Sh*t my friends say...

My friends are ridiculous. In a super amazing, hilarious way. In one night, the following 6 quotes came out of these women's mouths...

• I want to be roofied
• I want to be a dog so people buy things for me
• I like crack
• I'm a sloppy pen pal
• I think I should be polka... dot. Polka dot. 
• Penis sandwich

I'll be making a youtube vid in the same fashion as the "sh*t (insert specified group here) say" vids. 

ciao!

The Steroid effect

No - this is not about Ryan Braun. I have recently started keeping track, a la blog, of the first MS attack I've had since being diagnosed back in 2009. I have been pretty lucky that it's been almost three and a half years since a flare up has occurred. With MS - it's a waiting game. You never know when an attack will occur. There are ways to avoid on-setting an attack  though attacks ultimately will happen during the course of the disease. As long as you religiously follow your treatment (I'm on an interferon: Betaseron. See blog: http://bmilinski.blogspot.com/2012/08/hi-my-name-is-bridget-and-i-have-ms.html), avoid stress and extreme heat, stay healthy and exercise your chances of having a attack shrink.

This all started on January 25th, and since that time I've had a numb feeling spread from my toes all the way up to my thighs, in both legs. Think of the pins-and-needles feeling you get when your arm or leg falls asleep, and add the weight of 10 lb bricks to your feet. On top of it, my balance is completely off. I def look tipsy when I get up to mosey around my apartment/workplace. I wonder how many people think I've been drinking... ;)

I have been on a super crazy dose of Prednisone, which is a steroid that reduces inflammation and in turn should shorten the length and severity of the attack. The side effects are interesting - I have a ton of energy - and can you say water retention?!?! I have gone up at least a cup size and I'm afraid that someone is going to ask my due date when I'm in public.

More than anything, it's been annoying. Though I don't need help with my daily routine, I have slowed down since my legs take a little while to warm up. Even when they realize they need to carry me around all day, they give me a hard time... So I have used walls, railings, even chairs to steady myself if I feel like I may tip over :)

So I'll be wobbling my way around for the next couple weeks until I'm back to normal! If anyone knows where to get a super sweet cane let me know. I'll need a custom bedazzle job. 

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

What a powerful statement. There are things in life that happen and make you think "why me"? If there is ever a time you start to think this, STOP it. Having a positive outlook in life is one of the best things available to you, and the best part is that you give yourself the option to have a really, really great outlook. Reach out to someone if you need a hand.

I define myself as a supremely optimistic person. It takes quite a blow to put me in a bad mood... but Saturday, I was in a bad mood. After 6 days of suffering from an exacerbation from my MS, I was fed up and heading to Walgreens to pick up an Rx because both my legs, up to my hips, had gone numb. Not the kind of numb that you can't move them. The kind of numb you feel when an arm (in this case my legs) fall asleep. So, you take one look at me and notice nothing - I can walk, I can drive, however I'm "numb". This is the first "attack" I've experienced since being diagnosed in 2009, so I am slightly freaking out.

Friday night, my Neurologist phoned in a interesting mix of steroids (to treat the attack), antacid (to treat the heartburn caused by the steroids) and sleeping pills (to help me sleep since the steroids give me more energy than I care for). Well, I'm standing in line at Walgreens pharmacy pick up, get to the counter and tell them I need to pick up the Rx. And the woman behind the counter says "We have nothing on file for you". I was a little astounded, had them check to see if they may have phoned it into another location - nope. Nothing. My doc had forgotten to phone it in, after twice verifying with me what treatment they were going to put me on. With all of this going on I get back in my car and have a quiet little hissy fit.

I got in touch with the doctor on call and an hour later I was equipped with too many pills and the energy of a 6 year old who ate way too much sugar and just got a puppy. Keep your fingers crossed that the 'roids are supposed to make things worse before they get better... I've now got cinder blocks for feet and horrible balance.

So, what's making you stronger today?

Sister/Sister

I am thankful that my parents decided to have a brood of Milinski kids. I love my family, though growing up we definitely experienced the normal growing pains - sibling rivalry, fights, pranks. As a young girl with two brothers, I was ecstatic when my parents told me they were having their fourth (and final) child, a little girl. I figured I could dress her in the same clothes my dolls wear, put barrettes in her hair and just really help my mom take care of her and make sure that she was always presentable.

I absolutely love all my siblings, but the bond between sisters is something different - I consider my sister my very best friend. I taught her how to put on make up; pick out a fabulous pair of jeans; love starbucks; walk in heels; pick out the best shade of lipstick. I share all my secrets with her, we swap gossip, go see ridiculous concerts together, chill with a bottle of wine, get crazy during a night out, grab a delish bite to eat, see a movie (we have seen every Saw movie together). I try and give her sound advice whenever I can, since I am older by a whopping 5 years - and clearly wiser. You know, lead by example. Make sure my life choices are wholesome and wise so she can look up to her big sister. Obvi this was, and continues to be, pretty easy. 

One of the best things about having a sister close to your age, and size.. and shoe size... is swapping clothes. When we were younger, this was often done without consent. I would try and throw together an outfit for a night out with my friends and realize that I am missing a key piece to that outfit - it was either in the wash because my sister snagged, or she physically had the item on her. So the wicked cycle of stealing clothes, accessories, shoes, make up would go on and on and on until I moved out and took all my rightful items with me. Somehow, moving across the country didn't even rid us of that problem. Now it's not as bad, but still happens, she has several of my clothing items. And I have several of hers. 

We are always completely honest with each other. Does this make me look like a crazy person? How about this color? What do you think about this music? Should I dye my hair (insert ridiculous color here)? Her feedback and opinions impact my choices, my opinions.

My sister is the absolute best. I always look forward to seeing her, talking to her, finding out what she has on her mind. She is such a compassionate and positive person, has solid morals and beliefs. I respect that in a person - know what you want, know who you are. Don't let others influence you negatively. Stand up for the little people. Help those who don't have the means to help themselves. 

Love you so much, sunshine sister! Can't wait to spend some time with you during the best year yet! xoxo your big sis B

Doodles

I thought of a few different topics to blog about since it's my first epic blog of 2013... summing up the last 12 months? Winter sports (or rather, summer sports with this heat)? Shoe collections? I don't want to disappoint any of my cult, or fair weathered, followers. So, I decided why not write about doodles. Doodles rarely disappoint.

It happens throughout the day. Whether it's a collection of different sized circles, arrows, animals, monsters, buildings - doodles happen. My go to doodle is a flower. It starts simple - but eventually gets embellished and ends up looking something like this.

You know you're a Diva when...

- you're filling out paperwork for insurance changes and have to ask a co-worker for a pen because the only one you have is pink.
- you go camping but stay in a hotel instead
- multiple friends mothers have commented on your extensive shoe collection. And they've never even seen your closet
- you buy a new lipstick because none of the other 6 shades in your purse match your eyeliner and clutch
- you own a scarf in just about every color of the rainbow. And also own skinny jeans in just as many colors
- you hire a maid to clean your apartment (it's already immaculate) because you're really sick of doing dishes

What I am thankful for

It's rare that I take a serious approach to my blogs, so enjoy this epic occasion.

I have taken note of those of you mentioning what they are thankful for this month, so I want to share everything I am thankful for.

My family - all of you very special people I don't thank enough. Mom, Dad - you brought me into this world, thank you for creating such a unique and fabulous first daughter! Brad, the older brother who was such a big part of my up-bringing. Thanks for being there when I needed you. Brett, the younger brother I look up to (literally and figuratively) you are awesome and I am so proud of you. Breanne, you are an absolutely amazing young woman. I am so blessed and I do not thank you enough for being the person I share everything with - whether it's a laughing fit or sharing a sob story. Mo Mo, Robin, Willie, Sarah, Carrie, Chris, Sean, Claire, Geri, Dennis, Mike, Linda, Lori, Grandpa Syl, Chrissy, Brooke, Adam, Nicole, Nick - and those that aren't with us any longer.

My friends - each and every one of you are so fabulous. I appreciate the relationship I have with each one of you, and I can't imagine my life without you in it. Ashley, Suzanne, Jill, Kelly, Steph, Karmen, Linsey, Michele, Lisa, Megan, Katie, Amy, Jessi, Amanda, Pam, Becki, Sheri this list could keep going... I love you all!

Employment - I am so thankful to be employed, and that I love my job. Not many people can say that. I have some of the greatest co workers and leaders. They work hard, they play hard and I appreciate that.

My past - I don't regret many choices I've made. It's helped me figure out the person I am today. Living in the past won't get you anywhere and my future is looking better every single day! I have the ability and freedom to create something really special.

I am also thankful for many other things... I will continue the thankfulness on Thanksgiving day. I am so blessed.

Continuing my thankfulness in this blog instead of starting a new one. :)

My health - I am very lucky in this aspect. I can go to the gym and work out whenever I want to. I can head out for a run when the weather permits. I feel good every day, I take care of myself. I am lucky to have not endured any rough patches due to having MS, my medication has kept attacks at bay.

Laughing - I laugh. A lot. Sometimes at myself, sometimes at a funny joke, sometimes because Will Ferrell makes me. I think it burn calories, so I am ready to laugh a lot today after eating my weight in food! I am thankful for everything that makes me giggle, chuckle, laugh, get hysterical.

Did I mention my family and friends? I am truly a blessed person. I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving! Be thankful for everything you have, make sure to tell the people you love how much they mean to you today! Well, tell them every day, but especially today.