Friends,   

Prayers are needed for some of our MS-Just Keep Moving family members.  Nancy Lovelace reached out to me and shared some of her challenges.  As we know, MS can be so challenging and scary.  Here’s a message from Nancy.  I wouldn’t normally share this but Nancy gave me permission to share.

Hi Dan,

I have pics of me on my recumbent elliptical but haven’t sent them yet. 

My MS is just going off the scale.  I keep getting a re-occurring UTIs which then negatively affects my MS. I ended up in the hospital for about 4 days each episode. 4 hospital stays since March!!

 My MS team, Family Practitioner, and urologist are all working as an integrated team to try to resolve these issues. Everything is twice as complicated with MS.  We are now looking to implant a bladder stimulator.  

In the meantime, I was hospitalized a week and a half ago for the same issues.  While there I went into 2 seizures and was in intensive care for several days. I just can’t believe it all.  It has taken such a toll on my body and mind. But I still have drive and soul! 

They would not discharge me home, but to a rehab center.  I’m at the Lindon Grove Facility that is strictly Rehab.   I’m going to transfer to the Rehab Hospital of WI as soon as there is an opening…..hopefully soon.  I’m feeling stronger than when I came in. 

Rehab is not the place to be during the Corona Virus.  We are isolated to our rooms. No gatherings, 6 feet apart on the patio. I go out early morning or evening because of the heat and how it further exasperated my MS symptoms.  No visitors except on our phone through the window.  The other center I can have 1 constant visitor.

I have no problems with theses sacrifices. My goal is to get stronger, lift my leg up to a step so my husband does not have to lift them and improve my balance. 

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about chair lifts or climbers for steps, in case I need to look into that.

Please feel free to share this with the group. Can’t wait until we’re all together again!

Blessings for all,

Nancy Lovelace

If you’d like to send Nancy a few words of encouragement while she’s isolated, please feel free to do so.  Lovelacenan@gmail.com  Let’s keep Nancy in our prayers. 

Connie Plier has also asked for prayers as she’s facing challenges with her eyesight and kidney pain.  MS sure affects all of us differently and dramatically doesn’t it.  Here’s the last statement of Connie’s e-mail.

Maybe u could add me 2 the prayer list. Keep up the good amazing things you & the Team are doing. Say hi to them all 4 me. Not sure when I will b back. 

Love & hugs 2 all

Connie🧡

It always amazes me how people with MS can be going through such challenging times and yet they’re still sharing their love and hugs with others.  You’re loved and in our prayers Connie!  If you’d like to send a few words of encouragement to Connie, please do so.  cplier4@gmail.com  Let’s keep Connie in our prayers as well.

I’d say MS is as challenging if not more challenging mentally and emotionally than it is physically.  It seems like the more we get affected physically, the tougher it is mentally and emotionally.  If there’s one thing I learned about people with MS is they’re extremely tough and determined.  We have to accept things that many others never get to experience.  We get good at starting over because we get plenty of opportunities to do so.  Believe me, it’s not our choice to face all these challenges.  Let’s keep sharing, loving and being there for each other.

Fear can affect us with MS in many ways as well; especially during this pandemic that we’re “living” through.  Yes, we will “live” through this.  I had to stop the other day and take a picture of this sign by a little church down the street from our house.  I thought it was pretty fitting for these times.

Our Friday morning bike rides continue to be one of the highlights of my week.  I love it when people with MS and selfless, loving volunteers get together to help people with MS ride bikes.  Every week is a new adventure.  So many of the people who show up consistently make so much progress as the season goes on.  When I look back at the first day most people show up to how they’re riding now, it’s absolutely amazing.  We have a lot of fun!

Do you want to ride bike with us?  Please join us at 7:00am Friday morning at Nettesheim Park on the SE corner of Hwy SS and Oak Street in Pewaukee.  We’ll ride together on Friday mornings until it gets too cold this fall.  If you need me to bring a trike or two, please let me know. 

Let’s keep riding! 😊

Our prayer group on Wednesday mornings are a great place to get together virtually, catch up a bit and give thanks.  Even though we can’t get together physically, it’s so nice to see all that joins us virtually and learn how you’re doing and how this pandemic is affecting you.  I really like the good things coming out of this pandemic that are discussed…seeing God’s work as blessings.  It’s awesome seeing so many of you there laughing, listening, sharing, giving thanks and praying!   We have a lot to give thanks for, don’t we?

We’re going to be doing it again tomorrow (Wednesday) @ 11:30am.  We’ll get together either via phone or computer (your choice) and share, talk, listen, give thanks, and pray in however God leads us.  It’s a way for all of us to get together virtually to catch up and be there for each other and with each other.  I hope you’ll join us!

Here’s a link to our Zoom Meeting that Ashley provided for us.  Thanks Ashley!  Just click or call @ 11:30am Wednesday and you’ll be connected.  I hope to “see” you there!  😊

Topic: MS-Just Keep Moving Prayer Group

Time: This is a recurring meeting

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/786859505

Meeting ID: 786 859 505

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Meeting ID: 786 859 505

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acej2eGAIM

I hope you’ll join us on Zoom!

My heart goes out to all the people and families of the people that have been affected by COVID-19.  This is really getting serious and close to home.  Whether actually having it, being exposed to it, being affected by businesses being shut down, losing your job, working on the front line, etc.  These are tough times and we really need to take it seriously and do our part of practicing social distancing and all other recommendations.  I hope you and your family are safe.  Let’s keep everyone affected in our prayers and pray we all get through this as safely as we can.

As we all go through this pandemic together, I encourage you to share a smile with someone.  Perhaps you could give someone a call that you haven’t talked with for a while just to see how they’re doing.  This pandemic is tough in many ways.  We all could use a little extra love and encouragement during these times.

Let’s be thankful for all the doctors, nurses and everyone in the health care that are putting themselves at risk every day and every night as they serve those with the Coronavirus.  These are amazing, selfless, courageous people!  Let’s also give thanks to all the people in the world that are working diligently to develop testing equipment and ways to treat this Coronavirus.  Let’s also give thanks for all the people that are working diligently to produce protective gear, respirators, and any other medical equipment to help us get through this pandemic. 

We may be inconvenienced in many ways but others have it much worse.  Let’s be thankful we have each other.  I know I’m thankful for you! 

We will not be getting back together at the gym yet.  We’re going to get through this COVID-19 pandemic before we do.  I love you too much to put you at risk. 

I hope you’re doing your part to “keep moving” and stay healthy during these unprecedented times we’re going through.  I’m hoping and praying that none of us get this virus and have to deal with it.

Let’s stay calm, focused, healthy, flexible, have faith and learn as much as we can about the challenges of each day and make good choices.  Hopefully we’ll be back at the gym together soon.

I love and miss you all!

Dan

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P.S.  Please share how you’re doing and what you’re doing to keep moving…pictures and smiles please 😊