CSI Up close and personal...

http://www2.wrbl.com/news/2011/jul/15/8/cpd-investigating-shooting-sleep-inn-ar-2131093/
COLUMBUS, Ga. --

At about 11:30am, first responders were summoned to the Sleep Inn on Armor Road, just west of the Columbus airport, to investigate a shooting.

WRBL News 3 crews on the scene say police and EMS technicians are on the scene.

Coroner Bill Thrower did come to the scene; however, no crime scene tape was ever used.

WRBL has calls into the coroner for an update.

This would be no special news story... except we are at this hotel!!


One of the detectives didn't appreciate my enjoyment but in my world you have to enjoy life. I am not about to be sad and scared for the remainder of my vacay I embraced the chance to get a few likely once in a lifetime photos. I didn't cross any lines or go anywhere I wasn't allowed or even go anywhere I wouldn't have if they wouldn't have been there. However the chic detective say me and my camera in hand.
She hollars "I know you didn't take my picture" Ummm NO you aren't worth my film... I replied "nope not yet". She says if you did I will take your camera and so I replied come check it. So she comes up and checks it. I was headed towards our room on floor two looking down (it had like a balcony area). Of course I didn't have her picture or anything not allowed (LAME!) So she says you must li9ve in a really boring town. I reply YUP (but realistically the avg mid class citizen prob will never see a crime potential murder scene-- especially not at their hotel on vacay and even if it was suicide I was still intrigued. Then she says Well didn't you at least get your fill on tv of enough crime scenes. I replied I don't have cable. She had nothing further to say and me and my camera continued on our happy way to the hotel room where the coroner van was pulling in :-)

June Patient Profile: Meet Joy

MEET JOY... REGULAR PEOPLE ARE EFFECTED
Meet my mom, Joy. Like us, she lives here in Lynchburg, VA. She is a stay at home mom and home maker. Formerly she was a foster mother for about 10 years, but after adopting my sister Karlee about years ago they "retired" from foster parenting.
Mom is about to be 54 years old. She has been married to dad for over 30 years. She has 6 children; Zac, Missy, Beth, Karlee, Joe and Mark and 26 former foster children.

dad, mom, sons Joe and Mark, son-in law Marko, Daughter Beth and Grandkids Anthony and Jayna- May 2011

DIAGNOSIS
Although formally diagnosed about 18 months ago, mom has been having symptoms for about 15 years that we can now link to MS since getting the definite diagnosis. Mom's first unknown symptom was her hands feeling like they were wrapped with yarn, not numb but rather restrained or tingly even. Her doctor at the time tested her for diabetes but never gave her any explanations. Her 1st diagnosed symptom was diagnosed about 8-9 years ago and is a common MS link. (although the link is unknown until the big diagnosis. She had/has Optic Neuritis:

Optic neuritis is the inflammation of the optic nerve, the nerve that transmits light and visual images to the brain, and is responsible for vision.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 55% of people with MS will have an episode of optic neuritis. Frequently, it's the first symptom of the disease. Although having optic neuritis is very suggestive of MS, it does not mean that a person has or will get MS.

3-4 years ago she did a church weight lo9ss group but if not really concentrating on her footing she'd trip/almost fall/ loose her balance.

What led her to a larger diagnosis beyond just the optic neuritis and "clumsiness" was when she started having rather major balance issues, fatigue and obvious weakness about 2.5 years ago. She was more fatigued than usual, but that is easy to blame on "being in the 50plus" category. Howevery the rubbery feeling, lazy legs that would make her loose her balance, sometimes falling and made walking difficult were not so easily diagnosed, nor was the rather extreme (sudden- in a matter of 3 months) weakness.

Possibly, due to dad and I doing the MS Bike ride, mom came across some National MS writing about some symptoms and links. She had found the missing piece to all her weird symptoms over the last 15 years. She took it to her family doctor, who previously was unable to explain her issues and gave her a referral to a neurologist. She had an MRI done. She had two small brain legions and a larger legion on her neck. She had MS.

Mom Christmas Eve 2010

POST DIAGNOSIS
Joy was told she has remitting/relapsing MS. However she is thinking maybe she has Progressive as she is yet to have a "break" which is typically what you would expect with relapsing MS; times with several (often more severe) symptoms and then times without many symptoms. Since getting her diagnosis, she has had several falls. However one in her backyard in Feb 2011 takes the cake and has caused her to loose more mobility, this time in her arm. She has hurt her rotator cuff in her shoulder and now has very liminited arm movement for that arm. She is in Physical therapy once a week to attempt to regain that arms strength and mobility, so far with very limited results. In May 2011 she had a shoulder MRI and Xrays done, but is still waiting the full results and treatment. Unfortunately falls have become a part of life now.

SYMPTOMS
Currently moms main three issues are severe weakness, fatigue and lack of balance. In addition she has the Optic Neuritis, bowel and bladder issues- which she found out are also common MS issues, and lazy legs.

Christmas Day fun with Grandson Anthony

MEDICATIONS
Joy is currently is a trial study. She drives an hour away every month to take part in this drug test trial. Every three months she gets a brain MRI. It is a year long study that will end in August. At this point we do not know if mom's medicine is "the real thing" or just a saline/water solution. Half the patients in this study are given "fake" meds and half are given the real thing. Although unknown, it is thought she has the real thing due to a reaction she had one night. Every other day mom gets an injection in either her arm, hip or belly. They rotate spots. In August she will find out which "med" she had and the results and effects, if it helped her improve, if she got worse. Then she will continue to receive her meds free until the FDA approves it, at least one year. The side effects of this medicine include lots of bruising, bumps and lumps.

Anthony and Grandma on Anthony's 7th birthday he got a matching shirt: Feb 2011

EMOTIONAL SIDE OF MS
PI did not ask mom specifically what her feelings were on the emotional side of MS, however I see her somewhat fustrated with this disease. It's hard to go from being very independent and a hands on worker (she's queen of do it your self home improvements) to slowly loosing the ability to do much of the activities she has enjoyed. She now has to walk very slowly and concentrate on each step as to not fall and to maintain her balance. It's fustrating to remember how much strength and and care-freeness you had and watch MS slowly steal it from you. We used to pay mom to clean for us at one point now cleaning a room in her house wears her out, She used to watch her grandkids several hours a day, now we try to limit it to no more than a few as she is weaker and more tired. Even if/when they behave well, it is a lot on her now. The other emotional side I see is one she hasn't fully dealt with yet, but is preparing to. This spring and summer the have/are making their home fully handicap friendly. They have installed very sturdy hand rails for the front steps as she struggles with those and then they have added a paved, level, entrance around back. She has a walker she can use as needed. Some of this is not fully needed yet, but it is better to prepare now before it is needed and not there.

Christmas Day 2011... moms in the right hand corner :-)

CAN YOU HELP US FIND A CURE?
IN honor of Joy, and other MS victims like her, will you please consider making a donation to the National MS Society. I am specifically asking you support our bike team as we raise awareness about MS, and raise funds to find a cure and erase MS. If you are able to donate please visit our MS 150 bike ride page
We are riding in a 150 mile bicycle ride to raise awareness and funds for those struggling with MS. Thank you for your financial support as well as for your thoughts and prayers for us as we train for this bike ride and for those struggling each day with MS.

Coutdown is on,..

My fundraising is now in full gear since in my not-so-official ruling June makes it officially summer. The countdown is on for bike training and fund raising and the nerves officially begin!!
If you have not yest donated on my behalf to the National MS Society, I hope you will do so here
If you have already made a contribution or would just enjoy following our fund raising and training progress- you can also do so here
Thank you again to all who have helped me raise funds, and for those who are keeping us in your thoughts as we start this 2011 biking journey.

National Bike to Work Day

OF COURSE I participated in this and I tried to get my fellow team members to as well... but yeah only I did it. I left my house about 9:20am...would have been a tad earlier at 9am but the neighbor and I chatted about my bike ride season so no biggie but I was slightly delayed.
Most of the ride to work is ok, a little hilly but manageable... but hot hot hot outside it was. This was my first time this season biking in the heat. The last mile to work is the killer though biking up the semi steep semi long road to work but 7 miles later, hot as fire, feeling dehydrated I made it to work at 9:56am. After an orange juice I was feeling oh so much better! I worked from 10am until 7:21pm. The dumb truck was 2 hours late so it really held me up. I still had to leave before it left because I needed to get home before dark. The ride home was easier. Maybe because I was trying to rush to get the kids, maybe because it was cooler, maybe because I had an oj with me? My chain popped going up the biggest hill of my ride home but I easily fixed it gulped some oj and continued on. I got home in record time.. 31 minutes! I was amused the only rude driver had a bike rack on the back of their van... really man? You should know pedestrian/biking rules and kill the rudeness and attitude. All in all a great ride I'd love to repeat several times this summer. by Bethany Sykes on Sat, May 28, 2011 @ 1:47 AM

Biking with Bikes Unlimited

Bikin Percival's Island

Overlooking the James River

In Flip Flops of course

I participated in the other bike shop in towns biking activity for Nat'l Biking Week. They recently moved their shop downtown beside the bike trails. Their deal was on Tuesday free bike rental from 12-1. I started a few minutes late because the stinkin LONG train I couldn't cross over to the trails. So I went to the trails and quickly realized biking alone is boring so I took an excessive amount of pictures to entertain myself. I timed myself somewhat on one mile and it wasn't good timing but just over 6 minutes for a mile in the rain not too crabby. OF COURSE it would be sprinkling most my ride at Blackwater Creek Trails--- until it poured my last mile. Of course I then treated myself to the Olive Garden- my fav Minestrone Soup (free refills!) and Fettuccine Alfredo until it was time to pick up the kids from school. I couldn't do Wed bike week activities as hubs is out of town on business and I have the kids. by Bethany Sykes on Sat, May 28, 2011 @ 1:26 AM

Rootbeer Ride

National Bike Riding Week

I participated did you? I was hoping to get 4 riding days in, but with my husband out of state working, and being a full time manager and mom- 3 days is all I could squeeze in but was happy with my 35 miles for the week, not to repeat it this week could be more than challenging! by Bethany Sykes on Sun, May 22, 2011 @ 10:07 PM

Rootbeer Ride 5/16/11

So I worked my shift 9am- just after 5pm. Then I changed clothes to bike in. I was going to do the "Rootbeer Ride" with the local bike shop. I was going to start 1 block closer to our destination (Sonic) and I decided to start 20 minutes early.l YES it is steadily raining but NOT storming-- there IS a difference. I figured a lil rain never hurt anyone right? WRONG I was the ONLY Rootbeer Rider. I waited at sonic sipping my rootbeer float for 1/2 an hour waiting on the other riders. I was afraid I would be out of shape and would need the head start because I didn't wanna embarrass myself in-front of these good bikers that lil amateur me would be sooooo far behind or slowing anyone down. I was beyond soaked. I didn't overly enjoy the splashing of cars and was wishing I had windshield wipers- haha. However, it was refreshing, a great ride and a good confidence boost that I easily did my first 10miler of 2011! I got back to BK and packed my bike into the van and picked up my lil beggars!

All in all it was a great ride, successful and may I add tasty but a tad disappointing the other riders are apparently allergic to rain- luckily I am not as I did not melt!

by Bethany Sykes on Mon, May 23, 2011 @ 9:40 PM

Leaving from My BK

Arrived safely, although wet, at Sonnic

Enjoying my Rootbeer Float

MAY 2011: Meet Paula

MEET PAULA... REGULAR PEOPLE ARE EFFECTED
Paula is a local business owner here in Lynchburg, VA. She started Paula's Answering Service about five years ago. In October of last year she finally tied the knot with her now husband Troy after 10 plus years together. She is a hand-on dedicated and loyal daughter, wife, step mom, sister, friend, very proud aunt to RyLee who is five, hard and talented worker. I would say she is an everyday person, but I find her to be exceptional. The better I get to know her, and the more I learn about her the more proud I am to call her a close friend of mine. Her strength shines through and she continue to have positive attitude day in and day out.

DIAGNOSIS
Although formally diagnosed 8 years ago, Paula has been having symptoms in which an easy answer was no where in sight for about 15 years. She experienced unexplained numbness and would be very dizzy, "dizzy like never before, not like a roller coaster dizzy, like I can't see anything..... dizzy---it was terrible!", Paula remembers.

Eight years ago she was formally diagnosed with Relapsing/Remitting Multiple Sclerosis after an episode of numbness in her chest and hands, blurry vision and staying dizzy convinced her this was serious. Her primary care doctor got her in with a neurologist. She had to endure the non-stop numbness, blurry vision and dizziness for two weeks until her appointment. She was thinking maybe she had diabetes or something, and when she got the diagnosis of MS she went for a 2nd opinion at University of VA Hospital, had an MRI and it was confirmed.
Her doctor then told her to "expect about 100 different things. MS is a one of a kind disease....no two people have the same symptoms, they can be very similar and we can relate, however, some live there whole life with minimal problems, others are in wheel chairs, crutches, in the bed, some have terrible symptoms for months even years and then one morning they wake up and they are gone."

POST DIAGNOSIS
On one side you could be doing great no extreme symptoms and one morning you wake up and can't walk. During the time she was searching for answers and until her 1st diagnosis she was having a horrible time with symptoms, describing that two week wait as "torture". Luckily the symptoms all ceased for a while so after her original diagnosis she was not immediately put on any medications. However, BOOM one day all the symptoms came back without warning even worse and stronger than before. From that day on she has lived her life with medication. Thankful for being her, trusting in God and having an amazing support system in her family has been a huge blessing when dealing with MS.

SYMPTOMS
Paula's current symptoms are dizziness, leg cramps, poor eye sight, numbness, and heavy leg; She can't lift them sometimes, they drag That is what makes MS patients fall and hurt themselves. Cane's are good to use for balance, and Paula uses one on a daily basis. It helps her with balance and keeps MS from stealing anymore of her mobility and freedom from her.
MEDICATION
Paula take Avonex and has been on it for almost 5 years. She takes one shot once a week in the muscle. It is a two inch needle that hurts, stings, and gives you flue like symptoms for 24-48 hours each week. You feel like crap, don't want to do anything usually, some weeks are worse that others. You don't see the benefits of this medicine until later in your progression, months and years down the road. Since there is no cure for MS, the medicines have two main goals. First to ease the pain of the symptoms or to stop the symptoms (which does NOT stop the disease). Secondly it is designed to slow down the progression of your disease, prolonging your strength. Eventually MS takes your strength so the longer you have it, the more blessed you are. You have been given another day.
OTHER TREATMENTS

Paula takes a lot of vitamins and eats pretty good. I do not get sick often like colds, flu, stuff like that. I have a lot of pain in my legs and I never sleep much because of it. So, she takes pain medications and natural remedies like herbal medications.

EMOTIONAL SIDE OF MS
Paula told me "I talk angry some times but I'm really not. I get frustrated because I can't run anymore, or skip, or play on the playground with my n, but then I have to think that I am so much luckier than others. I also have a relationship with God and I feel he will guide me in my path as well. I guess we are all just lucky to be walking around, breathing, living and enjoying what God gave us. I could get real depressed, give up, think my life is over, all the jazz, no need! Weather you believe in God, Buddha, Aliens, Allah....what ever...we are living for a reason and a purpose. If it takes a life time to figure it out I want that opportunity!" Although she was dealt MS in her life's hand of cards she has chosen to put on her boxing gloves and give it a good fight. She is nearly always in a positive up beat manner when see her, although I am sure at times she puts up her guard and the positiveness can be just a front. But she has a power and strength and desire to over come this disease and impresses me every time I see her. In the back of my head I know Paula has MS, but in our friendship over the last several years I just know her as Paula, the loyal friend, dedicated wife, great step mom, strong business woman, hard worker, and sweet lady with a great sense of family importance (she especially adores her five year old niece) and good sense of humor whom I am lucky to have as a close personal friend.

IN honor of Paula, and other MS victims like her, will you please consider making a donation to the National MS Society. I am specifically asking you support our bike team as we raise awareness about MS, and raise funds to find a cure and erase MS. If you are able to donate please visit our MS 150 bike ride page
We are riding in a 150 mile bicycle ride to raise awareness and funds for those struggling with MS. Thank you for your financial support as well as for your thoughts and prayers for us as we train for this bike ride and for those struggling each day with MS.