When God hands you a basket of lemons.... make lemonade!!!

   I think when you start on an adventure in one direction, you may not end up where you originally planned; You can end up somewhere better!!
   In August I called Envita to make arrangements for September to go there, when I talked to them they told me if I did not have close to $40,000 saved, then it would be not worth my time to come there.  I was so angry and upset, as this is not what I was told when I did my preliminary work with them.  I did not know what to do as this is double of what I had planned.  I felt as though I had let people down and there is nothing I could do about it. I wanted to go so badly and get better....
Power of prayer!!!
   In October I started a treatment,a recommended by my Neurologist, it is costly about $18,000 a year, but it has proven results. It is not what I originally wanted to do, but I needed to stop the relapses. They where getting really bad and I was so exhausted. It is called Copaxone and it is a daily injection. 
   I was still looking for a clinic to help me strengthen the rest of my system.  I was talking with my neighbor and she told me about a clinic, I had never heard of  before.  It is called The New Life Clinic, and it is on the west end of Edmonton.  I did some research and found it to be really fantastic.  I made an appointment and meet with the doctor there, a few weeks ago.  Then on November 30th I did my first round of tests. It was so neat to see what is going on in my blood.  I have very low oxygen levels, my body is absorbing very little nutrients, and so much more.  I have starting taking the recommended vitamins and have another testing scheduled for December 17th.  I can't wait!!!
It is going to take longer then 8 weeks, but it is not as invasive and closer to home.  I do not have to disrupt my family and I still get to get better.
   I have joined a gym and I am working hard to strengthen my muscles.  I am going to keep going to better my life, in any way I can!
  When God hands you a basket of lemons.... make lemonade!!! My life may not have gone where I had originally planned; the destination has been better. I can not wait to see how much this improves my life.
Over the  past year of my life; I have met some incredible people, learned that our lives are a privilege, not a right and the sooner we start treating it that way, the better it shall be. Choose Love, be grateful for all the little things and enjoy each moment of everyday!!! There are no do overs and no guarantee that tomorrow will be there. 
I am so blessed and would like to send love out to all of you this Christmas season. I wish you a life time of  love and happiness....a continual time of  incredibly beautiful moments and every once in a while a lemon to remind us there is a greater plan.

I will update you on how it is going, and so you can look into this clinic I will attach a link to their website on my blog. 

Merry Christmas!!!!
With all my Love,
Amanda

Where has the time gone??????

Hi Everyone!!!
  I can not believe it has been over 6 months since I have last updated my blog. So much has happened over these months.
First I would like to share on June 20th we had a little girl. Her name is Kyra, she is an absolute miracle!! We love her so much. I had forgotten how much time such a little person needs and how exhausted it makes me, but worth every minute!!

  

  I have had a  relapses since June, it affected my arms. This is one of the reasons I have not been able to work on the computer.  My arms got soooo heavy and it makes me extemely tired.  It takes everything I have to get through some days. I am feeling a bit better and hopefully soon my energy level will increase too.  I am very determined to work really hard and do whatever I can to live the healthiest life I can. 

A Truely Epic Event

WOW!!!! What an event!  I am so humbled and grateful for everyone who came out to support me and my family on our Journey.   We had an incredible evening, the food, entertainment, and company was awesome.  The silent and live auction was so much fun, hope everyone ended up with the items they wanted.
A huge Thank You!!! To everyone who donated items to the auction,  we had so many people who helped make this event a success.
                                                       Organization of Event 
                          V-Ness Design & Print Services - creation of Posters
                                                            & Tickets
                             Sociable Events - Planning, organizing, and
                                                     running the event
                                     The Green Tea Frog - ordering & preparing food
                                   Parkland Women in Business - helped set up,
                                                     and clean up the event
                                                 Sitting Pretty Events - Donation of linens
                                        Up-Town Linens  - Donation of centre pieces

                                                                     MC  

                                                           Lauren Zumbusch 

                                                                 Cal Dixon

                                                                      DJ  

                                                          Ace Entertainment

                                                              Entertainment 

                                                          Candice Ryan - Singer

                                                Ward School of Dance - Dancers

                                              Kelly Falardeau - Inspirational Speaker

                                                                Photography 

                                          Photography by Denise - pictures of the Event

                                        Mode LaVan Photography - photos at the Event

Thank You to all the table sponsors, it really means a lot to me and my family for your generous contribution.
We had a very successful event and I am truly blessed for all the love and compassion people showed me and my family that evening. 
I would like to Thank everyone who I have forgot to mention, it has taken so many people to make this event Epic. Huggs to you all, Thank You!!
Please go the link at the side of the blog, to see pictures from the event.

We where in the paper!!

The Examiner / Reporter
Thank You for the great write up in the paper.

Click on link to read.
Local Paper

What's next

It brings me to tears every time I read or think about my story.  Wow, the drastic change my life has taken.  I really have had to take a good look at my life and realize what really maters to me.  My husband Taras, the support he gives me every day is incredible.  The unconditional love of our children is a blessing, a hug from them on tough days; is better then any pain killer.  I have had so much taken away, that I have been blessed to realize, what really, is so very important in life.  I love life!! I choose to fight, for what I once took forgranted. 
We live in an amazing community, with people who are loving and supportive.  Thank You to everyone who is helping with my fight.  Love and HUGS, to you all!!!!!!!!

Don't Miss this Event!!!

Here is the information to our upcoming event.  So many people have been working so hard to make this event happen.  Please come out and join us, it will be a lot of fun. I can't tell you how much it means to me, to have this opportunity to go for treatment.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=200513133303331

I would like to send out an idea to all business owners. For the fundraiser dinner we are going to have sponsored tables.

$100 Bronze Sponsor: will get a table to sponsor, we will display your business in a card holder and other marketing material you want on the table.

$150.00 Silver Sponsor: Includes Bronze package and 2 tickets to the event.

$300 Gold Sponsor: Includes Bronze package and 8 tickets to the event.

You would need to go to the TD bank and deposit the money into the intrust acct. and get a reciept. Then when we meet to get the marketing material you would like on the table, I will give you a reciept that will show, you paid this money for marketing. This way it will be a 100% tax right off for your business. There will be approx. 300 people at this event, what a Great way to get your name out there. There are already tables sponsored, and only so many tables. Cheers!!!
Contact Amanda (780)571-1645 for more information

The Spring Tea! April 9, 2011

The Spring Tea was awesome!!  There was so many people that made it a HUGE success.

 My husband Taras; you truly are an amazing man. I love you so much! Thank You!! Emma & Tyson, you really are great helpers, mommy is so proud of you.

To my family, Thank You for everything you did to help us. We love you!

Thank You to all the businesses that donated items for the silent Auction;

Rainbow Palace Restaurant

Yong Massage

Gift Source

Previously Adored Children's wear

Elegance Hair Design

Peter's Pizza

My family and friends who donated items.

Thank You to the following businesses that donated the Amazing food:

Appetite Delight - squares

Cake-cakes - cupcakes

Sugar Leaf Cupcakes- mini cupcakes

Elizabethan Catering - fruit platters

 The Green Tea Frog - Tea

I also want to Thank all the women that came out from the Parkland Women in Business to

 help  us set up, during the event and clean up. We are so grateful for all your help.

Thank You:

Lauren Zumbusch -- MC

You did an amazing job!!

Ann Gillie -- Guest Speaker

 Your story is so inspirational, it was so great you came and shared it with us.

Carolyn Dressler -- Singer

Your voice is incredible, we truly enjoyed listening to you.

Sociable Events -- Event Planner

Angela you really helped make everything run so smoothly, from set up to clean up.

Mode LaVan -- photographer

We can't wait to see your pictures, enjoyed your positive, fun personality.

To everyone who came out to support me, made  a donation, bought a silent auction item;

THANK YOU

I am so very blessed to have such amazing support from so many people.

My Little Angels

I wanted to share how incredilble may children are.  They give me so much strength on days when I am having a lot of challenges.  The other day I was working on some of the fundraising events, and my children wanted to help, so they went around the house and collected all the change they could find.  When they where done, they brought it to me and told me it was for Arizona. 
They also have labeled some of their toys with numbers. When I asked them what they where doing, they told me they are going to have a garage sale in our living room.  They wanted to sell their toys to make money to go to Arizona, to help make my legs better.  I just gave them HUGE hugs.... ohhh man I love them so much!!
I helped at Tyson's playschool for the first time this year, all I have to say is that I was soooo tired after... I could have slept for a week.  It was so worth it!!! He was so excited, I was finally able to be a parent helper in his class.  It was time for them to walk down to the washroom to wash their hands for snack. I  was so exhausted, already have had made two trips there. Tyson grabbed one of my poles (I use to walk), handed it to me,  took my other hand and said "come on Mom, I will help you".  How do you say "no or I'm too tired" to that.  I mustered up every once of energy I had, stood up and walked down with him.  It really does not seem like a big deal, but to him it was so important. It felt so good, I can't wait to be able to do more with them. 
Whenever I think this is to big of a challenge for me, I just remember these moments and it reminds me how bad I WANT MY HEALTH BACK!!!  For my husband, children and most importantly for myself.  

Here We Go!!!

We have officially started our fundraising, I am so excited!  I have had some amazing people help me, Cathy from Green Tea Frog, Vanessa from V-Ness Design & Print Services, the tickets and posters look amazing.   I would like to send a big Thank You to everyone who has helped me and who continues to help me; either through donating their time, items for the auctions or in any other way; Thank You!!! 

We have some amazing events planned;

*A Spring Tea on April 9,2011 from 1-3pm, it will be held at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Spruce Grove.  We are going to have refreshments, great desserts, guest speaker and a silent auction. Tickets need to be prebought and they are $10.00 each

*Roast Beef Dinner & Silent auction on May 7, 2011, doors open at 5:00, it will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Spruce Grove.  There is going to be great entertainment, amazing food, a live & silent auction and music for dancing.  Tickets need to be prebought, they are $30.00 each.

*Garage Sale & BBQ on June 11, 2011, it will be held at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Spruce Grove parking lot.  If you are spring cleaning and have any items you would like to donate, I would be truely grateful.

Tickets can be purchased at the following locations;

The Green Tea Frog

Gift Source

Barb Baxter Spa Care and Services

Romantic Notions

or you can contact myself (Amanda) by phone: 780-571-1645 or by email:  abucklaschuk@yahoo.ca

I hope I get to see you at one of these events. 

Thank You for caring!

An Amazing Day

Yesterday was a very exciting day!!  A day, I have been waiting for, for the past 7 months.  Taras took me to the Glenrose for my driving assessment.  I was so nervous, I just wanted something great to happen.  I have been praying to get my license back since September 2010, when it was suspended due to my legs being effected in my last MS attack.  It was definitely an experience to have to go through, and 2 1/2 hours later..... I have been approved to drive with hand controls.  Yahooo! It is still going to be a bit of a process; we have to put the hand controls in the vehicle. I will need to go for some driving lessons to learn how to use the new controls.  I have waited 7 months, so a little longer is bearable, when I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. 
The first place my kids want me to take them is the library. 

My little bit of advice; be grateful for your license, it is very much a privilege, not a right!!

Progress

 Fundraising events will soon be on the way!  We are planning a dinner and silent auction event to take place on May 7th.  It will be held in the Spruce Grove area. Please keep posted for more details. If you  or anyone you know would like to donate any items for the silent auction, I would be truly grateful. We are also looking at having a garage sale;  If you have items you would like to clear out of your home, please contact me.  My email  abucklaschuk@yahoo.ca 
Tomorrow February26 in Taber, AB Gina Turvato is having a special event.  She is a RVP with Arbonne International and for every person who attends her event she is donating a dollar to my charity.  I would like to Thank her, for her help and my awesome sisters Angela, and Melanie for their help with tomorrows fundraiser.
I am so excited to have these events, and even more thrilled by all the people who have taken time out of their busy lives to help me.  THANK YOU!! I am really humbled for all your help.

Thank You!

I am so grateful for all the amazing people I have met. The Parkland women in business, Thank You! I am so excited to work with such a great group of women.  You were so welcoming to me at your meeting, and made something that was so very challenging for me, a little easier.
I am blessed to have such a huge support through family, friends and my community.
I am so excited to have HOPE. Hope to heal, and have the opportunity to fight.

HELP!!

I not very good at asking for help, but I am learning I can't do it all myself.  So this is me asking for your help, I am in the process of putting together a couple of charity fund raisers.  We are in the process of  planning a dinner and silent auction.  I have approached a couple of charity groups, and we are planning a golf tournament.  If any one has any other suggestions PLEASE post them.  My husband Taras has opened an "In Trust" account for me at the TD Bank. "Taras Bucklaschuk in trust for Amanda Bucklaschuk" You can go into any TD bank and contribute. Thank you so much for all your help, and support.
God Bless

To Give You a Little More

Could you imagine waking up one morning getting out of bed and when you go to stand up on your legs, you collapse?   It is so scary; I did not know what was happening.  I had an appointment with my neurologist and after another MRI she told me it was a relapse.  This attack was so much worse than the last one 3 ½ years prior. The first attack happened after the birth of our second child. It caused a bit of tingling in my hands, made me extremely tired and caused my right eye to cross for a few months. This time was so very different; it has affected me from the waist down.  My sensation of hot and cold on my legs, my feet being numb and I could not feel when I would step on something or stub my toe. I had to learn to be so careful, where I stepped and making sure my legs moved when I wanted them too.   At times my arms and legs are just covered in bruises because my legs will just give out, and I fall, or I lose my balance. It also has affected some of my internal organs like my bladder and bowel.

  It is so frustrating to be such an independent person; who love life so very much, to have so much taken away.  I miss playing outside with my kids, or being able to take them to school. I now have to rely on family and friends to help me.  I have had my driver’s license suspended, that was really difficult for me, my independence GONE.

There have been days where I don’t know how I have made it through. All I can say is it is through the grace of God, and the love of my husband, children and family. They have all come together to help me, in any way they can.

I don’t know if you are aware there are no current cures for MS in our medical system.  They have treatments that may prevent 1 in 3 further attacks, but no promises.  The doctors have no idea why my body is attacking itself.  They don’t know what my future holds, or if it will ever get better.   I am not willing to live my life on so many unanswered questions.  I am determined to fight and find a way to get better.  So with all that in mind we have been doing a lot of research of other options.

My husband has found a medical clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. The name is Envita Natural Medical Clinic of America. They have experienced doctors who are very confident they can help me.  The clinic runs a series of tests to find out why my body is attacking itself. Then the doctors combine pharmaceutical and natural treatments to help my body heal.  For this treatment I need to go to Arizona for 6-8 weeks.  The treatment will cost me $25000, and I am responsible for a place to stay. 

I truly believe my life is worth it, I also want to be a voice to others. 

The Begining

My name is Amanda, I was born and raised in the Spruce Grove, Stony Plain area.  I am married and have 2 amazing children. After the birth of our second child I was diagnosed with Relapsing and Remitting MS.  I fought and worked a lot on my diet to recover from the first attack.  I recovered and then about 3 1/2 years later I had another attack. This time it effected my lower extremities. I went from working full time, being really busy with our children, to having to take every once of energy I had to walk to the bathroom.  The daily actives like driving to the store or making lunch, became a huge task. My husband has been amazing during this rough time in our life. He has had to work and do a lot around the home that I could not do; which at times was everything. I love him so much!!!  During the past summer I attended physio and have been working really hard on getting my strength back in my legs. I can walk with walking sticks now & know that if I keep working on them it will get better with time.  I have currently had my drivers licence suspended, and have had to depend on other people to drive me around. Thank You so much to everyone who has dropped off or picked up our kids from school, or taken me to one of my many appointments. 
Over the past year life has really changed for our whole family.  It's not about what we have gone through that we need to focus on, but where we go from here.