Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The G Word

Today was a big day for me. After 8 years of being off medication for my MS, it as time to get back on some medication.  I started Gilenya today which is the first oral medication for RRMS patients.  Due to a drop in blood pressure you have to be monitored on your first dose of this medication.  So this morning I headed off to the hospital to take my first dose.  It was a long boring day just sitting around being monitored but I am happy to announce that there were no side effects and I feel pretty good tonight.  Just a little tired. 
As I sat there today in the infusion center I could not help but see so many Chemo patients pass my room.  As much as I wanted to feel sorry for myself, I could not.  I know that in my life I could be battling such bigger battles that what I do. 
So tonight I am grateful for a terrific nursing staff, a uneventful day, and big hugs and smooches from my kiddos when I got home. 

Sunday, June 05, 2011

A Party Weekend

Tonight as I write this blog post, I am going to keep it short and sweet.  This has been one busy but totally awesome weekend for the Erickson Five.
Friday the big "Mystery Bus" Moonwalk/slide combo arrived.  This is arrived while Jon and I were at the kids school volunteering for Spring Fun Day.  At school that day they had a carnival, moonwalks, crafts, crazy hair, face painting, dance parties, a picnic lunch, and it all ended with a talent show.  You can imagine how tired they were when they got home....until they saw the bouncy house in our yard and then they were...well bouncing off the walls...literally.  We had some neighborhood friends over on Friday night and all the kids had a blast while the adults had fun catching up.

Saturday started out with two soccer games and then we headed home to get ready for the big party.  I have to admit the party was causing me some stress due to the fact that we had 35 children there to celebrate. 

I am happy to report that the day was a success, there were no injuries, everyone had a great time, and most of all, it was very memorable.  We were lucky enough to have both Grandma's at the party, Grandpa Ronnie, Uncle Tony, Janie, some of my bestest friends and of course some of the parents of the kids stayed to help out.  It truly was a perfect day with the sun shining, a cool breeze, and most of all great kids.  This party will be one to go down in the record books as a success! 
After we got done celebrating the kids party, we switched gears and celebrated Jon's birthday.  We had an awesome steak dinner thanks to grandma Mary and we helped Jon to celebrate his 39th year!  It was truly a magical day. 


Tonight as I was tucking the kids into bed, K told me he was sad that the bouncy house had to go away tomorrow.  I told him that we were all sad that it had to go but that we had great memories of such an awesome weekend.  He agreed and then asked about what we were going to do for the Birthday party next year!  For now, I just need to catch my breath and enjoy all the memories from this weekend.  It does not seem possible that my "babies" are 7 but I know that their 8th birthday will be here before we know it and we will be saying the same thing. 
Thank you God for such an awesome weekend, Great family, Great Friends, and great memories.  Amen!