tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10669635788860065982024-03-13T23:28:16.027-04:00MS, Music and MeSome musings on life with MS, my musical life, and lately my artwork.Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-63435010818739264392012-04-03T13:16:00.000-04:002012-04-03T13:16:27.222-04:00She's Baaack (but not staying)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eCUE7qNBF2Y/T3slPherZ9I/AAAAAAAAG5c/Uu0DudItMRk/s1600/12705767-word-on-keyboard-made-in-3d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eCUE7qNBF2Y/T3slPherZ9I/AAAAAAAAG5c/Uu0DudItMRk/s200/12705767-word-on-keyboard-made-in-3d.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
I've been very remiss about posting and writing this blog so I'm just here to say that I needed a break from all this self-reflection; and I still do. I don't want to post stuff that's negative and lately, that's what's been rattling around in my lesion filled brain. <br />
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So, as our mothers taught us, if we don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all.<br />
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</div>I've been keeping busy with rehearsals for the Master Chorale performances at the end of this month. It's going to be a wonderful concert and so far I've only missed 2 rehearsals so hopefully all will go well and I'll get to sing this time around.<br />
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Next season is our 10 year anniversary and we're doing Carmina Burana again at the Arscht Center and I don't want to miss that. Also we're doing 6 or 8 performances of Beethoven's 9th which we'll be paid for - so that will be fun; crazy vocally but fun. Trying to get our former conductors to come and conduct us too which will be wonderful. After that season I think I'm done with performing. Hopefully they'll let me still come and participate in rehearsals but I 'get it' if they won't.<br />
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One fun thing I did was participate in Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 3. This is a project where singers from around the world (this time 3,746 from 73 countries) upload their individual voice part; then they digitally collect them and make it into a choir. I did it last year too with Eric Whitacre's song<i> Sleep </i>and this year's piece was more challenging. It's called <i>Water Night</i> and I sang the Soprano 3 part. (There were 16 different voicings - amazing!). I love Whitacre's music and since he was a student of my former conductor Jo-Michael Sheibe, I feel a connection. Master Chorale performed his <i>Lux Arumque</i> last year. (He dedicated <i>Lux Arumque</i> to Sheibe - it's right there in the printed score!) Anyway, here is <i>Water Night</i> for your listening pleasure.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/V3rRaL-Czxw?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
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I finally got insurance as of April 1st and even though it's horrible coverage ($2,000 annual deductible and then they pay 80% using in-network doctors only), at least I don't have to worry in case I need to be hospitalized for anything. But for basic stuff, it's pretty much useless and it costs $376/month. It's all I could get and it's part of the Obama Care package so I'm grateful. With a pre-existing condition no company would insure me and thanks to President Obama, people like me can now be covered. I'm voting for him because of this alone!<br />
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Otherwise, things are fine. I'm just feeling very tired all the time and don't have the energy to change things. Dealing with annoyances such as a scooter that doesn't work, (got repaired, worked for half a day and is still in for repair). At least my back-up scooter is working. Paid a bunch of money to get my car in safe working order. Sold some gold jewelry that was sitting in the drawer doing nothing and got a bunch of money for it (but see car note above). On the plus side, Bubba is fine (but not without a scary trip to the vet ER late on a Sunday night). The SoJo group is going well. Found 5 months of medication I thought I'd lost (put it in a "safe place", and forgot where it was!). <br />
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My brother and his wife are planning to move to Florida and I'll be happy to have some family in the area. Hopefully by June they'll be somewhere north of me (maybe Boca or Boynton Beach). I'll see them April 18th while they're here looking for a condo. So that's what's happening and I'll write again when I have something exciting to report! Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-16281208219642245662012-01-13T12:51:00.000-05:002012-01-13T12:51:17.032-05:00Falling, Yes I am Falling...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheee! Here we go again!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well I didn't plan to update the blog this quickly but this morning I had another battle with the MonSter that I live with. Woke up at 5 AM to use the bathroom. Bubba stayed asleep (good dog) and I walked to the bathroom, did what I needed to do, and started to go back to bed. But after two steps, without warning - my left leg just collapsed. There was a sharp pain and before I could even grab the counter I was on the floor, sitting on my butt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now in that room is a sink, counter top, toilet, a metal walker-type frame with handles that I use to lean on at times, and the shower. After I took inventory and saw I wasn't hurt, I had to try and figure out how to stand up. You'd think with all that equipment at hand it would be easy but it wasn't. After trying various ways for about 15 minutes I was exhausted and needed to rest. I just sat there and, surprise, in comes Bubba to see what's going on. He was no help so I told him to back to sleep. He left and got into his bed. Good dog! He's getting used to seeing me down at his level and realizes I'm not there to play.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Shameless excuse to insert photo of Bubba)</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gLIWbAc6wU0/TxBsbETKA9I/AAAAAAAAG4o/QWlmbnkQd_s/s1600/cell_phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gLIWbAc6wU0/TxBsbETKA9I/AAAAAAAAG4o/QWlmbnkQd_s/s200/cell_phone.jpg" width="80" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">OK, back to the task at hand. Scooted on my bum out to the bedroom where the floor is carpeted - maybe that would be easier. But still didn't have enough strength to pull myself up using the bed. (I have one of those very high beds - comfy but not good in this situation.) Could only stay on my knees a short time which didn't help. Whew - that took some energy so, rest time again. What next? Where the hell did I leave my phone? Oh, it was in the basket of my scooter because, like a good girl, I took it with me when I walked Bubba last night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So I crawl out to the dining room where I parked my scooter and get the phone. Whoops, barely charged 'cause I left it in the basket overnight. And damn, my door is locked. Not even going to try and open it since the foyer is all tiled... I'm staying on the carpet. I figure there's enough charge in the phone to call Security if I need to. OK, what now? Maybe I could use the scooter to help me up. Nope, that didn't work. Next. Threw myself across one of the dining room chairs but still no go. Moved another chair on the other side and... YES! I was able to use both chairs plus the table top as supports and all my strength. I was standing! Yay! I sat down on one of the chairs to get my breath and here comes Bubba, ready for his morning walk! Looked at the time and saw it was 6:15. Wow - that took a while. After a few minutes I was able to stand again and get to my walker. Then I got dressed and we went for our usual 6:30 morning walk with the scooter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have no idea why the knee keeps doing this, but according to Dr. Zack it is not a torn tendon - to him it sounds like a torn meniscus and surgery is the only repair. Need an MRI to be sure. Uh, that's not going to happen until I have Medicare. Meanwhile, I smashed up a toe in this process so that will be taped up later today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm making mental notes about how I got upright. Next time this happens, (and it will), I won't waste energy trying other methods. I'll just get myself over to the dining room and use those nice heavy chairs to help. I see this as progress - I did it myself. That means I'm still able to live independently and of course, I always have: </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eTl6FZkAB54/TxBtIW1K5zI/AAAAAAAAG44/4AmMqc2jYJw/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="73" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eTl6FZkAB54/TxBtIW1K5zI/AAAAAAAAG44/4AmMqc2jYJw/s320/Untitled.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-54226956938744690162012-01-12T15:37:00.000-05:002012-01-12T15:37:18.227-05:00Seems Like Old Times<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hR7Qrf9ea24/Tw8_fe5LiUI/AAAAAAAAG4I/dETg5QB6NzA/s1600/newyear2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hR7Qrf9ea24/Tw8_fe5LiUI/AAAAAAAAG4I/dETg5QB6NzA/s200/newyear2012.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My friends, I cannot believe that I have not posted here since last July! I'd like to think that it's a sign that I have been</span><i style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> sooo</i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> busy living my life that I haven't had time to write about it. But, of course, that wouldn't be true. While I did have a busy summer and fall, I also just got lazy. There - I've admitted it. I was just lazy, and maybe a little depressed too. And I really </span><i style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">have</i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> been busy for much of the time. But not too busy to write so I can't use that excuse. I've had some challenges too - a few falls resulting in a torn tendon (we think) and visits from the cutest EMS responders ever. But that said, let me wish you all a very happy 2012 and bring you up to date on what's been going on with <b>MS, Music and Me</b>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>MS</b> - not much has changed. My MS slowly progresses and I now have two scooters and two walkers that are useful for different situations. The larger scooter (Big Red) is used around the condo complex, mostly to walk Bubba and to visit nearby friends. The smaller black one fits in the car and is used for shopping and other outings. A large 4 wheel walker is used in my home and a lightweight 3 wheel walker fits in the back seat of the car for going into restaurants or places where I'm going to be seated most of the time. The summer proved that my heat sensitivity has been cured since my CCSVI procedure and I am so grateful for that benefit. But my walking is slowing disintegrating and this latest fall and torn tendon sure didn't help. It's still healing so time will tell. Not on any medication for MS at this time - there just isn't anything out there for progressive MS - but you guys already know that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Music</b> - I'm always grateful to have music in my life. Master Chorale did not meet over the summer and I started rehearsals again in late August, but I missed too many due to illness (some MS related, some not), and as a result was unable to sing in the November concert. I actually wasn't as disappointed as I thought I'd be. Turns out, the performance isn't that important to me - I love the rehearsals, learning new music, and ensemble singing with this talented group of excellent musicians. The concerts went very well and garnered excellent reviews for our new conductor's debut in South Florida. I started rehearing again last week for the spring concert series and I'm loving the new music. Seeing old friends again and receiving the warm welcome I got was gratifying. Hopefully I'll make the concerts in April but if not, so be it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In other music news, I got very involved with the SoJo Folk group. The Organizer (head honcho) made me his Assistant Organizer, which was fine when he was there - but then, poof!, his job started demanding that he work on Saturdays which left me to run the group. Oops! Not what I signed up for and last week I bowed out. I just want to show up and sing and have fun. But now we need to look for a new venue and I'm pretty involved in that, since I don't want the group to fall apart. So I'm actually spending quite a bit of time working on SoJo. Hopefully once the venue search is behind us, I can go back to being a member and having fun. The group has really evolved from a bunch of strangers into a wonderful group of friends. Some of us get together outside the SoJo meetings and we network when we hear of things that might interest the others. One member is performing in a play and some of us will go and see his performance. I love this diverse group and am so glad I joined them. A little work now is worth it to keep it going.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Me - </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What about other stuff in my life? Well I'm happy and grateful for every day I'm given. Bubba continues to be a delight and a wonderful companion. I got to visit with Zack for 4 days when he came down before starting a temporary job in the Midwest. Now he's moved to Massachusetts for his full time job and is busy setting up his loft apartment. He has friends in his town that he knows from high school and I'm glad he's not completely alone there. I got a chance to see friends from NY and other friends from HS who live down here. Spent Christmas with a Master Chorale friend and had one of the best meals ever! I've also started studying a book called A Course In Miracles or ACIM</span>. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's not a religion but more of a philosophy. I'm enjoying it and while I still don't "get" a lot of it, some of it I do. It can takes years and years but for now, I like the study. My friend Peter just moved here and that means we can meet for lunch more often - I'm trying to introduce him to someone I know. If I can't get Zack married off, maybe I'll have more success with Peter! My Hollybrook friends and I have started a "Game Night" where we get together and play things like Scrabble, Taboo, Pictionary, etc. I also go to a group once a month to play Euchre - a card game. And finally, art classes start again tomorrow. I'm only taking watercolor since that's the medium I enjoy best. So I'm keeping busy and I will vow to write more often - thanks for hanging in there with me! </span>Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-73967601342992958182011-07-14T10:05:00.000-04:002011-07-14T10:05:19.361-04:00Social Networking at it's Best<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.clipartof.com/small/442505-Royalty-Free-RF-Clip-Art-Illustration-Of-A-Cartoon-Friendly-Woman-Wearing-A-Headset-At-Her-Desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://images.clipartof.com/small/442505-Royalty-Free-RF-Clip-Art-Illustration-Of-A-Cartoon-Friendly-Woman-Wearing-A-Headset-At-Her-Desk.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>I've been thinking recently about how much my life has changed for the better due to social networking sites, specifically Facebook and Meetup. This is so strange to me because while I've always been very interested in computers and have used them since the early 80's (my first system stored data on a cassette tape!), I was also leery of meeting people via the computer, having heard so many horror stories. <br />
True, I met a long time boyfriend this way but we all know how that ended! (If you don't know - just suffice it to say 'not well'). But this social networking thing really works... especially when you find a group that focuses on a subject that has meaning for you.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FLypHMnoTDc/TLiEhT2z4YI/AAAAAAAAGW4/Zi_w2XfRvnU/s1600/IMGP1683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FLypHMnoTDc/TLiEhT2z4YI/AAAAAAAAGW4/Zi_w2XfRvnU/s200/IMGP1683.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Facebook in particular brought me hundreds of new friends, many of whom I've met in person due to our mutual connection to MS and CCSVI. In fact, I would not know anything about CCSVI had it not been for Facebook, and that is true for almost all the people I know who had the CCSVI procedure.<br />
It allowed me to publish a book with a woman in Rhode Island who I've never met in person but has become a close friend after many phone conversations and online chats. It allowed me to meet friends from all over the country when we traveled to Tampa a few months ago for a symposium and walk to raise money for CCSVI education/research. And now, I've become involved with two other groups where I've met a whole new group of friends.<br />
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<b>Meetup.com </b>is a site where you can find people who share your interests and also live in your area. You gather in a public place and spend a few hours together doing whatever it is your group is involved in. I found this by accident but figured I'd give it a try. I joined 3 groups and waited to see where they were meeting next. Wow - who knew I'd get so involved! <br />
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The first group is called Ft. Lauderdale Folk Singers Sing Out Jam Out or SOJO. What a mouthful - but it's actually just a bunch of people in the area who like to sing folk songs and get together twice a month to sing and play music together. Right after I joined the group's organizer resigned and a new guy stepped up to take over. He asked for help and I volunteered to be on a committee. I ended up hosting a meeting here at my condo complex in one of the public rooms and 15 people showed up - now they want to have all the meetings here! Each and every person who was there was a total stranger to me (and to each other) but we all left as friends. Three hours of making music together and laughing and sharing some history brought us together quickly. It was so amazing how compatible we all were and what a good time we had. Everyone has already signed up for the next meeting and we're hoping for an even greater turnout. This is social networking at it's best - used to bring folks together in real life; a tool, not as an end in itself.<br />
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The next group I joined is called South Florida Games and Gamers. Now this group is well organized and has a lot of people who arrange events in different areas. Since many of their meetups are pretty far north of me, I hadn't gone to any, but last night I attended a Trivia Contest in Hollywood, about 15 minutes from my home.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.clipartof.com/small/95418-Royalty-Free-RF-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-Circle-Of-3d-White-People-Holding-Different-Colored-Puzzle-Pieces-Around-A-Nearly-Complete-Puzzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://images.clipartof.com/small/95418-Royalty-Free-RF-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-Circle-Of-3d-White-People-Holding-Different-Colored-Puzzle-Pieces-Around-A-Nearly-Complete-Puzzle.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> It was basically just a bunch of people who formed a team to participate in a trivia contest that is held in a local watering hole every Wednesday. The meetup group was just one of many teams that were there. I love playing trivia so I thought I go see what it was about. <br />
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But here's the amazing part: the day before the meetup, one of the members who lives near me in Pembroke Pines sent me an email and offered to drive me to the meeting! He didn't know me and wrote a very sincere email, saying he hoped I wouldn't take his offer the wrong way, but he'd noticed that I was new to the group and that I also belonged to another meetup group that he also had joined. He sent me his phone number so I called to get a feel for who he was. Now maybe it was foolish of me to get into a car with a perfect stranger, but I trusted my old HR instincts and was proven correct: Alan was a perfect gentleman, sweet and helpful, and when he heard that I had MS was really happy he had offered the ride since it's hard to park in that area - this way he said he could drop me off right at the bar and then he'd park the car. I mean - a total stranger reached out to help me get to this meeting, not even knowing that I had difficulty ambulating. And when I got to the place, the 5 other people from the group were just as nice! People who enjoy playing trivia games are generally bright - and this group was smart, funny and fun. I fit right in and they treated me as if I'd been there for years! Made 3 new friends and I know I'll be seeing a lot more of them. Incredible! Social networking again bringing people together.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21jgZ-XRB6Q/Th73J2xA0RI/AAAAAAAAGzE/kmyAWjLaoUo/s1600/d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21jgZ-XRB6Q/Th73J2xA0RI/AAAAAAAAGzE/kmyAWjLaoUo/s200/d.jpg" width="147" /></a></div>Today I'm going to Boca to meet two women I went to High School with! We reconnected last year through Facebook and have become friends anew. I got involved arranging a reunion for graduates of Forest Hills High School now living in South Florida and we'll be meeting with the banquet manager to choose the menu for this September reunion. Over 30 people have signed up on Facebook to attend this dinner~again, social networking at it's best, reuniting old friends and meeting new ones. <br />
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So while many people lament the trend of people sitting on their computers all day connecting with strangers they'll likely never meet, I propose that you can do more and use the social networking sites to get yourself out in the world and meet new people and do new things. Give it a try - you may just surprise yourself and gain some new friends in the process. Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-47768998570638662512011-06-12T17:06:00.003-04:002011-06-21T10:28:06.140-04:00Art Class Updates<span style="font-size: large;">I've really been enjoying my art classes and I hope my Facebook friends have enjoyed seeing my classwork. For those not on Facebook, I thought I'd put some of my work here for you to see. I'm very open to constructive criticism since I'm just learning so feel free to tell me what you think and why. Here are some samples:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqkdHtk1p70/TfUiJiXOpiI/AAAAAAAAGwY/AJqxWfbPi8g/s1600/110605-224645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqkdHtk1p70/TfUiJiXOpiI/AAAAAAAAGwY/AJqxWfbPi8g/s200/110605-224645.jpg" width="148" /></a></div> Drawing class - Lebron James of the Miami Heat.<br />
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This was an exercise in shadow. Not real happy with it but it was one of my first watercolors.<br />
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This was done by wetting the paper and pouring color on, then letting them run in a controlled fashion. Final details like eyes were added with a brush.<br />
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This watercolor was just to learn how to properly apply a smooth wash. I didn't do a good job here - there are streaks within the colors but this is how we learn. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmX42FvobVk/TfUigqRmwsI/AAAAAAAAGwo/BIXtawbglWs/s1600/110604-104908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmX42FvobVk/TfUigqRmwsI/AAAAAAAAGwo/BIXtawbglWs/s320/110604-104908.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Watercolor Collage - This watercolor started out badly but here's what I ended up doing: The first time my background came out all muddy and yucky (that's a technical term). But the Flower and Butterfly came out OK - so I took another piece of paper - just plain sketch paper not meant for watercolor - and put a purple/pink wash on it. Then I carefully cut out the parts of the other painting and pasted them all together on a larger piece of watercolor paper. Voila - a collage.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4ZeDtSAXnw/TfUihVfa5fI/AAAAAAAAGws/D13xGhrzcdA/s1600/110605-172431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4ZeDtSAXnw/TfUihVfa5fI/AAAAAAAAGws/D13xGhrzcdA/s320/110605-172431.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> This is a watercolor exercise from a book I got out of the library. It is supposed to be to demonstrate transparency of watercolor and glazing. I got it right with the small yellow circle over the blue circle to make it green where they intersect. The blue and red intersect to make purple (doesn't show up well here but it does). But the orange over green didn't work - make too many passes. Glazing is just one pass with the color.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PWgnX8jnDug/TfUiiz2At4I/AAAAAAAAGw0/6l7erRyZ5Ko/s1600/110610-081611.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PWgnX8jnDug/TfUiiz2At4I/AAAAAAAAGw0/6l7erRyZ5Ko/s320/110610-081611.bmp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Rain in the Forecast - Watercolor<br />
This is an exercise in painting pattern - it's from the same book as the circles. I had fun doing it and it looks much better in person - you can see much more detail than the photograph shows. It was suggested to me to make notes cards from this. I may take a section and do that. I wasn't happy with upper right corner so I'll leave that out.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DmkmUVmn1C0/TfUijlXroXI/AAAAAAAAGw4/Er3wuPUg5K8/s1600/boats+watercolor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DmkmUVmn1C0/TfUijlXroXI/AAAAAAAAGw4/Er3wuPUg5K8/s320/boats+watercolor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Boats in the fog. Watercolor. This was one of my first watercolors done in class. It's all done with one color (phalo blue) and the different values are done by the amount of water used. Again, the photograph doesn't show the detail such as the tree trunks or texture of the dock.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hq58-pvLDgM/TfUikrKYKVI/AAAAAAAAGw8/63clwLBNhHg/s1600/butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hq58-pvLDgM/TfUikrKYKVI/AAAAAAAAGw8/63clwLBNhHg/s320/butterfly.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Yellow Butterfly - Pastel<br />
This was my last pastel class for the year.<br />
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It was taken from a photograph on an old calendar I had and gave to the instructor. He assigned different butterfly pictures to each student. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66c9Q89Lj1s/TfUilbHeMcI/AAAAAAAAGxA/gEnLBjNlu3s/s1600/Deconstructed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66c9Q89Lj1s/TfUilbHeMcI/AAAAAAAAGxA/gEnLBjNlu3s/s320/Deconstructed.jpg" width="255" /></a></div> Deconstructed Flower and Vase - Watercolor<br />
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This also was an exercise in free expression. We wet the paper, poured on three colors of paint and let the paint do it's thing. We could not use brushes but could use our fingers. Mine was actually turned upside down (purple flower was at the bottom). When I started turning the paper around I was able to see a flower but the yellow center was not attached. Then I saw where a vase could be so I drew that with my pinky. I kind of like this even though it's weird. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYIdY4k05gE/TfUitFjGt1I/AAAAAAAAGxE/_mZNFZRfyo4/s1600/IMGP1706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYIdY4k05gE/TfUitFjGt1I/AAAAAAAAGxE/_mZNFZRfyo4/s200/IMGP1706.JPG" width="163" /></a></div> This is just a detail from the butterfly collage picture - taken when it still had an messed up background.<br />
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This pastel piece is one of the ones currently in an exhibition at the center where I take lessons. When I get it back it's going to my friend Barbara in Tampa. Her husband's nickname is Rooster. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bgI0vsPac8s/TgCoXhxXogI/AAAAAAAAGxo/TN_8mBzz6gA/s1600/IMGP1699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bgI0vsPac8s/TgCoXhxXogI/AAAAAAAAGxo/TN_8mBzz6gA/s320/IMGP1699.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> This is my first attempt at a charcoal drawing. I didn't really enjoy working with charcoal - way too messy for me and very hard to make corrections. I'm still at a stage where I NEED to make corrections!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CmvLOocb768/TgCotYMEICI/AAAAAAAAGxw/7sn4sFKI7-E/s1600/SpponForkMine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CmvLOocb768/TgCotYMEICI/AAAAAAAAGxw/7sn4sFKI7-E/s320/SpponForkMine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Silverware - Watercolor. This was successful in that I was able to capture the shine of a spoon and the cast shadow was done correctly - but the drawing itself isn't good. Spoon is too fat and the fork is too bulky and not very elegant. So I give myself B+ for the painting and C for the drawing.<br />
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This is my latest watercolor and I'm sorry that the photograph isn't better because the color is great in this. It was a study in elongated form and I was happy with the way the vase came out - less happy with the flower but then, flowers are not really my thing.<br />
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Well that's it for now - hope you enjoyed seeing some of what I've been up to. You can see more of my work in some earlier posts and even more on Facebook. TTFNMs Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-18156719593343395942011-05-25T21:35:00.001-04:002011-06-12T16:27:03.542-04:00Our Book Has Been Published - Finally!The gadget on the right is a 19 page sample of our book, <i><b>A Year of Hope</b></i>. If you're reading my blog, then you are most likely aware that my friend Sandra Forbes and I have been working on this for a long time. We are very proud of the result and the profits from the book are all going to the CCSVI Alliance and to the BNAC CCSVI Research Project. Sandra and I will not profit from this work - we did it to honor and show respect to the CCSVI pioneers - patients and doctors - who took a leap of faith in the hope of alleviating suffering.<br />
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I hope you'll buy a copy and support this cause. It was created with love and joy and I think it will make you smile... and who couldn't use a smile these days? <b> Enjoy!</b>Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-48775156375822623932011-05-24T22:58:00.002-04:002011-07-03T09:56:22.459-04:00Bubbas Big AdventureThis morning started out just fine. Woke up early, glanced at the clock and went back to sleep. Bubba was out like a light and didn't stir. At 6:30 am I decided to get up and once I was out of bed, Bubba was in the kitchen right behind me, as usual. I got his leash on him and headed out the door for our first walk of the day. He got on board the scooter which is his new trick (I couldn't have taught him that if I tried) and we rode downstairs.<br />
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Bubba was fine, walked alongside the scooter and did all his business so we headed back to the house. The condo powers-that-be decided at that moment to turn on the sprinklers full blast and the sudden shower frightened Bubba for a minute, but he recovered quickly when he spied the ducks.<br />
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Now Bubba is a terrier so it's his nature to chase anything that moves. He goes after squirrels, cats, and especially the ugly Muscovy ducks that inhabit Hollybrook. Some people love them and some hate them. I'm in the second category. They poop everywhere and we are forever cleaning up after them. A few neighbors throw bread out for them which we are not supposed to do and of course, this attracts them to our building.<br />
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Behind the building is a lake which is surrounded by a golf course with steep hills and deep valleys. The lake is a natural lake and is about a foot lower than the grass, due to the golf course built around it.<br />
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So Bubba spied the ducks and took off like a bat out of hell. He always chases them but today for some reason the leash didn't halt him and he was able to slip out of it. And now the fun begins. Here's the scene: me on my scooter, yelling Bubba! Come! Bubba! No! Bubba! Sit! all to no avail. The ducks scattering and finally flying off and landing in the safety of the lake. Bubba barking at the top of his lungs, running around the edge of the lake, below the grass where I can't get to him. My scooter goes on grass but grass and hills together - not so much. It kept cutting off and I had to stop, remove the key, press the circuit breaker, and try again. So I had to worry about the scooter, as well as Bubba, and the condo commandos complaining about all the barking at 7:00 AM.<br />
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I thought I'd just stay there with eyes on him until he got tired of this game or the ducks flew away - but to my shock Bubba jumped in the lake! The muddy, dirty, lake! I had no idea if he could swim or not so my heart was in my mouth but he paddled about half way out, barking all the while, until he turned around and scrambled on the shore. My little white dog was now black. I was so glad he was out of the water but then, he tried again - plop - there he was back in the lake. In and out - this went on for about half and hour. Why wasn't anyone coming out to see what all the barking was about? Why didn't anyone call security? Where are the condo commandos when you need them? Why are these damn ducks even here? Muscovy ducks are bred for<b> food</b> - just look at this link:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LKptTMfANyc/Tdxso0zG5cI/AAAAAAAAGsU/cx0a8DW8WTU/s1600/duck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LKptTMfANyc/Tdxso0zG5cI/AAAAAAAAGsU/cx0a8DW8WTU/s200/duck.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://www.dartagnan.com/51335/565665/Duck/Whole-Muscovy-Duck-Female.html">Click here to order some yummy duck meat!</a><br />
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Finally, finally, a man comes out of his back door and waves at me... really? Waving? OK, he was old but anyone could see I was freaking out. I scooted over to him and asked if he could call security to help me. He went in the house and came back with his grandson who was about 12 or 13 and spoke English (I later found out the man spoke Spanish and I would have asked him in Spanish had I known that, but as I said, I was freaking out). The grandson, bless him, took my leash and walked down to the lake shore and tried to get the leash around Bubba's head. But the darn dog was slippery from being wet and muddy and now the kid was getting dirty too! He finally got it done and dragged Bubba up the rise and handed me the leash. The poor kid had to go change clothes to get to school! I thanked them profusely and then got the hell out of Dodge before Bubba could start chasing the ducks again.<br />
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When I got to my front door, a new problem presented itself. How to get him in the house and into the bathroom shower without destroying my beige carpet or my clothes. I decided the clothes could be washed so I picked Bubba up and we quickly, (well as quickly as I walk), went into the bathroom and I threw him in the shower. Then I disrobed and joined him. Bubba likes to get bathed or showered so that's lucky for me. We got nice and clean which took a while, and then I dried him off best I could and kept him in the bathroom while I got dressed and proceeded to gather up the towels and dirty clothes for the laundry.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DiRyMc53mBI/TbGZlEcHvMI/AAAAAAAAGoY/6RsRfKRhdCE/s1600/110413-090939-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DiRyMc53mBI/TbGZlEcHvMI/AAAAAAAAGoY/6RsRfKRhdCE/s200/110413-090939-0.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>It was quite a morning - and Bubba had no idea what he'd put me through. He came out of the bathroom happy as a clam, tail wagging, and calmly went to eat his breakfast. I was exhausted and collapsed on the couch. Just another day in paradise!Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-81973418408574448622011-05-08T14:04:00.000-04:002011-05-08T14:04:26.091-04:00Mother's Day and such<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
For those of us who no longer have their Mom's with us, Mother's Day can be difficult. There's not a day goes by when I don't think about my Mom, Sylvia Wulkan, who was truly my best friend and <i>always</i> my champion. She was there for me in times of joy and troubles; even when she disagreed or disapproved of my decisions, our love and respect for each other never got lost in the mix. She was a unique individual with a huge loving heart and is missed by many.<br />
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I have many photos of her but none are digital, and I need to work on that so I can add her beautiful face to this post - but for those family and friends who knew my Mom, I know she is not forgotten. <br />
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I hope everyone reading this takes a moment to remember their Mom - and appreciate the love and care we receive from our mothers. They shape us and make us who we are, more than we realize and whether we like it or not!<br />
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So, my son just called to wish me happy Mother's Day and my newest 'child' Bubba, is sleeping at my feet. He is such a good dog (most of the time) and I'm so glad to have him at this point in my life. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-keh2j3DVrFM/TcbXilM0wHI/AAAAAAAAGqo/rUeGpnxdEE4/s1600/Bubba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-keh2j3DVrFM/TcbXilM0wHI/AAAAAAAAGqo/rUeGpnxdEE4/s200/Bubba.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>Here's a sketch I made yesterday - not great but it does really look like him! (I need to work on the mouth a bit more). Of course, he didn't "sit" for this portrait. I did it from the photograph shown in my previous post. It looks grainy here but in person it's crisp and clean. <br />
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I was really surprised that I could capture his face but I'm happy with the result, considering I've only been drawing for a month.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hESyKZf2XXc/TcbZApP-Z5I/AAAAAAAAGqs/9OlwsGzcLHk/s1600/Braided+Horse+4-28-11+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hESyKZf2XXc/TcbZApP-Z5I/AAAAAAAAGqs/9OlwsGzcLHk/s320/Braided+Horse+4-28-11+%25282%2529.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>Here's another sketch I started in class and finished at home. It's going to be put in a show at the Senior Center. The horse and my pastel Rooster were requested for the show - pretty amazing! Who knew??<br />
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Off to meet a friend for coffee and desert - our Mother's Day treat to ourselves. Enjoy your day too!Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-41573657510990111212011-04-14T17:22:00.000-04:002011-04-14T17:22:39.164-04:00Brief Bubba Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGHaMAKUisQ/TadlbCe_Y8I/AAAAAAAAGnk/F9RLFH3V7NU/s1600/110413-090939-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGHaMAKUisQ/TadlbCe_Y8I/AAAAAAAAGnk/F9RLFH3V7NU/s320/110413-090939-0.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>Carpet allergy may not be the problem, according to three neighbors who had similar problems with their pooches. Evidently, the grass here is treated with some type of chemical that a few dogs don't tolerate well. The answer would be to put a little sweater on the dog so the grass doesn't contact their belly. One kind neighbor gave me a lovely little black jacket for Bubba to see if it helps. He looks ridiculous in it, so I'm not going to embarrass him by posting a photo of him all dressed up - but here is a new portrait I took the other day. I'll check with the vet about the grass v. carpet debate. I hope he doesn't have to wear this silly jacket all the time - the poor thing will get bullied for the way he dresses if that happens.Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-12373481160005585382011-04-11T23:14:00.003-04:002011-04-14T17:26:57.635-04:00Bubba and Me - a Love Story<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHI76Y8iiTk/TadmKEb_T0I/AAAAAAAAGno/qmj7YdVzSe8/s1600/Bizcocho-1+-+Copy+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHI76Y8iiTk/TadmKEb_T0I/AAAAAAAAGno/qmj7YdVzSe8/s200/Bizcocho-1+-+Copy+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bizcochita</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xj0BM607kQs/TadmXoZl4iI/AAAAAAAAGns/JglUY-5MVwQ/s1600/110413-090840-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xj0BM607kQs/TadmXoZl4iI/AAAAAAAAGns/JglUY-5MVwQ/s200/110413-090840-0.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>I love animals. I always have, and have had pets for all my adult life. When I left Puerto Rico and moved to Florida, leaving Biscochita, my beloved long haired Doxie, behind broke my heart. I left her in good hands with friends and knew it was the right thing to do but that didn't make it any easier. She was used to being with me 24-7 and that would not be possible in Florida since I had to get a full time job. In Vieques, she came to work with me every day and had the run of Casa Cielo, the beautiful 9 acre guest house that I managed. <br />
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So when I retired last November, I casually commented to a neighbor with a cute little poodle named Buddy that perhaps I'd get a dog now that I'd be home to care for it. I meant it and kept thinking about it but was busy with rehearsals, disability paperwork, doctor's appointments, and I just never took action. Plus, my friend has been looking for exactly the right dog and I promised I'd help her with whatever dog <i>she</i> got. (It's been more than a year she hasn't found one yet, but that's another story for another day.) <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cCkoe3YFr-U/TaOjcEndHlI/AAAAAAAAGl4/fwtl15H1Vs4/s1600/Bubba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cCkoe3YFr-U/TaOjcEndHlI/AAAAAAAAGl4/fwtl15H1Vs4/s200/Bubba.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Buster" from the flyer photo. 12 lbs. of solid muscle.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Exactly three weeks ago today, Buddy's owner knocked on my door. He had a guy with him and a flyer showing photos of two dogs who needed a home. Both dogs were adorable but the little white Jack Russell won my heart instantly. The dog was 6 years old, 12 lbs. and potty trained. The friend explained that his girlfriend rescues, fosters, and then finds homes for dogs and cats. They needed to make room for more foster babies. I made plans to go and visit the next day. Terrylynn had 6 cats and 4 dogs in her home, one of each was hers and the others all needed homes. When I saw the Jack Russell there was no going back. We were meant for each other! Only problem was that it was the chorus' performance week and I'd be out every night. When I explained this, Terrylynn's daughter told me she is a flautist and her boyfriend a music major in keyboards and composing, so I invited them to the Verdi Requiem concert that Sunday. Since they wouldn't take any money for the dog, I bought tickets for them and they were thrilled. I committed to taking the little guy home the following Monday. "Buster" as he was called, became "Bubba" which I thought befit his muscular little frame and Florida origins. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rOkx5xrprsw/TaOj3ZUpr0I/AAAAAAAAGmA/bdFUdgySrV0/s1600/IMGP1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rOkx5xrprsw/TaOj3ZUpr0I/AAAAAAAAGmA/bdFUdgySrV0/s200/IMGP1674.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chillin' on the blanket.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>sBubba and I became fast friends and everything was going great. He made loads of new doggy pals at my condo complex and I met more people in the last two weeks than I had in seven years here! Dog people are generally very friendly, even if their dogs don't always play nice. I was delighted that Bubba worked and played well with others and he quickly figured out how to trot alongside my scooter when we went out. He was already potty trained, learned the "sit" command quickly, didn't jump on people or furniture, didn't bark unless there was a reason and was clearly a very intelligent dog. He was also quite calm for a Jack Russell which suited me just fine. We were a perfect fit.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kh7H2Q4BIJw/TaOkzmYkzUI/AAAAAAAAGmE/f-OMStZUFJc/s1600/IMGP1666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kh7H2Q4BIJw/TaOkzmYkzUI/AAAAAAAAGmE/f-OMStZUFJc/s200/IMGP1666.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How cute - but his poor belly was suffering.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Only problem was on day four he started this weird habit of dragging his belly on the carpet and propelling himself around the room that way. How brilliant I thought. He's figured out how to rub his own belly! As cute as this was, his poor belly was getting red and raw and I feared he'd get an infection. He needed a vet check up anyway, so this morning we went to see Dr. Melissa.<br />
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One hundred and thirty two dollars later I learned that Bubba was healthy and had no internal parasites. He needs a really good teeth cleaning, plus distemper and Parvo shots which he'll get on his next visit. However, that weird belly rubbing was because he was itchy and he could scratch the largest area with this maneuver; I told you he was brilliant! But why was he itchy? Well, ... wait for it... Bubba seems to be allergic to my wool carpeting! His rubbing was making the allergy worse (so OK, maybe he wasn't as brilliant as I thought), but really, an allergy to wool? Sheesh! Of course, it's only her theory but we've excluded most other things that would cause him to scratch that much. Contact Dermatitis seems to fit. He's on 12 days of medication to stop the itching and so far so good. Dr. Melissa said to keep him off the carpet and since 3/4 of the condo is carpeted, this will be a challenge.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>At the moment part of my living room and den is covered with a large blue Fema-type tarp. Another area has some fleece blankets and a pillow. He'll need to be confined to the kitchen overnight or when I'm out, but Bubba seems content to stay within the tarp/blanket area while I'm watching TV or on the computer. But when I get up he follows me around the house. I can't carry him and walk without losing my balance, so I fitted the basket of my rollator walker with a piece of leftover foam board to provide a base.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GHGPJ8-5CY/TaOjmSqO-iI/AAAAAAAAGl8/mLcfgsX7IcQ/s1600/IMGP1665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GHGPJ8-5CY/TaOjmSqO-iI/AAAAAAAAGl8/mLcfgsX7IcQ/s320/IMGP1665.JPG" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubba on day 5 in his new home. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then I plop him in the basket (which he's not too sure about but he allows it - good dog), and off we go to the tiled kitchen or hallway, Bubba nervous in the basket and me trying not to trip over the tarp. Once there I take him out of the basket and hangs with me on the tile! I tried to get a photo of this but he freaks out when he sees the camera; I figure he's been through enough so I backed off on the photo op.<br />
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For a rescue pet that I got for free, this will get expensive! But Bubba is worth it. He is a blessing and a joy, and makes me happy every day. I see many more years together and new synthetic burber carpeting in our future.Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-45939633899821093702011-03-15T12:29:00.000-04:002011-03-15T12:29:31.854-04:00Catching UpJust some bits and pieces and random thoughts since I haven't posted in a while. <br />
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I love this quote from Marc - his blog is amazing and everyone with a chronic illness can benefit from reading Marc's take on his own disease. He is real, brutally honest, and very very smart. Here's a link to the <a href="http://www.wheelchairkamikaze.com/2011/03/deconstructing-marc.html">Wheelchair Kamikaze's Blog.</a><br />
<blockquote><div style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">"I can advocate for and educate myself, but the actual healing is out of my hands. The only control I do have is to take the journey moment by moment, focusing on the good contained within each passing now, and accepting the bad as a particularly unpleasant traveling companion. With each day there is night, with each peak there is valley, for every gain there must be loss. Such is the way of nature; such is the way of life…" Marc Stecker aka Wheelchair Kamikaze</div></blockquote> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
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<a href="http://www.lucy-pearl.com/Events/CCSVI-Walk/IMG0330/1206538570_a2ZAV-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.lucy-pearl.com/Events/CCSVI-Walk/IMG0330/1206538570_a2ZAV-M.jpg" width="133" /></a>The Tampa CCSVI Symposium and Walk 'N Roll was a huge success. The Alliance exceeded their goal and both the lectures and walk were very well attended - far greater than expected. Everyone who spoke did well and we were warmly received. The auction was wonderful with a lot of fabulous items. I worked the auction and registration tables until it was time to speak so I missed some of the doctor's talks but I believe the CCSVI Alliance will be posting the video of the symposium.<br />
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Nicki Watts did an incredible job of organizing this pretty much on her own with the support of Michelle Brown (long distance from Connecticut). Congratulations to everyone for a very successful event and thanks to all the sponsors and donors who participated. And thank you to everyone who donated to my walk page, allowing me to far exceed my goal. I raised $985.00 and am sending in another $15 just to even it up! Here are the links to two photography sites who donated their services. The photos are wonderful and capture the spirit of both days. <br />
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<a href="http://kimberlyyau.com/ccsvi#h5727676">Symposium Photos by Kimberly Yau Studios</a> <a href="http://www.lucy-pearl.com/Events/CCSVI-Walk/16076373_ngJ8Z#1206727762_McKNz">Walk Photos by Lucy Perl Photography</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.masterchoraleofsouthflorida.com/images/2010/Verdi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.masterchoraleofsouthflorida.com/images/2010/Verdi.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>One week of rest before 'hell week' starts again for our Verdi Requiem performances. We're performing with the Lynn Philharmonia in a partnership that will save us some money because two performances will be in the University's new theater which is gorgeous, and we don't need to rent space or hire an orchestra! Their conductor, George Schram, is very well repsected and I'm excited to meet him next Monday. We rehearse Monday through Wednesday and perform Thursday through Sunday. Hopefully we'll all have some voice left by Sunday because this is a demanding work, but one of my very favorites to sing. The seating arrangements may be better for me as my section is on the end, so I can sit for a lot of the performance and not stick out like a sore alto. Wish me luck!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TX-NBlNDuuI/AAAAAAAAGj4/O4RM7tSbJYQ/110310-152918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TX-NBlNDuuI/AAAAAAAAGj4/O4RM7tSbJYQ/110310-152918.jpg" width="200" /></a>My art classes are on a break this week but resume next Tuesday. I also signed up for a drawing class given by the same instructor because I really need to learn more about perspective, light, etc. I'm working on some pieces on my own during this break but I enjoy the ones we do in class because I can get input from the other student artists as well as Daniel, our instructor. Here's my latest effort which was taken from a photograph on a calendar page. Everyone did a different butterfly. I don't love how I did the background but the butterfly came out OK I think. At least it looks like a butterfly! In any case, I'm having fun exploring this new side of me and pastels are a pretty forgiving medium - you can erase what you don't like or go over it with a different color. Blending the colors gives some interesting results and I'm learning what works and what doesn't. (Use lots of white and avoid black!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">Be Here Now</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;">Photo by Camikooka</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Some MS related stuff: I stopped taking LDN because I didn't see any benefits from it. So at the moment I'm not on any drugs for MS. This is a little scary but there are really no drugs out there right now that can stop the progression of secondary progressive MS so I'm more or less on my own. I do like the idea of not putting more chemicals in my body; I already take medication for diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, and alertness. I also take some vitamins and supplements, so just keeping track of all these pills can be a project in itself. I guess it's up to me to keep exercising, stay active and try to follow Marc's advice to take the journey moment by moment. Good advice for everyone, chronic illness or not.<br />
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JqZ7WfJYoO0/TX-TaMUVgvI/AAAAAAAAGkA/oGtpUYvG3QU/s1600/cakebday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JqZ7WfJYoO0/TX-TaMUVgvI/AAAAAAAAGkA/oGtpUYvG3QU/s1600/cakebday.jpg" /></a><br />
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And finally, a very Happy Birthday to my brother who turns 60 this week. Ba', you don't look a day over 57! Love you! <br />
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Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-37815186073713793852011-03-01T10:29:00.000-05:002011-03-01T10:29:43.049-05:00I am a feature article on the CCSVI Alliance website.I was honored to be asked to write a patient perspective for the CCSVI Alliance. They just published it as the March feature on that section of their website. They used a photo I sent them but it looks so large! I thought the one I sent was smaller :) To read my story, along with my friend Michela's companion piece, just click this link:<br />
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<a href="http://ccsvi.org/index.php/component/content/article/83">Andrea's Patient Perspective</a><br />
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Note: the page can be slow to load so please have patience. (Probably that huge photo!) Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-75872961536171326362011-02-23T11:17:00.001-05:002011-02-26T13:44:19.204-05:00Bocelli, Art, and Gabrielle FauréI've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to update this blog, so here's what's been going on.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sVmOYVk5ZQI/TWUfz_kppUI/AAAAAAAAGhs/nywuH1e_2Bo/s320/Pic+2.JPG" width="320" /> </td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2Ch0Aoa3aI&feature=related"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2Ch0Aoa3aI&feature=related">Click Here to Hear the Nessun Dorma finale</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The long awaited performance on Feb. 14th with <b>Andrea Bocelli</b> has come and gone. It was a surreal experience for many reasons. <br />
<ul><li> We didn't get a real rehearsal with the orchestra or Bocelli as we did for the Christmas '09 concert. This was because Mr. Bocelli was in NY the day before our concert for his <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/arts/music/15andrea.html">Metropolitan Opera 'debut'</a>. I'm not even going to comment on that. Click the link and read the NY Times review which speaks for itself. Then he arrived late for the short rehearsal time we did have on the day of the concert... and we didn't go over all of the pieces. In fact, midway through the rehearsal they added a piece of music about 2 hours before the show! </li>
<li>The conductor, Eugene Kohen, was a very nice man but a very strange conductor! Some of his arm movements were nothing like I've ever seen. He almost never cued our entrances and we needed the cues since we didn't have any rehearsal time. To their credit, Orchestra Miami did a fantastic job and to our credit, we managed to not screw anything up too badly. The videos show we sounded really good!</li>
<li>The stage of course was elevated, but the chorus was in the back of the stage, elevated even more - I'm guessing we were about 50 feet above the ground. Getting to my seat was a challenge because part of the stairs didn't have any handrails. A nice guy from the Bocelli road crew helped me but it was a little scary. I was smack in the middle of the first row, but once in my seat all was fine.</li>
<li>I'd forgotten what it was like to see 21,000 people looking at us on stage! It was just awesome and yes, surreal. The sound of their applause was overwhelming. </li>
</ul>My FaceBook friend Laura came from New Orleans to see the show and she was thrilled that I got her backstage before it started. She took some fantastic photos and videos, as did others. The audience of course went wild for Bocelli - he has very loyal fans - but the highlight for me was hearing and meeting soprano<b> <a href="http://www.anamariamartinez.com/">Anna Maria Martinez</a>.</b> She is just glorious and looked amazing in her red satin dress for Valentine's day. The photos can be seen on my FB page and videos abound on YouTube. Laura and I had fun and she stayed for another day which we spent at the flea market. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ck_c2QyPz80/TWUfGxLJN-I/AAAAAAAAGho/kdzNckeo9VI/s1600/110220-074152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ck_c2QyPz80/TWUfGxLJN-I/AAAAAAAAGho/kdzNckeo9VI/s320/110220-074152.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Pastel Classes </b>- I signed up for this class at our local senior center and was pleasantly surprised that Daniel, our instructor, is a wonderful artist who knows how to teach. I always said I could not draw a straight line and that is still true - but I'm learning how to draw curved lines that somehow morph into actual paintings! I'm now in the second session of these 6 week classes and I'm amazing myself with what I'm able to do. I can clearly see the progress from my early sessions and the challenge this week is a very difficult one. We are using the portrait of Mary Cassatt's Girl with White Bonnet as the model for our drawing. Drawing a face is much more involved than a landscape or still life and I didn't know where to begin, but another class member who is a 'real' artist gave me some hints and incredibly, I actually sketched in the face! Now, it doesn't look like the girl in the Cassatt original, but it is a recognizable face of a child. (The 'real' artist finished hers in the 2 hour class and it looked identical to Cassatt's! I told her I want to buy it!) When it's done, I'll post it here - but meanwhile, here's another study I did of a Van Gogh landscape. (There's some glare on the bottom of the photo that's not on the original.) Bottom line is I'm really enjoying the class, the other students and the teacher. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0e/Faur%C3%A9-by-paul-mathey.jpg/200px-Faur%C3%A9-by-paul-mathey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0e/Faur%C3%A9-by-paul-mathey.jpg/200px-Faur%C3%A9-by-paul-mathey.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><br />
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Faur%C3%A9">Gabriel Fauré</a> </b>wrote some beautiful music but I have to confess that other than the gorgeous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantique_de_Jean_Racine_%28Faur%C3%A9%29">Cantique de Jean Racine</a> I'm just not a big fan of French romanticism. The Master Chorale of South Florida is rehearsing Faure's Requiem and my plan is to rehearse and learn the piece but not sing in the performances because I think it will be too difficult for me to stand for entire performance which is what will be required. Plus, I don't love the piece and further, our conductor has placed me in the lower alto part which for this piece means I'm actually singing the Tenor I part in the tenor register which is killing my voice - it's too damn low! I'm not a second alto - if anything I'm a second soprano so this just feels wrong to me. I can't sing it that low with any kind of decent tone and I don't think my one voice will be missed in the sea of 100+ so I'm opting out. It will be fun to sit in the audience and hear what the chorus sounds like - something I rarely get to do.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.masterchoraleofsouthflorida.com/images/2010/Verdi.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.masterchoraleofsouthflorida.com/images/2010/Verdi.png" width="246" /></a></div>But first, we have the<b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdi_Requiem">Verdi Requiem</a></b> coming up March 24th through the 27th. I love, love, love the Verdi Requiem and am looking forward to being back at the beautiful performing arts center at Lynn University in Boca Raton. Saturday night is already sold out so if you are in town and want to see a great performance of a great masterwork, let me know and I'll be happy to invite the first 2 people who reply as my guests to the night of their choice - Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Boca! <br />
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Next week I'll be in Tampa for the CCSVI Alliance Symposium and Walk. See my previous post for more info. Will report on that when I return. <br />
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Addendum: I finished the portrait - it needs some tweaking but basically this is it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4LaVaf5oz4w/TWlJmPn48aI/AAAAAAAAGhw/bnyEUAeWMNA/s1600/110226-124654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4LaVaf5oz4w/TWlJmPn48aI/AAAAAAAAGhw/bnyEUAeWMNA/s320/110226-124654.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-7888853280121188552011-02-05T17:16:00.000-05:002011-02-05T17:16:24.875-05:00Tampa Symposium and Walk-N-Roll<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://walkandrolltampa2011.ccsvi.org/ccsvi/cute_editor_uploads/startingpath.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://walkandrolltampa2011.ccsvi.org/ccsvi/cute_editor_uploads/startingpath.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://walkandrolltampa2011.ccsvi.org/ccsvi/participantpage.asp?uid=5&fundid=2">Please click here to see my walk page and donate to this worthy cause</a><br />
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It's time to START NOW - March 4-5 will be an exciting weekend in Tampa for the first annual CCSVI Alliance Walk-N-Roll fundraiser. I will be one of the speakers on March 4th and will be 'rolling' on March 5th.<br />
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Here's what's being planned:<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b>Day 1</b> - Presentations by CCSVI treatment providers, Dr. Bulent Arslan, Moffitt Center, Dr. Michael Dake, USF, MS neurologist Dr. Stanley Krolczyk, neurologist Dr. Mark Cascione, four patient perspectives, reception and silent auction. </div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b>Day 2</b> - Walk-N-Roll (2 miles) on Saturday morning, from 8 am - 12 noon</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> Food, friends and fun in the sun (get that vitamin D).</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong> </strong></div><br />
If you haven't already done so, please visit my walk page by clicking link on top of the page to read why I'm passionate about this cause. As a fledgling organization we really need all the support we can get. If you can't contribute but want to help, how about an in-kind donation for our auction? Or if you have a business, why not be a sponsor? Any support will be appreciated and used well - I promise you that. Help us make this first event a huge success. I'm counting on all of you.<br />
Thanks!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://walkandrolltampa2011.ccsvi.org/ccsvi/cute_editor_uploads/WalathonPeople1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://walkandrolltampa2011.ccsvi.org/ccsvi/cute_editor_uploads/WalathonPeople1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-69835690155103953902011-01-20T21:10:00.011-05:002011-01-21T10:34:31.225-05:00New Beginnings<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TTjFhMCCQUI/AAAAAAAAGa4/fTkNdhx-b4Q/s1600/IMGP1683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TTjFhMCCQUI/AAAAAAAAGa4/fTkNdhx-b4Q/s200/IMGP1683.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Salvatore Sclafani</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A new year naturally brings new beginnings but January, 2011 was the most exciting January in my personal recollection. What has me so excited is the time I spent this week at the 23rd Annual ISET in Miami Beach. The International Symposium On Endovascular Therapy meets each year to share advances in ET, watch actual procedures, listen to expert presentations on technique and findings, network, and see the many vendor booths showing the latest tools for their profession. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> This year I was very fortunate that all these things converged:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">a) the ISET was being held at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, less than an hour away; </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">b) the organizers chose to showcase a number of presentations on CCSVI, inviting the leading doctors in the field to participate; </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">c) the organizers graciously donated space for an information booth to the CCSVI Alliance; </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">d) the Alliance asked me if I could help cover their information booth at the event!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TTjFH72NUjI/AAAAAAAAGZg/0RLUtstaqgQ/s1600/IMGP1675+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TTjFH72NUjI/AAAAAAAAGZg/0RLUtstaqgQ/s200/IMGP1675+-+Copy.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since ISET is not open to the public I would never have been able to have this experience without the Alliance and I am forever grateful to Sharon Richardson, President for inviting me. It was great meeting Sharon and I immediately could see that the Alliance has the right woman for this daunting job.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TTjdOikyg-I/AAAAAAAAGdA/NFpWOt9oD1I/s1600/IMGP1694-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TTjdOikyg-I/AAAAAAAAGdA/NFpWOt9oD1I/s200/IMGP1694-1.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Dr. Dake - CCSVI Pioneer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Monday: Woke up at 5am. Left home at 6, got a bit lost driving to Miami Beach (only I could get confused on this straightforward trip), still arrived in time to meet Sharon and chat and the presentation began at 8am. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Zamboni, Dr. Sclafani, Dr. Dake, Dr. Haskal, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Machan, Dr. Benenati, Dr. Katzen and Sharon (!) were all on the podium and each made their presentations. Over 700 people filled the room and some even sat on the floor in the back to hear about CCSVI. It was amazing. The presentations lasted through the morning at then broke for lunch. I tried to take some photos but they didn't come out too well - although I did get to meet Dr. Dake when he stopped by our table later in day. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TTjFN9bDxBI/AAAAAAAAGZ4/sr61NDW57M0/s1600/IMGP1688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TTjFN9bDxBI/AAAAAAAAGZ4/sr61NDW57M0/s200/IMGP1688.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharon Richardson & Dr. Arslan</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sharon went off to do some video interviews with Dr. Zamboni and Dr. Haskal and I went to cover the Alliance information table. Sharon's friend Nancy also came along to help. We had a good number of people stop at the table to ask questions, get literature and to tell us how much they enjoyed Sharon's talk. We had some lunch, went back to the table and then my doctor, Dr. Arslan stopped by to say hi and give me a big hug! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> By 3:30 it was quiet so I made my way home. (Well actually since it was Monday I went to my choral rehearsal and didn't get home until 11 pm. A very long day but amazingly I had ENERGY! Thank you Dr. Zamboni and Dr. Arslan.)</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TTjFfCAAR9I/AAAAAAAAGaw/6V0GG-nMYa0/s1600/IMGP1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TTjFfCAAR9I/AAAAAAAAGaw/6V0GG-nMYa0/s200/IMGP1681.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wednesday Sharon called to say things were quiet and she and Nancy could handle the table so I had the day off. But Thursday, the final conference day, there was a technical panel on CCSVI and I was welcome to come. I wasn't going to pass that up so I arrived (didn't get lost!) at 8:30 for the 9:00 session. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Same doctors on the panel (minus Dr. Dake who had to leave early) and this time I had a great seat closer to the podium. The mood after all the presentations was one of hope and forward movement - and new beginnings. I took photos and learned a lot; loved Dr. Haskal's ideas and Dr. Zamboni was excellent. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TTjF4kZlVVI/AAAAAAAAGcM/dlKtukSJMQ8/s1600/IMGP1708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TTjF4kZlVVI/AAAAAAAAGcM/dlKtukSJMQ8/s200/IMGP1708.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, they're all leaving the stage and there I was! First I got to speak with Dr. Katzen who told me to email him about my follow up Doppler! Here - in Miami! Then I got to talk to Sal Sclafani who was just the warmest, nicest guy ever. Dr. Arslan came over and together we approached Dr. Zamboni and the group that was around him. He noticed me and came over to my scooter!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I was able to say, "Thank you for changing my life and the lives of so many of us with MS." He held my hand and smiled that amazing smile and said "I hope you keep getting better." Oh wow. I moved on, as there were many waiting to talk to him. Dr. Arslan stayed and on my way out I found myself next to Ziv Haskal. I said to him, "I enjoyed your talk and agreed with everything you said, especially about ... " well, no need to recreate the conversation. We spoke for about 10 minutes! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sharon left to catch her plane and I went down to the lobby preparing to leave when I realized I'd left my notes in the salon. I went back to get them and on my way out (for the second time) there they all were! Standing around, informally chatting, and I decided I <i>had</i> to get a better photo of Dr. Zamboni. I took out my camera. Dr. Arslan saw me and said, why don't you get in the photo and I'll take the picture. I think Dr. Zamboni heard him because he motioned me over! OMG! I was a nervous wreck and you can see it in the photo. I didn't get close to him and my expression was awe and shock! Thank you Dr. Arslan! That photo would not have happened without you.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TTjGMRNIAqI/AAAAAAAAGco/paa9wpX83IM/s1600/Dr.+Z+and+me-Sharpened.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TTjGMRNIAqI/AAAAAAAAGco/paa9wpX83IM/s200/Dr.+Z+and+me-Sharpened.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What a wonderful way to begin the new year. Renewed energy, CCSVI gaining more acceptance every day, doctors agreeing to collaborate and develop protocols so research can have standardized procedures, and a once in a lifetime experience for me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My personal 'new beginnings' include exercise classes, an art class, and I'll be editing and publishing a book. I learned a lot in 2010, and 2011 brings more to learn, more to share, and more hope for everyone. I wish you all wonderful new beginnings.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nws.edu/Assets/eventimagesLarge/Jan2611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.nws.edu/Assets/eventimagesLarge/Jan2611.jpg" width="137" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Addendum: After I posted this I got an email from The New World Symphony here in Miami. (If you're not familiar with NWS, they are America's orchestral academy, founded and conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT). After fellowships at NWS, these musicians go on to play in the best orchestras in the world.) I won two tickets to the January 30th performance at their new concert hall designed by Frank Gehry! A new beginning for them and a great end to an amazing January for me! </span></span>Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-90276140033736185632010-12-30T16:13:00.013-05:002010-12-30T16:24:40.278-05:00A Mini-Rant as we leave 2010: Please, just do your job!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/laughlines/notmyjob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/laughlines/notmyjob.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Is there anything more frustrating than dealing with people who can't (or won't) do their jobs? We see this all the time and it's become so pervasive that many of us have come to expect poor or incompetent treatment from salespersons, service people, bureaucrats, government officials, et. al. It's a sad state of affairs, I tell you. <b> But</b> I don't expect that attitude from my treating physicians. The last two months have been so strange in dealing with my neurologist and his staff that sadly, I feel it's time to make a change. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My first clue: I had a follow up appointment in November to discuss treatment options following my venoplasty. I was excited to show Dr. S. the small improvements I had. I told him I had applied for <a href="http://www.socialsecurity-disability.org/content/about-ssdi?gclid=CP_ntp7nlKYCFYtS2godjl62oQ">SSDI</a> back in October and asked if he had sent the records they requested. He leafed through the chart and said, no, he didn't see a request. Strange I thought - I'd have to call them to follow up. At least I had sent in whatever MRI records I had which contained my diagnosis. I later called and they said they sent two requests. I suggested they make another request by fax since that office seems to respond to faxes... I hoped.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.anger-management-action.com/images/anger-management-toys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.anger-management-action.com/images/anger-management-toys.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm getting a bit annoyed now. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Clue two: His plan was for me to go on Tysabri, but after a lot of research and thinking, I decided that was not the route I wanted to take. Too much risk for a possible benefit. The other drug available to me was the newest flavor on the block, <a href="http://www.gilenya.com/index.jsp?usertrack.filter_applied=true&NovaId=4029462001483043810">Gilenya</a> (generic: fingolomid). This oral medication was unbelievably expensive and the list of side effects would make anyone run for cover. Even Dr. S agreed it was too new and too scary to try. So as a person with SPMS, there were no other 'approved' options left for me. I wanted to try <a href="http://www.ldnresearchtrust.org/">LDN</a> - Low Dose Naltrexone - which a lot of MS patients swear by. It is a very safe option, and if it didn't help, well, it couldn't hurt. Dr. S. said he didn't know much about it but was willing to prescribe it after he got more information. I came prepared with written LDN Fact Sheet, and I also said perhaps he could speak with Dr. X, another MD in the practice who was known to prescribe it. Here's where it got weird: he asked <b>ME</b> to call Dr. X's office and find out what the dosing should be. I said, wouldn't it be better if you or your nurse called and got the information. He said they were too busy (he said it nicer than that but that was the bottom line). Too weird. I didn't pursue it - but I did call, and Dr. X's nurse and I had a long discussion about how strange this was. I was told to call Dr. S. and have him call Dr. X directly, (no shit). So I did - left 2 messages for his nurse and it's now December 30th and I've yet to hear back from anyone. (So I ordered the LDN on line and started taking it a month ago, titrating per the fact sheet. No side effects so far.)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OEoNzDCQX5s/TCJHN0iK1mI/AAAAAAAACwA/P8yxJ9B9Pk4/s400/Lucy+the+psychiatrist.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OEoNzDCQX5s/TCJHN0iK1mI/AAAAAAAACwA/P8yxJ9B9Pk4/s200/Lucy+the+psychiatrist.gif" width="156" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">Clue Three: Last week I get a call from the woman handling my disability claim asking me to go to two independent doctor's appointments before they make a decision. I questioned why this was necessary since by now didn't they have all my neurologist's records? No, she said. They never received them after numerous requests and now I would need to get an independent exam. Plus she wants me to see a psychologist as well. Why I asked? Because you're on an antidepressant. Oh, I say, but that's only because of the MS medication I used to be on. She said, that's our policy. So of course I agree to the exams and then fire off a fax to my doctor asking, begging them to send the records so I don't have to endure this. No freaking response and so, I had a 45 minute appointment yesterday with an odd doctor in an awful part of town which I can only hope will help my application. The shrink is scheduled Jan. 10th.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So now I have to find a new doctor and hope the SSDI people actually read and listen to the reports that they do have. I have no idea who I want to use as my neurologist now... a whole 'nother dilemma. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next: had to call my old job about a benefit question. Called twice last week; sent a follow up email, finally called again yesterday and left yet another message. Geez people - just do your jobs! Finally got a call back with an answer. One down. I'm just fed up and aggravated because if people would just do their jobs the world would work so much better! OK - rant is over. On to something positive!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'd like to leave you with this excellent video of Doctor Salvatore Sclafani who explains CCSVI and the current state of knowledge and research in a very realistic way that anyone can understand. I love the comparison he makes with vaccines - listen and you'll see what I mean.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TRz0aT3fReI/AAAAAAAAGX4/oP1DczeUw5k/s1600/Scalfani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TRz0aT3fReI/AAAAAAAAGX4/oP1DczeUw5k/s1600/Scalfani.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://vimeo.com/17889703">Click here for the Interview wth Dr. Sclafani</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I will actually get to meet Dr. Sclafani in January when I'm at the ISET conference in Miami helping at the CCSVI Alliance exhibit booth. I may even get to meet Dr. Zamboni! The book I'm working on is coming along and I'm hoping we get it done in time for the March Tampa event. (I'll have to tell you about that in my next post.) Looking forward to singing with Andrea Bocelli on Valentine's day and to the Verdi Requiem in March with Master Chorale. Many good things to look forward to in the new year!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TRzxGspBPZI/AAAAAAAAGX0/A5fjefJAwiY/s1600/2011-happy-new-year-wallpaper-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TRzxGspBPZI/AAAAAAAAGX0/A5fjefJAwiY/s320/2011-happy-new-year-wallpaper-25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No resolutions this year. Just a promise to myself to do whatever I can to get healthier and to continue promoting education and research about CCSVI. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">My wonderful friends and family, I wish you a happy, healthy, new year filled with learning, loving, music and joy!</span></div>Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-46067636139041480852010-12-07T09:08:00.000-05:002010-12-07T09:08:22.526-05:00Frustration - as defined by the Wheelchair Kamikaze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TP47katP36I/AAAAAAAAGXs/WSBdp12IwAg/s1600/frustration-thumb4837199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TP47katP36I/AAAAAAAAGXs/WSBdp12IwAg/s200/frustration-thumb4837199.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The well known MS blogger Wheelchair Kamikaze has posted one of his very best essays this week. His blog is so popular because he not only writes beautifully, but also he expresses for many in the MS community what we are feeling but don't know how to put into words. Marc Stecker writes frankly and honestly about his personal battle with PPMS (primary progressive MS), and his latest post is sort of an addendum to his previous one which dealt with the emotions felt by a person with MS. When a reader pointed out he'd left out the feeling of frustration, he promptly responded with this incredibly insightful, honest and thoughtful essay. Please go and read it here: </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.wheelchairkamikaze.com/2010/12/frustration-machine.html"> THE FRUSTRATION MACHINE</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you continue and read the comments, my initial response can be found there, but I felt I needed to say more. </span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Marc got it exactly right, especially the last paragraph which reveals so much about this man whom I truly admire. His resiliency, courage, optimism and tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds is always amazing to me. I try to model my response to this frustrating disease after his. I don't always succeed but it sure is a worthy goal to aim for. Thank you Marc for everything you do. You are brave. You are intelligent. You make a difference.</span>Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-9585016474567502652010-12-02T14:09:00.001-05:002010-12-02T14:12:42.347-05:00Busy, Busy, Busy - Who Said Retirement Would Be Relaxing?<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This will be a departure from my usual posts. I just thought I'd update everyone on what I've been doing with all my "free" time since, hooray!, retirement.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well first I had to straighten out all the mistakes that were made when I left work - that was stressful and took a week to fix but it's done. Then I had to deal with Social Security. 'Nuff said. No point going over it here - done, finished, all good.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Next: My son has been been on my case for years about exercise. More specifically, that I don't. I always was able to come back with, "After working a 10 hour day starting at 5:30 AM I have no energy left to even stand up let alone go to the gym." Well folks, that won't cut it anymore so I went and joined the local (dare I say it), Senior Center. Shhh don't tell anyone. Just so happens they have some great classes there and they are either free or very inexpensive. So I signed up for Chair Exercise and Chair Yoga and Beginning Tai Chi. So far I've only gone to the chair exercise class and man, it was freakin' hard! Who knew? But I can see that I will clearly benefit from this so that will be one I will continue. Tai Chi was this morning but I never got there - was too busy as you'll see later. Chair Yoga starts next week. And Dec. 14th I start a pastels drawing class. I must be out of my mind.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TPfg8SGzCSI/AAAAAAAAGXg/K7mrBY1MekA/s1600/notforwimps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TPfg8SGzCSI/AAAAAAAAGXg/K7mrBY1MekA/s320/notforwimps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then I started on a new MS medication called LDN (Low Dose Naltraxone). This is not an "approved" MS drug but my neurologist said it was fine if I wanted to try it since, no surprise, he didn't have any other options for me. SPMS is not very treatable, even with fancy drugs. LDN required me to do a lot of research which I did very thoroughly and that took time. So many people were so kind to help with great info but I had to look in hundreds of places, so I decided to start a Face Book group for 'newbies' to the LDN world. I invited all my MS friends and some LDN experts I'd met during the research and last night the site went live! So this all took a lot of my time. Here's the link: </div><b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/andisue#%21/pages/LDN-Newbies-Discussion-Group/179671852042942%20%20">LDN-Newbies-Discussion-Group </a></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TJzykASMOoI/AAAAAAAAGVU/DhiJeANcq54/s1600/World+as+Heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TJzykASMOoI/AAAAAAAAGVU/DhiJeANcq54/s200/World+as+Heart.jpg" width="152" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Also on Face Book is a group led by my friend Sandra who lives in Rhode Island. She had the wonderful idea to make a calendar showing the faces and stories of people who were 'Liberated' (i.e. treated with angioplasy for CCSVI) and sell it to raise money for CCSVI research. So many people responded and wanted to be in the calendar (over 200 from all around the world) that it turned into a book! Sandra is a graphic artist and will do a great job of designing the book and layout and choosing the photos and stories. But she needed help with all the detail stuff (getting releases, keeping track of members and their date and place of procedure, finding a printer, distribution, working with the non-profit group who will benefit, checking the page often, etc.). In short, she needed ME! Anyone who knows me knows this is what I do well. So I jumped in and offered to help and I'm loving every minute of it - but it is taking some time for sure. Not complaining - the finished book will be awesome! Hope you all will buy one to support the cause. We're shooting for end of February to get it out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">OK - so we don't go back to Master Chorale rehearsals until January and I didn't want to go that long without singing. I learned about something called the Virtual Choir, a very cool project on YouTube done by Eric Whitacre, a composer and choral conductor. Rather than explain the whole thing here, just go and check out the one they made last year - you'll get it. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TPftO-ibI9I/AAAAAAAAGXk/nZvzmGyiJvE/s1600/78046_1552642369067_1025371743_31267698_1888598_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TPftO-ibI9I/AAAAAAAAGXk/nZvzmGyiJvE/s200/78046_1552642369067_1025371743_31267698_1888598_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Chorale at Wold Performing Arts Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7o7BrlbaDs">Lux Aurumque - Virtual Choir - Eric Whitacre</a> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I submitted my entry for "Sleep" as an alto 1 and when the project is done I'll put a link to the finished video on the blog. Can't wait! But it took me time to learn the part and record my entry. I'm still not thrilled with it but there's a deadline so in it went.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tonight I'm going to a fundraiser in West Palm Beach and will speak about my experience with MS and CCSVI from the patient perspective. This supports the research going on in Buffalo, NY and I'm glad to do this. I was also asked to be part of a two day event in March which will be really exciting! A symposium in Tampa at Moffitt Cancer Center (which is where my doctor practices) with a lot of experts and doctors in the field sharing information. I will be again be speaking from a patient perspective. And the next day, a fundraising walk with the proceeds going to the CCSVI Alliance. I'm so honored to have been asked to speak and to be working with this incredible organization. Thanks go to my good friend and fellow pioneer in Arslan's Army, Nicki W. who got me involved.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TPfuFnHWYLI/AAAAAAAAGXo/smsDnyfxm78/s1600/Alliance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TPfuFnHWYLI/AAAAAAAAGXo/smsDnyfxm78/s1600/Alliance.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visit their website under my links box</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tomorrow I have a phone conference scheduled with the VP of the CCSVI Alliance to discuss how the book project and this event can partner with each other to raise money for the Alliance. This is so exciting to me. This small project that Sandra started could turn into something huge! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Who said one person can't make a difference? I've met so many amazing people along the CCSVI journey and <i>all</i> of them have made a difference on their own, but when we partner to work together, watch out world!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What else have I been up to? Reading Nora Ephron's fantastic, sad, funny, book, <i>I Remember Nothing. </i>How did Ms. Ephron know all about my life? This is a must read for anyone over the age of 50. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll forget where you left the book!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So I did end up talking about MS, Music and Me! Thank you for spending time in my little corner of cyberspace. See you next time - when I get some more time. This retirement stuff is exhausting!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-83362943627903843042010-11-14T23:15:00.055-05:002010-11-24T15:55:04.271-05:00Haydn And Hell Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TODBBMWGgPI/AAAAAAAAGXU/Klvu9DZ_ZY8/s1600/11315-Greedy-Horned-Devil-Pointing-Wanting-Your-Soul-Or-Money-Clipart-Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TODBBMWGgPI/AAAAAAAAGXU/Klvu9DZ_ZY8/s1600/11315-Greedy-Horned-Devil-Pointing-Wanting-Your-Soul-Or-Money-Clipart-Picture.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tomorrow begins for me what is known in the arts community as 'Hell Week'. If you've ever been in a performance in college or community theater you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, Hell Week is the week before the scheduled shows when you rehearse on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and then perform Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Aptly named, no? For singers this is truly hell because you want to rehearse but also preserve your voice for performance. For theater, this is more of a technical time to get the stage work and technical work in sync and polish up dance numbers, costuming, and curtain call staging.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even before I had MS I dreaded hell week. Everyone does. When I was doing musical theater it was long days, and boring down time but at least you got to sit down when you were off stage. But a choral singer is always on the stage and rehearsals start and stop for various adjustments to balance the orchestra, logistics of getting on and off stage, etc. So the rehearsals actually last a lot longer than an actual performance. If the conductor remembers, he'll seat us while working with the orchestra, but often he's too occupied to think of that and we would not seat ourselves without his direction - it simply isn't done. Thus, the chorus is standing for most of the rehearsal. By the time you get to that last performance you are just ready to collapse and all the audience energy coming towards the stage like a freight train is needed to bolster you up. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">How do I deal with this? Well, for the first 4 years after my diagnosis I was determined to do exactly what the rest of the chorus did - and as I always did. But last year I had to make a decision. If I was going to continue as a member of this chorus I was going to have to play the MS Card and sit as much as I could until the actual performance. To get through hell week I'd need to conserve my energy to be able to stand when it counted. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was very depressing for me. At the time I wasn't sure why this was so hard. I'd already made many changes in my life to accommodate my MS and while not all of those were easy, I seemed to be having a rough time with this one. I think though that I have now figured it out.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Music has always been such an important part of my life that even the small change of sitting in a rehearsal when others were standing signaled the beginning of the end. It brought home the fact that I have a progressive illness which will not get better - the best I can hope for is to slow down that progression. Yes, there are days when I'm more hopeful and yes, my energy is better since my angioplasty, and yes, maybe when I start on the next drug in this never ending parade of drugs I'll have even more stamina, and maybe, maybe, maybe. . . But for now, for this week, this Hell Week, MS shows up and smacks me in the face, very publicly, and announces that some day soon I won't be able to participate in the activity that I love to do more than anything else in the world: making wonderful, quality ensemble music with people way more talented than me. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TODC1-a0BHI/AAAAAAAAGXY/2WmfLBfLXUQ/s1600/haydn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TODC1-a0BHI/AAAAAAAAGXY/2WmfLBfLXUQ/s320/haydn.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The first program of the season is Haydn's Creation. Luckily for me, the chorus will be seated when the soloists are singing and we'll stand only for our sections of the score. I can also place a chair in front of me for security and balance if I need to grab it while standing. But the next performance will be the Verdi Requiem and the chorus has a lot more to do. Will they have us stand the whole time? If so, will I be able to do that? Should I accept the offer to sit in performance while others stand? Very kind of the conductor to offer but I'm keenly aware that it looks unprofessional and I hate that.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So this thing called MS has hit me hard this week. One month after the angio and I'd really hoped not to have to worry about this for the concert. Plus, we're performing in some new venues and I don't know if there will be stairs to negotiate. But as my friend loves to say, "It is what it is." I know that and I accept it but I sure as hell don't have to like it. And right about now I really hate it. But I also know that once the lights go down and the conductor raises his baton, it will all fall away and the music will transport me as it always does. Thank you Papa Haydn! <span style="font-size: x-small;">================================================================================================================</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TO17ZOZkFbI/AAAAAAAAGXc/yOuMQortbo4/s1600/Me-Nov+Concert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TO17ZOZkFbI/AAAAAAAAGXc/yOuMQortbo4/s200/Me-Nov+Concert.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Post Concert Update: </b></span> Hell week and three fabulous performances have come and gone and I'm still in one piece! There was only one challenge which came to light at Thursday's dress rehearsal at Trinity Cathedral. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The chorus administrator has placed me smack dab in the center of the first row. Normally not a problem for me as this is my usual spot - but this time the chorus was up on 7 tiers of risers and the first row wasn't on the floor but on the <u>first tier</u> so we were above the orchestra. This meant that there was no space to put my 'stability' chair or even to use my black walker.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Second problem was that the rented chairs that came with the risers were pretty flimsy plastic jobs and I could not stand up from those chairs, which were sort of slanted back. They were not good for singers and everyone complained about them. When I told them I couldn't stand they graciously said, "No problem, just sing seated."</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, very nice of them but the soloists were just to my right and I'd be center stage, sitting while everyone was standing; in my mind it would be very obvious and distracting to an audience. I just wasn't comfortable with that. I asked to be moved to the end, but of course, then I'd be out of my section so they said no. I was assured that the next two performances would not be a problem for me since those venues had a different stage set-up. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I was ready to opt out of this performance and help at the box office when I had another idea: I'd ask to be switched with the alto at the end of my section (next to the tenors). This would put me more to the left side of the stage away from the sight line when the audience was looking at the soloists. I still needed permission - we cannot move ourselves - but Carole, our administrator, said "sure", and so a little creative thinking had me seated for that entire concert but without feeling as self-conscious as I would have had I been center stage. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So instead of being depressed that I had to sit, I felt good that I'd found a way to still do the performance even though it marked a new 'first' for me. I'm coming to terms with my abilities and disabilities and I guess it's an ongoing processes. Welcome to the wonderful world of MS.</span> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span>Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-65669338567955000682010-11-05T23:00:00.002-04:002010-11-05T23:03:47.438-04:00Retired, Tired and Disgusted<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So I have good news and bad news. The good news is: I'm officially retired, effective yesterday! It's kind of a moot point since I haven't been to work since October 1st. I didn't feel well enough to go back after the angioplasty and I've used up all my FMLA leave. No sick or vacation time left, and without FMLA leave my division would terminate me for being absent without leave, (oh yes, they sent me a certified letter to let me know they would not extend FMLA and I had to return to work or be terminated - such compassion.) So rather than leave under those circumstances, I resigned and put in my retirement papers. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TNTAYS1M5II/AAAAAAAAGXI/8448DNNHIo0/s1600/cakebday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TNTAYS1M5II/AAAAAAAAGXI/8448DNNHIo0/s200/cakebday.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then I had a birthday. This falls under the bad news heading. I celebrated by spending the day filling out the on line application for Social Security and SSDI (Social Security Disability). I have been dreading the process and my fears were well founded. It took me 5 hours to do the on line forms. They wanted information going back 15 years! Don't we all have that at our fingertips? By the time I was done I went to sleep! (But I did celebrate the next night with a great dinner with friends and a Sunday brunch the next day.)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I also applied for LTD (Long Term Disability) through the insurance I have. Waiting to see how that will go. Completely different set of paperwork - grrrr! (Bad news)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Monday I planned to get out and do errands and then go to rehearsal. Nope. Spent the day sticking close to the bathroom as bowel problems decided to flair up. Drank a lot of water, did laundry, and took Imodium - isn't MS fun? (More bad news for those keeping score.)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On Tuesday, November 2nd, I worked at the polls for the mid term elections. We had a very good turnout but I'm just disgusted with the results around the country and especially in Florida. Floridians elected a thief, crook and liar as their governor. I'm sorry but I can't comprehend this. Too disgusted to even talk about it. We are doomed. (Very very bad news)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
Then on Wednesday I get a letter from SSDI asking me to contact the local office to "discuss my earnings record." Huh? They have my earnings record - they sent it to me! But I tried to call all day and of course, could not get through. I finally call the 800 general number, which I was advised by many NOT to do, but there was no choice. The woman I spoke to said they want documentation of my last 10 years of earnings. How bizarre is that? First, why not say that in the letter? And second, they have my earnings records as reported on my W-2 forms every year. But OK, I dug out all my tax returns and pulled off the W-2s which I will take to get photocopied and then mail in to the local office. (Frustrating but not too bad.)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TNTBRaSJWaI/AAAAAAAAGXM/qTadP9DkKb4/s1600/selectelite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TNTBRaSJWaI/AAAAAAAAGXM/qTadP9DkKb4/s1600/selectelite.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thursday was a fun day. In the morning, the owner of the wheelchair repair store came by to trade me two scooters for two batteries for the power chair my neighbor Bob gave me. That actually went well and now I need to learn how to use the chair without killing myself in the process. The joystick controls are nothing like my scooter. I'll need a lot of practice. (Used it to take out the garbage tonight and went v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y to make sure I didn't topple down the stairwell!) Then I was off to Boca to meet my friend and her Mom for lunch. But in my haste, I didn't notice the radar trap set up on the road leading to the highway and bam - they got me. Big big speeding ticket. But the cop was nice about it and truth is, I was speeding. I'll try and get it over to the Ticket Clinic and pay them to get it dismissed. Welcome to Florida. But lunch was lovely so that was a draw.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now it's Friday and all my good intentions for the day, (go to the gym, do some RFBD reading, get my nails done, go to the Ticket Clinic, get those photocopies made) went out the window when my body decided nuh uh - you're not going anywhere today. The overwhelming fatigue hit me like a ton of bricks. Spent the day watching TV and napping. At 6:00 my 82 year old neighbor rang my bell to bring me dinner she had cooked! How did she know I really needed that today? And how depressing that I had to have an 82 year old take care of me? It's 10:30 pm now and I finally feel better. Well, as Scarlett said, tomorrow is another day. (Score: Good news 1 - bad news 6)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TNTB_akGJTI/AAAAAAAAGXQ/8B0yfcaas58/s1600/nc_evolution_080103_ms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TNTB_akGJTI/AAAAAAAAGXQ/8B0yfcaas58/s200/nc_evolution_080103_ms.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So my retirement days have not begun well, but I guess not struggling to get to work on time each day is the big bonus. I'm now officially done complaining and will try and remember to count my blessings and be grateful and positive. I'll really try but I may slip again; I'm still a work in progress. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-56213438553413355122010-10-22T20:42:00.004-04:002010-10-22T20:50:03.891-04:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Click this link to be inspired, uplifted, and renewed. A non-sectarian, non-partisan, non-profit whose only mission is to promote core values and ask you to pass them on through your own good deeds and good living. </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-77294565683514829312010-10-15T13:51:00.000-04:002010-10-15T13:51:08.616-04:00HOW THEY DRAINED MY BRAIN IN CLEARWATER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TLiAugWE6GI/AAAAAAAAGWk/VvEj88HnS2s/s1600/IMGP1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TLiAugWE6GI/AAAAAAAAGWk/VvEj88HnS2s/s200/IMGP1684.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My angioplasty was done last Thursday in Clearwater, Florida at a wonderful clinic called AI3 - Advanced Imaging and Interventional Institute. This place is truly state-of-the-art.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dr. Bulent Arslen did the procedure along with Dr. Jerry Niedswiecki. Both are very experienced interventional radiologists and I was treated so well there I felt like Liz Taylor going to a private hospital. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TLh9gcwxLHI/AAAAAAAAGWg/TEkE8WdPN0c/s1600/IMGP1677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TLh9gcwxLHI/AAAAAAAAGWg/TEkE8WdPN0c/s200/IMGP1677.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At my consultation the previous day I was told the doppler sonogram showed two areas of narrowing in my left and right jugular veins. But until a venogram is done, they cannot tell if there are others. I was most concerned about the azygous vein which cannot be seen on imaging as it is a twisty vein that lies under the heart area. Some doctors correlate blockage in that area with lesions on the spine, which is where most of mine are and which impact my mobility. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The procedure itself is not difficult for the patient. You are given conscious sedation (Versed and Fentynol - I asked for more but they said, "good try") and you are a bit groggy but awake since you need to communicate with the doctor. A local anesthetic is given in the groin area and a very small incision is made (didn't feel a thing) where a wire is threaded into the vein and up until it reaches the blockage or narrowed area. This is all viewed on three large screens positioned on the side. (I could see the screens sometimes when my head was turned that way.) I didn't really feel the wire moving until they reached a blockage and started to slowly inflate the balloon. When they inflate it you feel pressure which increases until it gets painful, at which point you tell them it hurts. The doctor then determines if he can safely inflate further or if a different size balloon is needed. Dr. Arslan and Dr. Jerry talked to me the whole time and I knew what was going on. Sometimes you needed to breathe in and hold it while they took images which will later be made into a video (<b>not</b> coming soon to a theater near you). I asked for a copy - my screen debut!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TLiBj6pGSmI/AAAAAAAAGWo/QoxUzlZgvCM/s1600/IMGP1675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TLiBj6pGSmI/AAAAAAAAGWo/QoxUzlZgvCM/s320/IMGP1675.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I don't have the written report yet so I can't tell you what size balloon was used and what pressure - but I can tell you that <u>twice</u> the balloon popped inside my vein! Yikes - that was a scary sound! Dr. Arlsan said it was because he used a smaller balloon and inflated it to the max because he wanted to be conservative and not injure the vein. He removed it and changed to a larger balloon which worked better.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So they found and cleared three blockages of about 50-60% each. One in each jugular and one in the azygous. I was surprised that azygous had only one but Dr. A said the number of blockages does not correlate with disability or results - their goal is to clear everything so your blood can move freely and at the rate it's supposed to. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TLiDvCdMadI/AAAAAAAAGW0/iBRHlXofQDI/s1600/IMGP1660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TLiDvCdMadI/AAAAAAAAGW0/iBRHlXofQDI/s200/IMGP1660.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> After the procedure they wheel you back to the prep/recovery area and you must lie flat for at least two hours. Zack stayed with me the entire time and was actually very sweet, asking if my feet were cold and being uncharacteristically solicitous. (That didn't last long though - as soon as we left he was his old self. Here he is in the car turning to make some smart comment.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TLiOHCPGanI/AAAAAAAAGXA/X6yav05pDYo/s1600/IMGP1683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TLiOHCPGanI/AAAAAAAAGXA/X6yav05pDYo/s200/IMGP1683.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So after the two hours I was allowed to sit up and be pampered with offers of a selection of juices and snacks. After one more hour I was told I could get up and use the restroom and if I wanted to change into street clothes I could. A nurse helped me to the restroom and I kept trying to determine if I felt different. I had to conclude - not really. But, I just had anesthesia and a surgical procedure so I said to myself, be patient. But I have to say I was a bit jealous of the Canadian gal in the next bed who came in with pain and purple feet and left without pain and beautiiful pink feet. Her results were miraculous - I saw it with my own eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Dr. Arlslan came by with a prescription for Plavix and after-care instructions and gave me his card with his cell phone number - how many doctors do that?! I said goodbye to the wonderful staff and off we went to the hotel where I was instructed to lie down for the rest of the day. I did. I was exhausted physically and mentally. When I woke up I did notice one teeny tiny improvement but I'd have to say it was not significant. It did tell me however that some process was going on in my body and again, I tried to stay positive and be patient. Slept more and slept well - that was new (but maybe the anesthesia?).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TLiPcpcJhxI/AAAAAAAAGXE/Y2fyXj7bl68/s1600/IMGP1663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TLiPcpcJhxI/AAAAAAAAGXE/Y2fyXj7bl68/s200/IMGP1663.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The next day I called Dr. Arslan to report that I did not have any problems at the incision site and we had a nice chat about a lot of other stuff and I was cleared to leave but not drive. Zack had planned to drive us back to Fort Lauderdale so that was fine and after breakfast, off we went. Bye Bye, Tampa. See you again for my follow up in January.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's one week post-procedure as I write this and I'm sorry to report that I have not noticed any significant improvements. The one small change I referred to has maintained which is good, but my mobility is the same. My fatigue seems a bit better but that may be because I'm not at work and not doing all that much. Heat sensitivity hasn't changed; when the weather got hotter and more humid yesterday my legs were like rubber. Bladder issues are still there. Multiple friends have commented that my overall color is better and that I look really good. (Didn't know it was bad before but one person told me I looked gray.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So was it worth it? <b> Absolutely! </b>If I didn't give myself this opportunity I would always wonder if it would have made a difference. And many people report very slow improvements so I continue to be positive and look for signs. I was inspired to begin yet another diet and hope I have the fortitude to lose enough weight to impact my health. I was inspired to begin a project that I hope will help a lot of other people. I was inspired by meeting two other MS patients who had the angioplasty done by Dr. Arslan and who will join me in this project. I was inspired by Dr. Arslan and Dr. Jerry who agreed to help us. I was inspired enough to apply for LTD at my job and will now devote my energies to helping others obtain the medical help they want and need but can't afford. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My own improvements may or may not yet come. But I believe in the theory of CCSVI and MS and I look forward to my follow up scans. By January my condition may be change, but for better or worse I'm in this fight for myself and for everyone who wants and needs this procedure. Watch this space for more news about my High Hopes project.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-30417773531032823792010-10-02T18:28:00.002-04:002010-11-26T18:58:23.432-05:00Pre and Post Angioplasy Videos up on YouTube<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just a short message to tell you I made a Pre-Angioplasty video and it's on my Facebook page and on YouTube under Msandisue. Or just click the link below. Warning: do not view this early in the AM or if you have an aversion to large butts. Not recommended for small children.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TKeweuyDl3I/AAAAAAAAGWI/NvjLvKALh3k/s1600/OPEN+VEINS-MINDS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TKeweuyDl3I/AAAAAAAAGWI/NvjLvKALh3k/s200/OPEN+VEINS-MINDS.jpg" width="135" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's are the links: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfnXFCSfZ14">Before they drained my brain </a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F-P6OmvDDg"> After they drained my brain</a></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next week I'll post the "after" video - ( <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">See the After link above</span> <span style="font-size: large;">)</span></span> I hope it shows improvement. My butt will still be huge but not for long. I have vowed to change my eating habits and exercise more often. I'm expecting that if I see some improvement with fatigue I'll be able to get out to the gym or at least use the Wii that I've had since last December!)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wish me luck - the magic day is October 7th - could be my new birthday!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TKev1bkiVCI/AAAAAAAAGWE/SRUEHuB9Gmg/s1600/cakebday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div> Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-22103818660306323382010-09-27T13:17:00.000-04:002010-09-27T13:17:50.816-04:00I'm Still Here<div style="text-align: justify;">One of my very favorite Stephen Sondheim songs is <b><i>I'm Still Here</i> </b>from the musical <i><b>Follies</b>.</i> I performed in a local community theater production of <i>Follies</i> but I had the very small role of Emily, one of the former Follies girls, and sang one duet but no "big" number. I was so jealous of the gal who got to sing this song because it is a real showstopper. Starts off quietly and builds to a roar. If you don't know it, the song expresses the concept of being a survivor. The character is older, retired, and no longer a working actress. No matter what she's been through, "plush velvet sometimes, sometimes just pretzels and beer", she's still kickin'. Sondheim likes this theme and uses it a lot, more than once in this show and in others.<i> Being Alive </i>from <i>Company</i> comes to mind off the top of my head but there are more - do some research if you are so moved. Here's a link to one version of <i>I'm Still Here</i>. You can also look for Shirley McLaine's rendition from the movie <b><i>Postcards from the Edge</i></b> (which is well worth watching for those who like mother-daughter relationship movies, but I digress.) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxIHU9Hdx_c&feature=related">I'm Still Here - Performed by Carol Burnett with Commentary</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TKDOdf1GKEI/AAAAAAAAGVs/LoKlMjCC1pM/s1600/follies+poster.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DX6SRNTZ0Tc/TKDOdf1GKEI/AAAAAAAAGVs/LoKlMjCC1pM/s1600/follies+poster.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was in my 30's when I performed in that show, playing someone in their late 60's. Little did I know that 30 years later I'd be thinking about this song and finding inspiration in it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The last two weeks have been pretty rough for me. Seems like the fatigue has just done me in and consequently, everything else goes downhill. Walking has become a heroic effort. Bladder and other unseemly bathroom problems abound. Haven't really been able to get to work and believe me, I've tried. I have just one week until my angioplasty and I keep telling myself, "I'm Still Here!" Need to hold on and get through the drive to Tampa, having lunch with some Facebook friends who had the procedure done already (looking forward to that but still exhausting); get through navigating an unknown airport to pick up Zack, get through spending four days 24/7 with Zack which will hopefully not be too stressful. (My son and I love each other more than anything but it often would not appear so to people who don't know us! I'm very grateful that he wants to be with me through this. It's a sacrifice for him to be away from the ER for 5 days. But we both are very opinionated and when these opinions don't mesh, watch out!) But again, I digress.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Carol Burnett describes the song as being about survival, and it is. But I think it's more about resiliency - similar but not the same. You can survive an ordeal but be forever horribly changed by it. Resiliency is the ability to <u>bounce back</u>. To survive, yes, but also come out better, stronger, determined to keep going. That is what this song says to me. I am determined to be resilient. Right now it's tough, but I have no doubt that in a few weeks things will change. Watch out world - I can't belt a song to save my life, but after my procedure I just may even post my own YouTube Video to let you all know that I'm Still Here!</div><br />
<pre><span id="SL_MainBody_formViewLyrics_labelLyrics">Good times and bum times, I've seen em all and my dear,</span><span id="SL_MainBody_formViewLyrics_labelLyrics">I'm still here.
Plush velvet sometimes, Sometimes just pretzels and beer
But I'm here.
I've stuffed the dailies in my shoes,Strummed ukuleles, sung the blues
Seen all my dreams disappear But I'm here.</span><span id="SL_MainBody_formViewLyrics_labelLyrics"></span></pre><pre><span id="SL_MainBody_formViewLyrics_labelLyrics">
I've slept in shanties, Guest of the WPA
But I'm here</span><span id="SL_MainBody_formViewLyrics_labelLyrics">
Danced in my scanties, Three bucks a night was the pay
But I'm here
I've stood on breadlines with the best
Watched while the headlines did the rest
In the Depression, was I depressed? Nowhere near.
I met a big financier And I'm here.</span></pre><pre><span id="SL_MainBody_formViewLyrics_labelLyrics"> </span><span id="SL_MainBody_formViewLyrics_labelLyrics">
I've been through Gandhi, Windsor and Wally's affair
And I'm here
Amos and Andy, Mahjong and platinum hair
And I'm here
I've been through Abie's Irish Rose, Five Dionne Babies,Major Bowes.
Had heebie-jeebies For Beebe's bathysphere
I lived through Brenda Frazier And I'm here.</span></pre><pre><span id="SL_MainBody_formViewLyrics_labelLyrics">
I've gotten through Herbert and J. Edgar Hoover
Gee, that was fun and a half
When you've been through Herbert and J. Edgar Hoover
Anything else is a laugh.</span></pre><pre><span id="SL_MainBody_formViewLyrics_labelLyrics">
I've been through Reno
I've been through Beverly Hills And I'm here
Reefers and vino Rest cures, religion, and pills
And I'm here
Been called a pinko commie tool Got through it stinko by my pool
I should have gone to an acting school That seems clear
Still someone said, "She's sincere."
So I'm here.</span></pre><pre><span id="SL_MainBody_formViewLyrics_labelLyrics">
Black sable one day Next day it goes into hock
But I'm here
Top billing Monday, Tuesday, you're touring in stock
But I'm here
First you're another sloe-eyed vamp,Then someone's mother, Then you're camp
Then you career from career To career
I'm almost through my memoirs, And I'm here.</span></pre><pre><span id="SL_MainBody_formViewLyrics_labelLyrics">
I've gotten through "Hey lady, aren't you whoozis?
Wow, what a looker you were."
Or better yet, "Sorry, I though you were whoozis.
What ever happened to her?"
</span></pre><pre><span id="SL_MainBody_formViewLyrics_labelLyrics">Good times and bum times I've seen them all and my dear
I'm still here
Plush velvet sometimes Sometimes just pretzels and beer
But I'm here.
I've run the gamut A to Z Three cheers and damn it
C'est la vie.
I got through all of last year And I'm here
Lord knows at least I was there
But I'm here
Look who's here
I'm still here!</span></pre>Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1066963578886006598.post-69862807268636796982010-09-18T20:31:00.000-04:002010-09-18T20:31:07.519-04:00High Hopes In 1960 when I was a mere child of 12 years, I took my first airplane ride (in a prop-jet) from New York to Florida. This trip was a gift from my grandmother to me. Grandma Rae lived with my Aunt Miriam, Uncle Sammy, and my two cousins, Ruth and Leona. So Grandma asked if I wanted to join them on this month long summer vacation. Who goes to Miami Beach in the summer? We did! We stayed in a place in called the Netherlands Hotel. Now this place no longer exists as it was part the South Beach revival - but even in it's heyday, the Netherlands Hotel was never going to be confused with the Fountainbleu. <br />
It was pretty run down but right near the beach, clean, safe, and I assume, cheap. As a kid I had a great time (first 'older' boyfriend and first 'real' kiss). But the other claim to fame of the Netherlands Hotel was that the Frank Capra feel-good movie <i><b>A Hole In The Head</b>, </i>staring Frank Sinatra and Eddie Hodges was filmed there. They called the hotel "The Garden of Eden" which believe me, it was NOT. The movie came out in 1959 and is about an impractical widower tries to hang onto both his run down Miami Beach hotel and his 12-year-old son. And the very popular, Oscar winning original song from that movie was <b><i>High Hopes</i></b>. <br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcNyxxZvf8I&feature=related">High Hopes - YouTube Video </a><br />
<a href="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BNDYxNzg2NDYyMF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzgzMTgxMQ@@._V1._CR0,0,332,332_SS80_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BNDYxNzg2NDYyMF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzgzMTgxMQ@@._V1._CR0,0,332,332_SS80_.jpg" /></a><span style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"><a name='more'></a></span>Kind of a sappy song but at the age of 12, <span style="background-color: #cccccc;"></span>I loved it. Back at school, there was a talent show and what did I sing? You got it - High Hopes. So when I recently heard this song being used as the background on a TV commercial for I can't remember what product, it brought back all these wonderful memories of that month in Miami. All the grownups on that trip have passed on, but my cousins and I are still close and we share the memory of that very rare family vacation. The song being played often while we were there is one of those memories.<br />
<br />
High hopes is what I have for this CCSVI treatment and while the movie had a happy ending, I'm not sure that my dream will end as happily. More and more I've read about people who have not shown improvement after the procedure was done. We know that only 2/3 of people improve, so this is to be expected. And I'm aware that I may very well fall into that other one- third, but yet, I find myself singing High Hopes in my head. Can't get the damn song OUT of my head as a matter of fact.<br />
<br />
Hope is the one thing we as MS patients very rarely are given. So I'm embracing this glimmer of hope. If you're watching TV and hear this song, think of me and send some good thoughts my way - I figure the more high hopes floating around in the Universe the better.Ms Andisuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16240999873042177469noreply@blogger.com1