City of Sisterly Love

We arrived back from our trip to San Francisco on Wednesday evening. Here is a recap of our experience:
It was a slow start as we were delayed trying to go through Seattle. Snow? Seattle? March? It was a bumpy flight too (those of you who know how much my stomach enjoys flying know how fun that was) but we finally arrived in a sunny and beautiful San Francisco. As our plane touched down Lucas said to me:
"Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love."
"Huh? You mean City by the Bay?"
Oops. Philly or San Fran, whatever. I couldn't stop laughing.
After an expensive cab/limo ride (Lucas is banned from getting our rides from airports after this and New York) we arrived at our fantastic Bed and Breakfast, the Inn 1890. It was a block away from the historic Haight Street which always provides for interesting people watching. I about fell over in my chair at the Thai restaurant later that night when Lucas told me he had never heard of the Haight/Ashbury district. I guess this is coming from me who went to Boise High and had tests on Woodstock.


The next morning I was more anxious than I thought about my appointment. Thank goodness my dear friends (Claire, Ashley, Melissa, Jami and Kelly) prepared two goody bags to help calm me down. The first bag was to only be opened on the plane and was full of yummy snacks that came in especially handy when our flight was delayed. The second bag to be opened at our hotel had bath salts and relaxing tea to enjoy. The third gift was to be given later that night by our friend Stacie. I was more excited about the gifts than my appointment for most of the trip!
Lucas and I finally set out to walk to the UCSF campus. Just as Lucas shouldn't get us cabs from the airport, I shouldn't be the guide in a strange city. I took us 15 minutes in the wrong direction before we had to get a cab.
UCSF is a busy place. On the neurology floor there were many people with walkers, canes or wheelchairs, young and old. You didn't know why exactly they were there but it was hard for me to see what my life could be like.
We met with Dr. Goodin for over an hour. He reviewed my records, did the routine neurological exams and went through the disc with the multiple MRI images with us. Here is what we learned from him:

• He does believe I have MS based on the MRI, spinal and my symptoms
• He is not concerned about the abnormal vessel. I have probably had it my entire life.
• The symptoms I have experienced (spasms in my left arm and leg) are categorized as tonic seizures or more specificially paroxysmal symptoms and only occur in about 5% of people with MS. I have also experienced something called Lhermitte's sign. Dr. Goodin's guess is that I was experiencing an attack for the last 3 months and that I may not experience anything for awhile. However, just being on medication won't completely eliminate my attacks.
• I expressed my frustration at being narrowed down to one medication for financial reasons and he reassured us that Betaseron is a very good medication to be on and since I am not having any reactions I won't worry about my limited options.
• Vitamin D. I will be doing a blood test to rule out a few other diseases but a big factor is learning where my Vitamin D level is. Dr. Goodin really stressed how they have learned what a big deal it plays in our health, "It is more than just a vitamin", especially with MS. I will start supplementing when we get the results in a few weeks and I encourage everyone to talk to their doctors and pediatricians about it too.
• I should anticipate having MRI's every 1-2 years from now on.
• Pregnancy is fine...getting back on my meds after having a baby is important, especially in the following 3-6 months because of increased attacks.
• There have been phase 3 trials (not FDA approved yet) for oral drugs instead of these nasty shots that are giving me bruises and red marks but the safety has yet to be tested and that takes years. Looks like the shots are still with me for awhile.
• I am doing really well right now.

That was our visit with Dr. Goodin. I felt we got our second opinion, learned a few things and confirmed several other. Of course there will always be more questions and things to learn.
The grand finale of our trip was meeting up with my friend Stacie and her husband Eduardo. They treated us to yummy drinks at their beautiful new apartment and then I received my third and final gift from all the girls back home...more thoughtful cards and money for dinner that night! Stacie and Eduardo took us to a fun and unique Japanese restaurant called Shabu Sen where you cook your delicious meal in bowls of flavored water. Thank you so much ladies for the gifts (hence the title of this post)!!!


The next morning Lucas and I took a walk in the Golden Gate park and began our preparations for home.


We missed our sweet Eliza and were so glad to be home. After going through our mail I received a package and note from the local chapter of the National MS society:
"Congratulations on your team recruitment and fundraising efforts. Your team is currently our top fundraising team in the entire state! Keep up the excellent work!"
Wow, it is all because of the amazing friends and family in my life. Thank you!!!