Again, no real updates. Life just keeps going on as normal, for the most part.

At the beginning of the year, I had a nasty sinus infection, and my body just keeps trying to fight something. I would get weird, random fevers, and my glands would swell. Yet, they always go back down. The doctor told me that was the important part, lest I fear I have cancer! Having MS and being on Tysabri just makes being sick and getting better even harder.

I did make a decision about my Ph.D. exams. They just keep getting pushed back. See, originally I was going to take them in December. That was a pretty fast approach, and I realized it wasn't feasible or smart. So, I moved them to March. However, with being sick and tired (dare I say fatigued?), doing what it takes takes me a bit longer.

My advisor said that ideally, I would be studying 8-10 hours every day and 4 hours on the weekend. Um, when I don't get up until 10 am, that ain't happening. And I sleep not because I am lazy and comfortable and warm in bed but because I feel like I need the sleep. So, my neuro wrote me a note saying that due to my MS I need an extension on my exams.

However, the good news comes in that as long as I have them done by the end of summer--August 31--I don't need an extension. Plus, there is no extra charge for the summer term. To me, it seems like "Why not?" Yes, it slows down me being able to get a part time job, start my dissertation, start a family, etc. But I need to care for myself, too.

With all that in mind, I do have to consistently ask myself if I am doing all I am able to do. I know I don't always use my time wisely (hell, I am writing on my blog!) or I get sidetracked with house stuff. There are days when I get migraines when I can't think about reading, let alone processing theology. My husband Brad has been kind enough to "let" me be a full time student, as I pay the bills and buy groceries with only one income. Sure, life would be cushier with 2 incomes, but he understands the importance of me studying. Therefore, I need to be responsible with my time, out of respect for myself and out of respect for him. That sounds terribly old-fashion of me, but more so I mean that being a student is my "job" right now, so I need to do it and do it well. Make sense?

Oh, the latest update on my Tysabri progress is this. I had an MRI in January that showed new lesions. However, my neuro was not able to determine if those were new since starting Tysabri or they were from the lapse between May (my previous MRI) and October (re-starting Tysabri). I am suppose to have another MRI in April to determine if it is being effective. I don't feel any differently, either way. So when people ask, "How are you doing on your medicine," all I can say is "I feel fine." I hate to disappoint, but I have no miracle story. Then again, I don't think I really needed a "miracle."