Ketchup

Wow. OK. Just because I have not been blogging very much, does not mean I have been laying around doing nothing. I have been taking lots of pictures, but never enough. All month we have been busy with things other than multiple sclerosis. I have used this diagnosis to change my life. I have no plans to go back to work anytime in the near future. I'm getting back into yoga, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic medicine, etc. I have unfortunately been forced to yet again reevaluate my relationships, as it becomes even more clear who really supports me and my family when this happened. I am focusing my energy on my friends and family who care and show it, and I have moved others to the back burner. They can wait. My priorities are those around me who have been there for me and my family, rain and shine. I'm not listening to people who try to tell me how I should be feeling, and spending time with people who allow me to be pissed off and depressed and respond by pouring another glass of wine, making a really bad joke, or just crying with me.

How to annoy me? Tell me how great multiple sclerosis can be. Tell me to "just not think about it". Tell me to just "look on the bright side". Or better yet, just ignore me when I disclose to you that I have been diagnosed. Really want to get under my skin? Offer to help me before slowly backing away when I call your bluff. I'm not going to let people use me to make themselves feel better. Now is the time to call in favors. Now is the time I need help and not slogans. Now is the time for those who care sincerely and genuinely to step up. I don't have time for games. I'm leaving all of it in the dust. Want to be my best friend forever? Say what one friend recently did, and it melted my heart. "I don't know what to say, so I'm not going to pretend to, but I'm thinking about you all the time. Anything you need, just ask, but I'm just going to follow your lead. Are you free for lunch?" How refreshing.

Or, this is pretty awesome: my friend Ale and her son Joaquin sent hugs to my family all the way from Mexico. If you ever find yourself in Cabo, please buy this woman a drink on me!!! And hug her delicious son, Hazel's betrothed.

So, I received my final diagnosis of Probable Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) last Monday when the results of my spinal fluid came back with all three markers for MS elevated. They will take the "Probable" off of there after I have a second flare under my belt. I will be going for a second opinon, of course, but I'm starting treatment in the meantime. I had three days of IV Solu-Medrol infusions at the hospital to try and end this flare with minimal permenent damage. That stuff is horrible. Jamie stayed out of work to care for Hazel and drive me around. I felt so awful, tired, anxious, racing heart, short of breath, craving carbs, retaining water, sore, pressured speech, totally unable to sleep. Ugh. I hope I don't have to do that again. I'll be starting Copaxone injections at home as soon as the nurse comes to train me and I'll be doing those every day for the rest of my life or until a better treatment comes long. Come on, stem cells! And so it goes...

I have been taking a ton of pictures this month, so here are the highlights of Hazel Porkpie in her Life Continues Series. She continues to grow and change every day and amaze even the most jaded part of me. She is crwling all over the place, into everything, grabby, novelty-seeking, laughing, smiling, so happy...

Getting help cleaning off the peaches.

Hazel loves eating peaches, right off the pit. We peel the skin off with out teeth, and strip her down naked and she just goes to town! It's messy business.

We picked FORTY-FOUR POUNDS of peaches at Cider Hill Farm!

The classic Stink Eye.

The Perfect Peach

An old picture of Hazel from way back at the beginning of the month when she could only crawl backwards and got stuck under the furniture all the time. She has come so far!

A playdate with Anson, Hazel's bud.

Playing with Anson's fringe.

The first attempt at a sippy cup! Note some of the peaches in the background. Also, note the beautiful sunfowers in the dining room that Jaymee sent.

Hazel opening her very first present by herself! She loves this bunny puppet from Ani.

Ani tempting Hazel with the bunny puppet.

Trying to pick the polka-dots off of the bag.

Sippy Cup Angst!

We went to the annual Harvest Party at our farm and met up with friends there. I'm so in love with these little tight leggings on Hazel...

Laurie and Magnolia took Hazel out for a spin while we all danced to the bluegrass band.

Tina and Lola with Jamie and Hazel

Mike using Magnolia's stroller to make a run to the beer tent for us.

God, I love this onsie.

Yay! Eating finger-food for the first time! We tried crumbled tofu, and Hazel enjoyed smashing it all over herself.

I love this. The day that Hazel started really crawling forward, she went right through the kitchen to the back door to stare wistfully at Flossie through the screen. Or maybe she was taunting her.

I'm so in love with this impish little face! Right after I took this picture, Hazel pulled herself up to standing! We both sort of froze and stared at each other in shock before she toppled right over again. But she got a taste of power and is thirsting for more.

Hazel in her new owl jammies playing her new piano. She loves banging on this thing! I got it for one dollar at the Birth to Three Family Center yardsale.

Jamie took this picture of Hazel chewing on one of my old dime-store pulp novels. I love it.

Hazel's first adventure into the foyer under her own steam. Hector Fishstick stayed close to make sure she was safe in foreign lands.