What you see now.

I didn't want to write a new blog because I didn't want to take that picture off of me and Dr. Andrade. So I'm including another one of my daily clinic friends. This is Christina, my sweet favorite nurse Angelina, and Dr. Andrade who is saying in the picture, "Joo are tall!" I miss them all. We just don't get to have these kinds of medical experiences in the US. They are all wonderful people who truly care about making their patients better. A concept that is foreign to most of us.

So NOW...what can we see? Many of you might run into me on the street back home and think I look the same. But what you are seeing is the weakness of idle muscles. Now that my MS symptoms are out of the way, I feel just how weak my body has become. I can't believe I had to fight this on top of severe fatigue, nerve pain, and spasticity.

I've had a few moments in the last couple of days when I felt discouraged because I'm still having a pretty hard time getting around. But then I realized that was just the muscle weakness! My muscles have been un-used for years. My core is worthless and my legs are like poles. The flesh just hangs off the bone. I was also feeling pain in my leg muscles. That's because I'm waking them up and using them for the first time in so long! This new pain is welcome! It's nothing like the pain I used to experience.

I have NO numbness is my body whatsoever. That's a first.

I have NO fatigue!! That's a first.

I have NO nerve pain!! That's a first.

Physical therapy when I get home is a must. I'm eager to rebuild the muscle. I'm not going to visit my doctor at home until I'm stronger. I don't want him to see me just a little bit better - I want to blow him away!!