Wednesday, December 26, 2012
I'm still here
I lost my mom august 3rd, 2012 to ovarian cancer after a 2-1/2 year battle. I have honestly been numb since and at a loss for words. Recently, a neighbor of my parents told me my mom always said she was glad I blogged as it would be a way to pull me through and talk about my feelings. At this point, I'm still lost to my own feelings and too busy to think or even grieve.
I enrolled full time back in school and at 17 credits have been very busy studying Elementry education.
As finals rolled around this semester my dad was now diagnosed with kidney cancer. They removed his kidney and after a month long battle have found yet a second unrelated cancer. Now he has lung cancer. Once again, I am numb. Where this journey will take us only god knows.
I am here however, and I miss you all. Hope you had a merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year!
I enrolled full time back in school and at 17 credits have been very busy studying Elementry education.
As finals rolled around this semester my dad was now diagnosed with kidney cancer. They removed his kidney and after a month long battle have found yet a second unrelated cancer. Now he has lung cancer. Once again, I am numb. Where this journey will take us only god knows.
I am here however, and I miss you all. Hope you had a merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Grandmas secret to babysitting
Considering how my children behaved (or at-least tried to) growing up; when I babysit the grand children I'm only being respectful when I allow them to do what mommy or daddy would love to do. They have great fun and I am a hero. I love being grandma!!! Ha ha
Monday, September 17, 2012
It Only Takes A Moment
It only takes a moment
to reach out to be a friend,
but to the one who needs you
the memory never ends.
A simple act of kindness
to a person you don't know
may plant a seed of friendship
that for them will always grow.
We sometimes lose perspective
of the difference we can make,
when we care more of our giving
and care less of what we take.
So remember that your actions
may help change a life someday.
Always think about the person
that you meet along the way.
For it only takes a moment
to reach out to be a friend,
but to the one who needs you
the memory never ends
Author Unknown
Friday, July 6, 2012
USE YOUR RIGHT HANDS
Just look at her face, I think it says it all. Contempt comes to minds .
KEEP IN MIND THAT I DIDN'T TAKE THE PICTURE OR MAKE THE BELOW COMMENTS. I AM JUST FORWARDING WHAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT.
Mr. President and Mrs Obama: 'USE YOUR RIGHT HANDS'.
Gotta be the dumbest fools to ever hold the office of President, anywhere. How
embarrassing it is to have this as our President and first lady! But I guess, when you've
never done the pledge of allegiance, you don't know what to do!
Maybe it's the Muslim way.
At first I thought the picture was reversed, but the wedding rings indicate that it's right, as do the buttons on his suit.
I am so embarrassed to know that this is our President. What have they done to us? He is our President until November 2012!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Disability Audit of Rumors Bar and Grill
Individuals in our society, who do not have a disability, carry with them a privilege that those who have a disability do not. We take advantage of this disability every day without realizing it. We do not worry about how to access a building. We do not worry about being able to use a restroom when we need to. We do not plan ahead to be sure we can enjoy everyday events like everybody else. My project is clear. To find an everyday establishment and audit its accessibility. In order to have a fair and accurate assessment I did this without this establishment or its staff's awareness of my report. My findings were remarkable.
Outside:
Over the weekend I had the pleasure of attending my grandsons second birthday party. The party was to be held at Rumors Bar and Grill in Rice, MN. Upon pulling into the parking lot of this small town bar and grill just off of highway 10, I couldn't help but to immediately notice the handicapped parking spaces both clearly marked and positioned directly in front of the door. While there were no sidewalks or curbs of any sort the parking lot was completely tarred and at grade level. Thus being said, I was amazed to see that since I had last been there a couple years prior; the owner had installed a beautiful concrete slab ramp leading into the front door. The ramp which was nice and wide also had handrails on both sides. Although there wasn't any button on the front door I did notice that the bartender could easily see that door and I was assured by patrons that they have witnessed people more than happy to help out. The door which was the desired 36" door was easy to manage and easy to maneuver around. Walking around the building it didn't take me long to decipher that it would be extremely difficult to access either back door. The door leading from the lower level of the bar had a step a person would have to manage before accessing the outside patio area and the door leading from the newly built rear party room led to a set of wooden steps which appeared to be quite old and unstable. Upon getting a closer look I couldn't help but noticing the treated lumber under a rug which lied on top was not only rotting but the carpet was a tripping hazard. While there was a handrail it was extremely wobbly and I wouldn't trust it at all.
Hallways:
The only hallway I noticed at all was the hallway adjacent to the bar and kitchen area which led to the restrooms and back party room. The hallway, which was roughly 15 feet appeared to be just 36" at most. Although it was well lit and clear of all obstacles it was potentially a rough area as numerous patrons and staff members move through out the area. I did notice a couple fire alarms which were both audio and visual. I did not notice any Braille on any signs or anywhere else nor were there any elevators in this one story facility to report on.
Bathrooms:
Since this facility only had one set of restrooms I relied on my husbands help to check the men's room for me. Both bathrooms were similar in size and accommodation. The required 36" door requirement was met and doors were easily opened. However, both restrooms were on the smaller side and would be difficult, but not impossible to maneuver around. Both restrooms also had a handicapped stall available for use which was well marked with handrails. I did not notice any exposed hot water pipes under sink area although in all honesty my husband forgot to look and I can only presume both would have been the same. All soaps, dryers, sinks, etc were low enough to be reached. Water fountains at this facility wouldn't be applicable and I did not find any other than at the bar or brought out by the waitresses.
Other Areas:
I was excited to see the entire lower level of the bar completely remodeled and easily accessible by all. The owner had installed a spacious wooden ramp into the rustic theme and incorporated sturdy handrails on both sides. It was not only functional but beautiful. Table height throughout the bar was perfect for wheelchair patrons and the areas between tables was more than accommodating. Overall, I feel this little bar and grill on the outside of town has made every effort to update there facilities to make their facility more accessible. With just a few minor adjustments to back outdoor areas all areas could be easily accessible and easily enjoyed by all.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Be a timeless icon
Vintage-style Hollywood stylists turn to ZAD when they deck out the ladies of Glee, American Idol, & Good Morning America.
sneakpeeq is offering a piece that's too good to be true-a vintage-style
Breakfast at Tiffany's Enamel Pocket Watch Necklace at over 60% off! These necklaces retail for $50, but your price is only $19! Always make time for Tiffany's! SHIPS FREE!
sneakpeeq is offering a piece that's too good to be true-a vintage-style
Breakfast at Tiffany's Enamel Pocket Watch Necklace at over 60% off! These necklaces retail for $50, but your price is only $19! Always make time for Tiffany's! SHIPS FREE!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Cinnamon and Honey
Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar. In reality honey is always honey.. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will do what I rather call "crystallizing". When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water, turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey.
Cinnamon and Honey
Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.
Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada , in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:
HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada , various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.
ARTHRITIS:
Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.
BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.
CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.
UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.
GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.
INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu..
LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.
PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.
SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.
WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.
FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.
BAD BREATH:
People of South America , first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.
HEARING LOSS:
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!
Friday, May 18, 2012
A New Perspective on Sharing
There is a sharing policy at my son's preschool. It's a parent-run co-op, so we have to have policies like this so that we will all handle situations relatively the same way. The policy is that a child can keep a toy as long as they want to. If another child wants the toy, they have to wait until the first child is done with it. We'll even "save" toys for the child if they have to go to the bathroom, go to the snack table, etc. so that it won't get taken before they're done. This applies to anything in the yard or school that can be played with, including swings and monkey bars.
At first, it didn't really occur to me to wonder why this was the policy. I just went with it, because that's the rule, and it didn't seem like a big deal to me. The kids all know the rule, so outside of maybe their first two weeks at the school, they don't throw a giant fit when you tell them, "You can have it when Sally Jo is done." But, lately I've been noticing a totally different attitude toward sharing in other places we go, and I'm starting to really know exactly why this is the school's policy.
Two Questionable Sharing Practices
Here are a couple of examples of questionable sharing practices that I've seen recently. The first comes from a good friend of mine. (And I hope she doesn't mind that I use her story as an example.) She and her almost-two-year-old were at the park one day. He had brought a small car from home to play with. Another child, a little bit older, wanted to play with the car and was demanding that my friend's son give him the car. A typical toddler scuffle ensued, and the other mother told her son, "I guess his mom didn't teach him how to share." Never mind the fact that the car belongs to him, and that when someone asks you to share, "No" is a perfectly legitimate response.
My second story happened one morning at the local rec center. Friday mornings they fill the gym with tons of Little Tykes climbing structures and those plastic cars they can drive around, tricycles, big balls, even a bouncy castle. Basically a toddler's dream play room. There's this one red car in particular my son really likes playing with, and the last time we went, he drove it around the entire hour-and-a-half we were there. While most of the moms with smaller kids will shadow their kids as they play, my son is old enough now that I can sit on the sidelines and watch. From there I watched a mom whose son wanted to drive the car approach my son repeatedly, saying, "Okay, now it's time for you to give him a turn!" Of course he ignored her, and eventually she gave up. There were a million other little cars for her son to drive, including one that was almost identical. Or maybe I would have stepped in at some point.
Real World Lessons
I don't agree with the approach of the mothers in either of these situations. I think it does a child a great disservice to teach him that he can have something that someone else has, simply because he wants it. And, I can understand the desire to give your children everything they want, we all have it. But it's a good lesson for you both to learn that this isn't always possible, and you shouldn't step all over other people to get these things.
Furthermore, this is not how things work in the real world. In your child's adult life, he's going to think he's owed everything he sees. This is already happening in the next generation. I read a fascinating article about how today's teens and twenty-somethings are expecting raises and promotions at their jobs for reasons like, "I show up every day."
If you doubt my reasoning, think about your own day-to-day adult life. You wouldn't cut in front of someone in the grocery checkout line, just because you didn't feel like waiting. And most grown adults wouldn't take something from someone, like a phone or a pair of sunglasses, just because they wanted to use it. (Well, maybe some of you would. In which case, this post may not be for you.)
It's hard, as with so many things about parenthood, but let's teach our kids how to cope with disappointment, because it happens. And we won't always be there to fix it for them. Let's teach them how they can get things they want through diligence, patience and hard work.
How do you feel about the concept of sharing where young children are concerned? I know you likely don't have a "policy," as I sure didn't before the preschool told me they had one. Now, I notice a variety of different takes on the subject from the parents I see around. Makes me wonder if we need to be talking about this issue a little bit more.
By very bloggy beth
http://www.circleofmoms.com/cms/display_content_user?id=3871&author_id=21477143995&trk=article_byline
At first, it didn't really occur to me to wonder why this was the policy. I just went with it, because that's the rule, and it didn't seem like a big deal to me. The kids all know the rule, so outside of maybe their first two weeks at the school, they don't throw a giant fit when you tell them, "You can have it when Sally Jo is done." But, lately I've been noticing a totally different attitude toward sharing in other places we go, and I'm starting to really know exactly why this is the school's policy.
Two Questionable Sharing Practices
Here are a couple of examples of questionable sharing practices that I've seen recently. The first comes from a good friend of mine. (And I hope she doesn't mind that I use her story as an example.) She and her almost-two-year-old were at the park one day. He had brought a small car from home to play with. Another child, a little bit older, wanted to play with the car and was demanding that my friend's son give him the car. A typical toddler scuffle ensued, and the other mother told her son, "I guess his mom didn't teach him how to share." Never mind the fact that the car belongs to him, and that when someone asks you to share, "No" is a perfectly legitimate response.
My second story happened one morning at the local rec center. Friday mornings they fill the gym with tons of Little Tykes climbing structures and those plastic cars they can drive around, tricycles, big balls, even a bouncy castle. Basically a toddler's dream play room. There's this one red car in particular my son really likes playing with, and the last time we went, he drove it around the entire hour-and-a-half we were there. While most of the moms with smaller kids will shadow their kids as they play, my son is old enough now that I can sit on the sidelines and watch. From there I watched a mom whose son wanted to drive the car approach my son repeatedly, saying, "Okay, now it's time for you to give him a turn!" Of course he ignored her, and eventually she gave up. There were a million other little cars for her son to drive, including one that was almost identical. Or maybe I would have stepped in at some point.
Real World Lessons
I don't agree with the approach of the mothers in either of these situations. I think it does a child a great disservice to teach him that he can have something that someone else has, simply because he wants it. And, I can understand the desire to give your children everything they want, we all have it. But it's a good lesson for you both to learn that this isn't always possible, and you shouldn't step all over other people to get these things.
Furthermore, this is not how things work in the real world. In your child's adult life, he's going to think he's owed everything he sees. This is already happening in the next generation. I read a fascinating article about how today's teens and twenty-somethings are expecting raises and promotions at their jobs for reasons like, "I show up every day."
If you doubt my reasoning, think about your own day-to-day adult life. You wouldn't cut in front of someone in the grocery checkout line, just because you didn't feel like waiting. And most grown adults wouldn't take something from someone, like a phone or a pair of sunglasses, just because they wanted to use it. (Well, maybe some of you would. In which case, this post may not be for you.)
It's hard, as with so many things about parenthood, but let's teach our kids how to cope with disappointment, because it happens. And we won't always be there to fix it for them. Let's teach them how they can get things they want through diligence, patience and hard work.
How do you feel about the concept of sharing where young children are concerned? I know you likely don't have a "policy," as I sure didn't before the preschool told me they had one. Now, I notice a variety of different takes on the subject from the parents I see around. Makes me wonder if we need to be talking about this issue a little bit more.
By very bloggy beth
http://www.circleofmoms.com/cms/display_content_user?id=3871&author_id=21477143995&trk=article_byline
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Letter from a Mother to a Daughter
To wonderful not to share. As my mothers caregiver this is so true.
My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionaly lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "
Happy Mother's Day!
By: Spring in the Air
My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionaly lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "
Happy Mother's Day!
By: Spring in the Air
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Life is a Journey
No matter how hard we try to stay connected or focussed on family; life doesn't stand still nor wait for the operative moments like we wish.
My husband and I have talked about going back down to Oklahoma the past 5 years to see his grandpa. It seems when you have the money, you don't have the time and likewise. All the kids now grown, truly dreamed of the little ones meeting their great great grandfather. It was a matter of everyone getting vacation at the same time and convoying down. Just last week we committed to making it a priority in early June.
I can't emphasize enough that life does not wait for that golden moment. That moment for my husband came on good Friday when he received the call that his grandfather wasn't expected to make it through the night. Despite our greatest efforts and a 14 hour trip before we could even attempt to get my husband on a plane time stood still and the lord took him home.
His journey, at least here had come to an end. He had led a wonderful life. Full of love. Love for his family, his friends, and his country. A man who served 20 years and 2 wars as a level 7 Chief before eventually retiring only to then continue by volunteering with the neighboring Tinker Air Force Base. He loved to volunteer and truly believed in service to others. He was one of the Founders of the Ronald McDonald House and was very involved with Special Olympics, even traveling so as not to miss any events.
Rest in Peace Grandpa Frank. Your work here on earth is done. You have touched the lives of so many. Your memories and lessons will live on through everyone you touched.
My husband and I have talked about going back down to Oklahoma the past 5 years to see his grandpa. It seems when you have the money, you don't have the time and likewise. All the kids now grown, truly dreamed of the little ones meeting their great great grandfather. It was a matter of everyone getting vacation at the same time and convoying down. Just last week we committed to making it a priority in early June.
I can't emphasize enough that life does not wait for that golden moment. That moment for my husband came on good Friday when he received the call that his grandfather wasn't expected to make it through the night. Despite our greatest efforts and a 14 hour trip before we could even attempt to get my husband on a plane time stood still and the lord took him home.
His journey, at least here had come to an end. He had led a wonderful life. Full of love. Love for his family, his friends, and his country. A man who served 20 years and 2 wars as a level 7 Chief before eventually retiring only to then continue by volunteering with the neighboring Tinker Air Force Base. He loved to volunteer and truly believed in service to others. He was one of the Founders of the Ronald McDonald House and was very involved with Special Olympics, even traveling so as not to miss any events.
Rest in Peace Grandpa Frank. Your work here on earth is done. You have touched the lives of so many. Your memories and lessons will live on through everyone you touched.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
MS Impacts US All
It's national MS Awareness Month.
Many people have heard of MS but may not no what MS is. The truth is most people no someone who has MS right now. Maybe it's a co-worker, a neighbor, your child, a spouse, or even yourself. MS affects all of us. Please watch the video to see how MS impacts us all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIQTCCaz7lM&sns=em
Many people have heard of MS but may not no what MS is. The truth is most people no someone who has MS right now. Maybe it's a co-worker, a neighbor, your child, a spouse, or even yourself. MS affects all of us. Please watch the video to see how MS impacts us all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIQTCCaz7lM&sns=em
FAQs about MS
Frequently Asked Questions about Multiple Sclerosis
What is multiple sclerosis?
Who gets MS?
How many people have MS?
What are the typical symptoms of MS?
What causes the symptoms?
Is MS fatal?
Does MS always cause paralysis?
Is MS contagious or inherited?
Can MS be cured?
What medications and treatments are available?
Why is MS so difficult to diagnose?
What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system (the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord). It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. This means the immune system incorrectly attacks the person's healthy tissue.
MS can cause blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, and blindness and more. These problems may be permanent or may come and go.
Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, although individuals as young as 2 and as old as 75 have developed it. MS is not considered a fatal disease as the vast majority of people with it live a normal life-span. But they may struggle to live as productively as they desire, often facing increasing limitations.
Who gets MS?
Anyone may develop MS but there are some patterns. More than twice as many women as men have MS. Studies suggest that genetic factors make certain individuals more susceptible than others, but there is no evidence that MS is directly inherited. MS occurs in most ethnic groups, including African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics/Latinos, but is more common in Caucasians of northern European ancestry.
How many people have MS?
Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. World-wide, MS affects about 2.5 million people. Because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not require U.S. physicians to report new cases, and because symptoms can be completely invisible, the numbers can only be estimated.
What are the typical symptoms of MS?
Symptoms of MS are unpredictable, vary from person to person, and from time to time in the same person. For example: One person may experience abnormal fatigue and episodes of numbness and tingling. Another could have loss of balance and muscle coordination making walking difficult. Still another could have slurred speech, tremors, stiffness, and bladder problems.
Sometimes major symptoms disappear completely, and the person regains lost functions. In severe MS, people have symptoms on a permanent basis including partial or complete paralysis, and difficulties with vision, cognition, speech, and elimination.
What causes the symptoms?
MS symptoms result when an immune-system attack affects myelin, the protective insulation surrounding nerve fibers of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Myelin is destroyed and replaced by scars of hardened "sclerotic" tissue. Some underlying nerve fibers are permanently severed. The damage appears in multiple places within the central nervous system.
Myelin is often compared to insulating material around an electrical wire; loss of myelin interferes with the transmission of nerve signals.
Is MS fatal?
In rare cases MS is so malignantly progressive it is terminal, but most people with MS have a normal or near-normal life expectancy. Severe MS can shorten life.
Does MS always cause paralysis?
No. Moreover, the majority of people with MS do not become severely disabled. Two-thirds of people who have MS remain able to walk, though many will need an aid, such as a cane or crutches, and some will use a scooter or wheelchair because of fatigue, weakness, balance problems, or to assist with conserving energy.
Is MS contagious or inherited?
No. MS is not contagious and is not directly inherited. Studies do indicate that genetic factors may make certain individuals susceptible to the disease.
Can MS be cured?
Not yet. There are now FDA-approved medications that have been shown to "modify" or slow down the underlying course of MS. In addition, many therapeutic and technological advances are helping people manage symptoms. Advances in treating and understanding MS are made every year, and progress in research to find a cure is very encouraging.
What medications and treatments are available?
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that a person consider treatment with one of the FDA-approved "disease-modifying" drugs as soon as possible following a definite diagnosis of MS with active or relapsing disease. These drugs help to lessen the frequency and severity of MS attacks, reduce the accumulation of lesions (areas of damage) in the brain, and may slow the progression of disability.
In addition to drugs that address the basic disease, there are many therapies for MS symptoms such as spasticity, pain, bladder problems, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, weakness, and cognitive problems. People should consult a knowledgeable physician to develop a comprehensive approach to managing their MS.
Why is MS so difficult to diagnose?
In early MS, symptoms that might indicate any number of possible disorders come and go. Some people have symptoms that are very difficult for physicians to interpret, and these people must "wait and see." While no single laboratory test is yet available to prove or rule out MS, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a great help in reaching a definitive diagnosis.
For more information please visit the National MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org
What is multiple sclerosis?
Who gets MS?
How many people have MS?
What are the typical symptoms of MS?
What causes the symptoms?
Is MS fatal?
Does MS always cause paralysis?
Is MS contagious or inherited?
Can MS be cured?
What medications and treatments are available?
Why is MS so difficult to diagnose?
What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system (the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord). It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. This means the immune system incorrectly attacks the person's healthy tissue.
MS can cause blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, and blindness and more. These problems may be permanent or may come and go.
Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, although individuals as young as 2 and as old as 75 have developed it. MS is not considered a fatal disease as the vast majority of people with it live a normal life-span. But they may struggle to live as productively as they desire, often facing increasing limitations.
Who gets MS?
Anyone may develop MS but there are some patterns. More than twice as many women as men have MS. Studies suggest that genetic factors make certain individuals more susceptible than others, but there is no evidence that MS is directly inherited. MS occurs in most ethnic groups, including African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics/Latinos, but is more common in Caucasians of northern European ancestry.
How many people have MS?
Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. World-wide, MS affects about 2.5 million people. Because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not require U.S. physicians to report new cases, and because symptoms can be completely invisible, the numbers can only be estimated.
What are the typical symptoms of MS?
Symptoms of MS are unpredictable, vary from person to person, and from time to time in the same person. For example: One person may experience abnormal fatigue and episodes of numbness and tingling. Another could have loss of balance and muscle coordination making walking difficult. Still another could have slurred speech, tremors, stiffness, and bladder problems.
Sometimes major symptoms disappear completely, and the person regains lost functions. In severe MS, people have symptoms on a permanent basis including partial or complete paralysis, and difficulties with vision, cognition, speech, and elimination.
What causes the symptoms?
MS symptoms result when an immune-system attack affects myelin, the protective insulation surrounding nerve fibers of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Myelin is destroyed and replaced by scars of hardened "sclerotic" tissue. Some underlying nerve fibers are permanently severed. The damage appears in multiple places within the central nervous system.
Myelin is often compared to insulating material around an electrical wire; loss of myelin interferes with the transmission of nerve signals.
Is MS fatal?
In rare cases MS is so malignantly progressive it is terminal, but most people with MS have a normal or near-normal life expectancy. Severe MS can shorten life.
Does MS always cause paralysis?
No. Moreover, the majority of people with MS do not become severely disabled. Two-thirds of people who have MS remain able to walk, though many will need an aid, such as a cane or crutches, and some will use a scooter or wheelchair because of fatigue, weakness, balance problems, or to assist with conserving energy.
Is MS contagious or inherited?
No. MS is not contagious and is not directly inherited. Studies do indicate that genetic factors may make certain individuals susceptible to the disease.
Can MS be cured?
Not yet. There are now FDA-approved medications that have been shown to "modify" or slow down the underlying course of MS. In addition, many therapeutic and technological advances are helping people manage symptoms. Advances in treating and understanding MS are made every year, and progress in research to find a cure is very encouraging.
What medications and treatments are available?
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that a person consider treatment with one of the FDA-approved "disease-modifying" drugs as soon as possible following a definite diagnosis of MS with active or relapsing disease. These drugs help to lessen the frequency and severity of MS attacks, reduce the accumulation of lesions (areas of damage) in the brain, and may slow the progression of disability.
In addition to drugs that address the basic disease, there are many therapies for MS symptoms such as spasticity, pain, bladder problems, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, weakness, and cognitive problems. People should consult a knowledgeable physician to develop a comprehensive approach to managing their MS.
Why is MS so difficult to diagnose?
In early MS, symptoms that might indicate any number of possible disorders come and go. Some people have symptoms that are very difficult for physicians to interpret, and these people must "wait and see." While no single laboratory test is yet available to prove or rule out MS, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a great help in reaching a definitive diagnosis.
For more information please visit the National MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org
How is MS Treated?
Although there is still no cure for MS, effective strategies are available to modify the disease course, treat exacerbations (also called attacks, relapses, or flare-ups), manage symptoms, improve function and safety, and provide emotional support. In combination, these treatments enhance the quality of life for people living with MS.
Modifying the Disease Course
The following agents can reduce disease activity and disease progression for many individuals with relapsing forms of MS, including those with secondary progressive disease who continue to have relapses.
FDA-Approved Disease-Modifying Agents
Avonex (interferon beta-1a)
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b)
Copaxone (glatiramer acetate)
Extavia (interferon beta-1b)
Gilenya (fingolimod)
Novantrone (mitoxantrone)
Rebif (interferon beta-1a)
Tysabri (natalizumab)
Disease Management Consensus Statement (.pdf)
Recommendations and principles from the Society’s National Clinical Advisory Board for health care professionals and people with MS—to guide treatment with the disease-modifying drugs.
The MS Disease-Modifying Medications (.pdf)
A booklet describing the approved use, dosage and route of delivery, side effects, benefits, and available support programs.
Patient Assistance Programs
A listing of the pharmaceutical company financial assistance programs to help manage the costs of the drugs.
Treating Exacerbations
An exacerbation of MS is caused by inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) that causes damage to the myelin and slows or blocks the transmission of nerve impulses. To be a true exacerbation, the attack must last at least 24 hours and be separated from a previous exacerbation by at least 30 days. However, most exacerbations last from a few days to several weeks or even months. Exacerbations can be mild or severe enough to interfere with a person’s ability to function at home and at work. Severe exacerbations are most commonly treated with high-dose corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation.
Managing Symptoms
Symptoms of MS are highly variable from person to person and from time to time in the same individual. While symptoms can range from mild to severe, most can be successfully managed with strategies that include medication, self-care techniques, rehabilitation (with a physical or occupation therapist, speech/language pathologist, cognitive remediation specialist, among others), and the use of assistive devices.
Promoting Function through Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation programs focus on function—they are designed to help you improve or maintain your ability to perform effectively and safely at home and at work. Rehabilitation professionals focus on overall fitness and energy management, while addressing problems with accessibility and mobility, speech and swallowing, and memory and other cognitive functions.
Rehabilitation is an important component of comprehensive, quality health care for people with MS, at all stages of the disease. Rehabilitation programs include:
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Therapy for Speech and Swallowing Problems
Cognitive Rehabilitation
Vocational Rehabilitation
The Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
CAM includes everything from exercise and diet to food supplements, stress management strategies, and lifestyle changes. These therapies come from various disciplines and traditions—yoga, hypnosis, relaxation techniques, traditional herbal healing, Chinese medicine, macrobiotics, naturopathy, and many others. They are referred to as complementary when they are used in conjunction with conventional medical treatments and alternative when they are used instead of conventional treatments.
Treatment Updates
FDA Updates Tysabri Label to Include Lab Test that Helps Identify Person’s Risk of Developing PML
Jan 23, 2012
The U.S. FDA has approved a change to the prescription label for Tysabri to show that a lab test that detects antibodies to the JC virus can help determine a person’s risk of developing PML, a severe brain infection. PML has emerged in some people who have taken Tysabri. The lab test should enhance the ability to weigh risks and benefits of this therapy.
European Medicines Agency Commences Safety Review of Gilenya
Jan 20, 2012
The European Medicines Agency has started a review of the oral medication Gilenya (fingolimod, Novartis) after reports issued on January 20 that there have been 11 deaths among patients who received treatment. Our sympathies go out to the families of all of these individuals. As more information becomes available, we will release it as soon as possible to the MS community.
Study Shows Potential of Lab Test to Detect Virus Which Causes PML in People with MS – ongoing study may help identify risk for PML in people treated with natalizumab
Dec 22, 2011
Biogen Idec researchers have published results on a blood test that detects antibodies to the JC virus, the virus responsible for PML. This paper reports that in an ongoing study of over 1,000 people being treated or considering treatment with Tysabri, 56% had evidence of JC virus antibodies. The presence of antibodies indicates that a person has at some point been infected by or exposed to the virus. Ultimately the study may show whether detection of antibodies to JC virus can help guide treatment decisions.
Possible Safety Issue Being Investigated with Novartis Pill Gilenya
Dec 12, 2011
Our sympathies go out to the family of an individual who recently died within 24 hours of receiving a first dose of the oral medication Gilenya. Novartis has confirmed this event and has reported it to the FDA. Until more information is available about the circumstances of this individual’s death, it is impossible to know what role Gilenya may have played in it.
Multiple Sclerosis Emerging Therapies Collaborative - UPDATE
Nov 14, 2011
We are proud to announce the launch of the Multiple Sclerosis Emerging Therapies Collaborative. The Collaborative – which includes the members of the MS Coalition, the American Academy of Neurology, and the VA Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence East and West – has as its mission:
For more information please visit the National MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org
Modifying the Disease Course
The following agents can reduce disease activity and disease progression for many individuals with relapsing forms of MS, including those with secondary progressive disease who continue to have relapses.
FDA-Approved Disease-Modifying Agents
Avonex (interferon beta-1a)
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b)
Copaxone (glatiramer acetate)
Extavia (interferon beta-1b)
Gilenya (fingolimod)
Novantrone (mitoxantrone)
Rebif (interferon beta-1a)
Tysabri (natalizumab)
Disease Management Consensus Statement (.pdf)
Recommendations and principles from the Society’s National Clinical Advisory Board for health care professionals and people with MS—to guide treatment with the disease-modifying drugs.
The MS Disease-Modifying Medications (.pdf)
A booklet describing the approved use, dosage and route of delivery, side effects, benefits, and available support programs.
Patient Assistance Programs
A listing of the pharmaceutical company financial assistance programs to help manage the costs of the drugs.
Treating Exacerbations
An exacerbation of MS is caused by inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) that causes damage to the myelin and slows or blocks the transmission of nerve impulses. To be a true exacerbation, the attack must last at least 24 hours and be separated from a previous exacerbation by at least 30 days. However, most exacerbations last from a few days to several weeks or even months. Exacerbations can be mild or severe enough to interfere with a person’s ability to function at home and at work. Severe exacerbations are most commonly treated with high-dose corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation.
Managing Symptoms
Symptoms of MS are highly variable from person to person and from time to time in the same individual. While symptoms can range from mild to severe, most can be successfully managed with strategies that include medication, self-care techniques, rehabilitation (with a physical or occupation therapist, speech/language pathologist, cognitive remediation specialist, among others), and the use of assistive devices.
Promoting Function through Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation programs focus on function—they are designed to help you improve or maintain your ability to perform effectively and safely at home and at work. Rehabilitation professionals focus on overall fitness and energy management, while addressing problems with accessibility and mobility, speech and swallowing, and memory and other cognitive functions.
Rehabilitation is an important component of comprehensive, quality health care for people with MS, at all stages of the disease. Rehabilitation programs include:
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Therapy for Speech and Swallowing Problems
Cognitive Rehabilitation
Vocational Rehabilitation
The Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
CAM includes everything from exercise and diet to food supplements, stress management strategies, and lifestyle changes. These therapies come from various disciplines and traditions—yoga, hypnosis, relaxation techniques, traditional herbal healing, Chinese medicine, macrobiotics, naturopathy, and many others. They are referred to as complementary when they are used in conjunction with conventional medical treatments and alternative when they are used instead of conventional treatments.
Treatment Updates
FDA Updates Tysabri Label to Include Lab Test that Helps Identify Person’s Risk of Developing PML
Jan 23, 2012
The U.S. FDA has approved a change to the prescription label for Tysabri to show that a lab test that detects antibodies to the JC virus can help determine a person’s risk of developing PML, a severe brain infection. PML has emerged in some people who have taken Tysabri. The lab test should enhance the ability to weigh risks and benefits of this therapy.
European Medicines Agency Commences Safety Review of Gilenya
Jan 20, 2012
The European Medicines Agency has started a review of the oral medication Gilenya (fingolimod, Novartis) after reports issued on January 20 that there have been 11 deaths among patients who received treatment. Our sympathies go out to the families of all of these individuals. As more information becomes available, we will release it as soon as possible to the MS community.
Study Shows Potential of Lab Test to Detect Virus Which Causes PML in People with MS – ongoing study may help identify risk for PML in people treated with natalizumab
Dec 22, 2011
Biogen Idec researchers have published results on a blood test that detects antibodies to the JC virus, the virus responsible for PML. This paper reports that in an ongoing study of over 1,000 people being treated or considering treatment with Tysabri, 56% had evidence of JC virus antibodies. The presence of antibodies indicates that a person has at some point been infected by or exposed to the virus. Ultimately the study may show whether detection of antibodies to JC virus can help guide treatment decisions.
Possible Safety Issue Being Investigated with Novartis Pill Gilenya
Dec 12, 2011
Our sympathies go out to the family of an individual who recently died within 24 hours of receiving a first dose of the oral medication Gilenya. Novartis has confirmed this event and has reported it to the FDA. Until more information is available about the circumstances of this individual’s death, it is impossible to know what role Gilenya may have played in it.
Multiple Sclerosis Emerging Therapies Collaborative - UPDATE
Nov 14, 2011
We are proud to announce the launch of the Multiple Sclerosis Emerging Therapies Collaborative. The Collaborative – which includes the members of the MS Coalition, the American Academy of Neurology, and the VA Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence East and West – has as its mission:
For more information please visit the National MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org
How is MS Diagnosed?
At this time, there are no symptoms, physical findings or laboratory tests that can, by themselves, determine if a person has MS. The doctor uses several strategies to determine if a person meets the long-established criteria for a diagnosis of MS and to rule out other possible causes of whatever symptoms the person is experiencing. These strategies include a careful medical history, a neurologic exam and various tests, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), evoked potentials (EP) and spinal fluid analysis.
The Criteria for a Diagnosis of MS
In order to make a diagnosis of MS, the physician must:
Find evidence of damage in at least two separate areas of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves AND
Find evidence that the damage occurred at least one month apart AND
Rule out all other possible diagnoses
In 2001, the International Panel on the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis updated the criteria to include specific guidelines for using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), visual evoked potentials (VEP) and cerebrospinal fluid analysis to speed the diagnostic process. These tests can be used to look for a second area of damage in a person who has experienced only one attack (also called a relapse or an exacerbation) of MS-like symptoms — referred to as a clinically-isolated syndrome (CIS). A person with CIS may or may not go on to develop MS.
The criteria (now referred to as The Revised McDonald Criteria) were further revised in 2005 and again in 2010 to make the process even easier and more efficient.
The Tools for Making a Diagnosis
Medical History and Neurologic Exam
The physician takes a careful history to identify any past or present symptoms that might be caused by MS and to gather information about birthplace, family history and places traveled that might provide further clues. The physician also performs a variety of tests to evaluate mental, emotional and language functions, movement and coordination, balance, vision, and the other four senses.
In many instances, the person’s medical history and neurologic exam provide enough evidence to meet the diagnostic criteria. Other tests are used to confirm the diagnosis or provide additional evidence if it’s necessary.
MRI
MRI is the best imaging technology for detecting the presence of MS plaques or scarring (also called lesions) in different parts of the CNS. It can also differentiate old lesions from those that are new or active.
The diagnosis of MS cannot be made solely on the basis of MRI because there are other diseases that cause lesions in the CNS that look like those caused by MS. And even people without any disease — particularly the elderly — can have spots on the brain that are similar to those seen in MS.
Although MRI is a very useful diagnostic tool, a normal MRI of the brain does not rule out the possibility of MS. About 5% of people who are confirmed to have MS do not initially have brain lesions on MRI. However, the longer a person goes without brain or spinal cord lesions on MRI, the more important it becomes to look for other possible diagnoses.
Evoked potential (EP) tests are recordings of the nervous system's electrical response to the stimulation of specific sensory pathways (e.g., visual, auditory, general sensory). Because damage to myelin (demyelination) results in a slowing of response time, EPs can sometimes provide evidence of scarring along nerve pathways that does not show up during the neurologic exam. Visual evoked potentials are considered the most useful for confirming the MS diagnosis.
Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid, which is sampled by a spinal tap, detects the levels of certain immune system proteins and the presence of oligoclonal bands. These bands, which indicate an immune response within the CNS, are found in the spinal fluid of about 90-95% of people with MS. But because they are present in other diseases as well, oligoclonal bands cannot be relied on as positive proof of MS.
Blood Tests
While there is no definitive blood test for MS, blood tests can rule out other conditions that cause symptoms similar to those of MS, including Lyme disease, a group of diseases known as collagen-vascular diseases, certain rare hereditary disorders, and AIDS.
Other Conditions Cause Demyelination (Damage to Myelin)
Demyelination in the Central Nervous System
Although MS is the most common, other conditions can damage myelin in the CNS, including viral infections, side effects from high exposure to certain toxic materials, severe vitamin B12 deficiency, autoimmune conditions that lead to inflammation of blood vessels (the "collagen-vascular diseases"), and some rare hereditary disorders.
Demyelination in the Peripheral Nervous System
Demyelination of the peripheral nervous system (the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord) occurs in Guillain-Barré Syndrome. After some injuries, the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system regenerates, bringing recovery of function.
Some demyelinating conditions are self-limiting, while others may be progressive. Careful (and sometimes repetitive) examinations may be needed to establish an exact diagnosis among the possible causes of neurologic symptoms.
For more information please visit the National MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org
The Criteria for a Diagnosis of MS
In order to make a diagnosis of MS, the physician must:
Find evidence of damage in at least two separate areas of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves AND
Find evidence that the damage occurred at least one month apart AND
Rule out all other possible diagnoses
In 2001, the International Panel on the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis updated the criteria to include specific guidelines for using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), visual evoked potentials (VEP) and cerebrospinal fluid analysis to speed the diagnostic process. These tests can be used to look for a second area of damage in a person who has experienced only one attack (also called a relapse or an exacerbation) of MS-like symptoms — referred to as a clinically-isolated syndrome (CIS). A person with CIS may or may not go on to develop MS.
The criteria (now referred to as The Revised McDonald Criteria) were further revised in 2005 and again in 2010 to make the process even easier and more efficient.
The Tools for Making a Diagnosis
Medical History and Neurologic Exam
The physician takes a careful history to identify any past or present symptoms that might be caused by MS and to gather information about birthplace, family history and places traveled that might provide further clues. The physician also performs a variety of tests to evaluate mental, emotional and language functions, movement and coordination, balance, vision, and the other four senses.
In many instances, the person’s medical history and neurologic exam provide enough evidence to meet the diagnostic criteria. Other tests are used to confirm the diagnosis or provide additional evidence if it’s necessary.
MRI
MRI is the best imaging technology for detecting the presence of MS plaques or scarring (also called lesions) in different parts of the CNS. It can also differentiate old lesions from those that are new or active.
The diagnosis of MS cannot be made solely on the basis of MRI because there are other diseases that cause lesions in the CNS that look like those caused by MS. And even people without any disease — particularly the elderly — can have spots on the brain that are similar to those seen in MS.
Although MRI is a very useful diagnostic tool, a normal MRI of the brain does not rule out the possibility of MS. About 5% of people who are confirmed to have MS do not initially have brain lesions on MRI. However, the longer a person goes without brain or spinal cord lesions on MRI, the more important it becomes to look for other possible diagnoses.
Evoked potential (EP) tests are recordings of the nervous system's electrical response to the stimulation of specific sensory pathways (e.g., visual, auditory, general sensory). Because damage to myelin (demyelination) results in a slowing of response time, EPs can sometimes provide evidence of scarring along nerve pathways that does not show up during the neurologic exam. Visual evoked potentials are considered the most useful for confirming the MS diagnosis.
Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid, which is sampled by a spinal tap, detects the levels of certain immune system proteins and the presence of oligoclonal bands. These bands, which indicate an immune response within the CNS, are found in the spinal fluid of about 90-95% of people with MS. But because they are present in other diseases as well, oligoclonal bands cannot be relied on as positive proof of MS.
Blood Tests
While there is no definitive blood test for MS, blood tests can rule out other conditions that cause symptoms similar to those of MS, including Lyme disease, a group of diseases known as collagen-vascular diseases, certain rare hereditary disorders, and AIDS.
Other Conditions Cause Demyelination (Damage to Myelin)
Demyelination in the Central Nervous System
Although MS is the most common, other conditions can damage myelin in the CNS, including viral infections, side effects from high exposure to certain toxic materials, severe vitamin B12 deficiency, autoimmune conditions that lead to inflammation of blood vessels (the "collagen-vascular diseases"), and some rare hereditary disorders.
Demyelination in the Peripheral Nervous System
Demyelination of the peripheral nervous system (the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord) occurs in Guillain-Barré Syndrome. After some injuries, the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system regenerates, bringing recovery of function.
Some demyelinating conditions are self-limiting, while others may be progressive. Careful (and sometimes repetitive) examinations may be needed to establish an exact diagnosis among the possible causes of neurologic symptoms.
For more information please visit the National MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org
Symptoms of MS
In multiple sclerosis , damage to the myelin in the central nervous system (CNS), and to the nerve fibers themselves, interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord and other parts of the body. This disruption of nerve signals produces the primary symptoms of MS, which vary depending on where the damage has occurred.
Over the course of the disease, some symptoms will come and go, while others may be more lasting.
Symptoms
Most Common Symptoms
Some symptoms of MS are much more common than others.
Fatigue
Numbness
Walking (Gait), Balance, & Coordination Problems
Bladder Dysfunction
Bowel Dysfunction
Vision Problems
Dizziness and Vertigo
Sexual Dysfunction
Pain
Cognitive Dysfunction
Emotional Changes
Depression
Spasticity
Less Common Symptoms
These symptoms also occur in MS, but much less frequently.
Speech Disorders
Swallowing Problems
Headache
Hearing Loss
Seizures
Tremor
Respiration / Breathing Problems
Itching
For more information please visit the National MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org
Over the course of the disease, some symptoms will come and go, while others may be more lasting.
Symptoms
Most Common Symptoms
Some symptoms of MS are much more common than others.
Fatigue
Numbness
Walking (Gait), Balance, & Coordination Problems
Bladder Dysfunction
Bowel Dysfunction
Vision Problems
Dizziness and Vertigo
Sexual Dysfunction
Pain
Cognitive Dysfunction
Emotional Changes
Depression
Spasticity
Less Common Symptoms
These symptoms also occur in MS, but much less frequently.
Speech Disorders
Swallowing Problems
Headache
Hearing Loss
Seizures
Tremor
Respiration / Breathing Problems
Itching
For more information please visit the National MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org
Who gets MS?
In the United States today, there are approximately 400,000 people with multiple sclerosis (MS)—with 200 more people diagnosed every week. Worldwide, MS is thought to affect more than 2.1 million people. While the disease is not contagious or directly inherited, epidemiologists—the scientists who study patterns of disease—have identified factors in the distribution of MS around the world that may eventually help determine what causes the disease. These factors include gender, genetics, age, geography, and ethnic background.
Patterns in the Distribution of MS
As in other autoimmune diseases, MS is significantly more common (at least 2-3 times) in women than men. This gender difference has stimulated important research initiatives looking at the role of hormones in MS. Read more on autoimmune diseases.
MS is not directly inherited, but genetics play an important role in who gets the disease. While the risk of developing MS in the general population is 1/750, the risk rises to 1/40 in anyone who has a close relative (parent, sibling, child) with the disease. In families in which several people have been diagnosed with MS, the risk may be even higher. Even though identical twins share the same genetic makeup, the risk for an identical twin is only 1/4—which means that some factor(s) other than genetics are involved.
While most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, MS can appear in young children and teens as well as much older adults. Studying the disease in different age groups may help scientists determine the cause of MS and explain why the disease course differs from one person to another. Important questions include why the disease appears so early in some children and why people who are diagnosed after age 50 tend to have a more steadily progressive course that primarily affects their ability to walk.
In all parts of the world, MS is more common at northern latitudes that are farther from the equator and less common in areas closer to the equator. Researchers are now investigating whether increased exposure to sunlight and the vitamin D it provides may have a protective effect on those living nearer the equator.
MS occurs in most ethnic groups, including African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics/Latinos, but is more common in Caucasians of northern European ancestry. However some ethnic groups, such as the Inuit, Aborigines and Maoris, have few if any documented cases of MS regardless of where they live. These variations that occur even within geographic areas with the same climate suggest that geography, ethnicity, and other factors interact in some complex way.
Are the Numbers of People with MS Increasing?
While more people are being diagnosed with MS today than in the past, epidemiologists have found no evidence to suggest that the disease is on the increase. More likely explanations include a greater awareness of the disease, improved medical care, and more effective tools for making the diagnosis. In addition, the availability of effective treatments makes physicians more likely to communicate the diagnosis to their patients.
What are MS Clusters?
A "cluster" of MS can be defined as the perception that a very high number of cases of MS have occurred over a specific time period and/or in a certain area. Such clusters of MS—or of other diseases where clusters are occasionally reported—are of interest because they may provide clues to environmental or genetic risk factors which might cause or trigger the disease. So far, cluster studies (in the Faroe Islands, Galion, OH, DePue, IL, and El Paso, TX, among others) have not produced clear evidence for the existence of any causative or triggering factor or factors in MS.
For more information please visit the National MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org
Patterns in the Distribution of MS
As in other autoimmune diseases, MS is significantly more common (at least 2-3 times) in women than men. This gender difference has stimulated important research initiatives looking at the role of hormones in MS. Read more on autoimmune diseases.
MS is not directly inherited, but genetics play an important role in who gets the disease. While the risk of developing MS in the general population is 1/750, the risk rises to 1/40 in anyone who has a close relative (parent, sibling, child) with the disease. In families in which several people have been diagnosed with MS, the risk may be even higher. Even though identical twins share the same genetic makeup, the risk for an identical twin is only 1/4—which means that some factor(s) other than genetics are involved.
While most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, MS can appear in young children and teens as well as much older adults. Studying the disease in different age groups may help scientists determine the cause of MS and explain why the disease course differs from one person to another. Important questions include why the disease appears so early in some children and why people who are diagnosed after age 50 tend to have a more steadily progressive course that primarily affects their ability to walk.
In all parts of the world, MS is more common at northern latitudes that are farther from the equator and less common in areas closer to the equator. Researchers are now investigating whether increased exposure to sunlight and the vitamin D it provides may have a protective effect on those living nearer the equator.
MS occurs in most ethnic groups, including African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics/Latinos, but is more common in Caucasians of northern European ancestry. However some ethnic groups, such as the Inuit, Aborigines and Maoris, have few if any documented cases of MS regardless of where they live. These variations that occur even within geographic areas with the same climate suggest that geography, ethnicity, and other factors interact in some complex way.
Are the Numbers of People with MS Increasing?
While more people are being diagnosed with MS today than in the past, epidemiologists have found no evidence to suggest that the disease is on the increase. More likely explanations include a greater awareness of the disease, improved medical care, and more effective tools for making the diagnosis. In addition, the availability of effective treatments makes physicians more likely to communicate the diagnosis to their patients.
What are MS Clusters?
A "cluster" of MS can be defined as the perception that a very high number of cases of MS have occurred over a specific time period and/or in a certain area. Such clusters of MS—or of other diseases where clusters are occasionally reported—are of interest because they may provide clues to environmental or genetic risk factors which might cause or trigger the disease. So far, cluster studies (in the Faroe Islands, Galion, OH, DePue, IL, and El Paso, TX, among others) have not produced clear evidence for the existence of any causative or triggering factor or factors in MS.
For more information please visit the National MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org
What causes MS?
While the cause (etiology) of MS is still not known, scientists believe that a combination of several factors may be involved. Studies are ongoing in the areas of immunology (the science of the body’s immune system), epidemiology (that looks at patterns of disease in the population), and genetics in an effort to answer this important question. Understanding what causes MS will be an important step toward finding more effective ways to treat it and—ultimately—cure it, or even prevent it from occurring in the first place.
The major scientific theories about the causes of MS include the following:
Immunologic
It is now generally accepted that MS involves an autoimmune process—an abnormal response of the body’s immune system that is directed against the myelin (the fatty sheath that surrounds and insulates the nerve fibers) in the central nervous system (CNS—the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves). The exact antigen, or target that the immune cells are sensitized to attack, remains unknown. In recent years, however, researchers have been able to identify which immune cells are mounting the attack, some of the factors that cause them to attack, and some of the sites, or receptors, on the attacking cells that appear to be attracted to the myelin to begin the destructive process. Ongoing efforts to learn more about the autoimmune process in MS—what sets it in motion, how it works, and how to slow or stop it—are bringing us closer to understanding the cause of MS.
Environmental
MS is known to occur more frequently in areas that are farther from the equator. Epidemiologists—scientists who study disease patterns—are looking at many factors, including variations in geography, demographics (age, gender, and ethnic background), genetics, infectious causes, and migration patterns, in an effort to understand why. Studies of migration patterns have shown that people born in an area of the world with a high risk of MS who then move to an area with a lower risk before the age of 15, acquire the risk of their new area. Such data suggest that exposure to some environmental agent that occurs before puberty may predispose a person to develop MS later on.
Some scientists think the reason may have something to do with vitamin D (.pdf), which the human body produces naturally when the skin is exposed to sunlight. People who live closer to the equator are exposed to greater amounts of sunlight year-round. As a result, they tend to have higher levels of naturally-produced vitamin D, which is thought to have a beneficial impact on immune function and may help protect against autoimmune diseases like MS. The possible relationship between MS and sunlight exposure is currently being looked at in a Society-funded epidemiological study in Australia.
Other scientists study MS clusters—which are defined as higher-than-expected numbers of cases of MS that have occurred over a specific time period and/or in a certain area. These clusters are of interest because they may provide clues to environmental (such as environmental and industrial toxins, diet, or trace metal exposures) factors that might cause or trigger the disease. So far, cluster studies have not produced clear evidence for the existence of any triggering factor or factors in MS.
Infectious
Since initial exposure to numerous viruses, bacteria and other microbes occurs during childhood, and since viruses are well recognized as causes of demyelination and inflammation, it is possible that a virus or other infectious agent is the triggering factor in MS. More than a dozen viruses and bacteria, including measles, canine distemper, human herpes virus-6, Epstein-Barr, and Chlamydia pneumonia have been or are being investigated to determine if they are involved in the development of MS, but none have been definitively proven to trigger MS. Read more on viruses as the cause of MS
Genetic
While MS is not hereditary in a strict sense, having a first-degree relative such as a parent or sibling with MS increases an individual's risk of developing the disease several-fold above the risk for the general population. Studies have shown that there is a higher prevalence of certain genes in populations with higher rates of MS. Common genetic factors have also been found in some families where there is more than one person with MS. Some researchers theorize that MS develops because a person is born with a genetic predisposition to react to some environmental agent that, upon exposure, triggers an autoimmune response. Sophisticated new techniques for identifying genes may help answer questions about the role of genes in the development of MS.
For more information please visit the National MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org
The major scientific theories about the causes of MS include the following:
Immunologic
It is now generally accepted that MS involves an autoimmune process—an abnormal response of the body’s immune system that is directed against the myelin (the fatty sheath that surrounds and insulates the nerve fibers) in the central nervous system (CNS—the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves). The exact antigen, or target that the immune cells are sensitized to attack, remains unknown. In recent years, however, researchers have been able to identify which immune cells are mounting the attack, some of the factors that cause them to attack, and some of the sites, or receptors, on the attacking cells that appear to be attracted to the myelin to begin the destructive process. Ongoing efforts to learn more about the autoimmune process in MS—what sets it in motion, how it works, and how to slow or stop it—are bringing us closer to understanding the cause of MS.
Environmental
MS is known to occur more frequently in areas that are farther from the equator. Epidemiologists—scientists who study disease patterns—are looking at many factors, including variations in geography, demographics (age, gender, and ethnic background), genetics, infectious causes, and migration patterns, in an effort to understand why. Studies of migration patterns have shown that people born in an area of the world with a high risk of MS who then move to an area with a lower risk before the age of 15, acquire the risk of their new area. Such data suggest that exposure to some environmental agent that occurs before puberty may predispose a person to develop MS later on.
Some scientists think the reason may have something to do with vitamin D (.pdf), which the human body produces naturally when the skin is exposed to sunlight. People who live closer to the equator are exposed to greater amounts of sunlight year-round. As a result, they tend to have higher levels of naturally-produced vitamin D, which is thought to have a beneficial impact on immune function and may help protect against autoimmune diseases like MS. The possible relationship between MS and sunlight exposure is currently being looked at in a Society-funded epidemiological study in Australia.
Other scientists study MS clusters—which are defined as higher-than-expected numbers of cases of MS that have occurred over a specific time period and/or in a certain area. These clusters are of interest because they may provide clues to environmental (such as environmental and industrial toxins, diet, or trace metal exposures) factors that might cause or trigger the disease. So far, cluster studies have not produced clear evidence for the existence of any triggering factor or factors in MS.
Infectious
Since initial exposure to numerous viruses, bacteria and other microbes occurs during childhood, and since viruses are well recognized as causes of demyelination and inflammation, it is possible that a virus or other infectious agent is the triggering factor in MS. More than a dozen viruses and bacteria, including measles, canine distemper, human herpes virus-6, Epstein-Barr, and Chlamydia pneumonia have been or are being investigated to determine if they are involved in the development of MS, but none have been definitively proven to trigger MS. Read more on viruses as the cause of MS
Genetic
While MS is not hereditary in a strict sense, having a first-degree relative such as a parent or sibling with MS increases an individual's risk of developing the disease several-fold above the risk for the general population. Studies have shown that there is a higher prevalence of certain genes in populations with higher rates of MS. Common genetic factors have also been found in some families where there is more than one person with MS. Some researchers theorize that MS develops because a person is born with a genetic predisposition to react to some environmental agent that, upon exposure, triggers an autoimmune response. Sophisticated new techniques for identifying genes may help answer questions about the role of genes in the development of MS.
For more information please visit the National MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another.
MS is Thought to be an Autoimmune Disease
The body’s own defense system attacks myelin, the fatty substance that surrounds and protects the nerve fibers in the central nervous system. The nerve fibers themselves can also be damaged. The damaged myelin forms scar tissue (sclerosis), which gives the disease its name. When any part of the myelin sheath or nerve fiber is damaged or destroyed, nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain and spinal cord are distorted or interrupted, producing the variety of symptoms that can occur.
Most people with MS learn to cope with the disease and continue to lead satisfying, productive lives.
The Four Courses of MS
People with MS can typically experience one of four disease courses, each of which might be mild, moderate, or severe.
Relapsing-Remitting MS
People with this type of MS experience clearly defined attacks of worsening neurologic function. These attacks—which are called relapses, flare-ups, or exacerbations —are followed by partial or complete recovery periods (remissions), during which no disease progression occurs. Approximately 85% of people are initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS.
Primary-Progressive MS
This disease course is characterized by slowly worsening neurologic function from the beginning—with no distinct relapses or remissions. The rate of progression may vary over time, with occasional plateaus and temporary minor improvements. Approximately 10% of people are diagnosed with primary-progressive MS.
Secondary-Progressive MS
Following an initial period of relapsing-remitting MS, many people develop a secondary-progressive disease course in which the disease worsens more steadily, with or without occasional flare-ups, minor recoveries (remissions), or plateaus. Before the disease-modifying medications became available, approximately 50% of people with relapsing-remitting MS developed this form of the disease within 10 years. Long-term data are not yet available to determine if treatment significantly delays this transition.
Progressive-Relapsing MS
In this relatively rare course of MS (5%), people experience steadily worsening disease from the beginning, but with clear attacks of worsening neurologic function along the way. They may or may not experience some recovery following these relapses, but the disease continues to progress without remissions.
Since no two people have exactly the same experience of MS, the disease course may look very different from one person to another. And, it may not always be clear to the physician—at least right away—which course a person is experiencing.
Some Important Facts
MS is a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that affects the central nervous system.
Different people are likely to experience very different symptoms.
MS is different from muscular dystrophy (MD), which is a group of disorders that cause progressive and irreversible wasting away of muscle tissue. Although MD has some symptoms in common with MS—such as weakness and problems with walking—MD affects the muscles directly while MS affects the central nervous system.
MS is not contagious and is not directly inherited
Most people with MS have a normal or near-normal life expectancy.
The majority of people with MS do not become severely disabled.
There are now FDA-approved medications that have been shown to reduce the number of relapses and "modify" or slow down the underlying course of MS.
People who are diagnosed with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) have had one episode of neurologic damage that is similar to the damage that occurs in MS, but they have not yet met the criteria for a definite diagnosis of MS.
For more information please visit the National MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org
MS is Thought to be an Autoimmune Disease
The body’s own defense system attacks myelin, the fatty substance that surrounds and protects the nerve fibers in the central nervous system. The nerve fibers themselves can also be damaged. The damaged myelin forms scar tissue (sclerosis), which gives the disease its name. When any part of the myelin sheath or nerve fiber is damaged or destroyed, nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain and spinal cord are distorted or interrupted, producing the variety of symptoms that can occur.
Most people with MS learn to cope with the disease and continue to lead satisfying, productive lives.
The Four Courses of MS
People with MS can typically experience one of four disease courses, each of which might be mild, moderate, or severe.
Relapsing-Remitting MS
People with this type of MS experience clearly defined attacks of worsening neurologic function. These attacks—which are called relapses, flare-ups, or exacerbations —are followed by partial or complete recovery periods (remissions), during which no disease progression occurs. Approximately 85% of people are initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS.
Primary-Progressive MS
This disease course is characterized by slowly worsening neurologic function from the beginning—with no distinct relapses or remissions. The rate of progression may vary over time, with occasional plateaus and temporary minor improvements. Approximately 10% of people are diagnosed with primary-progressive MS.
Secondary-Progressive MS
Following an initial period of relapsing-remitting MS, many people develop a secondary-progressive disease course in which the disease worsens more steadily, with or without occasional flare-ups, minor recoveries (remissions), or plateaus. Before the disease-modifying medications became available, approximately 50% of people with relapsing-remitting MS developed this form of the disease within 10 years. Long-term data are not yet available to determine if treatment significantly delays this transition.
Progressive-Relapsing MS
In this relatively rare course of MS (5%), people experience steadily worsening disease from the beginning, but with clear attacks of worsening neurologic function along the way. They may or may not experience some recovery following these relapses, but the disease continues to progress without remissions.
Since no two people have exactly the same experience of MS, the disease course may look very different from one person to another. And, it may not always be clear to the physician—at least right away—which course a person is experiencing.
Some Important Facts
MS is a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that affects the central nervous system.
Different people are likely to experience very different symptoms.
MS is different from muscular dystrophy (MD), which is a group of disorders that cause progressive and irreversible wasting away of muscle tissue. Although MD has some symptoms in common with MS—such as weakness and problems with walking—MD affects the muscles directly while MS affects the central nervous system.
MS is not contagious and is not directly inherited
Most people with MS have a normal or near-normal life expectancy.
The majority of people with MS do not become severely disabled.
There are now FDA-approved medications that have been shown to reduce the number of relapses and "modify" or slow down the underlying course of MS.
People who are diagnosed with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) have had one episode of neurologic damage that is similar to the damage that occurs in MS, but they have not yet met the criteria for a definite diagnosis of MS.
For more information please visit the National MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org
Monday, March 12, 2012
100 years of Girl Scouting
Today marks 100 years of Girl Scouting, a landmark celebration happening throughout the nation. It's moments like this that I pause amidst the festivities and personalize what this means to me. Here are a couple of reflections I have today:
I imagine a passionate Juliette Low travelling for days to get from England to Georgia; invigorated enough to start Girl Scouting the night she arrives home.
I think about 50 million people around the world united by the values of the Promise and Law; committed to making the world a better place.
I consider my own part in this international web of leadership; rededicating to my goals as a member of the Girl Scout Movement.
I encourage you to pause today for your own leadership reflection. When you're done, engage in a purposeful conversation that will begin the next century of service to Girl Scouting.
Happy Birthday, my Girl Scout sisters!
Girl Scouts of Minnesota & Wisconsin Lakes & Pines
I imagine a passionate Juliette Low travelling for days to get from England to Georgia; invigorated enough to start Girl Scouting the night she arrives home.
I think about 50 million people around the world united by the values of the Promise and Law; committed to making the world a better place.
I consider my own part in this international web of leadership; rededicating to my goals as a member of the Girl Scout Movement.
I encourage you to pause today for your own leadership reflection. When you're done, engage in a purposeful conversation that will begin the next century of service to Girl Scouting.
Happy Birthday, my Girl Scout sisters!
Girl Scouts of Minnesota & Wisconsin Lakes & Pines
Thursday, March 8, 2012
he said / she said with serge and monica bielanko
Love is hard.
She Said:
I lay awake in bed. Waiting. For the next inevitable snore to rumble through my non-slumber. Again.
There it is.
Now a minute goes by and there is nothing. Just when my body relaxes into the mattress, when lovely gorgeous luxurious sleep is imminent, another fog horn blast rockets through the bedroom. In this moment I hate him, I really hate him, and I can really understand how married couples turn to murder. Because, yes, I could murder him for this. This snoring that is destroying my sleep night after night after night after night.
Do people divorce over one, big, catastrophic event within a marriage? Cheating? Money? Sex, or lack thereof? Or is it all the little things? Do all those annoying quirks and habits that make up someone’s personality add up over time until you just can’t. Take. Another. Second? Say Serge cheated on me with another woman. What would have caused me more pain over the seven years of our marriage? The single incident of cheating or seven long years of not being able to sleep, of tossing and turning, of secretly wishing him dead? If you told me he’d stop snoring forever if he had sex with another woman I would be all for it. Yeah, sure, screw some hussy the one time and I’ll probably get over it. But snore like a chainsaw for another seven years and, buddy, we’re done. So yeah – maybe it is the little things.
Click here to watch Serge and Monica share the little things that drive them nuts about each other.
He Said:
Click here to watch Serge and Monica share the little things that drive them nuts about each other.
He Said:
I have no idea how love grows.
Sometimes I see little boxes in the local newspaper saying some couple has just celebrated 60 years together by gathering their 17 kids and their 623 grand-kids at The Olive Garden and they all had such a wonderful time and love is still alive and blah-blah-blah. It’s great, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t understand it, really.
If it were me and my wife, my Monica, that probably wouldn’t be some fun evening of Spaghetti Carbonara and Riunite and flashbulb pops and whatever. I mean, after all that time so many little things can change us, and do. After all those years of nit-picking and annoying each other with our stupid quirks, quirks that long ago made us chuckle and sigh: it’s easy to imagine how time has sharpened the tips of the thousand sticking points we have with each other.
Truth be told, for me it’s almost easier to imagine the grand-kids shoveling lasagne and meatballs down their hatches as Pop-Pop Serge takes a final bite of the poisoned tiramisu that Grandma Monica has put in front of him, not really to murder him so much as to just get him to stop with his constant throat-clearing once and for all.
In love, it’s the little things that make us or break us.
Always has been/always will be.
More He Said/She Said:
Click here to see Serge and Monica discuss their different parenting styles and how it affects their relationship.
Click here to see Serge and Monica talk about sex after marriage and parenthood.
Click here to see Serge and Monica talk about sex after marriage and parenthood.
You can also find Monica on her personal blog, The Girl Who while Serge can be found onThunder Pie.
Image: TommyMakinen.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
