I'm back from Dayton! :o) ~ power chair, great-grands, reception, MG

Hello everyone! I am back from a FABULOUS trip to see the great-grandchildren, and to attend
the wedding reception - WITH my new power chair which enabled me to feel like I had been
returned to the human race, and felt so *normal*!! From the moment we drove off, until turning
back in last night, absolutely **nothing** went wrong! We *did* miss packing a couple of things
(a new box of strips for one :), but it was nothing unmanageable (I took three meters with
strips along in addition to my pump meter :).

My bg did *much* better this trip than in March; the Symlin really makes a *big* difference in
my pp, especially with the increase in prednisone I had to take while traveling. Only sailed
up/down a few times, and each time was accountable to *user error* :-). Being able to be more
active due to the chair (sitting vs. lying down) probably played a big role. I was also more
acclimated to my pump this trip, and did not experience the highs I did in March; had a few
nighttime lows which is more common with me. I do not experience Dawn Phenomenon, actually
having more fbg below 100 than above as long as I am being diligent with my eating and pumping.
It was great to be able to eat wedding cake along with everyone else. :-) Since Jim cooks/eats
along my needs, his *taste* for meals is similar, so that, too, made for better bg control.
Funny. Food seems to have taken a back-row seat as to importance nowadays. It seems that
eating is primarily for survival now rather than filling some quirky need(s) we might have.
When he weighed this morning, the first time since the day we left last week, he weighed a full
pound lighter. I had told him he was getting better exercise getting the chair in and out of
the car than he does with his walking. hehe

Okay. ;o) Because of the chair, I was able to unpack my own suitcases, and get *my* things in
order in the room. Unless you have had to be totally dependent on someone else for absolutely
everything, you just cannot imagine the prison that puts one into, and being able to fly from
that enclosure with such ease is indescribable! In my case, approving this chair is one of the
best decisions my insurance provider has ever made (combo Medicare/Tricare for Life). I found
out that Jen had told the other side of her family that this was the best thing that could
happened to/for me. hehe It made our shopping expedition at the mall *much* easier, and more
fun. More like old times when she was younger, and we were furnishing all of her clothes, and
necessities.

I understand now why Dr. Endo agreed to be my supporting doctor for my chair, and what he meant
when he said, "If anyone ever needed one, it is you." (and I did not even have the myasthenia
gravis dx at that time, but did have the nerve conduction and emg tests done by the neurologist
who has an office in Dr. Endo's clinic) It is not only the *leg-work* that is compromised; I
never fully knew how much strength and stamina it was requiring of me to walk even short
distances such as to the bathroom and back, resulting in much weakness, pain, shortness of
breath. Once, in the room, I thought how silly to use the chair just to walk those relatively
few steps to the bathroom, and used my leg-power instead. BIG mistake, and I used the chair for
ALL *walking* in the room from then on.

I got elated every time I engaged that joystick, and just *walked* anywhere I wanted to (got to
go to the restaurant for meals!), spending some unwinding time each evening in it, sitting over
by the lamp, working crosswords and Sudoku. Came very close to using the bed solely for rest
and sleep - what a change!! My back muscles are not up to par for extended sitting, and
hopefully I can strengthen them, but not sure with the myasthenia gravis, though, as it is
repeated muscle use that causes the *grave* weakness. Will have to wait and see how it will be
treated, and the extent of the medication, or whatever is done. Removal of the thymus is one
treatment, but not usually recommended for patients over 60. Guess feeling *younger than 60*
does not count. LOL

Oh, Cheri and Chuck, that baby Kaitlyn was it - a real show-stopper! Chuck do all you can do to
get to see that great-grand of yours. What a blessing! At three months, she is at the stage of
loving to be talked to, and trying to talk back with lots of cooing and facial expressions. She
and I told each other many stories, and sang plenty of songs. *s* I helped raise Jen, and
Thursday we had some really special time together doing the *girl stuff*. She, Kaitlyn, Jim,
and I went to the mall, had lunch at Ruby Tuesday. After getting us situated, Jim went his way
while Jen went to get her nails done. *I* got to feed Kaitlyn while she was doing that, and
when K got fussy, I just turned the chair on, and we rode around until Jen was done. Thanks to
the chair arm, I managed holding her without too much problem to the holding arm (thank goodness
:), being able to support my arm on the chair arm. I had several more opportunities of
holding/feeding her, and relished every moment! Matthew wore a tux Saturday night, but I took
dresses, shoes, ruffled socks for Kaitlyn (for those who know baby clothing, it was a Feltman
Bros, looking like a short christening gown, plus two smoked dresses for back-up).

'Nough of bending your ears. There was SO much that happened that swelled this old woman's
heart to near bursting, and I hope to get to tell you all about it!! Thanks to my pump
(2/27/06) and chair (4/27/06) ........... LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!! My dil laughed at me after I told
her about the myasthenia gravis, and said, "Life is wonderful!!" though I had just had another
autoimmune dx (Michelle, it was as you said, the finally *knowing* what was wrong, and now
something could be done), and this one with definite life-threatening possibilities of which I
will have to be aware of, and be careful, especially since I've already had several mild
episodes (the breathing and choking types).

I wish for each of you, the most wonderful day, and may you each find that inner peace and joy!

Billie

A Happy Pumper and new Power Chair user in Arkansas!
bh-wages @ swbell.net
Pumping with MiniMed Paradigm 715, 2/27/06 Humalog. Symlin

"Home is where my kitties are, and right now they are curled up asleep next to me!"


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