfull, I may do better knowing that I have to have a shot everyday. With Rebif, I would forget to take my shots. I don't keep track of days of the week, because they are all the same to me, so I'd forget if it was Monday, Wed, Fri. or something else.

Sorry for being rude. May you all be blessed...

Val

Saturday at Pegi's>>>>>>>> Last night I had some sort of beginning of a cramp, but dh laid> hands on me and I prayed too and it went away. It took a long time> to fall back asleep and of course I lay awake thinking and crying> about all this 'stuff'. It is so hard to control your mind, isn't it?>>>> After we got up and read the paper we went bike riding, there> were yard sales out like dandelions in the spring. Hubby bought me> an elliptical trainer for $20! It is in our sunroom/gym right now.> Also my scooter is being delivered from the family that borrowed it.> A young man with Fredrick's Ataxia used it for a while, but it is> just too big for his home right now, so he is giving it back. It> will sit in the sunroom waiting for the day I may need it. My mom> paid $3000+ for the thing so I am glad to have it if I ever should> need it.>>>> is off at work. He started his part-time job of> delivering pizzas today. He also works full-time and does part-time> ministry/computer work so he really had three paying jobs now. > had a friend over and there will be another one coming later this> afternoon. So she is in girlfriend heaven. ANYONE who says> homeschooled kids are not 'socialized' never actually met a> homeschooled kid I do believe.>>>> I called about working as a caregiver part-time from a couple> at church that are starting a homecare business. He said he was just> wondering if he should call me or not. I told him I was stronger now> and ready to go, so in a couple of weeks he said he should have his> business up and running. I hope it all pans out so I can help pay> for some of the massive medical bills we are having. I have had over> $40,000 in MRIs over the past seven weeks alone, not to mention all> the labs, x-rays, three doctors, lumbar puncture and other assorted> things that have happened. I am trying to 'just believe' and put> things on the shelf and just take one day/moment/minute at a time and> thank God that I am still able to walk/see/take care of myself.>>>> Hope you all are having wonderful days!>>>> Love, Pegi>>>> When your enemy is staying up all night plotting your> destruction, remember your King never sleeps.>> Tommy Tenney>>>>>>>