I’M WALKING HERE!!!!  (Said with that very distinctive nasally NY accent like Dustin Hoffman in “Midnight Cowboy”.  However, I pictured the scene in “Miss Congeniality” in which Sandra Bullock is ‘gliding here’.  Yeah!  I do that too because I can’t pick up my feet!)

Getting back on track …

I’m walking here!  That’s right I said walking.

I registered and formed a team … albeit small at the moment … to participate in the 5 mile National MS Society’s WALK MS being held near me.

If you saw me walking, you would most likely think “What the heck is she doing! She can barely walk!”  I thought that too!  I admit, it’s absolutely true!

BUT … I NEEEEEEEED TO DO THIS!!!!!

I am just a little over one year since diagnosis.  My mobility has GREATLY DIMINISHED.  I need to change that!  STAT!!!!!

The only way to change it is to GET MOVING!!!

Less than a year ago my husband and I trekked through our favorite place – NYC.  While my walking was significantly slower than previous visits, we still managed to walk well over 10,000 steps through Midtown and Lower Manhattan.  We even walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and back.

 

Up until this last fall, I did fairly well.  Balance and coordination was off a bit but I was still able to walk okay.  I was even able to walk my dogs!

I am not sure what changed.

I do know, though, there aren’t any new lesions that could possibly create problems.  The December MRI’s confirm that.

So, why the diminished walking ability?

The only theory I have is that as walking has become more difficult, the less I do.  The less I do, the less I can do (and able to do).  Make sense?

Perhaps this will … Newton’s law says:  a body at rest tends to stay at rest, and a body in motion tends to stay in motion, unless acted on by a net external force.

The external force?  ME!!!!

I am making a change so that I can regain my walking ability.  (Possibly even my dancing ability!!!!  Those of you that know me, know how important that is to me.)

My neurologist and I are in the process of changing my MS medication.  Plus, he has recommended a new medication to help with my walking, balance and coordination.  And he is hopeful I will regain my ability to dance.

In addition to the medication adjustments, I have started physical therapy.  PT will help to improve my balance, flexibility, strength and coordination.  I have only had one session so far.  However, I have at-home exercises to do.  So far so good!

I am excited about this!

I have to admit … It’s been a while since I’ve been excited about anything.  This diagnosis has really taken the wind out of my sails.  I feel as though I am wandering aimlessly … just getting through the days.  I keep myself occupied working on quilting projects, working my small home-based business or busying myself with “house stuff” and taking care of MY LOVE.

Don’t get me wrong … I’m happy doing those things!  EXCITED?  How can I get excited about doing dishes, doing laundry or cleaning the toilet?

BUT …. BUUUUUUT … I’m still able to do them, so, yeah, I can say the fact that I can still do them makes me exited.

Got it?  Okay … moving on ….

I am excited about doing the walk …

I am excited about the prospect of regaining my flexibility, balance and coordination (through PT and getting active).

I’m excited about the prospect of LOSING WEIGHT!!!!

I’m excited about spending extra time with MY LOVE!!!  (Plus, him getting more active and losing weight too.  Shhh …. don’t tell him I said that.)

I’m excited about raising money for MS!!!  The experts need to find a cure for us.  The only way they can do that is through funding for research.

Want to help?  Here is a link to my WALK MS page where you can join my team or donate:  http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/vickiwalksforms

I will most definitely keep you updated on my walking progress and improvement.

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This is just too funny not to share: