Steve's follow up apt

  I wish I could write amazing things the dr said, amazing ways problems are going to be fixed but much like every other thing with MS..it's wait and see.
  Steve's steroids pushed back the relapse somewhat. The dr questioned his limp, which Steve explained is worse if he's more tired or it's hot out. She was glad to hear his speech was better, that his limp wasn't horrible, that his feet felt better. She's decided to leave him on his current shot for 6 mo and see. The sad thing is every single MS med has an 1/8 of a chance of a relapse. Steve has went 2 yrs then had one. We can't say the shots failed but we aren't sure if his body is going to keep using the shot correctly.
  Then he told her about his hands. He has been numb more or less in his hands since his relapse. He gets stiff, fingers lock up over night and some days he cannot even write his name decently. Some days he can't feel heat/cold other days he can some. Other than wearing out faster than normal his hands has been his big issue this time. She told him it could take up to 6 mo to see any change, if there is change. I wanted to hear "We can give you this" ..but I know that isn't how it works.
  So in 3 mo he goes back for a basic check up. 6 mo he goes for another 3 hr MRI and then he'll have a 6 mo checkup. From that MRI we'll know if he'll stay on his meds or be changed and how his brain looks from these lesions and if any more have appeared. He currently has 2 active lesions, one on the front left and one on the middle/back right side of his brain. The 3rd one that showed up on the MRI from the relapse is non active and just scar tissue.
  Steve stressed about another MRI in 6 mo. At $1300 a pop it's not easy on the budget. Figure in dr apt costs (our insurance only pays $18 each appt til we meet our deduct, we are liable for the rest of the bill for each apt), blood work costs, shot costs...we jokingly call this relapse our Tropical Vacation. We could have went somewhere warm and nice for the cost lol We have to laugh and go on, not much else you can do. We also for the first time have to juggle apts around Kaya's schooling. We took the 3 mo check up date that is on her first week of school, the 6 mo apt can hopefully be done when she's on fall break. Unless my Mom is home from work we have noone here to get Kaya from school etc. Sooo life is always fun and adjusting this and that.
  I sometimes wish I could film Steve so people could understand MS. If you don't have it, if you're not with someone that has it you don't really get it. I'm very thankful Steve is a tough man and keeps on keepin on.