I can really tell a difference that my legs are stronger. I don’t seem to have the near falls anymore. I am spending less and less time in my wheelchair. I only use it at home when my legs are really tired and when cooking in my kitchen as I can’t carry things and use a rollator. Despite using it in my kitchen I stand quite a bit with my wheelchair behind me. 

Anytime I leave my house I wear my bilateral leg braces and use my rollator. At home my legs are strong enough and have improved enough that I can go barefoot while inside and walk with the rollator and not wear the braces. I still have bilateral foot drop so I kind of march walk to not trip but it gives my legs a break from the braces. I still have a lot of numbness and tingling from my knee and through the foot on my right side and from above my ankle and through part of my foot on the left side. 

My arms are strong and my hand function is improved although my handwriting is still not very good. I still struggle opening bottles as I have very little hand strength. I have several PT exercises and stretches that I do at least twice daily to try and gain strength in my upper and lower extremities. 

The pain is controlled with evening Lyrica (seizure medicine used for nerve pain) dosages. I have not needed any Tramadol since a half a tablet in January. In December I was still experiencing considerable pain so this seems wonderful!  

I saw my Neurologist on Thursday for a follow up appointment.  She was thrilled with how much I have improved since starting every 3 week IVIG infusions. She would like me to continue the every 3 week treatments for another six months. She is hopeful I will continue to make progress. She reports that some patients have slow steady progress, others have marked improvement initially with slow progress thereafter, and others a mixed response. 

I feel very thankful and blessed this Easter season!  I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for all of the encouragement and prayers I have received from so many of you!  For that I am truly grateful! 

 My Uncle Jim (my Mom’s brother) passed away on March 22, 2024. He would text me often to inquire how I was doing or give me encouragement. On Thursday I missed texting him my Neurologist update.  He was 86 years young,  a Veteran, married 61 years to my beautiful Aunt Mary Lou, father of 3, grandfather of 8, great grandfather of 5, and brother to two sisters who survive. He will be missed by many.