Quick Update (Kinda)

Hi Olivia and Tasha here! Julie has not been able to update the blog because she has been dealing with her own medical issues. Her arm was numb and tingling and her fingers would cramp up and become very painful. So while we were off at the beach Julie started the same round of tests I went through a year and a half ago. After a neck and brain MRI, an EMG, and spinal tap she was diagnosed this past week with Transverse Myelitis. http://www.myelitis.org/tm.htm The short version is often a precursor to MS, but in Julie's case they are pretty certain it will not head that direction because her head MRI was free of lesions. The other good news is this was caught pretty early and she should likely make a full recovery which is uncommon with this disease. What we both find ironic is that we both have been diagnosed with neurological diseases that initiate in the spinal cord...we haven't decided if Discover Card or the City of Chandler (we lived two streets away from one another for 10 yrs) poisoned us or if it's just pure coincidence :)

The trip to Florida went well. I was able to get into the ocean, which was great. But after about a half hour I was done for the day. Between the life vest and the waves breathing was very difficult. Not sure why we had to fly 2500 miles to get me in a pool but we did and it was great!! I was able to walk provided I was holding on to someone and it was the first time I had walked in over seven months!! :) Baby J liked the ocean and almost fell asleep in Mandi's arms until a wave would cause him to open his eyes. He did not fair well in the humidity and has a horrible heat rash from the first day we were there and it lasted all week but by the second day we were home it went away. I did have my pina colada on the beach and in the pool!

Before we had left my doctor had prescribed me a drug to help with my fatigue, which did seem to help the first couple of weeks. But I'm now back to my three hour naps daily. I think Bob and Tana are secretly glad because it's at least three hours when I am quiet and not asking for anything!! :)