What we've been up to....

Sorry for not posting lately. I have been so busy at work. We had a crazy schedule on a project recently.....that was for the Toledo Zoo. Next week I start a new project at the BP Refinery.
Bob has been busy too (as usual). His office is moving temporarily due to a building addition.
Brandon has been busy working at ODOT. This has been really good work for him and a great paycheck for going away to college this fall. Last Thursday and Friday Brandon and Bob went to OSU for Freshman Orientation. We are overwhelmed!!! Brandon is all signed up for classes and got his football tickets (probably the most important thing to him!). School starts for him end of September.
Luc has been busy working too. He works at Delta Truck Sales and Service, and he loves his job! He works most weekdays during the summer. When school is in session, he usually works on Saturday....sometimes on Sunday if they are busy. In his spare time, he loves to fish and his favorite thing this summer is getting to go to his Aunt Lori's cottage. He was up there this weekend with his friend, Connor. He really enjoys being there and has a great time. He's had a bit more freedom this summer since he can now drive. School starts for him in basically in two short weeks!!
Tomorrow the drug company nurse comes to visit me and teach me how to self-inject for my new MS treatments. I don't expect it to be a big deal...it'll just be something else to do everyday..like brushing my teeth.
....Hard to believe that it is August already!

What a day!

...Had a bad day today. ....drove just under 2 hrs to the closest Cleveland Clinic remote office with an MRI machine. ....only to find out the appointment time was a bit mixed up. Then waited almost another 2 hrs before getting the MRI. This is my fourth MRI in 7 months. And for some reason, I had, not one, but three panic attacks while in this machine. This was not an "open MRI", though I have been in this exact same machine before and didn't have a problem. Apparently, I was having a bad day. It doesn't help that I haven't been feeling well. Besides the Optic Neuritis, am now experiencing trigeminal neuralgia, which is another neurological problem related to MS. I am going to try a different pain med (I didn't like the first two they tried).
Also, within a week, I will be starting MS treatment. It will be a daily injection of Copaxone.
Its been 6+ months of this crap, and I am really hoping to feel better soon on the new pain med and the Copaxone should help prevent future MS attacks.
In case you are wondering...Yes, I am having a margarita right now!!!

The Mellen Center at the Cleveland Clinic

Friday I will be heading over to the Cleveland Clinic again. This time I will be potentially getting my first treatment for MS and ...maybe...hopefully...something to help me feel better. The Cleveland Clinic has a center just for MS, called the Mellen Center, and the doctors there all specialize in MS in some way. My doctor is Dr. Devon Conway. He seems really good and really caring. I think he is very nice and I like him a lot. Bob usually goes with me, but this time Luc is going with me. We'll try to make a good day of it in Cleveland and have a little bit of fun while we are there.

See how big the chickens are getting!!

3 Lucky Chihuahuas!

These three chihuahuas have to be some of the luckiest chihuahuas! Trixie, Francine and Scrappy are so loved and spoiled!!! Here you can see Andie hand feeding them yummy people food. The big dog in the background is Sinatra. He was having fun swimming and playing fetch.

Time to Relax!!

Captain Chad with Luc, Connor and Brandon

Scott and Andie

Brandon

After Brandon's graduation party, it was time to relax!!!! We went up to my sisters cottage, hung out, cooked out, went for a couple of boat rides and watched fireworks. It was nice and relaxing....especially having the party off my shoulders! Thanks Lori and Zach!

Brandon's Graduation Party

Finally had Brandon's graduation party!!! It was a lot of work, but I think it turned out pretty good. We have so many wonderful family and friends! Thank you so much!