I want to skydive again. I've done it twice on my own (static line). I was terrified beyond belief but I absolutely loved it - fabulous experience that was unlike any other.

what's keeping me from repeating - the stress! My MS is so quiet, I'm afraid to wake it up. That includes: skydiving, roller coasters, and having a kid!

What would you like to do and why aren't you doing it? (ie, what can we do to convince you to go for it )

I guess this doesn't count because I DID do it. I had been a very avid fan of roller coasters and just didn't have the confidence after my dx. This summer we went to a local theme park, Holiday World. One might say since it is local that the roller coaster would be small. Holiday World has international honors for thier roller coasters and the park in general. They have three different levels of their wooden roller coasters. My daughter suggested I start out with the smaller one since it's been so many years. But the longer I sat and looked at the biggest one, the more I wanted to do it. It was so much FUN.

Yes, sky diving would be next on my list. I also wanted to snorkel but I tried it and freaked out trying to have that mouth piece in and breathe through it. Oh, a hot air baloon!!!!!!! I wish I were rich.

One thing I have always wanted to do and don't know how to do it is to see the inside of one those big truck rigs! I would just love to see their sleeping and living quarters. But what am i supposed to do, go up to a trucker at a rest stop on I 64 and ask him to show me where he sleeps!

Maybe this was more than you asked for here. Maybe you just wanted one thing!

Okay. I had a thoughtful reply all put together and you messed it all up on me, Doydie! LMAO!!!!! Just look for a dealer, dippy! Still LOL! I've seen a couple via friends' jobs and it was a rude awakening... a powerful reminder of how glad I am to be single! LOL!!!!!

I love roller coasters so much that even though I know I will suffer for half an hour after they hoist me out, I just have to do it!

Gret, what a thought-provoking question. Have you been in the FB again?

It's funny because as you know, I have been in a race against time and this disease for the last few years. I have put the bulk of my energy and resources into doing everything I ever wanted or hoped to do. I've had some feelings of reluctance over my roadtrip this fall knowing that it's probably my last one. I think for me, the majority of my struggles are now the kind from within. I think I've done most everything; I need to make peace with myself over the changes that are beyond my control, and the ones that I need to make, but don't want to face.

Gret, please believe me when I tell you that "wishIhadda's" seriously suck and regret lasts forever.

Dear Abby was really quite wise. Some guy asked her one time . . .

"I'm 35, and always wanted to be a doctor, but if I start now, I'll be 42 by the time I get my credentials".

She replied:

"You'll be 42 in 7 yrs anyway." "If you go for it now, you'll be 42 with credentials, not 42 without . . ."

I do everything that I want and can afford to do. In fact I do some things that I can't afford. I do weigh up the risks, and put a safety net in place before I do it though.

For instance, if you want to have kids (I did, with MS, 15 & 11 yrs ago), make sure you have a good support network first. If you don't, then it's not worth the risk, no doubt.

I don't do anything that might jar my spine, only because I pay for it later. I've learned that lesson.

I avoid stress, but pick my battles. If it's worth it to me, I go for it. I try to make sure I have nothing else going on at the same time though. Like last year, I wanted to meet some people I'd talked to on the boards, and the original plan was for June. Things started getting tense around that time, so I cancelled. I ended up going in September instead.

Calculate the risks, build in a safety net . . . then JUST DO IT!

Cherie

Greta

Skydiving is something I want to do as well. The only thing keeping me from doing it is that other person that lives in my house. So, when you come out here to visit, lets do it. There is a great sky diving place not far from my house, so close I can watch them, and I know I great jumpmaster!

I've done the roller coasters and love them.

Hot Air Balloons! I love them. I used to be scared to death of them as I have this deathly fear of heights. I was ok as long as I didn't look up. I went twice. And I'd go again in a heartbeat! It was so much fun. We went skipping on the water and ended up landing in a neighborhood the first time. The second time we landed in an open lot. It was during the Boise River Festival and there were about 50 balloons up at the same time.

As some of you know, not much stops me and I do pay the price. But sometimes it's worth it. The only thing that I can't do now is fly solo. And that's because I am lazy and don't want to battle with the FAA medical guys. No need. I do miss it sometimes because it was my escape - flying. But I have found that I love my landscaping and it is almost as satisfying....almost.

I love the quote from Ann Landers, Cherie. And I followed that a few years ago when I went back to school to finally finish my Bachelor's Degree. Right now I am seriously considering going to law school. I have one obstacle. Working on removing that one.

Good question!

That's hilarious because I've always wanted to see the same thing but you are so right! You can't exactly go up and ask to see their rig. I bet they have hottubs in there!

Um..No, I mean yes, I mean it's Kendall Jackson and I had to go through a lot to get this wine! Suffice it to say it included a small furry pug getting locked in the car at the liquor store...)

I love your roadtrip stories - I think of all the wonderful adventures you've had and it makes me smile. I actually don't really have any regrets, this was more of a curious question designed to let me see what people really want to do/what interests them. Sneaky, huh? I've already skydived so doing it again would just be a bonus, I don't really miss the roller coasters, and you know about my work around for having a kid - in the end, it's all good and it's what I truly want. I do overcompensate I think. I worry that I won't be able to do something in the future, so I push myself to do everything that interests me now.

cherie - I too loved this column. I remember coming back to it when I was trying to decide if I wanted to apply to PT school. It took me a long time to understand this, but when I finally did, I was good with it (and it made me realize that I didn't want to give up the next 3 years of my life to pursue it, no matter how much I wanted to be a PT). It wasn't the time it would take, it was the loss of it and the impact to my family that sealed my decision. Very freeing.

Silly girl, now why would you want to jump out of a "perfectly good airplane"!?

I guess we can go, as long as you aren't the pilot as well. Remind me to tell you of my first jump. I think the pilot thought he was going to have to land with me hanging off the strut. Much to my dismay, I learned that you don't actually "jump". You have to climb out onto this little step while holding the strut and then let go. Ack. I think I need another glass of wine now. You do have yourself a deal though.

Oh, darn . . . my apologies to Ms Landers for crediting Abby. They were both very good though.

Cherie

Oh, You guys, I would love to go sky diving . I dream about it. ...I'm such a chicken and always have been, but the older I get, the more guts I get...LOL, so who knows, may just do it.

I know I've missed a lot in my life, but I have no regrets for not having done something that I wanted to do. I'm a pretty content little chicky and having such limitations now, it's a good thing..huh!

My SSon John goes skydiving and wants me to do it. We'll see.. ... Have fun, You two...Wheeeeeeee!!

You know what Cherie, it very well could have been Abby. I just typed Ann Landers out of habit. Hmmm...maybe a little homework on my part is due! LOL! I just noticed that!

I think we need to all make a date to go sky diving or hot air balooning! And on the way, lets check out some big semi!

Right now what I would like to do is to go to my friends house tomorrow. A bunch of us 'old nurses' get together once a year. It was to be tomorrrow. Between this heat, my Moms excess errands and the beginning of a bladder infection, I am wiped out. So i called the hostess and concelled out. She made me promose that I felt better tomorrow I would change my mind. I hope I can.