MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOODBYE TO 2012

During the last nine months since the onset of my illness, I have realised there are three things in my life that I have found the most importance in. Family, Friends and Believing. I have the most amazing, caring and supportive family. I am blessed with Friends that I can call on at the drop of a hat and the list from which I could call is endless. The last one is Believing. I need to believe I will get well, I need to believe my boys will grow up to be amazing young men, fathers and husbands. I need to believe I will not give up on anyone or anything important in my life.

Monday night last week was the 10^th of December and I had the best night out. The comedy fundraiser that Ellen Briggs organised was one hell of a hoot. I arrived and the crowd started gathering. I was extremely happy to see the usual gang of supporters. There were other people I was grateful to see and there were people I did not know. I didn't get to speak with everyone there on the night, but I took several moments to look around and make a mental note of those present so I can thank them when I see them. The Mullumbimby Golf Club ended up being filled with people that appeared to be having an awesome night. I know I sure did. We laughed, had a drink, laughed, chatted, laughed and laughed some more. It was just what the doctor had ordered and I encourage anyone out there to try laughter as medicine. It is true what they say, “laughter is the best medicine”.

Accompanying Ellen on the night were funny people, Alex Onion, Fiona Crandell and one of the funniest men I have ever seen, Lindsay Webb. Lindsay travelled down from Brisbane. He was telling this hilarious story about a lady in the crowd at his show in Geelong and how he made her glass eye pop out because she was laughing so hard. I was laughing so hard I was sure I was about to become the next victim he would talk about at his next show. Not for popping my eyeball but for wetting my pants in public. He is a comedian that travels the world and also holds the world record for the longest off the cuff stand up comedy act, something like 38 hours straight and if you ever get the chance to see him on stage, go and treat yourself. Thanks Lindsay for coming to make my night so much fun. Ellen and Alex Briggs, thank you again for your time and for organising this night. I am eternally grateful to you and the community once again. It will certainly help give my kids a happy Christmas.

 

 

On that note, Christmas is fast approaching and ever since I was little I have always enjoyed this time of year. To me, Christmas is not about the religious aspect but rather the time to celebrate family. When we were younger our Christmas day was a massive gathering of all the Aunts and Uncles and Cousins. We would have the annual cricket match with fun and the expected tantrums when one of us kids got out. There would be presents, laughter, full bellies and of course the joy of being around the people that mean the most to me in this world. As families grew bigger and the cousins started having their own families the annual day became a thing of the past. It is now a precious memory I think of every year at this time. I decided a few weeks ago, that after the year I have had I am going to have one fabulous day this Christmas. I won't let anything take away the fun and joy I am planning to have. I want to have fun, and laugh and be with my family and create a day of memories for my children like I remember from my childhood. I think after this year, I deserve a day of what I want and the day I consider a celebration of family, to be great.

As the year draws to a close I think back over it and realise that I feel I lost a year of my life and that makes me angry and sad. It seemed to just go by and when I think back to March when I collapsed I remember being in hospital and thinking that by the end of the year this will be all over and a past memory. Well! Its not a distant memory it is far from it. The challenges I am yet to face will go on for a long time but I am doing ok now and I am ready for the fight. I want to make as much improvement as possible and to do that my focus must be to remain positive and strong. I will spend the New Year surrounding myself with people like minded and I will provide support to any of my fellow TM people that need help. There are so many people much worse off than me and my heart goes out to anyone suffering with an illness or without family this Christmas. To all my fellow TM Family, I wish you a Merry Christmas but more importantly a Happy New Year. Together we will battle this bastard and keep each other strong and focused.

To my Friends, I am blessed to have found you and have you in my life. I hope the New Year is kind to you and full of joy.

To all my Family that have been there for me this year, I thank you and I love you. I would not have made it through this far without your love and continued support and encouragement. They say you can choose your friends but not your family, but as far as I am concerned I got the best of both worlds.

I am scheduled for my next MRI Brain and Spine in the second week of January to look for any new lesions which would indicate MS. They will also look at the initial lesion to see if it has recovered and if there is still hope that the nerves will regenerate or if that area is now a “dead” non recoverable area. I try not to think about it, but the nerves creep up now and then. It is in the hands of the universe now and if the news is not good I will deal with it, but if it is positive then I will have more to be grateful for in life. Time will tell and life goes on, so onward and upward I say.

I will write my next blog after Christmas.  I wish you all the best for a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.  Thank you all for your continued support.

Love Leah



 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A CATCH UP ON THE LAST FEW WEEKS....

I know some of you have noticed I haven't done a blog for a couple of weeks because I have had a few people ask me where the next one was. That makes me happy because it means I am getting awareness out there and seeing people's interest drives me forward.

As per my previous blogs (for those regular followers or local people) you would be aware of my previous fundraiser to raise money for the installation of my air conditioner. I must say it is awesome. The last few days have been scorchers for me with the inability to regulate my body temperature and that air conditioner has been a life saver. Since my last blog the community once again came to my rescue when the local Mullumbimby Truck Show committee donated a cleaner for me, for 6 months on a fortnightly basis after the funds raised from the recent Show were split between charities. This show of generosity is a godsend and I am so grateful. It has taken a weight of my shoulders to know the jobs I can't get to will be done on a regular basis and won't need to stress myself about them. Thank you to The Ward and Johnston Families who are on the committee, for thinking of me and this awesome donation. But......it doesn't end there. There is a lovely lady in our local community who happens to be a comedian and all you locals will know who I am talking about. Ellen Briggs has generously offered her time and contacted a few of her comedian friends to put together a comedy night to raise funds to help my boys and I. On Monday the 10^th December at the Mullumbimby Golf Club they are holding a night I am so looking forward too. A night to laugh and laugh and laugh a bit more, which is just what the doctor has ordered. As I have mentioned in previous blogs I find it hard to laugh these days and in the weeks since my last blog the illness and the stress of everything took its toll. I ended up depressed, crying all the time and pretty much in a bad place. I have seen my doctor and she feels that given my circumstances it is completely normal that someone facing a long term illness, trying to raise three boys and keep on top of working what hours I can, the time to crash was inevitable. It was instant relief to have her say this is “normal” and I agreed to some sessions with a psychologist to get my head back on track and in a positive frame of mind again. At first I felt odd about this but after one session I realised it was exactly what I have been needing. Someone that doesn't judge, that I can be completely open with and that can guide me to keep my head above water. For a couple of weeks it was sink or swim and I have chosen to swim. I will no longer be negative, I will no longer let the depression get on top of me and I will live my life and make choices that are right for me and not for the sake of pleasing other people. I have been told for a while now that I am a “yes” person and I will now be taught the strategies to say “no.” I know some things in my life need to change and they will change once I get my head in the right place to make those changes. It will be hard but I will get there and I will beat this hideous disease and I will go on to live a happy and fulfilling life.

To the new members of my Australian facebook support page I welcome you. Starting that page is the best thing I have done so far regarding the illness and it has been an amazing adventure getting to know each of you in the group. There is now 13 of us in Oz in the group and everyone is such great support to each other and at any time we can cheer each other up and make each other laugh or cry together. But the most amazing thing that has come out of it is the new friendships formed and we are all excited about a proposed meeting weekend next year. We are aiming for around September next year and that is my new little project. We will need to make it as hassle free as possible and as affordable as we can, as some of us will need to fly or drive and find accommodation. When most of us are on limited income it is hard. I intend to contact some spinal associations etc and see if we can come up with any funding even if minimal to help our event, in the event of awareness.