Well, Jim has actually been feeling pretty good. He got a TENS unit to help with the pain in his side - trick it getting him to use it. He says the pain hasn't been as bad - but I am not sure if that is 100% truthful. The last time he used the unit the patches bothered him so he may not be using it because of that. We'll see.
I have had a couple of interesting "observances" with the kids. Ruthie was with a friend of mine when she told her "Daddy's muscles hurt him so he don't walk good." So yes, she does notice. On the flip side Mikayla resently told my mom that "daddy's medicine must be working because he's remembering more." Not sure how true that is. I'm not seeing it - but at least the incidences of him throwing out important papers and homework seems to be on the decline.
We return to see the FTD neurologist on November 23. I am eager to hear what he has to say. We also have a follow-up with pain management coming up but I am not expecting much news from that.
As for me apparently my body has decided that we don't see the doctor enough. SO after about 2 years of increasing symptoms I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia last week - 2 days before my birthday. I have been trying to pass all the symptoms onto first working so much then all this with Jim. But really things are calmer when it comes to him. I am experiencing extreme insomnia and other sleep issues, headaches and body aches. I feel like I have the flu but never get the other symptoms. The doctor wants me to return to the sleep center for follow-up to see if we can work on the sleep issues first. He would also like me to follow-up with a counselor or psychologist. Personally, I tried that and quit after feeling like all I was doing is explaining ALS and FTD to her. My FTD group is great therapy. I will stay with that for now. I will also be following up with a few more doctors. Nothing scheduled yet - but working on it.
Other then that things are as normal as they get in our house. I am now volunteering 2 days a week at Mikayla's school. I help with their accelerated reading program and am proud to report that Mikayla is leading the class in the program. She is not a strong reader but she loves to read and be read to. She has completed the most books in the class. She reads to daddy a couple times a week. She retains everything - sometimes better then I do! She is also being tested for ADD. I am not sure if she has it yet or not. That appointment is also coming up. Sometimes I am convinced she does other times I am sure she doesn't. Either way I think that it is good to get it addressed early before it becomes a real problem.
I also have decided to volunteer one day at Ruthie's school. (Mikayla's is just a couple hours/week. So Wednesdays I leave her school and go to Ruthie's.) Ruthie is having some anxiety issues at school (that's my kid alright!) She has much improved since the beginning of the year but I hope this will get her there the rest of the way. I have made many little friends in her class and it is pretty fun. I get to eat lunch with them and everything. The teachers are rotating which of my new friends get to sit at our table since they fight over it. Ruthie is getting a kick out of me being there so I enjoy doing it.
Well that is all for now. In case I don't check back in before - Happy Turkey Day!! Remember, be thankful for every day and what you have not what you want.
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