Moscow Journey June 17, 2015

    It has been almost 2 months since I wrote in the journal and much has happened. After running all the tests, the hematologist did not find anything except my platelet count is still low. We will monitor it and make sure that it maintains the level at which it now stands. I saw a pain specialist and in searching for ways to help me sleep more than four hours at night he had me try OxyContin which did not allow me to sleep at all  for several nights. I am now going to sleep with one Oxycodone and 25 mg of Benedril which allows me to sleep for four hours before being awakened with pain again. I then take another oxycodone which gives me another 3 to 3 1/2 hours of sleep. I am grateful to have something that will allow me to get adequate sleep. It is amazing how important sleep becomes when you cannot sleep. 

            As the date of June 23 nears, the date I left for Russia last year, I stop to assess where I am in my MS journey.  I have definitely lost ground in comparison to my mobility status before I left for Russia, but I am getting better weekly and hope to be back to my original health shortly and begin gaining ground-improving-soon.  I have ceased working with the physical therapist and have begun working with my personal trainer at the gym.  She and I have seen some improvements in my mobility in the last 6 to 8 weeks that I've worked with her.  I have recently begun driving which gives me a certain amount of independence. I have mastered taking  my rollator out of the car but need help putting into the car.  That gives me the independence to drive to the gym as long as I have someone help me put the rollator into the car.   I am now sorting, washing, drying, and folding clothes, and I usually cook at least one meal a day. Strange that I am grateful to resume housekeeping duties.