My procedure date is April 4.

I have managed to create what I am referring to as a "Care Team" to follow up once I return home. My GP is interested in following me and seeing what the results might be. I also have a gastro-enterologist. I have chronic constipation and have developed a polyp so I have an appointment for a colonoscopy after I return. She is also very interested in my results. I told my neurologist's receptionist that I was heading to CR and she made an appointment with him for after my return. She said he does not "need" to see me beforehand. (After I hung up I made a noise that sounded like "phthlllt" sort of like an exasperated horse.)

The most significant arrangement I made was to have a complete neurological assessment done by my chiropractor. She will do others; one, three and six months after the procedure. We have all had these assessments - you know "touch my finger, touch your nose", "watch this pen" "push my hands away". It took about half an hour and she was able to chart what exactly my symptoms were. I think that will be interesting. And I will collect evidence of the effectiveness of this procedure.

I also have been doing yoga regularly for the past year, since I retired. My yoga teacher works with us to understand our bodies, what may or may not be in our way to settling into the postures. It has been invaluable for me to have a greater sense of what the MS is doing and, in these weeks before I leave, it is keeping me sane (or as sane as possible under the circumstances).

And that is one of the big surprises. Ever since I made the decision and arrangements to go, I feel like I have been living with some kind of low level stress that has moved in and is trying to take over my life. Yoga helps me push it back but I still have classic signs and symptoms of stress: difficulty sleeping, irritability, slight headaches, irritability, distracted thinking, irritability, over-eating and, oh did I mention? IRRITABILITY.

I have made it clear to all the doctors, my family and friends that I am Team Captain and that I will be managing this file. I think for the first time in 30 years I feel empowered with respect to MS and whatever happens I will not give that up. (I guess it helps being a teensy bit irritable right now when setting out the parameters of this change.)