Last Thursday me and Dizzy had an action packed day of seeing the MS Nurse and having our first audition with the BBC! This could have been a really good day but it was not meant to be…
We’re been dithering about medication for the last 2 and a half years now, so after our last relapse we decided to book an appointment with the nurse to re visit the idea! We were going with the hope of having a nice little conversation that would make us feel better about the possible side effects. Instead it was 40 minutes of them being explained in detail, including being told that ‘one did die’. It also didn’t help that the room had no natural light, was very hot and the nurse kept getting needles out (me and Dizzy do not like needles). She is lovely but by the end we were feeling like we were either going to pass out or be sick and not feeling better about any of them.
I’ve now given up with the decision and given the booklets to Dizzy to read through. It’s been a few days now but she’s still on the first page…Dizzy said she’s making sure she takes it all in…
So off me and Dizzy went feeling sick and dizzy to our audition! We had left an hour and a half extra time which we spent in traffic doing 3 miles in an hour and then getting lost. We managed to get there eventually! …20 minutes late and in a big flustered state.
Usually we’re pretty good with auditions but after all that my mind seemed to have just decided to completely give up on me…
Dizzy’s guide on how not to audition:
- Turn up 20 minutes late and then make sure they don’t forget the fact that you were late.
2. Forget your whole life.
3. Draw attention to how you don’t fit the role.
4. Forget all the lines that you’ve spent the last 24 hours learning.
5. …then stumble over the lines you do manage to actually say.
6. Sit looking at them thinking it’s their line when no, it’s your line. 🙂
7. Glance directly into the camera a couple of times and just generally do really bad screen acting.
8. Remind them at the end that you were late. Just incase they hadn’t fully realised that at the beginning. 🙂
So after four years of hoping to get an audition with them, I’m now hoping they forget about me as quickly as possible. Dizzy’s not too fazed though. Wasn’t one brownie or ginger nut biscuit in sight so she’s not that bothered that we won’t be going back anytime soon.
That was our eventful Thursday! 🙂 Have you ever had a day that’s just not gone right from the start? Or an interview that’s just been abit of a disaster? xxx
I’m so sorry that your visit with the nurse basically ruined your entire day. Hopefully the BBC will realise that you had an off day and bring you back.
Thank you. I’m sure I’ll get another chance with them one day. Hopefully they’ll have forgotten this one by then. 🙂 Hope your weeks going ok. xxx
Aww, I’m sorry to hear your day didn’t go to plan. But to have an audition with the BBC is in itself an amazing thing. Hope things look up for you and Dizzy xx
Thank you. I am seeing the funny side to it now! It was just Thursday and the drive home. Off all the auditions to go really badly. 🙂 This week is going much better. 🙂 Hope you’re having a good week. 🙂 xxx
I can imagine. I’m glad this week’s going better. Thank you xxx
Love your blog.
Thank you so much. That really means a lot. xxx
I took Techfidera for about a year. My white blood cells decreased to an amount that I had to get off of the medicine. While I was on it I really liked it.
That’s really helpful to know. I think that’s the one I will give a try and just see how I get on with it. What one are you on now? xxx
I just started Ocrevus today. Took a half a dose today and will take another half into weeks. Then it’s every six months. I had no side effects, no adverse symptoms, it was a piece a cake!
That’s one not currently licensed over here. Looks like it might be sometime next year! Every 6 months is good though! Is it done by injection? xxx
That would be a good step! It is an Infusion
It can only get better! xx
Thank youuu. 🙂 xxxx
Colossally deep breath and a very long walk somewhere green.
Do your own research in your own time about MS treatment options and the go back and discuss it again, when you have a clear list of questions that you need answers to .
I hate needles too, but most new generation ms drugs don’t need them at all . My experience is that the drugs have been great and something to embrace, not be afraid of.
Good luck.🌿
I’ve spent the last two years researching them. My problem is I find it hard to see them as a good thing (even though I know they are!). The side effects just worry me. But I think I have decided to try one and which one. I’ll just see how I get on with it. 🙂 xxx
I am on fingolimod , one tablet a day, zero side effects and my life and confidence back.
They haven’t offered that one to me as an option. So glad you’ve found one that really works for you. 🙂 xxx
Sorry you had such a bummer of a day. Any chance of a repeat audition?
No. I’m sure I’ll get another chance one day! Hopefully when this ones been forgotten. 🙂 xxx
Well that is a bummer! I did a lot oof auditions for the BBC and others when I lived in England and oddly enough if could well and I wouldn’t get the job or not well and I’d be hired. So don’t despair the Beeb will call again. A for the nurse I second the opinion of the previous comment that suggests doing your own research. I will ask the woman at my barn what she is on as she seems to be doing well with it. Finally they always tell you someone died whether it is a medication or surgery or whatever. So don’t worry about that one.
I’ve had the same thing. Have come out thinking it was a really bad audition and then got the job! Definitely haven’t got this one though but I’m sure they’ll be more chances with them in the future. 🙂
I have been researching them for the last 2 years. I think part of the problem is I know too much about them now and all the possible side effects. I would really appreciate if you could ask the lady you know. That would be really helpful. Thank you. I think I have come to a decision to try one and just see how I get on with it. 🙂 xxx
OK I will ask and let you know.
Thank you Anne. 🙂 xxx
Sending big hugs to you and Dizzy. Keep your sense of humor and keep smiling! #DaysLikeThese <3 <3
Thank you Felicia! We’re seeing the funny side to the whole day now. 🙂 xxx
You did have a bad day, indeed. The hot, windowless room is not a good choice to see a patient who has MS, or anyone else for that matter. I’ve been on both sides of interviews. (I prefer to be the interviewer. lol) A good iterviewer will evaluate the person and not the actual material. What can this person do for us? Maybe you’ll get the position, or they will like you and remember you.
And a person with MS typing late in the day will make typos! Sorry.
And I didn’t even notice the typos when I read it! 🙂 xxx
Thank you for your kind words. I’ve never had the chance to be the interviewer, but I think I would prefer that too. 🙂 I’m sure there will be more chances with them in the future. 🙂 xxx
Stay positive😊
Thank you. 🙂 We’re feeling abit better about it now. xxx
Haha, I’ve definitely had interviews that were a bit of a disaster, but you are probably doing a better job of retroactively cheering me up about them then I would cheering you up. It is comforting to know someone witty and successful enough to even get an audition with BBC can laugh at their goofs. Maybe I’ll eventually learn, and I bet you’ll have another interview well before that point.
I am seeing the funny side to it all now. I can’t say I was on the way home from it though! 🙂 It does help to know others have really bad interviews aswell though. I’m sure we’re not the only ones either. 🙂 xxx
Oops! Look, we all get nervous sometimes. Don’t worry about it. I wasn’t as bad as you think, I’m sure.
It’s true, we all do. 🙂 Thank you. xxx
Yes. My absolute pleasure.
Congratulations on getting an interview. That was a major achievement. I am sorry your day went badly but as people often say”What is meant for you won’t pass you by”
Thank you. And I completely agree. Everything in life does happen when it’s meant too. Even if I do wish the audition had just gone a little better. 🙂 Hope your weeks going ok. xxx
Rough day indeed! What goes down usually comes back up! Hoping for a positive day for you soon!
On the MS meds- If you want to talk tecfidera, I’ve got 3 years experience.
I have just emailed the nurse to say I would like to try tecfidera so that would be great actually. Just any general advice and how you’ve got on with it. Either reply to me on here or my email is dizzythedonkey@gmail.com if that’s ok. Thank you so much. 🙂 xxx
I’ll send you an email 😊
Thank you. Look forward to hearing from you. 🙂 xx
Oh dear! As Van the man said, there’ll be days like this. But I wish there weren’t sometimes! Next time, I’m sure it’ll work out 🙂
Lol, it’s true! I think we all have them sometimes. Hopefully next time will go abit better though. 🙂 xxx
Hey there,
What a lovely blog! I love the Donkey and Dinosaur pics! (I love Donkeys too – they’re the best!) Medication, I personally had a bad experience with Techfidera, it gave me horrendous stomach pains that stopped me enjoying and living life…HOWEVER.. we are all different so what might work for you might not work for me? If you don’t get on with any treatment just stop and try something else :-).. I would of suggested and injectable treatment but seen as you and Dizzy don’t like needles I won’t get into that…
I’m currently deciding on treatment too.. we can go through this together 🙂 anyway I hope you have a lovely day 🙂
Thank you for visiting our blog. 🙂 and that you love donkeys too!
That’s what I’ve finally decided. I’ll just give it a try and if it doesn’t work for me it doesn’t. There are lots of other options now. 🙂 It is the tummy issues that are my main concern as mine is easily made grumpy anyway but you never know. Is there one you’re leaning towards? With me it’s always been between tecfidera and copaxone. I even initially decided on copaxone but then it just lived in my fridge for 2 years… Would be interested to know what you decide and hope you have a lovely day too. 🙂 xxx
The advice I would give for Tech is had a good meal before hand.. breakfast and dinner.. include carbs.. if you yummy does play up then what happy for me was apple slices, ginger tea and camomile tea 😊 haha well I’m considering copaxone actually 😊 (that the needle on right?) Haha.. I’m lucky and don’t have a fear of needles but I understand it’s hard for some people. Lovely to meet you and thank you for following my blog.. I hope you enjoy the read.. I certainly will 😊 xxx
Thank you for the advice. Ginger is so good and tastes yummy. 🙂 Copaxone is the needle one! Its every day at first but it now comes in a higher dose so you can then move onto 3 a week. It would be my 2nd choice after tecfidera because it has the least side effects out of them all. I look forward to reading your future posts. Would love to know how you find copaxone too if you go for it as I might be trying it in the future. 🙂 xxx
Haha lol that’s the reason why I went for it lol! (We sound like twins haha!) Yes well I see my neurologist in November so I’m going to discuss it with him and we will see what he says.. I’ll definitely write a blog post about it 😊.. you’re an actor/actress? That’s amazing I loved drama at school but I could never keep a straight face lol haha! Lovely talking with you xxx
Lol yes, we were even diagnosed in the same year I’ve just realised! That was my only reason. I just go for the side effect pages before looking at anything else to do with them. Tecfidera worried me because of the small risk of PML but I’ve realised it’s all really closely monitored. Yeah, and I teach drama aswell. 🙂 I’ll have to check out your youtube channel too. 🙂 xxx
Ah thanks lovely, unfortunately I’ve had to stop filming videos at the moment I just really struggle to do it and work 9-5:30 5 days a week lol it just got too much so I’m having a break for now but hoping to return in the future 😊
Haha omg yeah same here.. always read the side effects then I freak out and end up not taking them.. but we have to realised they have to write them cause of legal reasons.. yeah you are closely monitored on Tech.. I really hope its good for you.. please write bout your experience as I’d love to read it also.
Haha yes we were weren’t we! When were you diagnosed? Xxx
Working full time sounds more than enough! I only do part time.
Lol, that’s what happened with the copaxone. It turned up and I was ready to just get on with the injections but I went straight to the leaflet that has to contain all possible side effects, freaked out and hid it at the back of the fridge. I’m not going to let myself look at the tecfidera one. I will write a post on it when they arrive. 🙂
I was diagnosed in the December of 2014. How about you? xxx
OMG shut up!! I was diagnosed in December 2014 too!! The 14th to be exact haha we are becoming more and more like twins… Lol when is your birthday hehe :’) 🙂
Ah yes try not to, I know it’s hard but it will only freak you out and you don’t want that.. Yes working full time has been difficult especially because this is my second relapse this year and I think it’s just because I’ve been overdoing things, I can’t afford to reduce my hours at the moment but hopefully I’ll be able to in the future as I think it will allow me to have more of a life. Xxx
I was diagnosed on the 2nd. Lol, my birthday is August 17th. Whens yours?
It just sounds so tiring. Are you ok after the relapses though? I had one at the end of last year and still getting over just that one! xxx
Hey, so sorry for my major late reply! Haha I tend to do that! Mines May 9th xxx
I’m so sorry the nurse made things worse. But Dizzy has the right idea. When the BBC starts offering brownies and ginger cookies they’ll be worth you giving them another chance.
That’s what we decided. Until then we won’t be bothering to return. 🙂 Dizzy gets hungry.
Hope you’re having a good week. 🙂 xxx
Thank you. I’m doing well. Kiss Dizzy for me.
I will do. 🙂 Dizzy says hello. 🙂 xxx
I love the creative and thought-provoking way of presenting this post. Keep it up!
Thank you so much Peter, that really means alot. 🙂 xxx
You’re gladly welcome!