Welcome to our blog!

We thought it would be a great idea to start a blog with everything going on in our lives right now. This is an easy way for everyone who wants to be updated on in our lives, to make sure you get the correct info! :)

For those of you who don't know, Mike has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He was diagnosed at the end of August. Life has been a whirlwind since then. I don't even know where to begin. It started with days of leg, arm, and abdomen numbness. Then the days turned into weeks. Mike had me schedule a doctor's appointment, which he doesn't go to the doctor ever, so I knew it was really bothering him. The doctor ordered a brain MRI after hearing his symptoms. Two days later we went for the MRI. And the next morning we were called into our doctor's office for the life-changing results. We were then sent to a neurologist, Dr. Landon. He ordered a few more tests, a spinal tap and a MRI of his back/neck, and more blood work. We went Monday for the results. The MRI did confirm he has MS, he has lesions on his brain, and cervical(neck/shoulder are). No lesions were found on the thoracic (mid-back) MRI, so Dr. Landon said that was good. A blood test Dr. Landon ordered confirmed he had no myelin spilling into his spinal cord, which was also VERY good news. (That would have been a bad prognosis). So now we have tons on material to read about regarding medications, which is going to be a shot, either daily, or possibly every other day, we are not sure yet. We have a follow-up appt with Dr. Landon to start meds in about 2 weeks.

So as I type all of this, it still doesn't feel real. We are just taking each day at a time. Our faith is what is getting us through this, and the support of our family and friends has been unbelievable. Everyone who has been praying for us, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. All of the meals, the desserts, the goodies, the cards, the calls, the money, everything has been so overwhelming, it's really what's getting us through. Mike also has 4 days of steroid IV treatments in the hospital. This was done to get rid of this 'flare-up.' Most of his symptoms are gone, he still has fatigue, and hand numbness, but he's feeling much better. The medication he will be started on will reduce the number of flare-ups, and when he does have a flare-up, it will hopefully be milder if he's on medication. So hopefully things are going to be settling down here soon! The main concern now is medication choice, as they all cause side effects.

Please pray for:

Energy for Mike

Numbness to continue to go away

Deciding on the right medication

The Economy (Mike is still laid off!)

Good Insurance Coverage

Hopefully very soon the blog updates will be all about the kids, school/sports activities, holidays, vacations, etc. We will also keep everyone updated on Mike through this blog, it's easier than phone calls to everyone, and facebook updates! :)

Thank you again to everyone, God has blessed us over and over, and has truly blessed us with an awesome family and friends, and co-workers!!!