Sometimes, repetition isn't so bad

     Every six months I have to go through a six hour infusion.

2nd Poem:

(dumb as the first, just a little bit longer and MUCH worse)

Anticipating Rituxan

It is time again for an infusion.

My next appointment approaches in days,

Hoping to slow this diseased intrusion.

Up before the sun, and in seclusion,

In the car by the light of the moon's rays,

It is time again for an infusion.

Avoiding the rush hour confusion,

My trek goes through many familiar ways:

Hoping to slow this diseased intrusion

At Shepherd I am met with inclusion,

Greeted by smiles and friendly displays.

It is time again for an infusion.

Checked in and ready for the perfusion,

The 'pre meds' put me in a slight haze-

Hoping to slow this diseased intrusion.

Six hours later, there's one main conclusion:

Never surrender! For, I am always:

Hoping to slow this diseased intrusion.

It is time again for an infusion.

Just Triceps Something New

Triceps

     The triceps really aren't that exciting. They're often overshadowed other muscles. Think of the stereotypical gym scene from a movie people: running, benching, flexing, and such. But, over the years, this MesS has shown me just how important this group is. From getting into my rollator's seat, to getting off of the commode, or getting out of bed, my arms are seemingly in a constant workout mode, and the group does the most are the triceps. So, here's a brief rundown of what I do on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: 2 sets of 10 reps for each arm using blue (8 lbs.) resistance band. 

     At first I didn't have any resistance bands and just used a simple, three pound hand weight. When my physical therapist showed me how to use resistance bands it went much more fluidly. The bands are what I use now and in addition to being lighter in weight, there are other bonuses as well. It's less stressful when I fall, being easier to pull myself to my feet. Getting from my rollator to the toilet is easier because there is less trembling as my triceps are better at helping me keep still. The best result, however, has to be from being able to cook. As a career fat guy, cooking being curbed due to my inability to use a knife was a real downer. But now I am seeing some ability coming back.

All in all, it's tough, frustrating, but possible!

A basket? No, how about a skillet?

Baked Omelette Pie

     In keeping with my attempted resolution to drop gluten, at which I failed last night by having a piece of pizza, here's a wonderfully complex, but workable, recipe. Here is a link to the original recipe. This recipe calls for a cast iron skillet, but if you don't have one, a regular skillet can work, but be sure that it is able to be used in an oven up to 350° F (175°C). Below is my version of it with accommodations for this MesS.

Ingredients

1 large baking potato

6 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper

1/4 cup chopped fresh mushrooms

1/2 cup chopped ham

1 tomato, sliced

1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

     I know it seems like a lot to do just to make something for breakfast, but I do have a few 'short cuts' that might make it easier to make it. 😏

• Instead of a large baking potato, consider a Yukon golden, or red skinned potato. They're smaller, cook faster, don't need to be peeled, and taste MUCH better.
• Instead of cracking six eggs, which for me is enough work to need a nap on some days, consider "Egg Beaters," or some other alternative. They have an added bonus of being a little healthier too.
• Slicing tomatoes always gives me fits. Trying to hold the tomato, slicing through, and NOT squishing it is never easy. Sometimes I just use canned tomatoes, or even sun dried. But be careful, with sun dried tomatoes a little goes a long way.

Directions

• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add potato and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool, peel and slice.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Beat together eggs, salt, pepper and parsley.
• In a cast iron skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute onion and red pepper until soft, then stir in mushrooms. When mushrooms start to shrink, add the chopped ham, potato and tomato slices. Pour in the egg mixture; gently stir to combine.
• Sprinkle cheese on top of eggs and place skillet in preheated oven. Bake until eggs are firm, about 10 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool briefly before serving.

It tastes wonderful, and leftovers make a good brunch or snack cold right from the fridge. Now, for some cheesy egg puns. 😜

"I went to the store today and bought some really oddly shaped eggs.

Now I can't find them.

I think they've been mislaid."

"What day to eggs hate the most?

Fry-day."

"How many French eggs do you need?

One egg is un oeuf."

"I was walking past the store today when I saw a sign saying, 'All items one-third off.'

So I bought a dozen eggs.

Unfortunately four of them were rotten."

There are a lot more here.

I am such a 'spaz'.

     Spasticity: a spastic state or condition; especially muscular hypertonicity with increased tendon reflexes. (Merriam Webster Online)

     Before this MesS became a part of my life, the word, "Spastic," only made me think of a cartoon character, nerdy gamers, and amped up tweakers. But, that view changed with my diagnosis. Yes, I still get a laugh over spasticity, but it usually comes at my own expense. For example, when my calf muscles and shins get spastic while I am sitting, my legs will 'bounce'. My four year old usually tries to dance along with the bass-like thumping that my heels make as they're slammed against the floor. 

     It can also be annoying. I have had my legs freeze mid step, sending me to the floor. At times my hand will enter, what is commonly called, "The Claw." When the claw hits, it is most often when I am trying to write, type, or even grab a glass or can. The result is usually a writing sample of the proverbial 'chicken scratch', a sentence that needed to be retyped several times, or a dropped drink. But, the most annoying aspect of it comes at night, when I am tired and trying to sleep. My legs will jump from a laying down position almost to a karate-like pose, often kicking my wife or launching me off of the bed. 

     In looking into spasticity, I discovered a wonderful article from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's magazine Momentum. This article is a wonderful source about spasticity. The author covers examples, treatments, medications, therapies that help, and presents it all in clear and easily understood manner. She [Elinor Nauen] took a lot of the fears and worries had about spasticity. Here is a link to the article published in the 2010 issue of Momentum. If you would wish to read more about spasticity, then follow this link.