New Years Address

This my New Years address. We have lots of hope from this year.
Lots of treatments. Lots of new possible cures. We should take
stock in knowing this. Every year brings us closer to real
breakthroughs in medicine. Instead of thinking of all the negative
things a New Year brings focus on the positive. This year could be
the one year where we do have a cure. A hundred percent working
cure. A real chance for a future without HD. That will come soon. I
do believe that this year brings nothing but good things for all of us.
Just believe and we will succeed. Let’s this year bring us hope in
ten folds. This year will be a year of big advancements. We deserve
to have a cure. New treatments we deserve too. Soon we will have
them. Just have faith. Everything will come in due time. Just take life
for everything it is worth this year.

Reason for Hope

Happy new Year Everyone. We need a reason for hope. We need a
reason to fight for our lives. We always have reasons to fight.
Sometimes we don’t know they are there. The reasons we are
fighting for are things like having a better life. We all need that
reason. We all need a better quality life. We can fight every for
ounce of that. Just fight for healthy mental health. We need that
one especially. The mental and physical are connected. Without
balancing both we are hopeless. What are your reasons to fight?
We need them especially if you are sick and want to make a
positive change in your life. Every minute of everyday fight HD with
me.

Afraid

One of the things I am afraid of HD taking away my brains. I am
slowly losing everything now. I tried to devolpe my brain and
knowledge. Now I am slowly losing all of it. I can feel my brains
slowly disappearing. I used to be able to figure out Smallvile or any
movies in 15 minutes or less. Now I can’t. I have not been able to in
a month. This dementia slowly creeping on me. Whenever I am
making a graphic or a page on here, it is the only thing I feel I can
still do a hundred percent. The thing that makes me hopeful
thought out this disease progression is the fact I believe a hundred
percent that we will be cured. I believe too that we will have good
treatments too. There is lots of hope to be found all over the place.
We have to believe in able to succeed when we are sick and losing
everything that we hold dear. Simple belief is doing me wonders.
Everything has to get better and brighter.

Article What is Mental Health

I just found this article on mental health. Ways to help us get more
mentally healthy.
http://mentalhealth.about.com/cs/stressmanagement/a/whatismental.htm

Laugh at yourself

When I am tired I do notice that my HD symptoms get worse.
Yesterday was one of those days. I was wearing my eye glasses and
tried to put on my sunglasses without knowing that they were on.
Some days my husband has to cut everything for me. I was extra
twitchy too. Last night was the only good sleep I have had all week.
It I so important that we get a good sleep. When all of this is
happening I laugh it off. Bringing some humor in can do wonders to
make you laugh and not take anything seriously. Laughter is the
best medicine. It can heal any wound. Sometimes when I am not
doing well my husband will cheer me up. All of things he does to
make me laugh, make it all lot easier. Just laugh. That’s one of the
good things that we can do that can heal any wound.

A Fight for a Future

Lately I have been having a symptom that is like drowning for me. It
feels like sniffing pool water in my nose. It is really weird feeling. It
has been happening for a week now. It is not a fun feeling at all. I
am struggling well .We have to just simply live the best way we can.
I big part is accepting the HD. That is not an easy thing to do. If you
do accept as part of your life, you can live in sweet peace and
harmony. It is a beautiful place that I am in everyday. Everyone can
get there. Takes a lot of work. We are all just strong and brave. We
can fight anything we want to. We can have pure joy.

Another Award

I won another Award. It is huge this time. This is my 15th award.
Anything is possible. Just put I the hard work and believe and
anyone can achieve their dreams. It feels good. It does not matter
if we have HD or any other inhibiter. We can overpower everything
and anything if we just believe..

Ways to Cope

I made a new page on ways to cope with HD. I am hoping they are
useful. My councilor actually suggested this one to me. I thought it
was a good idea to. Ways to make your lives better physically and
mentally.

Created Another Award

I made another award page that you can access through the main
awards page. I wish everyone a Merry Merry Christmas. Enjoy the
time with your family. That’s what this time is for. Once again I will
tell you guys. We have a lot to be thankfull for. We truly live and
love like no else. I always surprise myself when I make something
on my page or graphics. Being as sick as I am I still somehow find
away. Anyhting is possible. Don't let anyone tell you differently. I
talked to my hubby. When years down the road when I am too sick
to run it. I don't beileve that happen. We will be cured by then. I will
teach my hubby how to do it all. I want my page of hope to be for as
long as everyone needs it. Which I think will be along time. We all
need hope. Gary is going to get his results soon. My hubby and I
will go home to be with my brother.

Choking

Today I was twitching and had trouble walking. I was sitting here
and eating with my husband when I a piece of steak got caught
down my throat. I started choking like crazy. I managed to get it out
myself though.I was lucky. I did not feel like it afterwords. I was sad.
I never get like this very often. I told him I did not want to be sick.
Trevor hugged me and said that nobody ever wants to be sick. After
that I was back to my own positive self. I knew that this happens to
everyone who is sick. I needed to grasp that deep inside. There will
be days when I do have something that sucks the life out of me. I
can’t ever let it ruin my life. I have to fight like usual. Harder this
time. Harder next time. Even harder every time after that. What else
can we do? I never want this illness to take and destroy the
goodness and positivity in my life. Same with yours. We have to
work harder then anyone that does not have a HD can ever
understand. I understand that. Every day is a struggle just to smile.
Just to laugh.

Amazing Stem Cells Breakthrough

There has been a huge breakthrough involving Stem, Cells. One of
the bad sides was that your body can reject them. Now they have
found a way that the body takes them in and does not reject them
anymore, This is huge breakthrough.
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/clo.2007.0063

Another Award

I have one another award. Thank you Lady Loves Lace for honoring
me with this award. It is an Inner Beauty Award. It means a lot to me.
It feels good for being honored for my vision. My vision is to make
anyone whoever they are, whatever they have. We can all be
positive and have a good life. I just wanted to show people hope.
Substantial hope for the future. We all need to build hope and
happy future for ourselves no matter what the odds are stacked
against us.

Anxiety while doing aerobics

Today when I was doing aerobics and I had anxiety attacks. I
concentrated on what I was doing instead of how I was feeling. It
worked so good. I just concentrated on what I was doing. When you
do that you don’t have time to be anxious. I am not going to give up
easy to HD. I need to fight hard. The harder we make it for
Huntington’s the better time we will have. It is hard. We can all do it.

Fight With Everything You Got

We should never ever give up. Never lose sight of the fight. We are
literally fighting for our lives. Every day we get closer and closer to
victory. We have to never lose focus of doing everything we can do
for ourselves. We will win, when we get the cure that we know will
come in a few years. There are so many options I believe 100
percent that a least one will work for us.

Article

Back in 1996 we were all kids. My Mom was still alive. They were
supposed to build a facility in Rimbey for HD patients. In my
hometown. They have more HD families then anywhere else. My
Dad did this article to raise awareness and help us get that home.
My dad was sadly the only person in Rimbey to go. Now you know
where I get my fight from. From my Dad.

http://www.angelfire.com/heatherdugdale/article.html

Hallucinations

Yesterday I hallucinated twice. The first one was auditory. I heard
voices talking. They were coming from the TV. It was not even on. I
grabbed one of blankets, grounded myself. It worked so good. I am
glad. I recommend everyone do that when they have hallucination.
It takes away that scared feeling and pulls you into reality again.
The second one I saw my Husband bleeding. I knew it was
hallucination. It was easy to break. I just have to fight HD anyway
we can. We have to. I am really finding everything this counselor
said to me. You have to apply it all. You have to go 100 percent if
you want it to work.

Keep the faith

Keep the faith. Keep faith in tomorrow. In our cure. Make every day
betterthan the next. Live life to the fullest. That is what life is
designed for. It is a tool of happiness and positive feeling. Even
though some days you just can’t. Try harder and harder. Don’t ever
give up. We may be sick but we can be mentally healthy. Every day
has to count. We can’t let HD take everything from under us. We
have to fight it. We have the power to change everything that lies in
our path.

Brother Gary getting test results soon

My brother Gary went though testing and is awaiting his results. He
will get them before Christmas time. They said there is no way he
would not get them. He met with my HD team. They are all nice
people. He is being brave. He knows since he is showing signs he is
already prepared for a positive result. We are all prepared.

Hallucinations

Last night I had a hallucination. I saw dragons and scary black
things running around. It was the scariest one I got since I got sick.
I also was very scared and paranoid. I kept hearing noises and
bumps. I thought someone was going to break in... I got up and
checked 3 times, of course there was nobody there. The past 3
nights have been really scary. Tomorrow I see my counselor. Tell
her about the Tic Tacs and how good it works. Nothing but good
results. I don’t know what symptom we are working on. I believe that
everything will get better. I prefer to not use meds. Instead emotion
control. I feel the less meds people are on is better.

Setting up Christmas Tree

Yesterday my husband and I set up our Christmas tree. It was fun. I
thought about all the Christmas crafts I make. I am still going to
make them. Every year I make things for my family. I have big plans
for this year. My grandmother before she died from
Alzheimer’s, taught me how to do all of that stuff. She was very
crafty. She made Wedding cakes too. I helped her when I was little.
She and my Grandpa raised us. I also played a part when I got older.
I miss her. When she got sick I wanted to go back home and look
after her. My dad said she would be happy if I stayed in Calgary and
did the best for me.

Anxiety while doing aerobics

Today when I was doing aerobics and I had anxiety attacks. I
concentrated on what I was doing instead of how I was feeling. It
worked so good. I just concentrated on what I was doing. When you
do that you don’t have time to be anxious. I am not going to give up
easy to HD. I need to fight hard. The harder we make it for
Huntington’s the better time we will have. It is hard. We can all do it.

Scarred

I have been scared the past couple days. The shadows were very
scary. When that happens you have to do something that grounds
you. Makes you realize there is nothing to be scared of. Touch
something soft. I garb the blankets. I have been also having crazy
mood swings. They come and go. Right now they are crazy. I haven’t
had hallucinations in a long time. Just got to keep fighting every
day. Never let HD win.

Always Fight

Always fight for happiness. It is something we create ourselves. It
is the sunshine in the blue sky. It is everything for people.
Something that we really have to work for. We have to create this.
Don’t let this horrible disease kill all aspects of life. All our
happiness. We have to make sure it will never touch our happy and
hopeful side.

Husband

Yesterday my husband got diagnosed with high blood pressure. He
has to go see the Doctor and get meds. We don’t have health plan
right now. It will be rough to pick up all of his meds. I want my
husband healthy and happy. I as usual believe that everything will
be okay. I have a handle on my anxiety attacks. I went from a few a
day to one a day. The Tics tacs are so amazing. Everyone should try
them. I was worried for a bit hat I might need anti anxiety meds. Did
you hear that Copper Breakthrough. Everything is good there. We
have several possible treatment options. So much hope for us. I
still believe that a cure is not far away.

Brother in Testing

I talked to my Brother Gary. He is not afraid of the result that he will
get since we already know he has it. We have all known for quite a
long time. I just hope he does everything good for himself. I know I
call him every time I get huge breakthrough.

Green tea and Pineapple Juice

I am sitting here typing and drinking green tea and pineapple
juice. Antioxidants are so good. The Tic Tics work really really well.
I went and got some yesterday. When I had my first panic attack I
got them and told myself it is anxiety pills. It worked so good. I have
been having them like crazy for the past week. I think this is a good
way without meds to fight it. We need to fight any way we can. In
every possible way.

Fun Day

My husband Trevor is looking into care giving support. He got a
bunch of sheets on it. I am so glad I moved here. We actually will
own a house in one year. After that we will get a dog. In Calgary no
way. It just got too expensive. I went out today with my Mother in
Law Alice and her parents. It was a good time. Her mother has
Alzheimer’s disease. Alice looks after her. I updated my Graphics
Page today. You can find it in my links page.

Stem Cell Network

I was having trouble with my guestbook so I switched it. I added the
counseling aspect of helping mental symptoms on the HD
Information page. I think it is a good idea. They work on everything
mental problem you have. My friend Miranda made some HD songs
for us. We are making a music video for it and distributing it around
the Vancouver area. I believe they can cure any illness. Especially
ours. Our cure could come any day know. I truly feel it. We are just
getting o close to having a big breakthrough. They are working on
several different treatments. They have to find one that works like a
charm. This is stem cell specific site that was sent to me by a friend.

http://www.stemcellnetwork.ca/

Home Now

I am home now. I got home last night. Every time I go home and see
my Mom’s grave. I told her about my website and how positive it is
and about my mission. Every time I am up their Dad gives me
something of Mom's. In the Red Deer newspaper they had a good
article they did on my Mom. I will put it up. I went to my Dad’s place.
My brother Gary was there. I also saw my Grandpa. Gary starts
testing on Dec 5. When he gets his results I will be here. My Dad
will take him to Calgary. I gave him info and support. We are pretty
sure that he has it though. My Dad had us drinking green tea with
30 ml of any citrus juice. If you saw that article then you know why.
It also makes it yummier. It was good to see my Dad. He is the only
family member that is on my site regularly. Before it was online I
sent it to my Dad. We got it worked out. I saw my social worker and
my psychiatrist. In February we will see my everyone again. Even
my neurologist next time. I am pretty sure that next time they will
tell me I am showing symptoms. They have nothing good to say
about Tetrabenazine. When I think it gives a not good feeling in my
tummy. They need to figure out every part of it. I know that 1 third of
people on it get side effects. Wellbutrin is safe though. It will do no
harm like we thought.

More and More updates

These are never ending to me. I made a Care giving page. I also
added more to my story. I went and changed all the colors on the
pages too. Since I have HD. There are things I don't do any more.
That is skateboarding. My hubby BMX's. We are the only
skateboarder and BMX'er couple ever. I am afraid to touch my
skateboard now. He flatlands. I used to snowboard too. I am going
to try this winter, too see if I can still do it. You know what keeps my
happy about losing everything you hold dear. I know that we will
not die. We will get cured. Even though I am young. I have done so
much good with my life. Everything I am accomplished and had
accomplished. That drags me through. Trycreate good memories
for your life to. We will have futures. We just have to get though the
bleak part first. Don’t get dragged into that part. You have to
escape. Otherwise it will always be that way.

Fight With Everything You Got

I have been having hallucinations for the last 2 nights. They were
really scary.I am trying hard to not let it all get to me. I can’t break
down, and let HD rule my life. I always fight hard for a piece of
happiness. Everyone should. Happiness no matter how little can be
great in the end. My husband and I have an advocate now to get us
some benefits.

Happy Halloween

I put up an Erase Hate Banner. It is for the GLBT Community. That is
the Gays, Lesbains, Bisexuals, and Transsexuals. I love all of them.
In Calgary I and my husband went to gay bars all the time. Most of
my friends are all in the community. When I volunteered at the
distress center I worked on the new Gay crisis line there. I also
fought for gay marriage rights. This No Hate message goes further.
It stems from Matthew Sheppard. He was a nice young gay man
with a future. He was brutally murdered by people who hated gays.
His family and any supporters such as I, we never want to see that
happen again. This case is the reason we now have hate laws.

Article

For the past week I have been working on a positive living article
for the Huntington’s Disease Advocacy Center. It was a lot of work,
but now it is done. They have it up today. You can read it. Learn from
it. There can be goodness coming out of darkness.

http://www.hdac.org/features/article.php?p_articleNumber=515

Check out this link

It is a HD myspace, We are HD. I have been tinkering on it
today. It so fun. Everyone is nice and they know about HD, or
have it.They are very supportive.

http://www.wearehd.org/

Another new possible cure

The second one involves: C2-8 a compound

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-10/mgh-asi100407.php

It also radically changed the infected mouse.

Positivity

When anyone reads anything about HD. It is all negative. I need
to change that. You need to change that. I do believe that we
will win in the end. All it takes is a 180. If you live in shadows,
with no light. No sunshine. That’s not living at all. Try and get
out of that. It will do a person good. The body and mind are
connected. If one is messed up, the other is. If we are taking
care of neither. Than what good are we doing? We need to find a
happy balance in our lives. We need sunshine to be happy. We
need it inside and out. The fight for happiness is worth it.