Park

This morning we went to the park and it was like some cruel joke.

Lots of new equipment, but also lots of bars and construction tapey-stuff keeping us from playing on the new equipment. 

Instead of breaking into the park, we went to the basketball courts, which is one of my favorite places to let Cub burn off some energy.  He closes the gate and then runs around like a crazy toddler, kicking the the ball.  He just sprints from end to end of the court - running is so much fun when you're a toddler. 

He enjoys trying to make a basket.

And I enjoy chasing him (after an hour, we're both pretty tired). 

Filanthropy Friday

I was listening to the news this morning and there was a story about the huge growth in population of seniors and pre-seniors in Central Texas.

The population is growing substantially, but the services are not keeping pace.  As a result, more cases of neglect are being reported and most of the neglect cases are "self-neglect".   Sadly, many elderly do not want to ask for help or don't know how to get help.

This week I donated $25 to Meals On Wheels and More in Austin, Texas.  Not only do they provide meal services to the homebound, but they also help with home repairs, make friendly phone calls to check in on their clients and provide vet transportation for clients' pets (I love that one).

My $25 donation will provide 10 meals and other services to the beneficiaries of Meals On Wheels and More. 

The Diagnosis (Sorta)

Yesterday, I went for my weird leg tests.

I described my symptoms to (what feels like) the fifteenth doctor (I'll call her Dr. Brain) I've seen since my feet started tingling about eight weeks ago.

She made me jump rope.

She made me hop on one foot (and then, the other).

She made me do squats.

She made me walk on my heels.

She made me walk on my toes.

She made me eat cookie dough. (I wish).

She electrocuted me.  (It wasn't bad).

She poked me with needles. (It wasn't fun).

I know she doesn't sound very nice, but she was very nice and the entire interview and testing process took about 1.5 hours.  I think it was longer than usual because she had to do the electrocuting test twice because her computer wasn't working properly the first time (yeah me - actually, I'm just thankful it wasn't the needle test).  

THE DIAGNOSIS:  A mild form of a rare autoimmune disease called Guillian-Barre.  

Apparently, my immune system is attacking the myelin sheath of some of my nerves causing some muscle weakness in my toes and tingling in my feet.  We don't know what causes GBS, but for most people it occurs after an infection (respiratory or stomach) and usually symptoms go away in three months to a year (please, please let me be the three month version).

The strange thing is that I was NEGATIVE on every test she gave me, including the one for GBS, so it doesn't feel like a really definitive diagnosis.  She just thinks I have a very mild (albeit annoying) case of GBS.   I'm thankful all of the really, really bad stuff (that I read about on the horrible, horrible interweb) was ruled out.

Here is a somewhat paraphrased version of my conversation with Dr. Brain after she gave me the diagnosis.

Me:  So, is it all in my head?

Dr. Brain:  No

Me:  Why, because you see something on the test?

Dr. Brain: No

Me:  Then how do you know it's not all in my head?

Dr. Brain said that the symptoms I have were very classic for Guillian-Barre and that I lost my reflexes, which is also indicative of GBS (alternatively, she said people with MS have super-active reflexes) and also kind of weird.

So, bottom line -  I just wait and hopefully in a year or less (please less), I'm back to normal.  Dr. Brain said that for 99% of people who get GBS, they never get it again.  Dr. Brain also said that so long as I'm able, I should keep running (even if it feels weird).   She said that I'm not causing any nerve or muscle damage by running.  I guess this is good news- if only it felt less strange to run.

Oh well.  I'm sure I'll continue to write about my tingly feet periodically on the blog, but for now the case is (sorta) closed.

Cub got a haircut today.  It's pretty short, but I know it'll grow out again.

Wordless Wednesday

Tomorrow

Tomorrow I have my super weird leg tests. Not sure if I'll get any results or if I'll have to wait for a doctor to analyze my results.

My new theories:

• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome  - like carpal tunnel, but in the feet.  
• Restless Leg Syndrome - although I'm not thinking it's likely because when I move it doesn't really go away.
• It's nothing - like my "joint pain".

Today Cub decided that it would be fun to run outside on the asphalt while it was 97 degrees.  The look on his face pretty much sums up my feelings on the outing.

Happy Memorial Day!

Our family had nice, relaxing long weekend.

Here is my favorite picture from the weekend - we call it the - Cashman Strut.  

Discoveries

Today we discovered a few things.

1.  Tarantulas like our house - well at least one does.  Buttin played tarantula golf and flicked it into the green belt.  I made plans to get an exterminator out - ASAP.

2. Our park is gone (they're actually putting in new equipment), but Cub had fun playing in the big dirt pit.  Yes, this is Cub using caution tape as a swing - I'm a good mom.

3.  There are lots of bounce house places around our house.  We've never been to one (they're air conditioned playgrounds with bouncy things), but we did today and Cub LOVED it.  I think it's going to be a new tradition.