Say YES to help this Holiday Season

We have officially entered the Holiday Season.

I hope the only thing people are facing is the Tryptophan coma from all of their leftover Turkey.  Thanksgiving is a time to give Thanks for all the blessings in our life - not material things but gratitude's that have blessed our lives. This year has had its highs and lows for many of us.  But one thing stays forever, our SecureACure4MS family.  Family is forever.  Sharon and I are blessed and truly thankful to have you all as part of our family.

Black Friday - for many this is a Tradition.  Retail establishments for one day (it used to be one day) put merchandise at a deep discount.  Many offer great door buster sales to the first  shoppers that come through their doors.  For many stores the offers are sooo great that people camp out in front of the store to ensure they are first in line.  Here in Florida we had some camping out a full week in advance.  Have we gone too far?  I am not going to dis those that choose to shop as I hear from many that with all the discounts they were able to complete most if not all of their holiday shopping.  Prior to my MS diagnosis I could keep up.  But now I have issues starting with the parking lot, and the crowds of people pushing and shoving.  I like to take my time and shop, not have to worry that someone is going to snatch up an item under my nose.  WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? 

BLACK FRIDAY OR NO BLACK FRIDAY?

I spent my Black Friday decorating the house.  I woke up that morning.  Had my coffee and a bagel.  My grandmother was coming over around noon to help me decorate.  I could not wait that long.  By 830 am  I became SUPER WOMAN

Stockings are hung by Fireplace.  I decorated mantles, the ficus tree, coffee tables, dining room.  Hung wreaths, swapped out towels and rugs.  I was like a Mad Woman on Friday.  I was blessed to have my grandmother come over around 1pm and she was like, "you have Most of it up, there isn't much for me to do". She brought her old village set and set it up on one of the cabinets in the dining room and helped me decorated the tree with ornaments.

My parents and brother will be in for Christmas and I want it to look nice.  The whole family is coming to the house on Christmas day for dinner (except my baby brother and his family).  I want the house to look extra special for my mom since she isn't here to decorate it herself.  (she will be in 2 days before Christmas)

I have to say the house looks great.. Between my grandmother and I we accomplished a lot.

BUT,,,,it seems with all good things there comes a BUT

And I knew it but put my "BUT" aside to ensure I created a festive environment for everyone who comes to the house.  I took full advantage of the "energy" burst I was feeling and boy am I paying for it.  I am super tired and my legs are tight and in pain...

 WHY DO WE OVERDO IT WHEN WE FEEL GOOD?

I KNOW the price I will pay for it... so why do I do it?

This is my favorite time of year.  Being a transplant from Ohio its VERY hard to get in the Christmas spirit in Florida. There is no snow and most days we are outside in shorts and t-shirts. We in Florida, well at least me, dream of a White Christmas - I love going up north for Christmas.  I think EVERYONE in the US should have snow on Christmas Day (then it can go away).  I love the music, in fact that is all I listen to until day after Christmas.  I love the Hallmark Christmas movies, old classics like Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph.  And the classic Christmas Vacation.  I just love Aunt Bethany and watched this movie 3 times already this weekend.

I love the lights, the decor.  The change in spirit, during the holidays warms the heart.  People seem to be more giving, more tolerant, more patient (except when trying to find a parking spot at the Mall)

It's amazing what we as MS'ers do and sacrifice for the love of our family and friends.  But we have to take care of ourselves.  If we don't take care of ourselves we won't be able to take care of our loved ones or may have to miss out on opportunities because of increase fatigue, pain, or more severe, a relapse. 

Ask for help - allow for help - conserve your energy - remember what you use EXTRA one day may take away from what you have the next day. 

As much as you may really love decorating.  Let people help you put up a tree, string lights, put out decorations, bake holiday treats.  All of this takes more energy than I realized. 

I really like the Spoon Theory.  Its symbolic of what we deal with.

My Christmas wish to you all  (I know its early) but my wish is for ALL of us to have a Pain free, Symptom Free, Relapse Free Holiday.

 

To Flu Shot or Not to Flu Shot...the MS Question

TASTES GREAT!!!

VS

LESS FILLING!!!!!

COKE 

                                                       VS                                                          

 PEPSI

CHOCOLATE                           VS                                 VANILLA

BACON                                       VS                                        SAUSAGE

 

 

Flu Shot or No Flu Shot...that is the big debate

1 in 5 in the US get the flu every year.  Is there a way to lesson that statistic?




ARE FLU SHOTS SAFE FOR PEOPLE WITH MS?

Many people swear by the shot and many people get "sick" from the shot.  Some believe that they get got sick worse the year they got the shot (even myself).  The flu virus that is used in today's shots are grown in chicken eggs and immediately killed off so that chances of developing the flu from the vaccine is not possible.

Ok but I have MS, can i have the shot or no?  Is it safe?

According the the National MS Society this years Flu Vaccine protects against 3 different strands of the flu.... you get a 3 for 1 deal in this vaccine (we all love a deal don't we? )

It contains the H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus, and this year's H1N1 virus

The strands are inactivated, so its a dead virus.  This means it is safe for MS patients.  here is an excerpt from NMSS website:

 " It has been studied extensively in people with MS and is considered quite safe. The injectable flu vaccine may be taken by people who are taking an interferon medication, glatiramer acetate, mitoxantrone, natalizumab, or fingolimod.

 

However it is not yet known whether the vaccine is as effective for those talking natalizumab or fingolimod." (tysabri and gilenya)

 

 

 



I know we all hate injections....so what about this FluMist® I hear about.  FluMist® is a nasal spray that is used to prevent Flu in people.  However and this is a big one...it contains a live virus strain.  NO NO NO - you should not use it if u have MS.  Our immune systems are already on hyper drive, we don't need a live virus going inside of us and causing our immune systems to work extra for that.  Or - with some medications, our immune system is deficient and the live virus can make us VERY sick.

Although the nasal spray is more appealing - just say NO

Here is what the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Says: (sharecare.com)

"The flu vaccine is safe and effective for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). It is recommended annually for those who are susceptible to flu, likely to be exposed to flu, or who have respiratory problems or certain chronic disorders. Pregnant women who will be in their second or third trimester during flu season should also receive a flu shot. Importantly, FluMist Intranasal, the first flu vaccine in the U.S. that is administered as a nasal mist, is not recommended for people with MS. FluMist is a live-virus vaccine that may cause an increase in disease activity in those with MS"

I visited the CDC website to find out who should and shouldn't be vaccinated and here is what they say:

Who Should Get Vaccinated This Season?

Everyone who is at least 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine this season. It’s especially important for some people to get vaccinated. Those people include the following:

• People who are at high risk of developing serious complications like pneumonia if they get sick with the flu. This includes:
  • People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
  • Pregnant women.
  • People 65 years and older
• People who live with or care for others who are high risk of developing serious complications. This includes:
  • household contacts and caregivers of people with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated?

There are some people who should not get a flu vaccine without first consulting a physician. These include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
• Children younger than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group), and
• People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)
• People with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS) that occurred after receiving influenza vaccine and who are not at risk for severe illness from influenza should generally not receive vaccine. Tell your doctor if you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Your doctor will help you decide whether the vaccine is recommended for you.

When Should I Get Vaccinated?

CDC recommends that people get vaccinated against influenza as soon as flu season vaccine becomes available in their community. Influenza seasons are unpredictable, and can begin as early as October.
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu.

Please visit these sites i have mentioned to read more about the Flu Shot (there are hyperlinks in the blog to where i got the info)



According to all the research I have found, the Injectable Flu Vaccine is safe.  If you still have questions on if its right for you, speak to your Neuro/MS Specialist. 

I was one of those sceptics who felt they were sick more each year when they got the shot so i did without. I did decide this year to have it done as i want do do everything i can to stay flu free.

Here's to a Happy and Healthy winter season

Frakenstorm Assistance Needed

The East Coast will never be the same..



The famous Seaside Heights - Coney Island have all been destroyed

Coney Island

Seaside Heights

Looting is in full force- PLEASE STOP!!!!!

In our last post we were helping people prepare for Hurricane Sandy... Being from Florida and seeing the devastation and living through the devastation caused from Hurricanes that were Category 2-3-4 over the past 13 years... Sandy was only a Category 1.  Yes it would bring problems but I never fathomed the mass destruction it would cause.  And if the Hurricane wasn't enough it collided with a jet stream that caused a LOT of snow for some of the Midwest.  This has been named the Super Storm of the Century. Frankenstorm

This storm affected everyone north of Myrtle Beach, SC.  MASS destruction at the Jersey Shore, Staten Island, Long Island, LongBeach, Tottenville Beach, Howard Beach and sooo many other places (comment on other areas i did not list so everyone is aware).

I sit here in Florida, feeling guilty.  Bad Hurricanes are supposed to be a southern thing.  I was HAPPY to hear we would only get the 45mph wind gusts and that our temps would be cooler.  I can handle that.  But in that moment of self relief, I never imagined the destruction it would cause to the rest of the east coast.  WHY didn't it just go out to sea and fizzle out? 

When i heard the news of the path this storm was taking and the fact that there was another storm it was going to collide with I got scared.  My best friend and sister as well as many friends live in Sandy's path.  The Northeast isn't prepared for Hurricanes.  Yes they were hit by Irene, but to happen twice in the same area?  I don't think anyone considered that a near possibility.

Low lying areas were asked to evacuate due to flooding/winds.  But NO ONE imagined this would effect sooo many more. Lists came out of what supplies to have on hand, what to do to prepare if you were going to wait it out "just in case you lost electric".

estimated 7.5-8.5  million lost power

The death toll from Sandy at least 149

The tallest wave was measured at 39.67 feet (examiner)

$50 billion in damage(estimate)

Some statistics from Examiner.com

The top five states which received the highest rainfall were:

1. Andrews AFB, Md.: 15.3" (unconfirmed)
2. Easton, Md.: 12.55"
3. Wildwood Crest, N.J.: 11.67"
4. Virginia Beach, Va.: 9.57"
5. Milford, Del.: 9.55"

The top five states buffeted by the highest wind gusts were:

1. Eatons Neck, N.Y.: 94 mph
2. Montclair, N.J.: 88 mph
3. Westerly, R.I.: 86 mph
4. Madison, Conn.: 85 mph
5. Cuttyhunk, Mass.: 83 mph

The top five states recording the lowest barometric pressures on land were:

1. Atlantic City, N.J.: 948.3 mb (28.00" Hg)
2. Philadelphia, Pa.: 953mb (28.23" Hg)
3. Harrisburg, Pa.: 963mb (28.46" Hg)
4. Scranton, Pa.: 971mb (28.69" Hg)
5. Trenton, N.J.: 958mb (28.31" Hg)

The top five states receiving the most snowfall were:

1. Redhouse, Md.: 26"
2. Bowden, W.Va.: 24"
3. Champion, Pa.: 13"
4. Newfound Gap, N.C.: 22"
5. Wise, Va.: 24"

Many people in Sandy's path have lost EVERYTHING.  Their homes were swept away or severely damaged.  Their vehicles are gone.  All of their possessions are gone or ruined.

  THEY NEED OUR HELP

They have no food, water, clothes, medications, money, gas, phone, electricity.  They are living with friends, family or in shelters.

 THEY NEED OUR HELP

What can you do?

If you have a friend of family member in that area, or live close by you can send basic necessities to them to deliver to the shelters (food, water, clothing, winter clothes, boots,shoes, jackets, toiletries).  If you are distanced, you can donate money (any amount you like) to the Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/donate/index.jsp.  You can text a $10 donation on your cell to 90999 and message REDCROSS.  This will be applied to your cell phone bill or lastly call 1-800-RED-CROSS

WE NEED TO GIVE HOPE TO EVERYONE AFFECTED BY THE STORM.

 

Will there ever be a calm after the storm?  I have to believe YES - I believe if we as a Nation come together we can help our brothers and sisters gain back some normalcy. 

UNITED we must stand - stand with us.

A Special THANKYOU to all our 1st Responders, our Police, Fire Department, Coast Guard, National Guard, Electric Companies, Red Cross, Shelters, Donaters, volunteers, pet relief, and everyone who has helped our storm victims.