Copaxone, Brain Fog, and Christmas!

Helping Mommy Decorate?
Or helping herself to "Undecorate"

Ok, so it's time for my update since I've started my Copaxone injections a little over a week ago.  They really aren't bad. I mean, it's tough when I think about the fact that most likely I will have to go through the process of giving myself a shot EVERY day for the rest of my life...but as long as that ends up being a VERY long life, I'm ok with it. The auto injector that the company sends you is great. It makes it really very easy to do and I don't have to see the needle when doing it. It doesn't hurt to use and the needle is so small that most of the time I do not even feel it going in. One little click and it's over. The worst part is afterwards. After the injection it usually feels like a bee sting. Sometimes like I've been punched (so a bruise like feeling). Sometimes it swells up, once about as big as a large tangerine. Sometimes it's just red...and once it bruised. I cannot use the same spot twice in a row, and there are 7 spots to use, so each day represents a new spot. R Arm, L Arm, R Hip, L Hip, R thigh, L thigh, and stomach. Very exciting.  They seem to be going good...although it's really hard to know what exactly they are doing. Since I really only had one noted exacerbation (flair up), I have nothing to compare it to to know if my flair ups are fewer/farther between and less severe...and I am not anxious for another flair up any time soon [ever].  I go 3 days after Christmas for a follow up with the neurologist so we shall see what he says then.
   I've noticed one of the most nerve wracking symptom now that I haven't had to focus on the fact that I cannot walk or use my hands..BRAIN FOG. I guess that's the best way to describe it. As well as like brain disconnects--when my brain and my mouth aren't in sync and things I am trying to say come out jumbled or stuttered. I had an appointment for Abigail the other morning and I know I always get lost when going there. I always miss the turn I need or drive too far down the street or something...So I always leave early. I thought my appt was at 9:00 so we left at 8:25 and we ended up driving around for 45 minutes because I couldn't remember the name of the street we needed to be on...I just couldnt remember. I knew what was not the right streets, but but I could not remember if I needed to take a left or a right off the main road...and when I stopped for directions, I realized I didn't know the street name so how could anyone tell me where to go! I tried to use my phone to ask Kel to give me directions, but of course my phone decided that was the moment that something was going to go wrong and tell me I was out of service range...even though I certainly wasn't.  So after 45 minutes (it was now after 9) I drove home in tears to get directions...I decided after all that I was just going to go to the appointment even if I was late. I go to the office at 9:25....and when I rushed in apologizing for being so late, it turns out my appointment was at 9:30. So after all that, I was actually right on time. haha. That was probably one of the most upsetting times for me. Maybe even more so than the diagnosis itself. My mind is more important to me than being able to walk or whatever (although I'm sure I'd be less likely to say that if I couldn't walk again)...but the idea of growing old and getting Alzheimer's or Dementia has always scared the heck out of me, so even just these little episodes of brain fog are really frightening. I may look into some memory vitamins to add to my regimen.
 Other than that, things are going ok I guess. Still no feeling in my fingers, but the MS Hug seems to have officially disappeared. Hallelujah! I have to keep remembering...baby steps! I just hope eventually I get the feeling back.  
 Abigail is doing really great and I can't wait for Christmas so she can open her presents. She crawls over to the tree and pulls presents out and looks at them with a huge smile, so I am sure she will have tons of fun opening them! Usually around this time of year I cannot wait for Christmas and New Years to be over. The holiday season usually (ok always) means empty wallets! But this year, empty wallets aside, I'm excited to celebrate Christmas with my husband and my amazing NINE month old little girl. (Oh, and our giant slobbery dog)...It's bittersweet though because it's only another 3 months before Abigail will be celebrating her 1st Birthday...and I cannot believe how fast it has gone by!
 I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday!