Hoagie Salad

I was introduced to Hoagie Salad by my Daughter-in-law's grandmother; it's so delicious, I just had to have the recipe!  This mouth-watering salad is perfect for summertime picnics or anytime you have a gathering. 

Hoagie Salad

½ cup oil
¼ cup vinegar
Dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste
16 oz. Elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
2 Tomatoes, chopped
1 Green pepper, chopped
1 Onion, chopped
½ # Cooked ham, chopped
½ # Genoa salami, chopped
¼ # Provolone cheese, cubed
½ # Mozzarella cheese, cubed

Whisk oil and vinegar together, add seasonings and set aside. Rinse macaroni in cold water; drain and pour into a large serving bowl. Add remaining ingredients; pour oil & vinegar mixture on top. Toss gently, cover and refrigerate until serving. Serves 10-12.

My Copaxone Experience

I was actually reluctant to post about my experience in fear of persuading anyone not to try Copaxone as a treatment to slow the progression of Multiple Sclerosis.

Since this blog is about my life with MS, I will share my personal experience. This is not the first time that I’ve been on Copaxone, in fact throughout the years, I have taken all 4 of the disease modifying injectable meds for MS with unfavorable results. My body tends to react unfavorably to certain medications.  I am still confident that a cure will be found for MS, or at least a medication that will work for me.

I was on Copaxone (daily injections) for only two days this time around; it all began March 8th when I took the first injection around 2pm.  Within an hour of taking the medication, I began to get a headache and then pain spread throughout the rest of my body. If you can only imagine, I was in total body pain, I hurt all over and just wanted to lie in bed and cry.

By the next morning, I was starting to feel a little better, so I went ahead and took the injection later in the day.  And, the same thing happened.  About an hour after taking the Copaxone injection, the overwhelming pain was back with a vengeance.

After two days of dealing with these "completely unheard of before" side effects, I had had it and immediately stopped giving myself shots.  After contacting my Neurologist’s office, they also agreed to stop the shot. I didn’t care if they agreed or not, I had no intentions of ever taking this medication again.

Along with MS, I have also been blessed with Fibromyalgia, which makes it difficult finding medications for one condition that doesn’t increase symptoms or cause a flare with the other.  I am still dealing with the pain and fatigue of Fibromyalgia & MS together, although it isn't quite as severe as the last two weeks have been.

Disclaimer: Copaxone is a disease modifying drug used to treat Multiple Sclerosis by slowing the progression of the disease.  Many MS patients have great results while using Copaxone.  My experience is not typical.

Signs of Spring

After a particularly harsh winter, I find myself looking everywhere for signs of spring.   This week we've been blessed with sunshine and warmer days with temperatures in the upper 50's (that's a heat wave to me)!  I was able to turn off the heat, open windows to freshen up the house and heard the sweet sound of birds chirping.  The daffodils are just starting to pop out of the ground and yesterday I saw the first yellow bloom of a crocus.   I know it won't be long now, spring is almost here!