There hasn't been a whole lot going on around here lately. I've been busy working and getting back to working out after two weeks of many scheduled lunchtime events at work. What's wrong with them, don't they know that's my workout time? John and I are still working on getting ready for the MS150 in April. Not only are we trying to increase our biking, but we're also making plans for fundraising events.
This has actually made for some difficult to fall asleep nights. Not because of stress and worry, not yet anyway. We're just starting to hash out some ideas of what to do and what steps need to be taken. Which means my mind doesn't want to shut off at night and keeps thinking over what we've already discussed as well as coming up with more ideas and thoughts. I'm excited not only to raise more funds, but also to put together the events themselves. Of course, that may change further down the road :-)
We seem to have settled on three events to take place between now and April. John is in a bowling league at a local bowling alley and had the wonderful idea of a bowl-a-thon. I'm hoping to have that in December sometime, maybe January. We're also discussing a car wash. A local restuarant supported a couple in a car wash last month to help her raise funds for the 3 day breast walk. Not only did the restuarant allow them to use their corner of the parking lot, they also donated 10% of proceeds for all sales during that time. I'm hoping to do the same for our car wash. The final event we're planning is a silent auction. We've decided to speak with the Plant City chamber of commerce and see if they'll donate booth space so we can hold it at Plant City's monthly bike fest. That will probably take place in March or April to give us time to collect donations. So it looks as if I'm going to be plenty busy in the next few months!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
"Make New Friends, But Keep the Old"
I can understand the excitment my friend Courtenay has for her young married couples group through Church. Last night John and I went to a bowling event put on by the Mid-Florida Chapter of the National MS Society. This event was for 20 and 30 year olds diagnosed with MS and a guest. It was a lot of fun to just go, hang out nad meet other people my age in the same boat as me. Although, the topic of MS didn't really come up a whole lot and it was a very small part of any discussions.
We met a very nice couple, Peter and Ellen. Ellen just moved down here to FL in March from Wisconsin. The poor girl is even a Packers fan, says she has been her entire life. But we can forgive her that :) Ellen and Peter live in a city over from John and I and we have lots in common, including an enjoyment for motorcycles.
I am really looking forward to more gatherings with this group. It's funny, we've all come together because of this one common pain in the rear. But it's only a very very small part of who we are. None of us are letting this mess with our lives. And for us, that's the way it should be.
We met a very nice couple, Peter and Ellen. Ellen just moved down here to FL in March from Wisconsin. The poor girl is even a Packers fan, says she has been her entire life. But we can forgive her that :) Ellen and Peter live in a city over from John and I and we have lots in common, including an enjoyment for motorcycles.
I am really looking forward to more gatherings with this group. It's funny, we've all come together because of this one common pain in the rear. But it's only a very very small part of who we are. None of us are letting this mess with our lives. And for us, that's the way it should be.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Sinbad!
I work for Citi, formerly known as Citigroup, the company that is known more for their credit cards. Although they are also a bank, and provide tons of other financial services. This is a job I kinda fell into, thanks to a former co-worker. And while my job occasionally gets repetitive and a little borning, the benefits and perks are amazing! My MS drug is $1700 a month. Under my former employer insurance, my co-pay was $100/month or $250 for 3 months on mail order!! Now, my co-pay is a fabulous and wonderful $16.70 a month. Also, I was recently able to purchase tickets for 2 dates to the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey games for a very very low price. Granted, they're third level seats, but hey, that just means it's a lot easier to see the ice :-) . I also had the privilage of purchasing discount tickets to see Comedian and Actor Sinbad.
John and I went to the show last night and I am so glad I decided I wanted to go and see him. If you ever get a chance, get the tickets and go! He was so funny that John was wiping away tears of laughter. Sinbad never swore or used raunchy jokes. He did talk about sex, but that is a part of life and that is what he bases his comedy on. I think for me, the funniest was when he was telling a couple how they can get their 31 year old to move out (he's been living with them for 3 years after being in the military).
Sinbad told this couple their son would need therapy for awhile, but it would get him to move out and never want to move back home. He told them they just need to start walking around naked and having sex throughout the house. He even suggested that when they walk into the kitchen in the morning and son is eating breakfast, ask him if he's almost done as they'd like to use the table.
If you weren't able to tell from above, he was big on audience participation. He gave one couple a little bit of grief when they walked in late. There was a family with three 3 boys sitting in one of the front rows. Two of the boys were 14 (either twins or one was an invited friend) and the other boy was 12. Sinbad was giving them life and dating advice but making it funny. He was telling them to enjoy being kids and to take their time with dating. He even asked the female audience members to ask questions about the things men do. That was when the ONLY curse word of the show came up, and it wasn't said by him. It was said by one of the women asking questions. The audience kinda did a gasp of shock/shame on you type of sound. But Sinbad was able to joke about what she said and lighten it up.
Sinbad was on stage for over an hour and a half. I was really wanting an intermission as I not only had to use the restroom, but I wanted some water from all the laughing. And the last thing I wanted to do was miss a moment of his show. Not only was Sinbad terrific, but my dinner was amazing as well! John and went to this place in Clearwater called Johnny's Italian Restuarant. It apparently requires patience as we would have had a 20 minute wait. Instead we ate at the bar due to time constraints.
The bread wasn't really anything special, but their oil dip mixture was very yummy! So much so that I asked for some to bring home. John ordered tortellini alfredo with shrimp. The alfredo really could have used more cheese. I ordered the stuffed shells in bolognaise. I probably could have done without the bolognaise, but the shells were sooooo yummy! I highly highly recommend this place to all interested.
Before I go, I want to remind you that I am riding in the MS150 this coming April. If you haven't already done so, please visit my participant page and consider donating to this wonderful cause.
John and I went to the show last night and I am so glad I decided I wanted to go and see him. If you ever get a chance, get the tickets and go! He was so funny that John was wiping away tears of laughter. Sinbad never swore or used raunchy jokes. He did talk about sex, but that is a part of life and that is what he bases his comedy on. I think for me, the funniest was when he was telling a couple how they can get their 31 year old to move out (he's been living with them for 3 years after being in the military).
Sinbad told this couple their son would need therapy for awhile, but it would get him to move out and never want to move back home. He told them they just need to start walking around naked and having sex throughout the house. He even suggested that when they walk into the kitchen in the morning and son is eating breakfast, ask him if he's almost done as they'd like to use the table.
If you weren't able to tell from above, he was big on audience participation. He gave one couple a little bit of grief when they walked in late. There was a family with three 3 boys sitting in one of the front rows. Two of the boys were 14 (either twins or one was an invited friend) and the other boy was 12. Sinbad was giving them life and dating advice but making it funny. He was telling them to enjoy being kids and to take their time with dating. He even asked the female audience members to ask questions about the things men do. That was when the ONLY curse word of the show came up, and it wasn't said by him. It was said by one of the women asking questions. The audience kinda did a gasp of shock/shame on you type of sound. But Sinbad was able to joke about what she said and lighten it up.
Sinbad was on stage for over an hour and a half. I was really wanting an intermission as I not only had to use the restroom, but I wanted some water from all the laughing. And the last thing I wanted to do was miss a moment of his show. Not only was Sinbad terrific, but my dinner was amazing as well! John and went to this place in Clearwater called Johnny's Italian Restuarant. It apparently requires patience as we would have had a 20 minute wait. Instead we ate at the bar due to time constraints.
The bread wasn't really anything special, but their oil dip mixture was very yummy! So much so that I asked for some to bring home. John ordered tortellini alfredo with shrimp. The alfredo really could have used more cheese. I ordered the stuffed shells in bolognaise. I probably could have done without the bolognaise, but the shells were sooooo yummy! I highly highly recommend this place to all interested.
Before I go, I want to remind you that I am riding in the MS150 this coming April. If you haven't already done so, please visit my participant page and consider donating to this wonderful cause.
Friday, October 12, 2007
I'm "Dewing" It! Riding to Erase MS!
As many know, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) December 2006. Dad received an official diagnosis of MS in 1987 after having been diagnosed with a form of MS in the 1970's. I decided to sign up for the National MS Society's Mid-Florida MS150. This is a 150 mile bike ride that takes place over two days. I would greatly appreciate any support and donations that could be provided. The National MS Society not only sponsors MS research, but also provides programs for those afflicted, they advocate for legislative changes and even help people to live their lives to the fullest. Sometimes that means a wheelchair, sometimes it means a service animal or even minor changes in the home. But they can't do it without us. So please help! Please donate by visiting my participant page here. Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have regarding this. And thank you so much for your time and donation.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Almost Famous!
Ok, only within work. My company is big on making sure diversity is recognized and celebrated. And as October is National Disability Awareness month (who knew?!), the editor of our weekly paper requested people share their disability stories. Having recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and also growing up with it as Dad was diagnosed in the 70's, I had a story to share. Below is my story as it appeared in our weekly paper (keep in mind, it's a short paper):
When Val Dewing woke up one Friday morning last November, she knew something was different. Parts of her hands and feet were numb. By the end of the weekend, three-fourths of her body felt numb or tingled.
“It was as if my body was ‘asleep’,” the Global Anti-Money Laundering Unit investigator recalled. Val chose to share her story as part of National Disability Awareness Month.
Doctors ordered a battery of tests, many to rule out possible causes. Val underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a spinal tap, blood tests and a visual evoke response exam.
In the end, the diagnosis was Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. Surrounding and protecting the nerve fibers of the CNS is a fatty tissue called myelin, which helps nerve fibers conduct electrical impulses.
“My white blood cells become overactive and attack the myelin,” said Val. “It leaves scar tissue behind and depending on the extent of the damage, the nerve messages stutter or don’t go anywhere. There is no cure yet.”
Val takes medication to reduce flare-ups and during the day usually experiences very minor tingling and sometimes hyper sensitivity. She said her work has not been affected.
“I like to crochet,” she said, “but sometimes after only one row the sensation makes my hands very sore. But I refuse to put it down. As long as I can do the things I enjoy, I’m going to do it.”
Val said her prognosis is wide open. “It may never get worse,” she said.
According the National MS Society, the majority of people with the disease do not become severely disabled. It is not contagious, is not directly inherited and most people with the disease have a normal or near-normal life expectancy.
Val’s father was diagnosed with a form of MS 30 years ago. “He experiences it mostly in his feet and legs. Once in a while he needs to use a cane.”
Val feels the MS in her legs sometimes, too. She exercises, often using the Wellness Center’s stationary bikes during the week and riding her own bicycle at home on weekends. “We often ride 8 to 14 miles a day,” she said. “But sometimes it feels as if someone wrapped saran wrap around my legs.”
Val is training for the MS 150, a two-day, 150-mile cycling fundraiser in central Florida.
Disability Awareness
Asked what point about disabilities she would like people to be aware of, Val mentioned disabled parking. “Just because you don’t see something wrong, doesn’t mean there isn’t,” she said. “Many people with chronic, severe pain, for example, say ‘This is just a small part of who I am. I’m not going to let it control me.’ And you may not see the pain they are in.”
Val does not have a disabled parking sticker. “I’m not going to get one until I need it,” she said. “But please leave the disabled parking for those who do.”
If you would like to learn more about the MS 150 or have other questions, please contact Val Dewing via email or call 604-6343. n
When Val Dewing woke up one Friday morning last November, she knew something was different. Parts of her hands and feet were numb. By the end of the weekend, three-fourths of her body felt numb or tingled.
“It was as if my body was ‘asleep’,” the Global Anti-Money Laundering Unit investigator recalled. Val chose to share her story as part of National Disability Awareness Month.
Doctors ordered a battery of tests, many to rule out possible causes. Val underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a spinal tap, blood tests and a visual evoke response exam.
In the end, the diagnosis was Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. Surrounding and protecting the nerve fibers of the CNS is a fatty tissue called myelin, which helps nerve fibers conduct electrical impulses.
“My white blood cells become overactive and attack the myelin,” said Val. “It leaves scar tissue behind and depending on the extent of the damage, the nerve messages stutter or don’t go anywhere. There is no cure yet.”
Val takes medication to reduce flare-ups and during the day usually experiences very minor tingling and sometimes hyper sensitivity. She said her work has not been affected.
“I like to crochet,” she said, “but sometimes after only one row the sensation makes my hands very sore. But I refuse to put it down. As long as I can do the things I enjoy, I’m going to do it.”
Val said her prognosis is wide open. “It may never get worse,” she said.
According the National MS Society, the majority of people with the disease do not become severely disabled. It is not contagious, is not directly inherited and most people with the disease have a normal or near-normal life expectancy.
Val’s father was diagnosed with a form of MS 30 years ago. “He experiences it mostly in his feet and legs. Once in a while he needs to use a cane.”
Val feels the MS in her legs sometimes, too. She exercises, often using the Wellness Center’s stationary bikes during the week and riding her own bicycle at home on weekends. “We often ride 8 to 14 miles a day,” she said. “But sometimes it feels as if someone wrapped saran wrap around my legs.”
Val is training for the MS 150, a two-day, 150-mile cycling fundraiser in central Florida.
Disability Awareness
Asked what point about disabilities she would like people to be aware of, Val mentioned disabled parking. “Just because you don’t see something wrong, doesn’t mean there isn’t,” she said. “Many people with chronic, severe pain, for example, say ‘This is just a small part of who I am. I’m not going to let it control me.’ And you may not see the pain they are in.”
Val does not have a disabled parking sticker. “I’m not going to get one until I need it,” she said. “But please leave the disabled parking for those who do.”
If you would like to learn more about the MS 150 or have other questions, please contact Val Dewing via email or call 604-6343. n
Sunday, October 7, 2007
It's Boris and Natasha!
Okay, it's really Boris and Tasha. But she'd officially be Natasha if she had papers, other than those the SPCA provided anyway. Boris is a skin and bones kitten that was found hanging around outside my apartment complex yesterday. John saw him in the morning and Boris followed John to my door. My neighbor has seen him wandering around as well. I saw him when I was heading over to John's. I saw this little guy, walked up to him and picked him up. He's very friendly and started purring right away.
I went back to my car to get my purse and keys, and Ciera since I couldn't exactly leave her in the car for 5 minutes. He shrank back a little from Ciera since she was very curious as to what I had and she knew it wasn't her kitty. Ciera and I brought Boris in and I set him down by Tasha's food. Even though there was a happy, curious dog nearby, Boris still ate, further emphasizing how hungry the poor little guy was. I had to head to John's so I could get my car window fixed (an entirely different story). Boris was placed in the bathroom with food, water and kitty litter. Currently Tasha is not a fan of Boris. She suddenly has a new feline she has to share her home and dog with. But I'm convinced he'll win her over. After all, he's just a baby and a cute one at that!
Boris
Tasha and Ciera
I went back to my car to get my purse and keys, and Ciera since I couldn't exactly leave her in the car for 5 minutes. He shrank back a little from Ciera since she was very curious as to what I had and she knew it wasn't her kitty. Ciera and I brought Boris in and I set him down by Tasha's food. Even though there was a happy, curious dog nearby, Boris still ate, further emphasizing how hungry the poor little guy was. I had to head to John's so I could get my car window fixed (an entirely different story). Boris was placed in the bathroom with food, water and kitty litter. Currently Tasha is not a fan of Boris. She suddenly has a new feline she has to share her home and dog with. But I'm convinced he'll win her over. After all, he's just a baby and a cute one at that!
Boris
Tasha and Ciera
Do it for the Heart!
All pictures have been added to Photobucket. After having been home a week, I'm ready for another vacation. Of course, it might have to do with the fact it took me two and a half days to realize I have Columbus Day off or to figure out the pink streamers in the courtyard at work.
The gym at work had signs on the door saying they are closed Monday Oct 8th on observance of Columbus Day. I kept looking at it wondering why they got off and what made them so special. Yeah, on Thursday it hit me that I get it off too. Gotta love working for a bank!
As for the streamers, I was wondering if someone had a party while I was gone and didn't bother to clean up. It wasn't until I saw them at another location tied into a pink ribbon that it occurred to me, pink ribbons for breast cancer. Duh!
On another note, a friend and co-worker is participating in the Tampabay Heart Walk. If you know of anyone who has suffered from heart related issues, or if you would like to participate, please help by sponsoring Nancy Perry. If the link doesn't work, please Google Tampabay Heart Walk and on the left side of the page is is the location to search for a participant.
The gym at work had signs on the door saying they are closed Monday Oct 8th on observance of Columbus Day. I kept looking at it wondering why they got off and what made them so special. Yeah, on Thursday it hit me that I get it off too. Gotta love working for a bank!
As for the streamers, I was wondering if someone had a party while I was gone and didn't bother to clean up. It wasn't until I saw them at another location tied into a pink ribbon that it occurred to me, pink ribbons for breast cancer. Duh!
On another note, a friend and co-worker is participating in the Tampabay Heart Walk. If you know of anyone who has suffered from heart related issues, or if you would like to participate, please help by sponsoring Nancy Perry. If the link doesn't work, please Google Tampabay Heart Walk and on the left side of the page is is the location to search for a participant.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Vacation's Over :(
I'm home now. Vacation is all over. Like the last ten years, the last week just flew by. It feels like there wasn't enough time to do all that I wanted and see all that I wanted. But I did, and had a wonderful time. It was so good to see old friends and meet new ones. And in true Minnesotan fashion, it was wonderful getting together over a good meal. There's nothing quite like getting a chance to enjoy that food at all the childhood haunts. I'm just greatful we got to eat at Totino's as they were supposed to be closed by the end of September and not yet opened in their new location.
The reunion provided a good time for all. I heard that Fridley lost the homecoming game. The class of '97 alumni had already deserted the game for the local watering hole, or formerly known as DiMaggio's. I'm glad we attended the game as there were a few people we got to see Friday that weren't able to make Saturday's official event. The reunion event itself was interesting. It was, to use the word again, interesting to see who had changed and who hadn't. There were several people that looked different and many were very thankful for the name tags that were provided. It was really nice to see some old friends from High School and meet the important people in their lives. Some significant others I almost felt like I already knew. Now, the only question that remains is, will the next ten years go as quickly and how can I slow them down?
Oh, and all pictures will shortly be added to my photobucket album shortly. Keep checking for updates if you're interested!
The reunion provided a good time for all. I heard that Fridley lost the homecoming game. The class of '97 alumni had already deserted the game for the local watering hole, or formerly known as DiMaggio's. I'm glad we attended the game as there were a few people we got to see Friday that weren't able to make Saturday's official event. The reunion event itself was interesting. It was, to use the word again, interesting to see who had changed and who hadn't. There were several people that looked different and many were very thankful for the name tags that were provided. It was really nice to see some old friends from High School and meet the important people in their lives. Some significant others I almost felt like I already knew. Now, the only question that remains is, will the next ten years go as quickly and how can I slow them down?
Oh, and all pictures will shortly be added to my photobucket album shortly. Keep checking for updates if you're interested!
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