Amanda Donnell

Leading with resilience | One step, one story, one season at a time

Amanda in bamboo forest at Sky Top North Carolina with MS and Pride bracelets

recent posts

  • ⚽ Game Day Stories | The Royals Claim the Championship in a 4–0 Showdown

    ⚽ Game Day Stories | The Royals Claim the Championship in a 4–0 Showdown

    A Playoff Week I Never Expected to Love

    Similar to birding, soccer was not on my 2026 bingo card. Fantasy Football, yes. Birding, no. Soccer, absolutely not. Yet here we are…again! Tuesday marked the start of the playoffs, and the Royals punched their ticket to the championship after a strong win. Rumblings of whether there should be a mercy rule in soccer similar to softball quietly made its way through the parent’s sideline. Suddenly, I was invested in a sport where I still cannot explain offsides. I know when to cheer, though, especially when the ball hits the back of the opponent’s net.

    Soccer took over our Tuesdays and Thursdays this season. Tuesdays meant practice. Thursdays meant game day. The team started with heart and determination and ended with a 5–1 record. Their only loss came from the Grey team in a tight 1–0 match. That loss stayed with them, and tonight they had a chance to rewrite the story.

    A First Half Built on Defense and Determination

    The championship started with both teams battling hard at midfield. The Royals pushed forward and created early chances. After several close shots, they finally scored halfway through the first half. That goal opened the field and loosened the tension. Soon after, they added a second goal and entered halftime up 2–0.

    The energy shifted. The Royals played with confidence. And the parents on the sidelines tried to act calm. None of us succeeded. Maybe I shouldn’t speak for everyone. I didn’t succeed!

    The Second Half and the Goalie Who Also Does Butterfly Moves

    At halftime, our daughter switched from striker to goalie. This is always an adventure. She puts on her goalie gear and sometimes enters butterfly mode. Yes, butterfly mode. She breaks into dance moves that may or may not be part of her defensive strategy. Tonight, the moves stayed minimal. She was laser focused and stopped two shots with confidence.

    Meanwhile, the Royals added two more goals. The score was 4–0, and the shutout held until the final whistle. The team erupted. Parents cheered. I still don’t understand soccer strategy. But the coach and kids do, which is all that matters.

    Trophies, Medals, and a Season Worth Celebrating

    After the final huddle and a victory speech from the coach, the team received their first-place trophies and medals. The win was the cherry on top of a fantastic season. The real highlights were the hard work, memories, and friendships built along the way.

    Soccer mom life might be here to stay. I may never understand offsides, but I understand joy, teamwork, and the magic of watching kids discover their confidence.

    Three people stand in front of a soccer goal at night, with a young player hanging from the goal and wearing medals.
    A championship win calls for a family photo and a little goal‑hanging celebration.
    A young soccer player in an salmon jersey holds a trophy and wears a medal while standing in front of a goal.
    Championship moment: Our striker‑turned‑goalie showing off the hardware after a 4–0 victory.

    Game Day Stories Series

  • 🧡 My MS Journey | The Night I Went Searching for Answers at an MS Patient Event

    🧡 My MS Journey | The Night I Went Searching for Answers at an MS Patient Event

    When Memory Was My Superpower

    Before my MS diagnosis, I trusted my memory more than my GPS. I could recall conversations, dates, and random facts without effort. Now, two and a half years later, I wish I had carried a notebook everywhere the way I do now. I put off writing about the MS patient event I attended three months after my diagnosis. I hoped I would remember more details or find notes I never actually wrote. That version of me did not take notes. That version of me also had no idea how much uncertainty would fill the minutes, hours, and days between appointments.

    When the hospital invited me to an MS patient event with dinner, drinks, and a chance to meet other patients and the Atrium care team, I wrestled with whether to go. Going to events where I don’t know people is a slight stressor in addition to needing to take off work early. However, I saw it as free knowledge and maybe a chance to calm my spiraling thoughts. My best friend asked to go with me and to meet me there after work. His offer to come and presence there meant more than he knows. My friends and family have always been supportive, but asking for help was not something I did easily. I am better now, but I still worry about being an inconvenience.

    Walking In and Wondering If I Belonged

    I arrived early and instantly questioned my decision. I am an extrovert, but walking up to strangers is still intimidating. Most early arrivals used mobility aids. We caught my symptoms early and I had completed my first infusion in December. I wasn’t walking like an inflatable tube man like I was a few short months prior. Nothing about me signaled MS. I worried I looked like an able‑bodied person who wandered into the wrong event. I questioned if I belonged there at all.

    Thankfully, my best friend arrived and immediately started talking to a woman younger than us. She shared her MS story, including vision loss as a major symptom. Vision loss! At that point, I barely understood my own symptoms. I had no idea that MS presented differently in every person. Her story sent my mind into a quiet panic. I wondered if I would lose my vision. I wondered why she had and I had not. And I wondered if I needed to reorganize every question I planned to ask my neurologist.

    Stories That Shifted My Understanding

    After dinner, we moved into an auditorium to hear stories from other Atrium patients. Each story was different. Each story added new questions to my growing list. One woman shared that she had been hospitalized for over two months from a common cold because her MS treatment weakened her immune system. I was not a germophobe before that moment. After hearing it, I wanted to avoid anyone who might sneeze in my direction.

    The stories were powerful. They were also overwhelming. I learned quickly that MS is not a single path. It is a thousand different paths that happen to share a name. That night started to teach me that my journey would never match someone else’s. It also had me thinking that I may need to stop searching for a universal answer.

    The Bracelet That Stayed with Me

    On every table, the hospital placed informational resources and bright orange silicone bracelets. They read “Multiple Sclerosis YOU WILL NOT FIGHT ALONE.” Most of the lettering has rubbed off now, but I still wear mine every day. It clashes with nearly every outfit, but it reminds me of that night. MS is unpredictable, but connection matters and community helps steady the ground.

    Final Thoughts

    That event taught me more than I expected. It taught me that MS stories matter, even when they scare us. It taught me that every journey is unique and that I cannot compare my symptoms or timeline to anyone else’s. Most importantly, it taught me that I need to advocate for myself. My MS story is mine, even when it does not match someone else’s. I walked into that event searching for answers. I walked out understanding that the only story I can truly speak for is my own.

    My MS Journey Series

  • 🧡 My MS Journey | Mean Baby by Selma Blair

    🧡 My MS Journey | Mean Baby by Selma Blair

    Finding Stories Beyond the Research

    My last post explored my mono saga from my twenties and how it later connected to my MS diagnosis. After months of reading medical articles, research summaries, and patient forums, I wanted something different. I wanted a story. I wanted a voice that understood MS without turning it into a textbook.

    At the start of 2024, I began reading leadership books. I enjoyed them, but I also was interested in reading stories from anyone who had MS and was willing to talk about it. When I discovered that Selma Blair had written a memoir, Mean Baby, I knew I needed to read it. I remembered her from Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde. What I didn’t know at the time was she had been diagnosed with MS in 2018 at age 46. At the time of my diagnosis, Christina Applegate was the main celebrity dominating the headlines with her MS diagnosis. Doctors believe Blair had lived with the disease since childhood. I had no idea she published her book in 2022. I read it two years later, almost one year into my own diagnosis.

    A Life Story with MS Woven Through Every Chapter

    Mean Baby is not an MS book. It is a Selma Blair book. That distinction matters. Her story covers childhood chaos, Hollywood pressure, addiction, motherhood, and the long shadow of symptoms that never made sense until they finally did. And her MS journey appears throughout the memoir like an always present invisible string.

    Her symptoms read like a neurologist’s bingo card. Fatigue that knocked her down. Pain that made simple tasks difficult. Vision issues. Balance problems. Strange neurological episodes that she tried to explain away with humor and grit. Reading her early symptoms is like watching a mystery movie where the clues only make sense after the reveal. You want to shout, “Selma, that is not normal,” but she already knows. She lived it.

    Diagnosis and the Strange Relief of Answers

    Her diagnosis arrives with clarity. She does not dramatize it. She simply tells the truth. The truth is enough. For many people with MS, that moment lands with a mix of relief and grief. Answers bring comfort, but they also bring reality. She captures that balance with honesty that hits hard.

    Her diagnosis also reframes her entire life. Suddenly the unexplained moments, the strange symptoms, and the years of confusion make sense. Anyone with MS understands that shift. It is the moment when the puzzle pieces finally lock into place.

    Living with MS in a Way Only Selma Blair Can

    Blair manages MS with a mix of practicality, chaos, humor, and vulnerability. She talks about mobility aids, fatigue, parenting, and the unpredictable nature of her body. While never trying to be inspirational or tragic. She simply exists as a full human being who happens to have MS.

    Her cane becomes a fashion statement. Her honesty becomes a guidepost. And her vulnerability becomes a strength. She shows how chronic illness reshapes a life without erasing it.

    Why Her Story Matters

    Mean Baby works because Blair refuses to flatten herself into a single narrative. She is not only an actress and mother with MS. Not only a woman with trauma. She is all of these things at once. Her voice is sharp, self-aware, and unfiltered.

    Her MS journey is not the center of the book, but it is always present. It mirrors the way MS exists in real life. It is always there, even when it is not the headline.

    Final Thoughts

    If you want a memoir that is honest, messy, funny, and painfully recognizable for anyone living with MS, Mean Baby delivers. Selma Blair does not ask for sympathy. She asks for understanding, and she offers that same understanding back to the reader.

    Over the last three years, I’ve searched for connection through other people’s MS stories. I wanted to see myself in someone else’s experience. I wanted answers that made sense of my own symptoms and my own diagnosis. Those stories mattered, and they still matter, because every MS voice adds something important to the conversation. However, I also learned something that took time to accept. With MS, every journey is unique. No two people experience this disease the same way, and no single story can explain all of it.

    Because of that, I’ve need to shift my focus. Instead of searching for a universal answer, I need to continue advocating for my truth. My story is valid even when it does not match someone else’s. My symptoms, my timeline, my questions, and my progress belong to me. Reading Selma’s memoir reminded me that MS is part of my story, but it is not the whole story. It never was.

    My MS Journey Series

  • 👟 The 10K Chronicles | A Family Powered Girls on the Run 5K in Durham

    👟 The 10K Chronicles | A Family Powered Girls on the Run 5K in Durham

    From Hidden Trolls to a Sea of Sneakers

    Our last adventure took us to Dix Park where we wandered through wooded trails searching for hidden trolls. That day date brought fresh air, laughter, and a surprising number of tree‑based giants. Last weekend brought a very different kind of adventure. We headed to Durham for the Girls on the Run Bee Amazing 5K, which promised excitement, community, and a lot of neon hair paint.

    Girls on the Run supports individuals of all abilities as they build confidence and connection. Volunteer coaches guide lessons that blend movement with life skills. The season ends with a Community Impact Project and a 5K that celebrates teamwork and accomplishment. Our daughter joined run club earlier this Spring, which would culminate in the 5K. She practiced on Mondays and Wednesdays, which alternated with her Tuesday practices and Thursday soccer games. Her schedule could rival a small college athlete.

    A Family Road Trip for One Big Run

    The big day required a running buddy. Her aunt drove from West Virginia to run beside her. Her grandmother also made the trip to cheer her on. One of her friends, classmates, and soccer teammates was also participating in the event with her mom. The entire morning was a reunion of supportive women and one supportive big brother ready to conquer three miles.

    We had participated in the Triad’s Walk MS last month. However, this event operated on a much larger scale. Thousands of participants filled the area with bright shirts and excited chatter. Vendors lined the space with activities, including hair painting. Pink and green seemed to be the most popular choices. The energy created a joyful atmosphere that encouraged everyone to join the fun.

    The Port‑A‑Pot Plot Twist

    The only thing that could slow down this aunt and niece duo was the port‑a‑pot line. You read that correctly. Ten minutes before the race, our daughter announced that she needed the bathroom. The line moved slower than a turtle on vacation. She made it out of the stall just as the horn sounded. Thankfully, the crowd was so large that they slipped into the starting line without becoming the final pair to begin.

    The temperature climbed quickly, but they pushed through the heat. Their goal was to finish in under 40 minutes. They crossed the finish line with time to spare. Their smiles showed pride, accomplishment, and maybe a little relief that the port‑a‑pot adventure did not derail the entire morning.

    A Day Worth Every Step

    The event created a powerful moment for our daughter. She trained for a couple months and completed a challenge that required dedication and grit. She also did it surrounded by family, friends, and a community that cheered for every participant. The day reminded me that these small adventures create lasting memories. They also keep The 10K Chronicles moving forward one joyful mile at a time. The early morning adventures helped me get my 10,000 steps for the day as well.

    A child in a green Girls on the Run shirt running beside her aunt during the Bee Amazing 5K.
    Nearing the finish line of the Girls on the Run 5K to complete the race in under 40 minutes.
    A woman, her mother, and her son sitting and standing together outdoors during a community event.
    Anxiously awaiting our racers together near the finish line.

    The 10K Chronicles Series

  • 🪶 Feathered Friends | A Baby Robin, Roadside Discoveries, and Chickadee Shenanigans

    🪶 Feathered Friends | A Baby Robin, Roadside Discoveries, and Chickadee Shenanigans

    Catching Up After Saxapahaw

    Our last adventure took us through the Saxapahaw nature trails where new lifers surprised us at every turn. We also watched a Carolina Wren family set up their tiny real estate empire in our backyard. Since then, the Merlin App has continued to tempt me with possible lifers through Sound ID. However, I still refuse to count anything unless I can see it and capture a photo. My list continues to grow at a snails pace.

    A former colleague recently recommended the documentary Listers. I watched it and discovered the world of competitive birding. Never in my life did I expect to write that sentence. Yet here we are. The film introduced me to the Big Year challenge. The goal is to identify as many bird species as possible from January 1 through December 31. Ezekiel Dobson set the lower 48 record in 2024 with 759 species. The challenge has four rules.

    • The bird must be in the lower 48 or within 200 miles offshore.
    • The bird must be on the approved ABA checklist.
    • The bird must be alive, wild, or unrestricted.
    • The bird must be seen, heard, or documented.

    Everything runs on the honor system. However, some birders seem ready to debate sightings with courtroom intensity. I plan to keep birding as a hobby, but who knows what January 1, 2027 will bring.

    A Baby Robin Steals the Spotlight

    My lifer list sits at 26 species. It is not impressive, but it is mine. During a recent trip to visit my grandma, who is recovering from a massive heart attack and pneumonia, my mom spotted a baby robin on the running board of her Chevy High Country truck. The timing was perfect. The photo captured the tiny bird in a pose that suggested it owned the entire driveway. If the pose didn’t the amount of poop covered on the truck and pavement suggested this was his territory.

    I had identified an adult robin in North Carolina last month, but this little robin became the star of the trip. Lifers can appear anywhere. Sometimes they show up in forests. Sometimes they show up on a pickup truck that has seen more road trips than I can count.

    The Red Winged Blackbird That Refused to Be Ignored

    During the drive back to North Carolina, my partner and I kept spotting a striking black bird. It had a bright red patch on its wings with a yellow border. The name red winged blackbird is accurate. However, I wondered why the yellow patch did not make the cut. Ornithologists name birds based on their most prominent feature. The red patch wins. The yellow border is simply a decorative accessory. I think the yellow deserves a small mention, but I will not be starting a bird naming petition.

    Carolina Chickadees and Possible Backyard Romance

    My video birdfeeders have been busy too. Two Carolina Chickadees have been visiting the suet and seed. They appear to be mates. At least I hope they are mates. I would prefer not to discover that I unknowingly officiated a sibling wedding. Their visits add charm to the backyard and let me know that my next lifer may be closer than I think.

    Listers: A Glimpse into Extreme Birdwatching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl-wAqplQAo&t=290s

    A red winged blackbird perched on a wire with a clear sky behind it.
    A red winged blackbird showing off its bright shoulder patch in Kansas, Ohio.
    Two Carolina Chickadees perched on a backyard feeder with suet and nectar containers.
    Carolina Chickadees lovebirds having their wedding officiated by yours truly through the backyard video birdfeeder.

    Feathered Friends Series

  • 🧡 My MS Journey | The Mono Chapter I Never Expected to Matter

    🧡 My MS Journey | The Mono Chapter I Never Expected to Matter

    When Doctors Started Asking About Mono

    During my first neurologist visit after my MS diagnosis in 2023, I heard a repetitive question. The doctor asked if I ever had mononucleosis. The same question came up multiple times during my hospital stay when the diagnosis became official.

    At first, I wondered why everyone suddenly cared about my law school‑era germs. However, I soon learned that Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and mono often appear in conversations about MS. While EBV does not guarantee MS, it is a major factor. Most people with MS have EBV, and those who had mono as teens or young adults carry a higher risk.

    Naturally, my medical history decided to raise its hand and say “present.”

    The October 2005 Mono Disaster

    In October 2005, I had a severe case of mono. The timing is unforgettable. My dad passed away the week before, and I was in my second year of law school. My body decided that grief was not enough and added mono to the syllabus.

    The fatigue was intense. One day I even fell down the steps. Thankfully, the dryer broke my fall. My mom drove me to law school every day for weeks. I slept in the back of her van between classes like a very tired sloth.

    My spleen and liver were enlarged. I also had a strange rash all over my body that confused my doctor. He even asked two medical students to come look. I agreed, although I briefly wondered if I should start charging admission.

    Looking back, this chapter explains why doctors asked about mono during my MS evaluation. My history fits the pattern more than I realized.

    Why Understanding Risk Factors Matters

    After my diagnosis, I tried to absorb as much information as possible. I wanted to help myself and hopefully help others. With neurological issues, such as MS, a diagnosis may not come immediately. Rather it may be a process of being misdiagnosed initially or ruling out what it is not over time. That process is frustrating. Especially when early diagnosis can make a difference.

    However, knowing risk factors can help you recognize early warning signs. Vision changes, balance issues, numbness, and tingling are common early symptoms. Reporting them early can change the course of your MS journey.

    Below are several risk factors that researchers continue to study. If you are experiencing several simultaneously or gradually over time this should raise your awareness.

    Common MS Risk Factors to Know

    • Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)
      • EBV is extremely common. Almost everyone carries it. However, EBV infection appears to be a near prerequisite for developing MS. Timing and other factors have influence.
    • Infectious Mononucleosis
      • Mono is one of the strongest environmental risk factors for MS. A severe case during adolescence or young adulthood increases risk two to three times.
    • Low Vitamin D
      • Low vitamin D disrupts immune regulation. This disruption increases the chance of autoimmune activity in the central nervous system.
        • Even though I regularly spent time outside in the sun, my body wasn’t processing vitamin D from the sun properly.
    • Female
      • MS is diagnosed more often in females than males.
    • Close Relative With MS
      • A first‑degree relative (sibling/parent) with MS increases your risk from about 0.1% to 2-4%.
    • Overweight
      • High BMI in youth creates chronic inflammation. Excess fatty tissue can also reduce vitamin D levels.
    • Smoking
      • Tobacco introduces toxins that damage nerves and worsen disability. Smoking also reduces active vitamin D in the body.

    Why This Matters for My MS Journey

    Understanding these risk factors helped me connect the dots in my own story (EBV, mono, low vitamin D, female). My mono history, symptoms, and diagnosis all lined up in ways I never expected.

    This knowledge also helps me talk with others who are navigating early symptoms. Small clues can lead to earlier diagnosis. Earlier diagnosis can change everything.

    MS may be unpredictable, but information gives us power. Sometimes it even gives you a few laughs, especially when I remember the dryer that saved me at the bottom of a staircase.

    My MS Journey Series

  • 📚 Book Spotlight | Twelve and a Half by Gary Vaynerchuk

    📚 Book Spotlight | Twelve and a Half by Gary Vaynerchuk

    How I Found This Book

    I found Twelve and a Half during a December trip to McKay’s. I walked in to browse and walked out with my first Gary Vaynerchuk book. If this name sounds familiar in my writing, you would be correct. This fateful find would a month later lead me to the signed copy of Gary’s book Thank You Economy. That book inspired this website and my first blog post. This book caught my eye because I already watched Gary Vee reels on my social media. At that time, I had no idea he wrote books too. I love leadership books and authors who write many books. It’s like when I discovered Schitt’s Creek after the six seasons were complete. Days and weeks of non-stop consumable content!

    I read this book with the same mindset I used for the first book in this spotlight series, Atomic Habits. I like to take business ideas and apply them to my personal life. This approach helps me understand my MS journey with more clarity. It also gives me something to focus on besides symptoms.

    Between Two Covers

    Gary breaks down twelve emotional skills integral in life and business. He calls them ingredients for success. And mixes kindness, ambition, patience, and accountability into one big recipe. He also explains how these traits work together in real situations. A reminder that emotional skills matter more than people think.

    Now let’s talk about how this book connects to real life. More specifically, my life with MS.

    Takeaways for Life and Health

      Kindness Helps Us Handle Hard Days

      Kindness toward others matters, but kindness toward ourselves matters more. MS symptoms can hit without warning. I learned to give myself grace when my body is unpredictable. Kindness helps me stay grounded when my legs have other ideas.

      Patience Keeps Us Moving Forward

      Patience is not my natural strength. However, MS forces patience into my daily routine. Whether I’m trying to put my pants on without tipping over to overheating quickly outside in the sun and needing to retreat to shade. This book reminds me that patience is a skill, not a personality trait. It can be practiced like any other skill.

      Accountability Helps Us Stay Honest

      Accountability helps me track my habits and choices. It also helps me stay honest about my limits. I learned this lesson during my grocery store tube man moment. I needed to slow down and accept help from a shopping cart.

      Empathy Helps You Understand Your Body

      Empathy is not only for other people. It also helps us understand our own needs. I learned to listen to my body with more care. Especially when it comes to naps! What I previously viewed as a wasted day is a much-needed recharge for my body. This book helped me see empathy as a daily practice.

      Ambition Still Matters, Even With MS

      Ambition looks different for everyone. My ambition now includes health goals and personal growth. I still want to build, write, and learn things. This book reminded me that ambition can evolve without disappearing. Who knew that my 40s would include so much reading, walking, bird watching and learning about my partner’s garden!

      How This Book Connects to My MS Journey

      Reading this book helped me reflect on my emotional habits. It also helped me understand how I respond to symptoms. Some days are smooth. Other days I am wobbling through a grocery store again. These emotional ingredients help me stay steady when my body is unsteady.

      This book also reminded me of something I learned from Atomic Habits. Small changes matter. Small emotional shifts matter too. Both books shaped my mindset in different ways.

      Why I Recommend This Book

      I recommend this book if you enjoy honest advice or want to be inspired. I also recommend it if you want emotional tools for daily life. Gary writes with energy and humor, which helps the lessons stick. I finished the book more aware of my emotional habits. And I’m more prepared for the unpredictable parts of my MS journey.

      Book Spotlight Series

    • 🏈 Game Day Stories | The Peyton Manning Almost‑Autograph Adventure

      🏈 Game Day Stories | The Peyton Manning Almost‑Autograph Adventure

      Just Another Road Trip…Or Is It

      Sports have shaped many of my long-standing hobbies, but I thought this series would highlight a lot of baseball stories. I have a bucket list of visiting every MLB stadium, and I am already more than halfway through it. I also used to have season tickets for the Toledo Mud Hens. They are the triple A affiliate of my favorite team, the Detroit Tigers. However, football keeps stealing the spotlight.

      The NFL is set to announce today that Nashville will be the host of the Super Bowl in 2030. Not surprising with the Titans new stadium currently in progress. This announcement reminded me of a story from 14 years ago. It also happened in Tennessee, although this time in Knoxville.

      On Friday, October 19, 2012, I almost added Peyton Manning’s autograph to my collection. The key word is almost.

      Exploring Knoxville with One Goal in Mind

      I decided to take a weekend road trip to Knoxville. The drive from Charlotte is just under four hours. I knew very little about Knoxville. I knew Pat Summitt coached the Lady Vols and that Peyton Manning played for the Tennessee Volunteers.

      Naturally, my sports centered brain kept wondering if I might run into Peyton. The Volunteers were hosting Alabama that weekend. The Tide were ranked number one and would later win 44 to 13. Nick Saban coached Alabama at the time. He previously coached my Miami Dolphins in 2005 and 2006. My brain stores trivia like this for no reason other than personal amusement.

      A Surprise Crowd and Guest

      Around 4:30 pm that Friday, I was walking around Neyland Stadium. I noticed a small crowd forming across the street. A podium stood nearby. I had no idea what was happening.

      Unbeknownst to me, Peyton Manning was in town to dedicate Peyton Manning Pass. The road is the main route for the Vol Walk. Fans line both sides as the team walks into the stadium. The road had been named for Peyton 14 years earlier. It had recently been painted to resemble Shields Watkins Field.

      As I approached the crowd, Peyton Manning walked out in the flesh. I crossed the street to watch the dedication. After brief remarks from the Chancellor, alumni, and Peyton, he stepped into the crowd to sign autographs.

      The Ink Explosion That Ruined My Moment

      I wanted an autograph. But I had nothing for him to sign. I was prepared to sheepishly ask him to sign the UNC Tar Heels hat I was wearing. That alone should have disqualified me from the moment.

      Unfortunately, but also fortunately, disaster struck. I pulled the cap off a ballpoint pen. The pen had previously exploded. Blue ink leaked out and covered both of my hands.

      As a seasoned autograph collector, I should have known better. I should have borrowed a Sharpie from another fan. Many fans held expensive helmets and jerseys. I did not want to risk ruining anyone’s prized item. So, I kept my ink covered hands together and backed out of the crowd.

      I did not get the autograph. However, I gained a story that still makes me laugh. Sometimes the near misses, similar to my previous Taylor Swift story, become the best memories.

      Close‑up of Peyton Manning speaking at a podium in front of a University of Tennessee backdrop.
      A closer look at Peyton Manning during his remarks.
      Peyton Manning holding scissors at a ribbon‑cutting ceremony surrounded by university leaders and fans.
      Peyton Manning prepares to cut the ribbon at the University of Tennessee celebration.
      Person smiling in the foreground at a University of Tennessee event with Peyton Manning visible on stage behind them.
      Catching the moment with Peyton Manning just behind me.
      Peyton Manning surrounded by fans as he signs autographs during a University of Tennessee event.
      Peyton Manning meets fans and signs autographs in a packed crowd.

      Game Day Stories Series

    • 🧡 My MS Journey | Sixth Ocrevus Infusion, New Routines, and an Unexpected Family Emergency

      🧡 My MS Journey | Sixth Ocrevus Infusion, New Routines, and an Unexpected Family Emergency

      A New Round of Labs in a New Town

      Before every infusion, my neurologist orders fresh lab work. Since I now live in Mebane, NC with my partner, this was my first time getting labs done outside Atrium Health. Fortunately, the office called the Thursday before and I snagged a same‑day appointment at LabCorp inside Cone Health.

      The only downside was my timing. I had eaten right before the blood draw. Therefore, it was no surprise that my glucose level ran high. When I was diagnosed in 2023, many tests were outside the normal range. Now only one number drifted. Progress is progress, even when breakfast gets in the way.

      This visit also came with a twist. There was a student onsite who they inquired if they could draw my blood. I confirmed that I would not be first test subject. She said she had done it 40 times. That week or total remains unclear! Still, if you are going to be a trial run, a blood draw is one of the easier medical adventures to approve.

      My Sixth Infusion and a Few Small Surprises

      This was my sixth Ocrevus infusion since starting treatment. It was also my second and final visit to IVX Health in Charlotte. I asked to move future appointments to the Durham location, which is only 30 minutes away.

      The appointment began at 9:00 am. After the usual prep, the infusion started at 9:30 am and ran for two hours. Then came the one‑hour observation period. During prep, they were prepared to hand me Tylenol tablets. I do not swallow pills, and this apparently was not updated in my chart. The tablets went back and the liquid version arrived for this 44-year-old child.

      This was also my first infusion in my right arm. My left arm veins are tiny and dramatic. I don’t imagine the veins in the right arm are much bigger, but they cooperated. At least this time.

      A Family Crisis Unfolds at the Same Time

      In my first MS Journey post, I wrote about my grandma and her connection to this path. I never expected our stories to collide again on the same day.

      While I was in North Carolina receiving my infusion, my grandma suffered a massive heart attack in Ohio. My mom texted my partner and asked her not to tell me until the infusion ended. I’m still grumbly about this. After I finished, we drove two hours from Charlotte to Mebane, then nine hours from Mebane to Ohio. We arrived early Wednesday morning to see my legendary grandma.

      She had a successful surgery to place a stent. However, complications followed due to the rhinovirus and pneumonia. Even so, every doctor and nurse repeated the same astonished line: “She’s 92.” She continues to defy expectations. If I were a betting person, I’d have her living until at least 116. There is no one like my grandma!

      Looking Ahead With Determination

      My infusion day is behind me. My grandma remains in the hospital with an uphill battle. Yet she has never met an uphill battle she could not flatten. I continue my MS Journey with gratitude, humor, and the stubborn belief that both of us will keep surprising people.

      Elderly woman lying in a hospital bed with an oxygen tube, surrounded by medical items on a tray table.
      My grandma who would not be happy that I’m posting a picture of what she would say “laying around looking like a dead horse.” I think she looks fabulous after everything she has been through.

      My MS Journey Series

    • 🪶 Feathered Friends | Carolina Wrens, New Lifers, and a Mother’s Day Adventure in Saxapahaw

      🪶 Feathered Friends | Carolina Wrens, New Lifers, and a Mother’s Day Adventure in Saxapahaw

      Carolina Wrens Take Center Stage in Our Backyard

      The past few weeks brought a surprise that brightened every day. A pair of Carolina Wrens built a nest in our bird house out back and soon welcomed several tiny hatchlings. The babies started as soft chirps in a crowded nest. They later became bold explorers who hopped across the ground with impressive confidence. After a few days of practice, every baby took flight. The entire family now zips around the backyard/neighborhood like they own the place.

      Carolina Wrens are small birds with big personalities. Their distinguishing marks to me are the bold white eyebrow and tail cocked upward. They also defend their territory with surprising intensity as noted by several harsh scolding calls anytime I was near their nest to snag a picture and refill the suet on the birdfeeder, which became their food of choice. They were able to raise a family while ignoring the chaos of humans nearby. Said chaos created mainly by yours truly.

      Watching the babies grow reminded me why I enjoy birdwatching so much. The process brings calm and curiosity. It also brings humor when the babies attempt flight with the grace of popcorn kernels. I attempted to capture every stage and share below in this post.

      A Mother’s Day Trip to Saxapahaw

      Today my partner, kids and I celebrated her for Mother’s Day in Saxapahaw, North Carolina. We enjoyed brunch at the Eddy Pub before walking along the river and the historic dam. 10 out of 10! Highly recommend for the delicious food, rooftop views and vibes. The weather cooperated and scenery impressed us. The walk also helped me stack habits by adding steps toward my daily ten thousand step goal. I enjoy any activity that supports my health while giving me new birds to identify.

      During the walk, I added two new lifers to my Merlin App list. We spotted a Great Blue Heron standing across the river. The bird moved slowly and watched the river and us with expert focus. Great Blue Herons occur in almost any wetland habitat. Glad this one graced us with its presence today.

      A pair of Canadian Geese also appeared in the river accompanied by their reflections in the water. They meandered about and supervised the area like seasoned security guards. Canadian Geese mate for life and migrate thousands of miles each year. They also hiss when annoyed. I was today years old when I realized I may be part Canada Goose.

      A Few Interesting Notes About the Saxapahaw Dam

      The Saxapahaw dam has a long history connected to the village and the Haw River. The structure once powered a cotton mill that supported the local community. The mill has now transformed into a cultural hub with music, food, and art. The dam still shapes the flow of the river/lake and creates a peaceful backdrop for visitors. The sound of rushing water adds a steady rhythm to the walk. The area attracts hikers, birdwatchers and families who enjoy quiet moments outdoors.

      Walking along the river supports my health journey, while habit stacking continues to bring joy to everyday moments such as birdwatching. Today delivered that and more. I will continue sharing these moments with you. Nature offers endless stories and I plan to keep collecting them.

      Saxapahaw birding with the Great Blue Heron.
      A Great Blue Heron across the Haw River near the Saxapahaw dam.
      Carolina Wren eggs captured on Friday, April 17, 2026.
      Carolina Wren hatchings on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
      Angry Carolina Wren mom on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Now is not a good time to visit the hatchlings.
      Two day old Carolina Wren hatchlings captured on Friday, April 24, 2026.
      Carolina Wren dad hard at work making several trips from feeder to nest to deliver the suet to the hatchlings. Captured on Monday, April 27, 2026.
      Flight training day three consists of mainly hops along the flower bed for this baby Carolina Wren captured on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

      Feathered Friends Series