It's A Wonderful Life

What a month I have had.  I'll start with a health update.  I stopped the Ampyra on December 13.  Unfortunately, I did not have the results I had hoped for.  Not only has my walking NOT returned to how it was before I started taking the pill, it immediately worsened.  I've had to use my cane daily ever since and there were some days when I could barely move.  I even slept on the couch a few nights so I could be closer to the bathroom.  However, lately I have had some good days, and that encourages me.  I'm doing a three pronged attack on this disease: 1) rest - I'm trying very hard to get to bed by 10:30 PM (failing miserably tonight however) 2) nutrition - I'm religiously sticking to the Isagenix regime of one shake a day plus 1 oz of minerals in the morning - I can feel the difference in my energy level plus my body is feeling more toned and in balance and 3) exercise, which I will get to below.  I have an appointment with the MS doctor on Wednesday, but I am feeling very optimistic that I will once again be able to put the cane away.

As I've written before, I joined the local YMCA 3 years ago and had been using their weight machines.  Well, I've barely been there because of the above reasons.  Then in December a friend who also has MS told me about an adaptive physical education at the local Senior Center starting on January 3rd.  I went and immediately signed up and have put my membership at the Y on hold for 5 months.  The class takes place twice a week and consists of an hour of stretching, weights, using the band, isometrics, leg exercises, lunges, sitting and standing with weights etc.  It is very similar to the class I used to take at the local college, except without the ball.  There are about 10 of us in this particular class (some in wheelchairs) and 4 instructors, so there is a lot of individual attention.  I like having the discipline of a class.  The pace is perfect for me - some of the exercises are particularly difficult because I can't move my right leg or lift that foot, but I try and it's getting easier.  The best part however is that after the hour, one of the instructors then spends 15 minutes with me doing exercises and using machines specifically for MS and that pesky right leg.

Now on to my two new businesses.  The professional bookkeeper I used to work with at my job at the nonprofit in Milpitas has hired me to help her through the tax season, at 20-25 hours a week.  I can do it mostly from home remotely.  I'll mainly be doing data entry so they can concentrate on getting their clients ready for filing their tax returns.  This is again, like the adaptive exercise class, perfect for me, because it means I'll be earning enough to cover my monthly expenses while I build up the techno tutoring business.

Which brings me to that, which I consider to be my main business.  When I first arrived at the Senior Center for the first class, I started explaining to them that I was starting this computer consulting business and so might have to miss some classes if I have a client.  One of the instructors overheard what I was saying and excitedly exclaimed that she had just received an email from a local assisted living residence that was looking for just that.  I had my interview on Monday and have been hired to come twice a month, starting January 23, to answer residents' questions which they will have prepared ahead of time.  Of course, the goal is to have some of the residents hire me personally.  I've given the activities director some of my flyers to post by each of the elevators to promote it.  She and I clicked right away.  It turns out one of her best friends is my next door neighbor - I was just there for a holiday party.

I've also received lots of leads of other assisted living and retirement communities for me to contact from all of you, my wonderful friends, to whom I had emailed my most recent promotional flyer.  I've enclosed the two flyers here on the side.  You have also emailed my flyers to your friends, as I requested, and I have heard from some of them.  My favorite was a referral from Evelyn Perl. When I had my first appointment with her, I noticed that there were lots of business files around her desk and asked her what she did.  She looked me straight in the eyes and answered "I kill people."  It turns out she writes, directs and produces murder mystery plays!  She also had spent many years on the stage in various musicals and has several walls lined with photos from the various productions.  This is one of the aspects of this business that I love - meeting all these new and interesting people.

However, unfortunately I've had to cancel my planned trip to my friend Marvin's 90th birthday party in Puerto Vallarta.  It's in March and I am going to be super busy through tax day, April 15th.  I hated having to cancel, but I had no choice.  Hopefully I will make it to his 95th!

So this year is turning out to be pretty good.  For the next 3 months my life will pretty much consist of techno tutoring, bookkeeping, exercise and getting my legs back.  It's amazing how much has happened since that fateful time in 2008.  That seems so long ago.  My future seemed so uncertain, I was filled with so many fears.  Now I don't even worry about the future.  I know it will work out - it always has.