So my first choice is one that I made a few years ago… after lots and lots of research with my previous super fantastic neuro doc in Austin, and after watching every detail of clinical trials, I am finally enrolled in the BG-12 program. Tecfidera. I can’t tell you how much I’ve been waiting for this. I know there’s been some news floating around about PML but it’s in relation to Fumaderm, not Tecfidera. While the two have the same base drug in common, there are big differences in the other components of the compound drugs. And it’s those other differences that create the PML relationship.

The most important thing to watch for when taking Tecfidera is lymphopenia:

TECFIDERA may decrease lymphocyte counts[see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. In the MS placebo controlled trials, mean lymphocyte counts decreased by approximately 30% during the first year of treatment with TECFIDERA and then remained stable. Four weeks after stopping TECFIDERA, mean lymphocyte counts increased but did not return to baseline. Six percent (6%) of TECFIDERA patients and <1% of placebo patients experienced lymphocyte counts <0.5×109/L (lower limit of normal 0.91×109/L). The incidence of infections (60% vs 58%) and serious infections (2% vs 2%) was similar in patients treated with TECFIDERA or placebo, respectively. There was no increased incidence of serious infections observed in patients with lymphocyte counts <0.8×109/L or 0.5×109/L. Before initiating treatment with TECFIDERA, a recent CBC (i.e.,within 6 months) should be available. A CBC is recommended annually, and as clinically indicated. Withholding treatment should be considered in patients with serious infections until the infection(s) is resolved. TECFIDERA has not been studied in patients with pre-existing low lymphocyte counts. 

So my course of action will be CBC’s every 6 months while taking this medication monitor my white blood cells. Before starting the therapy, I will have an MRI and CBC, both next week.

I haven’t had an MRI in about 18 months. I guess it’s time.

In other news, well, I’m really not able to write about it yet. I will soon. Something very big  and life-changing is impacting my family right now. I will write about it as soon as I’m told I can.

It’s hospital week. Today at work is going to be a kick. There is a BBQ cook off, a live band, a talent show, and other fun stuff going on all day long. My department will be hanging out all day in the fun zone… the guys enter the cook-off each year. They set up a gazebo thing, cook, and have a good time all day long. I get to join them for the afternoon. I have meetings this morning. Another part of hospital week is the daily drawings…. raffle type drawings. Every employee is automatically entered… not tickets. And every day, the powers that be draw a name from the big hat… actually, about 10 names… and if you’re name is drawn, you win a prize…. BIG PRIZE! I couldn’t believe the prizes when I saw the list: xbox, 32” TV’s, Google Nexus tablets, Bose speaker systems, 10 pack movie passes, high dollor AMEX gift cards… that’s just some of the prizes.

I haven’t won anything. I have one more chance today.

The band… a group of doctors from the hospital:

I am one lucky girl. My father is one of the most compassionate men I’ve ever known. He loves unconditionally. He not only speaks words of love but he also shows it with embraces, gestures, and other kind actions.

Throughout my life I was unfortunate enough (or to be more correct, just made some really dumb choices) to have been a part of some pretty bad relationships. I didn’t take the time to think through the decisions which established each of those relationships… I didn’t take the time to look for the warnings and back away. But that’s okay. My father also taught me that I’m strong enough to get out of any bad situation and survive it. He taught me that no matter what mess I manage to get myself in to, he’ll be there waiting for me to come out on the other side… he might even help me wipe the muck off and give me a spring board to start over from.

He’s pretty cool like that.

So, next in most every girl’s life comes the time when she realizes that her father won’t always be here. That’s a shitty sort of realization.

In the end, I guess what I want to say is that it would be nice if, from the moment we take our first breath, we all knew how incredibly important it is to honor our fathers (and our mothers too) in everything we do, say, and become. I think it’s a shame that some of the more profound lessons in life aren’t realized until it’s too late.

What’s that old saying? If only I knew then what I know now….

Shouldn’t mothers be celebrated every day?

I mean, really…. without mothers, no one would even be here to post 1,000 messages of well wishes to mother’s on this day.

The consumerism surrounding these types of days is too much. It has desensitized the masses to the importance of mothers. It’s as if on one day a year we all rush out and buy pink & red things that say “Love you Mom” on them will satisfy the need to let mothers know how special they are for the rest of said year.

In my mind, there should be a little something done to recognize mothers every day. Nothing big… but washing the dishes, taking out the trash, sweeping, folding the clothes… without being asked. Or just a simple hug for no reason. I don’t know…. I just think it’s how things should be. Same goes for fathers.

Shouldn’t we be honoring our mothers and fathers every day?

Shouldn’t we be honoring each other every single day?

Shouldn’t we be honoring each and every life every single day?

I think so…

But in the spirit of the day….

Happy Mother’s Day!