It has been a busy couple of weeks around here. Sam had been flying back and forth to Canada for about a month, in hopes of landing a large project for Clark Construction. Alas, it wasn't meant to be as they lost to a Canadian company. They gave it their best effort though but everyone seemed a little defeated.
I have finally connected with 3 new doctors. The first being my neurologist. He is a good looking doc if I say so myself. He is changing the medication that I have taken since 1997, Avonex. He is changing it to Gilenya. It is a new oral drug and it is stronger than the Avonex. Dr. Bettle said because I had been having flare-ups, the Avonex was not doing its job.
Gilenya has been talked about a lot in the news because of a serious side effect. It can affect your heart. Some people have died but those looking out for things like this, are not sure if it was the new drug or something else they were taking. A report on their findings should be out tomorrow. I have NOT started it as they will have the drug made, mail it to me, and then I will call Dr. Bettle to set up an appointment with him at his office. The first dose is done in the office so they can keep an eye on you for any complications. They have many of their patients on this drug without any problem. I have to stay for 6 hours during this monitoring and I will be checked every hour. Your heart could slow down and this is why you take the first dose with them. It does recover but it doesn't happen real fast.
Based on this, you may be saying to yourself - why am I doing this? I trust what my doctor has told me, I have checked online for information, and I won't have to give me a shot every week into my thigh. I have an opthamologist, taking care of my eyes, to make sure there is no problem with them on this drug.
I have a new psychiatrist for my depression. He also changed my medication by increasing one of the drugs. He seems OK but I will wait and see how it goes. He is different. His office is on the second floor and I have to go up stairs to get to it. I don't have a problem doing this feat right now but I am not sure what would happen if I am not able. I am not sure if he has another office. I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
I also have a new urologist because of an over active bladder. I have dealt with this problem for many years. What my doctor is going to do is use Botox to calm it down. I will have this procedure on Monday, April 23. I am not going into details on what will be done unless someone wants that information. Just let me know an I will send the information by separate email.
We still need to find a general doctor and my female doctor. When you can't get a referral from someone, you just have to close your eyes and pick one. We also look for someone close to us if we can, though we have had to drive into Savannah for doctors. Savannah is about a half hour from us so it doesn't take much time to get there.
We still haven't straighten out the 2nd bedroom. It doesn't have as many boxes as before but the room needs a makeover. This was my room to do my scrap booking and other crafts in and so far it is a catch all for everything we don't know where else to put it. We do have nothing but time so it isn't a big priority except maybe to me. he he. We did get new pillows for the chairs and couch in the family room. They look pretty good. I went and used a brighter color to give it a little pop! Sounds like one of those home shows.
We are planning a cruise to Western Europe September 1. We will fly into Barcelona, Spain, and depart from there. We will then go to Naples/Pompeii, Italy, Livorno (Florence/Pisa) Italy, Cannes, France, Marseille, France, and then back to Barcelona. It will be a 7 day trip. We will probably stay a day in Barcelona before flying back home. This will be our first trip to Europe. It will take us about 17 hours to fly there between the layovers and time changes. On the way over, we will stop twice but on the way back, it will only be once. Why they don't have a flight like that going, is any bodies guess.
The MS Walk happens next month but we will be missing it this year. In June will be the golf tournament for Betty's Builders, so we decided to fly then rather than for both. We haven't missed that walk in over 10 years, so it is a little strange not participating.
We are meeting the neighbors on our street and everyone has been wonderful. The last house will be built on the lot right next to us and this will be the last one. Our street will be finished. We wished we had purchased this lot but we were too late. We will just have close neighbors. It will be good ...
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
The Waiting Game
We have two waiting games going on for us right now. I am waiting to hear from my neurologist to tell me if I am a candidate to start on Gilenya. I had the blood test and the eye exam. I think because of the holiday, it may be later next week before I find out anything. The reading material I received has been read several times. I did check online for any further information but it all basically said what the reading material said. My neurologist felt that the Avonex was a weaker drug and Gilenya is better. I have been on Avonex since 1997. I would imagine that the other drugs would have a different affect on me and still reach the same conclusion, to cut down the flare-ups that I have been having and slow things down.
There will be two other drugs coming out later this year. One of the new ones, did read very hopeful. It is now being reviewed by the FDA. Right now it is called BG-12. I could wait for that one too if I am not able to take the Gilenya.
The other waiting game has to do with my better half. All the work has been done, the presentation to the owners was a success, and now everyone waits to hear about the decision as to whom will be building the Edmonton Oilers Arena. Clark Construction is hoping they will be awarded this project. It will be the first job outside the US. I have met the Canadian folks that are joint venturing with Clark on this job, and they are very nice. I have already been asked to visit if Sam needs to go there. I wish I could share the renderings of the arena, but they are confidential right now. It is neat though!
I also just found out that if Clark Construction has been chosen, and I think they will, it will mean that we will either go back to California (San Diego area) or to Edmonton, Canada, for a year. What I think will happen is this: We will go back to the San Diego area and Sam will fly back and forth to Canada from there. We should know what the decision will be by the middle of next week, April 9-13.
We ordered patio furniture finally. We are getting another chair, that rocks and swivels, a love seat, a side table, and a coffee table. We still don't have a dining table for the chairs to go around but at least we have a little more seating. That table will be next on the list, so we can have meals outside.
We are slowly moving out of boxes. The book case from IKEA is already full. We will need to get another piece of furniture to hold the other things we have that hasn't found a home yet. I am hoping very soon that I will have my space to do my crafts and scrap booking. It will be so nice when I don't have to put everything away because someone wanted to see the house.
Speaking of the house, the California house should have a closing date sometime next week. It will depend on how fast all the papers are put together for escrow. All the documents are there, but someone has to put it all together and they aren't in a rush like the rest of us. It is still a go for the sale and it will such a relief to have that portion behind us.
There will be two other drugs coming out later this year. One of the new ones, did read very hopeful. It is now being reviewed by the FDA. Right now it is called BG-12. I could wait for that one too if I am not able to take the Gilenya.
The other waiting game has to do with my better half. All the work has been done, the presentation to the owners was a success, and now everyone waits to hear about the decision as to whom will be building the Edmonton Oilers Arena. Clark Construction is hoping they will be awarded this project. It will be the first job outside the US. I have met the Canadian folks that are joint venturing with Clark on this job, and they are very nice. I have already been asked to visit if Sam needs to go there. I wish I could share the renderings of the arena, but they are confidential right now. It is neat though!
I also just found out that if Clark Construction has been chosen, and I think they will, it will mean that we will either go back to California (San Diego area) or to Edmonton, Canada, for a year. What I think will happen is this: We will go back to the San Diego area and Sam will fly back and forth to Canada from there. We should know what the decision will be by the middle of next week, April 9-13.
We ordered patio furniture finally. We are getting another chair, that rocks and swivels, a love seat, a side table, and a coffee table. We still don't have a dining table for the chairs to go around but at least we have a little more seating. That table will be next on the list, so we can have meals outside.
We are slowly moving out of boxes. The book case from IKEA is already full. We will need to get another piece of furniture to hold the other things we have that hasn't found a home yet. I am hoping very soon that I will have my space to do my crafts and scrap booking. It will be so nice when I don't have to put everything away because someone wanted to see the house.
Speaking of the house, the California house should have a closing date sometime next week. It will depend on how fast all the papers are put together for escrow. All the documents are there, but someone has to put it all together and they aren't in a rush like the rest of us. It is still a go for the sale and it will such a relief to have that portion behind us.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
New Doctor is Wonderful
I had a long appointment today but that was to be expected as a new patient. Dr. Bettler, who is German and has a great accent and is good looking (just sayin'), went over my records but did not want the paper version as he puts all his notes on his computer. This way he can pull up any of my information whenever or where ever he needs it.
He suggested for me to go on Gilenya, which is the first oral drug for MS. I did talk to him about people dying after taking this drug but he said it was only 5 people in Europe and they really aren't sure if it was the drug or something else. He also said the first dose is given in the doctor's office and you have to wait there for 6 hours to make sure you are not having any problems.
So I have reading material and other exams to go through before I start. This process will not be a quick one. Dr. Bettler said that the Avonex I am on now is not a strong medication anymore. Because I have had several flare ups recently, he said the Avonex is not working for me. He even said if he had a new patient, that person would be started on Gilenya. This drug it is to help stop the flare-ups and then I don't have to have steroids. That would be a very positive thing as I have had a lot of strong steroids by IV.
With one doctor down, I now have 5 more doctors to find and make appointments. Several of them are not close by but will require a little bit of travel. Savannah or Hilton Head are two of the locations which are both about a half hour or so away. Not too bad!
He suggested for me to go on Gilenya, which is the first oral drug for MS. I did talk to him about people dying after taking this drug but he said it was only 5 people in Europe and they really aren't sure if it was the drug or something else. He also said the first dose is given in the doctor's office and you have to wait there for 6 hours to make sure you are not having any problems.
So I have reading material and other exams to go through before I start. This process will not be a quick one. Dr. Bettler said that the Avonex I am on now is not a strong medication anymore. Because I have had several flare ups recently, he said the Avonex is not working for me. He even said if he had a new patient, that person would be started on Gilenya. This drug it is to help stop the flare-ups and then I don't have to have steroids. That would be a very positive thing as I have had a lot of strong steroids by IV.
With one doctor down, I now have 5 more doctors to find and make appointments. Several of them are not close by but will require a little bit of travel. Savannah or Hilton Head are two of the locations which are both about a half hour or so away. Not too bad!
House sold and a closing date
The CA house sold after we left and it should be closing next week. What a big relief! This has been a long process but one we are hoping to have finished soon. The buyers are very excited to get in and I really hope things will go smoothly on closing day. We haven't had to pay too much for any repairs - just some termite damage. Termites is an ongoing problem there and one we will not have to worry about anymore. YEA!
We are almost out of boxes. We just have one more bedroom to set up and it will actually be my craft room. Right now, we have to figure out how to get storage for all the scrap books I have that I haven't been able to do because of having to keep the CA house all clean and neat with the house on the market. Every time I would pull everything out then I would have to put every thing back because someone wanted to see the house. What a pain that was so I just gave up trying.
I have my first neurologist appointment today with a new doctor here in SC. I have a stack of medical records, starting from 2002, and a couple of CD's showing a couple of my MRI's to give him. It may be too much but at least I have something and the office will not have to wait for my records. I am a little nervous about him as I never received a recommendation for him except by the National MS Society. You would think that should be a good recommendation I could go by, but you never know. How is he around patients, what is his background with MS, etc. Questions I hope to have answered today. If you don't feel comfortable with your doctor and have confidence in him or her, then it makes one question whether you will be able to call with a question or concern and he or she will respond.
On Monday, April 2, will be a VERY important day for Clark Construction. They will be presenting their proposal for the construction of the Edmonton Oilers Arena in Edmonton, Canada. I have seen the concept photos of what the owners want and it is a very futuristic building. I will make sure it will be OK to share photos and when I get the OK I will do just that.
Another flight to Canada will be occurring this Saturday with the presentation on Monday. It will be a large group, each giving their own piece of the the bid. A lot of stress is taking place right now and I need to be very careful of what I say, or do, or even ask for, as I never know what kind of reaction I will get. I know his mind right now is on that presentation. The pressure is tremendous. The company wants this job! I know it doesn't take one person but a team to accomplish this but it doesn't mean any less pressure.
It is starting to get warmer as the days are going by. Our house seems to stay pretty cool which is a good thing right now but I do know it will just get hotter. How will I do? Well, I have a couple of cooling vests to use and AC. I could also go to the clubhouse and read to use their AC. I will make it work or just deal with it the best I can.
A house will be started right next to us shortly. I am not ready for this to happen. We have had problems with the dust and noise from the completion of another house just a couple of lots over. Can you just imagine what the noise and dust and mess we will have and right next door? I can't even keep my house clean and dusted NOW! Maybe this would be a good time to go back to California for three months.
Our house is looking a little crowded with all our stuff now. I am sure it will be fine once we have things in place, pictures on the walls, and everything stored or put away. Right now ... the house could use some help. I try to work as long as I can but my legs won't let me go as long as I want. This may be a good thing as it causes me to take a break but I just sit and look at what needs to be done. We have all the time in the world to get it finished and I am sure it will be an ever changing project.
We are almost out of boxes. We just have one more bedroom to set up and it will actually be my craft room. Right now, we have to figure out how to get storage for all the scrap books I have that I haven't been able to do because of having to keep the CA house all clean and neat with the house on the market. Every time I would pull everything out then I would have to put every thing back because someone wanted to see the house. What a pain that was so I just gave up trying.
I have my first neurologist appointment today with a new doctor here in SC. I have a stack of medical records, starting from 2002, and a couple of CD's showing a couple of my MRI's to give him. It may be too much but at least I have something and the office will not have to wait for my records. I am a little nervous about him as I never received a recommendation for him except by the National MS Society. You would think that should be a good recommendation I could go by, but you never know. How is he around patients, what is his background with MS, etc. Questions I hope to have answered today. If you don't feel comfortable with your doctor and have confidence in him or her, then it makes one question whether you will be able to call with a question or concern and he or she will respond.
On Monday, April 2, will be a VERY important day for Clark Construction. They will be presenting their proposal for the construction of the Edmonton Oilers Arena in Edmonton, Canada. I have seen the concept photos of what the owners want and it is a very futuristic building. I will make sure it will be OK to share photos and when I get the OK I will do just that.
Another flight to Canada will be occurring this Saturday with the presentation on Monday. It will be a large group, each giving their own piece of the the bid. A lot of stress is taking place right now and I need to be very careful of what I say, or do, or even ask for, as I never know what kind of reaction I will get. I know his mind right now is on that presentation. The pressure is tremendous. The company wants this job! I know it doesn't take one person but a team to accomplish this but it doesn't mean any less pressure.
It is starting to get warmer as the days are going by. Our house seems to stay pretty cool which is a good thing right now but I do know it will just get hotter. How will I do? Well, I have a couple of cooling vests to use and AC. I could also go to the clubhouse and read to use their AC. I will make it work or just deal with it the best I can.
A house will be started right next to us shortly. I am not ready for this to happen. We have had problems with the dust and noise from the completion of another house just a couple of lots over. Can you just imagine what the noise and dust and mess we will have and right next door? I can't even keep my house clean and dusted NOW! Maybe this would be a good time to go back to California for three months.
Our house is looking a little crowded with all our stuff now. I am sure it will be fine once we have things in place, pictures on the walls, and everything stored or put away. Right now ... the house could use some help. I try to work as long as I can but my legs won't let me go as long as I want. This may be a good thing as it causes me to take a break but I just sit and look at what needs to be done. We have all the time in the world to get it finished and I am sure it will be an ever changing project.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
New Blog Name
New blog name! Now that we have moved from California to South Carolina I needed to update. South Carolina Doings!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Here We Go Again!
Tomorrow will be packing day. It is so serial to know we will be flying by this weekend going to our home in Bluffton, South Carolina. We have been in California since the year 2000. We have felt small earthquakes but not the BIG ONE! We have enjoyed great weather and beautiful scenery. Where else can you go to the mountains and ski, come back home and go to the beach. Not having snow to shovel or to deal with drivers who do not know how to drive in snow, has been a plus.
We are leaving the traffic congestion, speeding everywhere, and all the celebrities. We are also leaving the high taxes, high prices for everything, and the lack of courtesy.
One thing that California did have, which was neat, is that drivers stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks! You never had to wait for a long time to cross the street. They would stop even if there wasn't technically a crosswalk but a place to cross. Amazing, considering it isn't this way in other parts of the country.
My day, today, will be very busy. I need to go through everything once more to make sure that things that need to stay, will, and things that need to go, will do just that. We also have to pack suitcases so we will have clothes for the rest of the week and next until our house things get to us.
I don't have help during the day but will have Sam (Dad) in the evening. I will then be in charge, on Tuesday, to assist the packers to know what is taken and what needs to be left behind. On Wednesday, I get a break as I will be attending a luncheon for me from my support group. Sam (Dad) will have the duty of getting my car picked up to ship and the moving company loading their van.
We are really hoping this will be our last move. It will depend on how I handle the heat and whether it is causing me problems. If my health is affected, we will move to some place cooler, if there is such a place.
We haven't had any offers to buy our house. We have had many lookers but no one wants to take that next step. The buyers are really searching for the best and lowest deal they can make. I really can't fault them, as we would be doing the same thing. We just wouldn't get a seller's hope up that an offer will be made and then nothing progresses. This is so hard on the emotions by having high hopes and then having it snatched away. On top of this stress then we have a move across country. It is hard at times, to keep everything together - emotions and organization. Questions fly and decisions have to be made.
Boy, I will be glad when this is over!!
We are leaving the traffic congestion, speeding everywhere, and all the celebrities. We are also leaving the high taxes, high prices for everything, and the lack of courtesy.
One thing that California did have, which was neat, is that drivers stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks! You never had to wait for a long time to cross the street. They would stop even if there wasn't technically a crosswalk but a place to cross. Amazing, considering it isn't this way in other parts of the country.
My day, today, will be very busy. I need to go through everything once more to make sure that things that need to stay, will, and things that need to go, will do just that. We also have to pack suitcases so we will have clothes for the rest of the week and next until our house things get to us.
I don't have help during the day but will have Sam (Dad) in the evening. I will then be in charge, on Tuesday, to assist the packers to know what is taken and what needs to be left behind. On Wednesday, I get a break as I will be attending a luncheon for me from my support group. Sam (Dad) will have the duty of getting my car picked up to ship and the moving company loading their van.
We are really hoping this will be our last move. It will depend on how I handle the heat and whether it is causing me problems. If my health is affected, we will move to some place cooler, if there is such a place.
We haven't had any offers to buy our house. We have had many lookers but no one wants to take that next step. The buyers are really searching for the best and lowest deal they can make. I really can't fault them, as we would be doing the same thing. We just wouldn't get a seller's hope up that an offer will be made and then nothing progresses. This is so hard on the emotions by having high hopes and then having it snatched away. On top of this stress then we have a move across country. It is hard at times, to keep everything together - emotions and organization. Questions fly and decisions have to be made.
Boy, I will be glad when this is over!!
Monday, January 23, 2012
THE TIME IS GETTING CLOSE TO MAKE THAT MOVE!
I can't believe how close the time is to make that move to South Carolina. I am in the process of making the last minute doctor's and dentist appointments and arranging to get copies of records.
The doctor's and dentist said they would forward the records once a new doctor has been chosen but I rather have my information on the off chance that the records do not arrive in a timely fashion. They might even be lost in the mail and I would have to do the asking all over again.
Sam/Dad is actually having to work all week this week. He has two projects that will be taking up his time. One is in Edmonton, Canada and the other is here in California, updating the Rose Bowl. The Canada job has not been awarded yet but the company has been working with their Canadian counterpart to get their proposal together. Sam will have times he will need to fly to Canada but he is prepared with his wardrobe as he had to get clothing when he flew to Fairbanks Alaska a few years back. The last time he talked to someone in Edmonton, it was -20 degrees. C...O...L...D!!!!!!
It is bittersweet when we leave permanently. We have made some good friends and established ourselves in the community. The MS Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter, know us as well as other MS Society's across the country. That is because I am a MS Ambassador for the Society. Sam and I will continue to fundraise and continue to have the golf tournament.
I did find out that there is not a MS Community yet in the Bluffton area. There are no support groups! I guess I know what I will be doing once I get settled. I need the support and I am sure others will too. I have already been in contact with the local society and once I am in Bluffton, South Carolina permanently, I will help get things moving.
The house still has not had any offers. This has been the most frustrating part of having the house up for sale. We lowered the price, the realtors who have looked at the house have said the house is well priced and should sell, we have had many open houses and continue to have, potential buyers have liked the upgrades and the view and yet we do not receive any contracts. One would be so nice!
Our realtor feels the market is getting a little better and sees people out at Open Houses. Anyone can go to an Open House. I just hope they are the people that want to buy.
Does it sound like I am being a little cynical right now? I am trying not to be but I am very anxious to sell because we will still be paying for two mortgages on a reduced salary. We will make it but it sure would be better if we were without that debt.
I am trying very hard to keep the faith that everything will work out. I pray everyday, several times a day, for that illusive contract. I know that things will happen in their own time but I sure wish it would happen sooner then later.
The doctor's and dentist said they would forward the records once a new doctor has been chosen but I rather have my information on the off chance that the records do not arrive in a timely fashion. They might even be lost in the mail and I would have to do the asking all over again.
Sam/Dad is actually having to work all week this week. He has two projects that will be taking up his time. One is in Edmonton, Canada and the other is here in California, updating the Rose Bowl. The Canada job has not been awarded yet but the company has been working with their Canadian counterpart to get their proposal together. Sam will have times he will need to fly to Canada but he is prepared with his wardrobe as he had to get clothing when he flew to Fairbanks Alaska a few years back. The last time he talked to someone in Edmonton, it was -20 degrees. C...O...L...D!!!!!!
It is bittersweet when we leave permanently. We have made some good friends and established ourselves in the community. The MS Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter, know us as well as other MS Society's across the country. That is because I am a MS Ambassador for the Society. Sam and I will continue to fundraise and continue to have the golf tournament.
I did find out that there is not a MS Community yet in the Bluffton area. There are no support groups! I guess I know what I will be doing once I get settled. I need the support and I am sure others will too. I have already been in contact with the local society and once I am in Bluffton, South Carolina permanently, I will help get things moving.
The house still has not had any offers. This has been the most frustrating part of having the house up for sale. We lowered the price, the realtors who have looked at the house have said the house is well priced and should sell, we have had many open houses and continue to have, potential buyers have liked the upgrades and the view and yet we do not receive any contracts. One would be so nice!
Our realtor feels the market is getting a little better and sees people out at Open Houses. Anyone can go to an Open House. I just hope they are the people that want to buy.
Does it sound like I am being a little cynical right now? I am trying not to be but I am very anxious to sell because we will still be paying for two mortgages on a reduced salary. We will make it but it sure would be better if we were without that debt.
I am trying very hard to keep the faith that everything will work out. I pray everyday, several times a day, for that illusive contract. I know that things will happen in their own time but I sure wish it would happen sooner then later.
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