D, I heart you. Thank you for putting up with my solu-medrol induced irritability. Thank you for braving the cold and snow to get sprite, chocolate, and anything else to keep the metallic taste out of my mouth. Thank you for cleaning the house, dishes, and laundry so that I can rest. Thank you for understanding.
I am so sick of MRI's. In six months, I have had three MRI's, one of which was on Wednesday. I am not claustrophobic, but being confined to a small tube that makes really awful banging noises for an hour does not fall into my list of fun things to do. Dr. Foley ordered this latest MRI to see if any lesions have developed since my last scan. We are hopeful that the results will be favorable and few or zero lesions will be visible. The new hospital, Intermountain Medical Center, or IMC, has a new MRI machine with a really powerful magnet that allows a better view of my brain than any other machine in the state. I am grateful for the new equimpent that will allow Dr. Foley to better view my brain and in turn, better treat the MS.
Dr. Foley has also ordered another round of Solu-Medrol to be done next Tuesday and Wednesday. I am actually looking forward to this infusion because it will give me more mobility and decrese my tone. That means that Dustin and I will hit the slopes to go snowboarding during Christmas break.
Dustin and I can not thank you enough for being so supportive. We appreciate all of the prayers, fasting, temple prayer rolls, well wishes, kind thoughts, and encouraging words. We feel that the Lord has answered our prayers, and yours by giving us such a wonderful support system.
With Love,
Libby and Dustin
Today I took Z and T on their first outing to the toy store. The store of choice was Toys R US. When the doors opened, the kids ran inside and stopped. They both looked at me and I said "go look!" That was all the permission they needed before they were off and running . After a few close calls with shopping carts, adults, and kids, we had the system down. Z was the leader, and T and I followed. I told the kids they could each pick one toy, and off they went on the hunt for the perfect toy. T, went straight to the pink isle where she chose a baby doll, but Z had something else in mind. During the hunt for Z's perfect toy, the kids rode all the bikes they could fit on, got into all the Power Wheels they could, and looked at every single isle in the store. After forty minutes of chasing two kids in two different directions I broke down and bought a stroller. T got into the stroller, and Z continued his hunt for the toy he wanted. Who ever knew a three year old could be so picky. Finally Z saw his toy. A John Deere tractor that makes all types of sounds and has working headlights. We were ready to check out and go back home to wake up Uncle D from his nap and show him our toys. On our way out the kids saw a boat with Tiger in it that they just had to sit in. Two rides, and a dollar later, we left the toy store with smiles on our faces, and toys in our hands.
It has been far to long since I have written anything on our blog. However, we were recently approved for a home loan, and put in an offer on this cute little bungalow. Our offer was accepted by the seller, but it is a short sale. In short, we have to wait for his bank to decide if they want to sell it to us at our offer price. Our real estate agent thinks we will get it, so we are keeping our fingers crossed. It is in South Jordan at Daybreak. Daybreak is a master planned community by the point of the mountain that was designed after the neighborhood I grew up in. It has great Traditional, Cape-cod, Bungalow, and Victorian style homes with very little stucco. I don't have anything against stucco, but too much of one thing is never good. The home has three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and a backyard. The backyards in Daybreak are small because it is a walkable community. This means that there are parks every few blocks and open green space. This brings people out of their homes and gives the community a chance to meet one another. The community boasts two swimming pools, basketball courts, volleyball pits, a temple (The Oquirrh), a dog park, over thirty miles of bike and jog paths, community gardens, community center with a gym, picnic areas, and a lake for fishing and non-motored boats (we can't wait to buy a used canoe). We are very excited for the opportunity, and will keep everyone updated.
Four weeks ago school (work for me) started here in the Salt Lake City School District. I would be lying if I said I was not nervous regarding my ability to work full time. The good news is that I have not missed one day of work! Dustin and I consider this quite an accomplishment and are grateful for the energy and health I have been blessed with. The only work I have missed is for doctor appointments that were made previous to the start of school.
I work at Northwest Middle School in Rose Park. For those of you who do not know, Rose Park is considered the "hard core" inner city part of Salt Lake. Northwest is comprised of 75% Hispanics, 10% Caucasians, 8% African-Americans, and 7% other. (Mostly refugees form various parts of Africa, Thailand, Bosnia, Pakistan, and other countries) I am a Para-Professional in the self contained behavior classroom. My supervising teacher is a wonderful teacher who has amazing classroom management skills. The bedrock to running an effective classroom and being an effective teacher is classroom management. The class is for seventh and eighth graders who display behavior that violates the "safe school policy." Currently the class has six students and they are meshing well.
I am looking forward to a great year working full time at Northwest. If I am successful, I will be looking into a full time teaching position next year. I am grateful for my health, my family, my wonderful husband, and all the people supporting me in my endeavors. Love to all.
Libby
On Sunday, all Haglunds that could, met at Grandma's house for a birthday celebration. There was cake, ice cream, and A LOT of birthday cards. Everyone, from the great-grandchildren on up sent Grandma a birthday card with a two dollar bill enclosed. When the grandchildren were younger, Grandma would send them a birthday card with a two dollar bill in it. Betsy came up with the idea to have every member of the family do the same for her. Kudos Betsy! Dustin and I are so happy to have such a wonderful Grandma. A Grandma who calls to see how we are doing. A Grandma who we admire for the example she sets. A Grandma who laughs and cries with us, but most of all, a Grandma who loves us. Happy Birthday Grandma!
On Friday September 5th I had a spinal tap, also known as a lumbar puncture. Dr. Foley ordered that I have one done to rule out lesions on the spinal cord that the MRI can't see. It came back inconclusive which is the same as negative. I am happy that I am still lesion free but not happy that the test will be repeated every year. It was very uncomfortable and caused me a great deal of anxiety and panic. If I did not know that they threaded a 9cm needle up through my spinal cord I might have been a little more composed. First they gave me a shot of lido-cane in my lower back. I did not mind that part at all. It is the needle that follows that got me sweating. I was having an anxiety attack on the table and literally soaked the pillow case my head was resting on in sweat. The nurse helped me to calm down which I really appreciated. After about thirty minutes they got a clear sample and finished the procedure.
Again, thanks to family and friends for your love and support. It is felt and sustains us, especially when things get hard.
Love
Libby and Dustin
I have never had an interest in yoga, but recently decided to give it a try. As would be expected, I have been doing a lot of research about Multiple Sclerosis lately. It turns out that people with MS who practice Yoga 2 to 3 times a week feel an average of 70% better than they did before they started practicing yoga. That 70% is all the convincing it took me to start yoga. I am really lucky to live four blocks from a great yoga studio (Centered City Yoga) that provides a variety of classes and is sensitive to my medical needs. My first class was yesterday. It was called "Yoga For Stiffer Bodies." Stiffer is really an understatement. However, when the session ended I felt looser. Looser is a term I now use to explain how my muscles are feeling. Most the time, they are pretty tight and stiff, but Yoga gave me some relief from the stiffness for a few days. It also made me sore. I never really considered yoga a form of exercise, but I stand corrected. Some of the poses made me sweat and I felt like I had been on an treadmill for an hour at the end of the class. As I learn more about yoga and the theory behind it I understand why it is beneficial. I am excited to feel 70% better and learn something new on my journey through MS.
Namaste'
It is nice to have good news to report to everyone. Round two was a success! Not only did I get half the dose of Solu-Medrol, it was also extremely diluted. Dr. Foley and Kara think that the reason I had such an awful reaction to the first infusion was because my body did not absorb the medicine correctly. Needless to say, whatever they did worked. I am experiencing what are considered the "normal" side effects of the medicine. These include a headache, metallic taste in the mouth, red face, elevated heart beat, slight fever, and acute alertness. The alert part has kept me up at night for the past two nights with little sleep which is really quite bothersome. However, compared to my last infusion, I feel wonderful! When I walked out of the Dr. Foley's office on Wednesday, my muscles felt really loose, something I have not felt in several months. It is nice to have some relief from the dizziness, pain, and stiffness. Again, we appreciate all of the love and support and know that your prayers, fasting, and thoughts have played a role in the outcome of this infusion.
Love
Libby and Dustin
