MS Walk for the Cure

I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1997, after years of testing and visits to the neurologist. In  2001 I had deteriorated, more cognitively (memory issues, concentration) than physical though fatigue was a major problem. I could no longer function safely or efficiently at my job and went on disability.

My children were in their early twenties at that time, and each had their first child, making me a grandmother. Now with seven grandchildren, on this day of the MS Walk for the Cure, I realize those kids have grown up with my disease, some seeing more changes in my abilities than others.

I remember the day my youngest grandson asked me why I had a "stick", meaning my cane. Now I use a walker. My other grandson has taken notes from his father. He opens doors, waits for me to get in and out of the car, assists with the walker, waits at a curb to give me a steady arm. It's become a natural thing for him to do. The other grandkids are doing the same, making it seem normal, natural.

At times I fall into a little "Woe is Me" mood and stress about the things I can't do, but then I bounce back and am very thankful for those things I can do.

My fantastic team.

It means the world to me to have my family, as a whole, participate in the local MS Walk. As some of the kids are small, or were smaller when we began, I drive to the half way point of the walk and pick up anyone who wants a ride back to the high school, the starting point. They called my van the "Whiner Wagon" today and I had three tag along with me, and two ten year olds who completed the whole distance for the first time.

We had fun, a lunch of hot dogs and pizza, and a lot of laughter. This year, as it is usually cool weather, we had very bright colored sweatshirts with our team name..."Debby Does MS". When my kids came up with the name I had to wonder how they knew about those movies that the name spoofs, but figured it was better not to know.

Done for another year. Congrats and much love to the team.

School Fundraisers

The schools are always having fundraisers, to pay for school trips or new equipment. As a grandmother, it is expected that I will do my part and support whatever that fundraiser might be.

The latest fundraiser at my grandkids' school was selling donuts. Krispy Kreme Donuts. Of course, I had to do my part and buy a dozen.

I remember a number of years ago when Krispy Kreme first came to Canada, but unfortunately the outlets to purchase were not in my area. People raved about how good these donuts were and even lined up to get them fresh from the oven.

My son just delivered my box, which had eight donuts in it. Funny, I always thought a dozen was twelve. Then he informed me he'd given the kids one each at the school.

I sat down with my tea and one of these baked delights and I must agree, this was the best glazed donut I've ever had. I could eat the whole box, but I won't. I'll share with my neighbor, maybe freeze some for later.

I'll still support the walk-a-thons, the read-a-thons, but the food fundraisers are the most appealing.

Remember those boxes of chocolate covered almonds from World's Finest?  Their outlet is not that far, a nice country drive away so I can still indulge.

Those donuts are looking too good, and I swear they are calling my name. Best I take some over to my friend, have her rescue me from overindulging.

A tasty treat, and money well spent.

Aging

When I moved to my apartment eleven years ago I made friends with a neighbor. It was an odd friendship, one, as she was 18 years older than me, and two, because we are so very different.

I could never figure out why she liked me as I was a creature of whim, and was never ruled by routine. She is a very precise person, in her diet, in taking her meds, in how she does things. But we bonded over her innate sense of kindness.

We were standing in the lobby of our building, waiting for the snowplow to finish clearing the parking lot. The weekly papers were sitting on the table, and I grabbed a couple, one for the weekly flyers and the other for the local news and the crossword puzzle.

I didn't know she had the newspaper delivered daily until I found a week's worth of puzzles, neatly cut and clipped together in my mail slot. I did the neighborly thing and thanked her with  some home baking.

That was the beginning of our friendship.

I'm not sure I would have finished my first book if I hadn't had her ear to listen to my ideas, my stops and starts, to read what I wrote and give me encouragement to continue.

We spent a lot of time together, as it was easy to walk down the hall for a cup of tea.

The years since have not been kind, though we are both ambulatory. I have progressed from cane to walker (I have MS) and in spite of the fact she could use one or the other, she stubbornly refuses.

After two falls a year ago, and two concussions, she has deteriorated significantly into a state of, I suppose you could call it, dementia. I sometimes question her reasoning and she has lost most of her short term memory. Her vision has decreased and she has difficulty with reading, books, papers, menus.

We often went to Costco and as she has the membership, she paid for my items. I went to pay her back the last time and she didn't know how much I owed her nor did she remember that I did owe her. I joked and said I should have told her I'd paid, saved my money. I could have cheated her, with her none the wiser. I wouldn't of course, but others might. And that is a concern.

Yesterday we were out and there were so many mix-ups in the day because she couldn't remember what plans we'd made. I just go with the flow. But I know, for her sake, it's time someone gave her some tough love, as she doesn't have family close enough to know what is happening.

Next week will be that time. We're going to get her linked up with the Access Center, so she has a resource person to call when she needs more help,or the nurse's advice. We're going to arrange for a personal alarm, in case she falls again. And, we're going to look at other living accommodations, as she really should not be living alone, preparing her own meals.

She'll fight me on some of this, but I'll be persistent. I won't leave her to deal with all of this alone. I have my children and grandchildren to help me, she has virtually no one.

As she said yesterday, "Growing old sucks." I wholeheartedly agree.

The Competition

)A little competition can be a healthy thing, unless it gets out of hand. Something happened this week that reminded me of these old song lyrics.

Irving Berlin wrote this song in 1946 for the  Broadway musical "Annie Get Your Gun". It was performed as a duet. Here's the first of it, all I can remember.

"Anything you can do I can do better, I can do anything better than you."

"No, you can't!"

"Yes. I  can."

"No, you can't."

"Yes, I can."

"Yes, I can! Yes, I can!

So, the competition.

Last week I had a fall at my son's place when the dog rushed out the door at the same time as me (the dog rushed, not me, LOL) knocking me off balance. My daughter had exited ahead of me and was down the couple of steps. She stepped in and broke my fall, as my son grabbed for me from behind.

We all ended up on the floor laughing. I'll admit that night I felt the aches and pains of that jarring, but was relieved, as the outcome could have been much worse.

Yesterday, while painting a bedroom, my daughter fell off the step stool, and managed to land on the floor without spilling a drop of paint. Scored a 10 for that landing, for sure.

So now we are even, one fall apiece. But, she's a competitive soul, that kid of mine.

Parking on the left side of her driveway, when she usually parks on the far right, she exited the car, assuming she had lots of room and found out quickly that there was a limited amount of space.  She once again found herself on the ground with a scrape on her leg, a few bruises and even more aches and pains.

I declare her the winner of this Falls Challenge. She's too tough a competitor for me.

Next time, I'm hoping for a Bake Off, something a bit easier, and with better rewards.

Roosters in the Kitchen

At my daughter's home the other day, and she received a lovely gift...a statue of a rooster. Beautiful, modern, in tones of grey it matched her kitchen perfectly.

Someone else in attendance was surprised she didn't already have one, and it brought back memories of the red rooster statue that was in my grandmother's kitchen. Little did I know that this was an important feature, and why roosters have been such a popular item in kitchen accessories.

A rooster in the kitchen is thought to bring good luck and good fortune.

It was said if a rooster came into your kitchen it foretold of wealth and prosperity.

So, if you are looking to improve your finances it might help to make sure you have at least one "rooster" in your kitchen.

I think I'll have to keep my eye out for a little rooster of my own. It can't hurt.