Journal entry by Rick Flood —
Well, it's been about a year since our last update. As most everyone, we've been focused on getting through this pandemic. We hope this post finds everyone safe, healthy and ready for some normalcy.
First, thanks you all for the continued support. As we reflect back on the last year or so, we are truly in awe. The quality and character of our community and friend group is amazing. It's not common place. We realize that and are so grateful.
Paula is continuing her PT. It's been a process for sure. Still very limited feeling in her lower body. That said, PT has helped and she continues to progress, albeit not as quickly as we'd like (is it ever?). She has progressed from a walker to using a cane, in most cases. As much as she'd like to get back in the classroom teaching, that doesn't seem like a reality. At least for the near future.
One of the remaining aliments of her MS lapse, is a "lazy eye". Paula can see with both eyes, but those that have seen her will know, her eyes aren't tracking together. In an effort to get her eyes lined up again and recapture depth perception, she is having eye surgery on April 15th. The hope is to realign her left eye and hope the brain remaps, and starts to use images from both eyes in unison.
In addition to battling her MS lapse, Paula was diagnosed with cancer (non Hodgkin lymphoma) a couple months ago. Swollen lymph nods were found during a routine MRI. They found 7 nods that were about double the normal size. This obviously wasn't the news we wanted to here at our post MRI appointment, but the team of doctors seem to think we found it pretty early. The complicated part is how to treat MS & cancer at the same time. The current plan is to get through the eye surgery. One thing at a time, right? The hope is for Paula to gain a bit more strength, then we'll work with her doctors on how to BEAT her cancer.
On more of an upbeat note, the benefit we had schedule (pre-Covid) for last year, is back on the calendar. The date is May 22nd at the St. Croix Lanes bowling alley in River Falls. The details are still being worked out and more information will follow on Facebook and this page.
While this event will be a benefit/fundraiser, one of the things the past year has taught Paula and I (and the boys), is that people matter more than anything. It's what's got us through the last year and what will continue to motivate us moving forward. Seeing you all, is the most important thing for Paula.
First, thanks you all for the continued support. As we reflect back on the last year or so, we are truly in awe. The quality and character of our community and friend group is amazing. It's not common place. We realize that and are so grateful.
Paula is continuing her PT. It's been a process for sure. Still very limited feeling in her lower body. That said, PT has helped and she continues to progress, albeit not as quickly as we'd like (is it ever?). She has progressed from a walker to using a cane, in most cases. As much as she'd like to get back in the classroom teaching, that doesn't seem like a reality. At least for the near future.
One of the remaining aliments of her MS lapse, is a "lazy eye". Paula can see with both eyes, but those that have seen her will know, her eyes aren't tracking together. In an effort to get her eyes lined up again and recapture depth perception, she is having eye surgery on April 15th. The hope is to realign her left eye and hope the brain remaps, and starts to use images from both eyes in unison.
In addition to battling her MS lapse, Paula was diagnosed with cancer (non Hodgkin lymphoma) a couple months ago. Swollen lymph nods were found during a routine MRI. They found 7 nods that were about double the normal size. This obviously wasn't the news we wanted to here at our post MRI appointment, but the team of doctors seem to think we found it pretty early. The complicated part is how to treat MS & cancer at the same time. The current plan is to get through the eye surgery. One thing at a time, right? The hope is for Paula to gain a bit more strength, then we'll work with her doctors on how to BEAT her cancer.
On more of an upbeat note, the benefit we had schedule (pre-Covid) for last year, is back on the calendar. The date is May 22nd at the St. Croix Lanes bowling alley in River Falls. The details are still being worked out and more information will follow on Facebook and this page.
While this event will be a benefit/fundraiser, one of the things the past year has taught Paula and I (and the boys), is that people matter more than anything. It's what's got us through the last year and what will continue to motivate us moving forward. Seeing you all, is the most important thing for Paula.
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