My Date With Mr. MRI

I mentioned in another post how I had a date with Mr. MRI. Well, the date has come and gone. Now for the deets as I'm sure you've all been anxiously waiting...

Multiple Sclerosis has always been just a another bump in the road of life for me, but I'll admit it, some days aren't as sunny as others.

In December I had my regular check-up with my neurologist where it was suggested I get an MRI done of my lower back as I've been having a lot of intense lower back pain lately. I had the MRI done last Wednesday night and received the results less than a week later (holy fast batman!) by way of a phone call from my doctor.

My doctor said the showings are all part of having MS but after getting the report by fax all I seem to be focusing on are the words...moderate degenerative disc and facet disease, minimal retrolisthesis, small disc bulge with spondylolisthesis, common bile duct seems somewhat prominent given the age of the patient, prominent distal CBD. Ultrasound is recommend for further evaluation.

Even with it saying moderate, minimal and small at the beginning of the findings, what does any sane person do? Check Google of course (should have taken my own advice not to do that)! Now I have proof when I say I feel like a 35 year old trapped in an 80 year old's body.

I noticed in the report that it mentioned an ultrasound be done because of something to do with my Common Bile Duct that they couldn't quite see on the MRI. Since my back pain has become consistent these days rather than coming and going, I have an ultrasound booked for this coming Tuesday.

Today's a new day....onwards and upwards!

I am...

thinking about how much I enjoyed my Venti Non-fat Chai Tea Latte from Starbucks today. Best of all, it was half price! You too can enjoy a half price latte from Starbucks between 2 - 5pm until February 20th.

Knock Knock

Who's there?

Um, ya, I think more coffee is in order..hehe.

But there will be some knocking going on later. My back has been specially selected to be serenaded by the sounds of knocking composed by Mr. MRI himself. Should be a lovely evening!

Oooo, I wonder what I should wear?!

I am...

enjoying a cup of joe from my Keurig and listening to Nelly's Just A Dream cover by Christina Grimmie and Sam Tsui.

Love the power in their voices!

You can hear the passion -- a love for what they do!

Producer Kurt Schneider and the teams creations are refreshingly brilliant!

MS: Going With The Flow

I haven't talked much about my MS lately. I think because I've been trying to hide behind the good to make me feel better, focusing on the positive things life brings my way. But, lately, the pain is getting to be too much. It started at the beginning of the year in my lower back, and that's where it has stayed. It comes and goes -- sometimes to the point where I can barely move. Lately, it has been constant. I went to the doctor, had an xray, bloodwork and bone scan -- all came back normal which is great but doesn't help understand why I'm having so much pain. That's when my doctor prescribed a medication to dull down the pain. It's the first medication of many that I've tried over the years that has actually worked some.

So, that's where I'm at with my MS. I'm still at the same place I have always been except with more pain. Thankfully, the major MS attacks I've had previously haven't showed their ugly face lately. Probably because I'm not working and can manage my MS better.

To keep up with the positive thinking, hope everyone has a joyous weekend! I know I will spending time with my family. Any fun things you'll be doing this weekend?

Happy Chanukah!

Wishing you a Festival of Lights...
sparkling with fun and lit up with smiles!

Happy Chanukah

Sushi Anyone?

A toy after my own heart....

[wooden sushi playset found in the kids section at HomeSense]

Holiday Window Shopping: HomeSense

It's that time of year again -- HomeSense is twinkling with beautiful things for the holidays!

After a quick stop into Starbucks for my Peppermint Misto, I took a moment for myself and wandered the aisles of HomeSense. I felt a sense of calm surrounded by the beauty of all that glows during the holiday season. They truly have some wonderful and unique decor for great prices.

Here are a few things I came across...

[add a little bling to your tree with these beautiful ornaments]

[add these sparkling trees to a mantle or group them together on a table as a centrepiece]

[welcome your guests with holiday table decor]

Read more about my HomeSense finds here, here, here, here and here.

A Gift From Shutterfly: Free Holiday Cards

My friend, Sheba, has made some wonderful cards for a few different occasions online at Shutterfly. When she posted on her blog about receiving 50 free Christmas Photo Cards from Shutterfly just by blogging, I had to join in! Thankfully, I haven't done my Christmas cards yet.


I've already started playing around with creating my own holiday cards. It's real easy, fast and fun! There are so many beautiful cards to choose from with tons of different layouts and options to add your own pictures and personal message. I'm having a hard time narrowing down my choice to just one! Shutterfly has some other great things you can make as well such as photo books and photo calendars -- both wonderful ideas for gifts for the grandparents!

If you're a fellow blogger and want to join in the fun of creating your own holiday greetings, sign up here to get 50 free cards for yourself! This offer is the perfect way to get started on sending out holiday cards to your all the wonderful people in your life!

Coconut M&M's

I just finished off the last of the Coconut M&M's my friend, Sheba, graciously gave to me. YUM! Now if only they would sell them in Canada.