I Ain't Dead...Yet...

Still kicking...maybe not with the same "umphf" as a month ago, but it's gonna take more than a hellish month of February to keep me underground!

I finished my five day course of Solumedrol yesterday...of course, not without trauma and drama withstanding. My arms look like that of a virgin heroin user...it seems I am "losing" some of my vein elasticity, can't hold a patent IV for more than a day or two, and have had the unfortunate experience of "Vampira" trying to draw blood on me! I now have more bruising than one should EVER sport in public places. I'm usually quite patient and understanding of medical professionals, but I simply had to draw the line yesterday when "Vampira" (after her second missed stick) decided to attempt to hit my antecubital vein with a straight, deep shot inward...I finally had to tell her to stop digging, take the needle out, and I would simply GNAW a vein open for her in my hand with my teeth...it was the only logical thing I could think to do. LOL Thank goodness for IV nurses that roam the hospital just looking for a challenge...dear Cynthia was able to restart my IV with her eyes closed, one hand tied behind her back, and me contorting my arm in a most unholy-like position. But...we got 'er done.

Five days of Soly have also caused a most "unholy" change in my demeanor and personality...I've taken to yelling at the P.O.D. (Princess O' Darkness cat) for no apparent or good reason...I've taken to cursing at the TV (for GOOD reason)...and I've taken to wanting to slap myself silly because even I am annoying MYSELF! My gnat-like attention span is driving me crazy as is the completely full-yet-I-must-eat symptom of the steroids...so far (and I DO mean "so far") I seem to have only packed on 6 pounds back of the 18 I so painstakingly have LOST since the first of the year...what a bummer is that?!? Dr. She Who Will Not Be Named has stopped doing Prednisone tapers with her patients because (in her words) she didn't really see where the taper made much of a difference either way...so I will be "riding out" the steroid withdrawal (which landed me in the ER 2 summer's ago from Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome) and hope to stabilize soon. The tremors and shaky feelings are the worst...oh, and the nausea. Minor details...

On a good note, yesterday I had a most unexpected but delightful visit from one of my previous bosses...and, being the complete and utter ATTENTION WHORE I am right now, I am certain I bored her to tears with my blathering steroidal antics. It may be a long time coming before she considers THAT kind of a visit again! LOL But it was nice to have some company besides the cat.

I did manage to accomplish a few things today...actually a LOT of things today given my current state of steroid crazy! My dear car, LUNA, has finally made her way home...all shiny, repaired, and smelling of new paint. I am soooo happy to have her back. The rental car (which sat in my driveway the entire time I have rented it due to MS relapse, yet costing me $100.00 to "pretty up" my driveway!) was also returned today. I was able to retrieve my mail, get prescriptions filled, pick up two large planters (all via help of friends), renew the car tag I needed to safely GET my LUNA home without a ticket for expired tags (didn't renew earlier when I thought they were going to total my car...why pay the money for nothing?!?), AND get my taxes back from the accountant. I also finally got around to getting my ECHO and MRI tests finalized for next week so I can hopefully get on the Tysabri ball by April. I am attempting to return to work on "light duty" status this Friday, so of course a ream of paper had to be faxed to Dr. SWWNBN for her signatures and thought-provoking advice to my employer...I think that's quite a bit to accomplish during this steroid haze I am in actually!

So, it's back to the Klonopin bottle for me again...must medicate to keep my brains somewhat grounded in reality. MS relapse report is not exactly where I would like it to be at the moment, but I think I AM improving. I am having less pain in my right leg/hip and a LOT more uncomfortable sensation in my left leg...considering this leg was completely numb a week ago, I suppose this really should be viewed as an "improvement"...I'll take whatever positive twist I can get at the moment. :-) I am still walking with two canes and a cob up my butt with shaky balance, but I AM still walking...must be thankful for something.

How's your world? Tell me everything out of pure entertainment pleasure for ME...because even YOUR world is all about me...