It's been awhile

Hey everyone,

It has been awhile since I posted on here. Things are going good. I have lost a total of 100 pounds and have been in a stall for about three months now. I'm happy with where I am but would still like to lose another 30 pounds. I'll take it a day at a time and see how it goes.

My MS is doing good at this point. I'm taking my injections three times a week. They have left me with nice bruises on my legs and belly, but I can easily hide them, so that is okay. I really do not notice too much of a difference with the medication. However, my right leg is still heavy at times and numb, but I'm learning to live with it. The right side of my head is still numb, but again I'm learning to live with it. Every once in awhile I will have problems with my left arm and leg acting up. Other than that, I cannot complain.

I have been training and running quite a bit. I've done another 5k and an 8k recently. I'm training for a sprint triathlon and will be doing more 5 miles runs coming up in the next few weeks. The weather is hot here so I'm having to rearrange my exercise schedule. I have been swimming in the lake in the evening. It cools me off nicely and then I go run 2 miles.

Here are a couple of pictures of me on my latest runs and walks.

Heels & Hills 1/2 marathon and 10k

This past weekend my bestie friends Patty & Kris met me and my friend Donna in Irving for a 10k run/walk. This was Patty & Kris' first 10k. It was so much fun after we go through the parking deal first thing. I was able to run a good majority of it and actually cut 10 minutes off my previous 10k, which I walked. My official time was 1:20. I hope to be able to run a whole one soon. Stay tuned because Patty, Kris and me are doing a 5k this weekend as well. Here are some pictures from our 10k.

I'm officially down 100 pounds too at 9 months out.

Wow, it has been awhile

I can't believe I haven't been here in awhile. Things have been pretty busy and I keep on truckin!!

I can't believe I am almost 8 months out from surgery. This is such a life changing event and has gone by very fast. I find myself reverting back to my comfort foods when I am stressed or upset or an emotional basket case. This is something that I so desperately need to work through.

I'm down 100 pounds now!!! The weight is coming off very slow now, which is expected and more realistic as well. I don't see a loss on the scale every week anymore but the clothes keep getting looser. I'm happy with where I'm at and would still like to lose 40 pounds. Hopefully, over the next 6 months or so I can reach my goat weight.

In the meantime, I have had some life changing news. I woke up three weeks ago with my whole right side of my body totally numb and tingling. I was a bit freaked out but did not think I had a stroke. I could still talk and walk okay so I didn't tell anyone except one friend. On the Saturday I ran a 5k with the numbness in my right side. I made it and was very excited about it but the numbness continued. On Sunday I finally told Bill what was going on and I told him I would call the doctor first thing in the morning or if I got worse we would go to the emergency room.

The next morning I went to the doctor and they did a brain MRI and cervical (neck) MRI. The radiologist called my doc and said that I needed to see a neurologist as it looked like I had a demyelinating process such as MS or maybe a subacute stroke.

I went to the neurologist a week later and we did more MRIs of my whole spine and brain again. It did come back that I have MS. I have two lesions on my brain and one on my thoracic spine. I was certainly shocked by this diagnosis. I was feeling so great and getting healthy and just down right enjoying life. I know it is not a death sentence and I surely could have something a lot worse, but at the same time, it is still shocking.

They do not have a cure for MS but they do have medications that can help with symptoms. MS has come quite far in the last 20 years. I will be starting injections 3 times a week and hopefully that will help with any flare-ups. I'm going to stay positive and work through all of this with the help of my family and friends.

Like I said, things could have been a lot worse. I'm blessed that I work at home and am able to take a nap or get up whenever I need to. There is no stress, which plays a big factor in flares as well. I will work through this one day at a time.

Started the New Year with a 5 mile walk/run

Okay, I'll admit it, Christmas was very hard. I know that I really have to work extra hard to overcome all the eating and baking at Christmas. I also found that my body can handle some sugar without dumping...not a good thing for me to know. However, I'm back on track and more energized than ever. I have met and reconnected with some great friends who are exercise gurus and are going to keep me on track and motivated.

I did the 5 mile walk/run yesterday. It was a lot of fun and gorgeous scenery. These are times that it is so peaceful and I can relax and let thoughts flow. It is something I'm doing for myself and that is a wonderful feeling.

I have some more things I will be doing this year as well. Stay tuned. It will be a great year!

10k all the way!!!

Today I competed in my first 10k. I walked at a 4.1 pace and finished in 1:30:32. I'm so proud of myself! It was a pretty tough course with rolling hills the whole way. Above are the pictures of me coming in and crossing the finish line.

4 months out

What a difference four months has made. I can't believe it is me that I'm looking at in the mirror. It just does not seem possible. I really like who I see but sometimes can see the pain of the old me looking back. It is a daily struggle to like who you are and constant struggle to be a better person. There is always room for improvement and right now I'm focusing on improving me both mentally and physically. We truly are our own worst critic! However, almost everyday has a WOW for me. I keep amazing myself!

Above are my 4 month photos. I weigh 197 pounds here and am 75 pounds down!!!

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