Father's Day

Today is Father's Day! Going to spend the day at my parents for a BBQ. My mom wants us to bring bathing suits so we can make use of their pool, but I'm definitely not beach/pool ready yet!!!! I'm kind of glad it's cloudy out, so it's an excuse not to go in! :) I'm looking forward to just hanging out with my dad. He cried like a baby yesterday when he saw me graduate. I think all the emotions sucked a couple years from his life, lol, so today is his day to relax and be pampered.

I just want to wish all the dad's out there a very happy Father's Day!

Perfect Day, Perfect Graduation

It's official! I'm a graduate of Empire State College. Weather was amazing, the ceremony was amazing, and I had my friends and family there to witness the whole thing. My girlfriends are like the paparazzi when they have a camera in their hands, so I have a bunch of great photos, and my husband took great video of the event. Everything was perfect! Let me add that I was too excited when I walked into the auditorium to remember to spit my gum out, so there I am in each video that was taken, chewing it like it's nobody's business. I look like a cow chomping on grass! Lol
It was a great day, and once I figure out how to upload photos onto Blogger, I'll share them with you.

Life Just Keeps Getting Better

Tomorrow I'm graduating! Yep, I'm actually going to be walking across the stage to receive my bachelors degree! I get butterflies just thinking about it. I ironed my gown and picked out an outfit to wear underneath. I was told that its going to get extremely hot sitting on the stage with all the lights on top of me. Great, right? You would think they would blast the cold air for all the students, so we can be comfortable and enjoy the ceremony... Instead, I'm going to be worrying about how shiny my face is going to look in all the photos! Lol because it's all about me in the photos...not the degree that took me years to achieve. Lol Just kidding.

So, you must be wondering why I titled this post, "Life Just Keeps Getting Better", right? I was just sitting on the couch watching a re-run of Ellen, when my son took a seat next to me and layed his head on my shoulder. I started getting teary eyed, thinking of having him watch me get my degree tomorrow. Its going to be such an amazing feeling when I look over and see his face looking up at mine. I started to think that in just a couple more years he'll be receiving his high school diploma, then his college degree, and I'll be in the front row watching him through loving, tearing eyes!

Life gets better when you have people in your life who love you and are truly happy for you.

Out and About on My Blue Bonnet!

There's nothing better then being out and about riding my bike. It's my time to get away from everyone and everything that can distract me from feeling as free as I do when I'm riding. Let me take a second and describe my bike for you...it's the typical bike you would see in the Hamptons, and is painted as blue as the sky could get on an amazing cloudless day. My husband calls it the Blue Bonnet! Lol It's the perfect name for it!!!! I don't care what I look like riding it or what color it is, because to me it's another form of yoga exercise. I don't just get a physical workout while riding it, but I also go into almost a state of meditation when I'm strolling along. I can go blocks before I snap back into "the moment", when I can look back and not even remember riding to the point I'm at.
So, I encourage all of you to get on your bikes and ride. Even if you ride around your block and come back. Eventually you'll notice yourself wanting to ride a block more each time you're riding. If you don't have a bike, go out and get yourself one. Get one that's personal to you. Something that matches your personality. Make it a fun experience!

Dystonia Bulletin Board

I just found a site where you can read and respond to Dystonia posts from others suffering from Dystonia. It's very easy to register and get started, so you can't make up any excuses not to! I've already learned more than I thought I could about Dystonia, especially the kinds that I'm not suffering from. Please! Please! Please check this site out, or at least tell others about it.

www.dystonia-bb.org/forums/asd/index.html

Great News!

I forgot to mention about another conversation I had with Dr. Schwartz. He said that he's been seeing more and more Dystonia patients. Reason being is that more doctors are being educated on Dystonia and can diagnose patients who have been suffering for years, or are just showing symptoms. I was so happy when I heard this. We still have to make more doctors and people aware, but it's nice to hear that we are on our way!

Finally, My Treatment

After a hard yoga workout on Friday, my arms were extremely sore! I took it easy on Saturday, and didn't go to my class on Sunday. Now Monday comes along, and I can't turn my head to the right or the left. I'm completely stiff...and in a lot of pain! Waaaaaaaaaaaaa! Last Thursday or Friday I was able to get an appointment for Monday, so I was very lucky.

Anyway, I'm with Dr. Schwartz and as soon as he's about to administer the first injection, he sees the muscle that was causing me all the pain. It's always the same muscle on my right side that's over active. I mentioned that I was doing a blog, so I can keep a diary of how yoga and other types of exercise can help stretch my muscles and hopefully make the Botox treatments move further apart. As he explained to me, since I waited longer for my treatment, there was little to no Botox in my muscles. The intense stretching I did on Friday aggravated the muscle in my neck, which was already over active. He said he could not only feel, but see the muscle that was enlarged on my right side. I guess reality hits me every time in sitting in his office, and I become unaccepting with what I have. The treatments work so well, so I feel healthy and happy when I'm doing yoga or riding my bike. I forget I have a little help to allow me to do those things...Botox!

Today's another day, right? I'm going to physically take it easy until I'm out of this funk, and I'll be back to my old self. :)