My brain sucks, but is still above average? Neuropsychological cognition test.

Pretty awesome title, no? There's a reason for this, trust me. What am I even talking about? I don't know. (pun totally intended :D :D :D)

The fourth of July week is always one of my favorites. My family does this awesome thing, we set up and grill outside the stadium of fire every year and such, and enjoy grilled food, games, and of course, outside looking in on the largest stadium firework show. :D

Independence is pretty fantastic, I gotta say.

Anyway, as to what I am talking about: Two weeks ago I had a neuropsychological test for cognitive function. Because of my memory issues back in March/April, I had an appointment with a neuropsychologist. It was fascinating and really boring at the same time. Although I had memory issues back then, I don't think I do now, but went through with the test anyway. Good to have a control in the case of future attacks. Ha! MS is fun.

So, the doctor was amusing, had a good sense of dry humor. (honestly, dry is the best, despite living in Utah) He is from New Zealand (where's the old Zealand??? Netherlands, just in case you didn't know, Zealand comes from dutch, "Zeelandt" which means sea land. there's a place in netherlands called Zeeland that's fun for you, no?) So, I was assessed both knowingly and unknowingly in the following areas. Appearance, movement, behavior, orientation and autobiographical memory; speech, Thought content and process; insight and judgment; mood, and validity. Basically he tested all the possible functions that make up a normal person. So, you see. I'm cool like that. Aren't I special? I totally got to be quizzed, tested, probed, and observed for 3.5 hours with only a 10 minute break. Along side those cognitive tests, I had a limited psychological screening. No worries guys, the report basically says "no intent to harm self or others". What it does mention is normal for any INFJ (google is your friend, if you so desire). Elevated findings in difficulties making decisions and phobic anxiety, nervousness in crowds and mild avoidance of public transportation.". I already knew I hated crowds. Etc. :D

Attention allocation was a talking point. Basically, because MS affects the brain, I need to be more careful in my studies to pay attention to detail, because I showed standard MS cognitive failures. I would mess up the easiest one of a type of problem because my brain doesn't know how much to allocate enough to the problems due to damaged stuff, and therefore it needs to accelerate up to the point of function, and then goes on to solve the most complex of that type of test once my brain got used to how it needed to think. So basically, when solving problems, I start out slow, and then advance to my standard ability. (which was above average, btw. ;) ;) :) But my brain needs to allocate more resources and space to function normally. Thus fatigue several times a week/day, and my brain needs more time to clean up and rest.

I was given the following recommendations based on the findings:
Sleep at least 8 hours. (already failing at that one... >_>)
Exercise regularly, beginning slowly, and advancing to a normal regimen.
Counseling support for managing stress. (if/when needed) and make situation known to accessibility office of school in case of future problems.
re-evaluation in 6-12 months if deterioration is evident.

So, now for the bragging moments. I was above average in almost everything, and when it comes to verbal/story memory (learning and remembering from people speaking or stories) I was in the 95th or higher percentile. Basically I've got a fantastic memory for stories and things people say... When I'm paying attention. lolololol

Anyway. Ms is a fascinating thing, and today and two weeks ago just simply reminded me of how much I want to get involved in the medicine and research for MS, and other brain related illnesses. Man!

Now, on to dating, cause hey. I can. So remember that girl I talked about last week who was the natural blonde etc etc? Well, I realized this week in class that I didn't to the standard ring check. and yes, she had a ring. though, upon closer inspection (don't ask how) I noticed that it wasn't a typical engagement ring. sooo, maybe she's not actually engaged? yeah. I don't care. The finding of this ring (of power) made me do a ring check on all the cute girls around me. Yup. three of the five whose hands I could see hand rings. And the cutest were those with rings. WHAT. THE. CRAP. IS. THIS. Institute is supposed to be a place to meet girls!!!

Whatever.

Can I just say that I hate it when someone announces that they are a feminist, and then go on to expound on that, saying how they aren't actually a feminist..? Ugh. I don't really want to go into it, but we've all met one.

On another note, there was an excellent point taught today in class about praying for guidance with callings in the church. I'll quote it. "He already knows about your call in complete detail. He called you, and by praying to Him about your call, He will reveal more for you to know.". Basically, we pray for revelation, and when we do God will grant it. He knows what is needed, and He can grant it.

Okay, seriously. Bed time.

Telling my HR rep about MS and I FLEW AN AIRPLANE.

So, recently I made the decision to inform my work's HR rep that I was recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis as a way to protect myself. I have been falling asleep three to four times a week due to the strange fatigue that comes with MS (since the middle of march)... I guess I'll explain why it's strange. I can tell I'm getting a fatigue attack because several things happen.

First, I wake up feeling like I hadn't even gone to sleep. That's the most terrible feeling, I've even gotten it after ten hours of sleep. It is really odd. My muscles and such don't feel tired, but my mind does.
Second, After a while it hits the body, I enjoy doing pull ups, push ups, and such with a little door gym I got, but when I have a fatigue attack, I can only do half the number of reps, and honestly my body starts to feel like jello as though I'm having a hypoglycemic attack. I start to shake, and such.

Seriously annoying. But the worst of it represents itself when I'm sitting or laying down. I can fall asleep really really easily. (just ask my mother) So I've told my HR rep that I have MS so that in the case of me getting in trouble for "sleeping on the job" I have back-up to prevent any serious repercussions... It's a known medical symptom of MS, and so they can't really fire me for it. Yay!

Now, it may sound as though I'm venting or complaining, but I'm really not. Seriously, I find it really fascinating, and there are significantly worse things I could be experiencing.

The last few days have been really great, and not so great. My father lost his job, which means I get to take over my medical bills, and my school on top of that is requiring me to take out student loans. suckage! and even then I don't quite know how I'm going to make ends meet come fall semester, but I don't worry too much, I have some fall backs. My Church might be able to help, and the national ms society might be able to help with rent. Those are very last resorts, though.

Dating recently has been interestingly BORING. Seriously, why can't girls just speak their mind more clearly? man, I wish I understood them better, or actually. I wish I knew how to react to them better... I don't feel like exounding on that, but hey, I did find a new interest! She's in my new institute class at the Orem institute of religion, and I caught her sneaking glances at me several times, so I'm going to have to find a way to talk to her without being creepy or weird. Huh, might be difficult, cause I grew up being told "You aren't a Pearson if you're not weird." :D She's a natural blonde... I'm a sucker for light haired blondes. You know, the ones with short eyelashes and almost invisible eyebrows? Yeah, I guess that's my type. I find them seriously way mroe attractive than other types. plus, I don't think I've met one that wasn't really really cool too... so, hey. cool story, right?

In class we talked about the benefits of the temple, and it hit me so hard that I decided to plan on attending, so tomorrow I go! So excited for several reasons, This being the one I care to share the most:

"As we enter through the doors of the temple, we leave behind us the distractions and confusion of the world. Inside this sacred sanctuary, we find beauty and order. There is rest for our souls and a respite from the cares of our lives." President Thomas S. Monson.

I look forward to the respite for my soul that I will find within those wonderful walls! Although this isn't exactly the most interesting of posts, I just wanted to share it. Plus I'm sort of adding these to my journals, and having the option of others reading them makes me want to make the more readable in general.

Now I'll add a picture of me, that isn't really anything like me:

So I went to a distant relatives silly little wedding, and she had this caricature artist dude thing drawing people... he was odd, and the wedding was strange.

I also in the last week got to fly an airplane. My dream since I was an eleven year old. It was both amazing, and underwhelming. I didn't get to do as much as I was expecting. (my brother got to take off, and/or land when he did it.) It was an intro flight with bountiful flight. Although it was short, (around 25 minutes) it was really beautiful. Here's two pictures:

As you can see, they're pretty fantastic. Also, here's a song I can't stop listening to... Strange, I know.