Busy Busy Busy!

So half term is upon us already. Well actually it is nearly over now already! Where did that go? I think I blinked and missed it somehow!
We had a quiet few days at the start of the holiday then the chaos started. After a 730am start on a SUNDAY, it could only mean one thing. I was a dance mum for the day. As much as I dread the early start, the coach journeys and the hanging around all day, you just do it for your child. You do it for them, because they want to do it. Big shout out to my mum & dad now, I now fully appreciate everything they did for me when I was a child growing up. They took me to training virtually every day and spent most of their weekends roasting on poolside watching me compete in swimming galas. I now appreciate this even more and realise what sacrifices they made. Ava loves to dance and is gaining in confidence by doing it.She does streetdance and freestyle, I personally think she dances well (I know I'm her mum and biased) she now just needs to show the attitude in street dance. She is too nice ! In November we are off to the IDTA Freestyle Nationals in Blackpool. She is dancing with her team Diva Dollz and a couple of solo dances. We are not expecting any medals or places, we are just looking forward to the experience, and apparently it IS an experience of feathers and glitter!!

The following day it was another early start as we were headed for Westonbirt Arboretum,(http://www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt) for a walk with my parents and their dog Mollie the cockapoo. We hired a mobility scooter (for a small donation) from them which limits you to 3 hours, so we got there for 10 to make the most of the time we had it for. The trees were beautiful, the colours were amazing, we timed it just right. The new bridge walk way over part of the woodland just adds to the magic of the place. We loved it, I think Ava loved it and Mollie most definitely loved it. My only grumble was the 3 hour time limit on the scooter, we could have spent so much longer there, although we were quite chilly by then. We will most definitely be back.

 So, I am a week and a half into the new treatment, I am just about remembering to take a tablet every day. I might need to set myself an alarm if I start forgetting! I have to take Gabapentin every morning to stop my eyes from shaking (my MS nurse has never known this drug to have this effect on anyone!) so I have put the Gilenya tablets on top of them so remind me. I am pleased to report that I am feeling well, no different really. I had a minor wobble yesterday where my arms and hands were temporarily weak, but when a loved one sees this and worries about you, it makes it worse!!! I know it was only because they care. Anyone else get this? The more people mention a problem or notice you are having a funny 5 minutes, the more exacerbated the symptoms become?

Love
Emma x

I've been swimming!

Hi all,

Just a quick post to let you know that everything is still going well and I have had my first dip in over a year in the pool. I loved it (even if I was a little cold as it was in an outdoor pool!). I will most def be continuing even if my legs have felt a little like lead for 2 days!!! Ava is now 19 months old today and walking and chattering. I am hoping to pick up more hours at work next year as this year has gone so smoothly so fingers crossed. Things are looking up!

Em x

Long time, no see......

Hello world,

Yes I am still here and I am feeling very guilty for not writing for so long. So where do I start? Well we have moved to the Bungalow - yay! We moved in at the end of October and love it here. Even though it is a down size from a 3 bed house to a 2 bed bungalow it doesn't feel like it is any smaller. We seem to have much more living space and the bedrooms are big enough. The area is great too, there is a school down the road for Ava (which I approve of!) and all the neighbours have been very welcoming. They are all retired so are always about if I need any help and EVERY week they bring our dustbin in when it has been emptied, which is a novelty in itself as in the last house, the bin was always in the middle of the pavement or our driveway and the neighbours wouldn't have thought about bringing it in for you! Enough about our kind neighbours!!!

I have been back at work for 5 months now and although I only do a day and a half, I love it! I job share the teaching of Y5 with another teacher and only work an afternoon on a Thursday and all day Friday. Ava is looked after by my mum mainly (Thanks mum) and Nathan's mum for those days so we don't pay for any child care. There would be very little point returning to work if we were paying for child care as well as it is so expensive. So we are very grateful to have such great grandparents, although if she becomes any more challenging I'm sure they'll start charging!!! She is the main reason I have not written for a while, she hates me typing and closes the laptop - little monkey!

Ava is just over 15 months now and is into everything, everything that is not hers! She walks very confidently holding on to one finger but has not yet let go and 'gone it alone'! She babbles incessantly to herself and says a few words. I am putting up a picture of her as she has changed so much since the last picture I put on here of her.

We had a different Christmas this year - we went to stay with Nathan's brother out in Bermuda. He has got a 3 year working visa out there and this amazing apartment overlooking the sea. We had a lovely time but it could have been better. The weather waan't great - it was wet and windy and we all fell ill over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Nathan and I didn't even make it to the beach on christmas morning for champagne or to eat christmas dinner, we were so gutted!

My MS has been improving (sssh don't say it too loudly!). My walking has improved in the last 2 months and we're not sure why. I had some steroids in November to treat as small relapse (my eye was a bit shaky!) and since then I have felt stronger and done so much more walking. I am even using a frame at school when I feel up to it, not the wheelchair and considering going back to swimming. I've got to make the most of feeling good! Nathan thinks the improvement is due to the build up of Tysabri over the last 8/9 months. Whatever it is - long may it continue! I know I have probably missed things out but I am sure I will be told what. Ava is throwing a strop as I'm not paying her any attention so I will sign off here,

Em x