I have been living with Multiple Sclerosis for twenty-three years and learned that for me the best way to face each day is with humor.
A Day With MS
Good morning! What a nice spring day. The sun is shining brightly, the flowers are displaying their best colors, and the birds are singing their sweetest songs. I think that today would be a great day to walk through the park and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer - but first I need to make the bed and eat a good healthy breakfast. Speaking of nature, I guess I should answer the call. Wouldn't want to have an accident on such a nice day.
Well, would you look at that! The bathroom sink is not a very good place for my house keys. I had best put them on the hook where they belong before I need them. I hate to not be able to find things.
Rinnnng
Now, I wonder who could be calling this early. It never fails - the phone always rings when I'm busy.
"Hi mom, can I call you back? I was on my way to the bathroom."
"Good morning Rover - come on, I'll get your food. Would you like to go for a walk later? I need to rest some first - it has been a hectic morning."
Oops, Mother Nature can be such a bitch sometimes. It's a good thing that I wear protective clothing, and I was going to take a shower today anyway, so I guess everything is OK.
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Well, I feel like death warmed over now, and it's my own fault! That was a stupid thing to do, and I know better. You can't take a hot shower if you have MS because of the heat. Everybody knows that MS reacts negatively to hot or cold. I learned a long time ago that 76 degrees is what I require to feel good - 75 is too cold and causes pain and 77 is too hot and causes a profound total body weakness. So now, I must rest until I can function again.
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OK, it's time for lunch and I forgot to eat breakfast. Nothing sounds good so I'll go ahead and make the bed while I decide on what to eat.
"Hello again Rover…you're such a good boy…did I feed you this morning? I truly don't remember…well, come on I'll feed you now for sure…but I need to check the mail first."
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I'm back---it is four days later and I just now remembered this article ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rinnnng
There's the phone again - sometimes I really don't like that thing.
"Oh, hi mom---yeah, I got busy and forgot to call you back---yes, I'm OK, just really busy---I'm going to take Rover for a walk after while---don't worry, I'll be careful."
My mother worries too much.
"OK Rover, let's go get your leash - time is running out on this beautiful day."
I swear, sometimes I think this old house eats stuff. Things are always disappearing around here. That leash always hangs by the back door - its been there for the last ten years.
"Rover, did you hide your leash? No, you wouldn't do that - be a good boy and help me find it."
Ding Dong
Oh, I bet that's the paperboy---every Saturday just like clockwork. He's such a nice kid, and well mannered too-his parents should be so proud.
"Hi Robbie, here's your money. Thanks, I'll see you again next week."
It's a good thing I came to the front door - it wasn't locked. Hey, there is Rover's leash on the couch. I don't know how it got there, but at least I found it in time to go for that walk. All I have to do is grab my keys and my hat and off we go.
Now this is too much---I am really starting to get irritated. Why are my keys missing from their hook? I know I put them somewhere - but where. I guess I'll start in the kitchen…hey, would you look at that! I don't have a sink full of dishes to wash…because I forgot to eat!
Well, it's too late for breakfast, so I'll have brunch…let's see what's in the frig.
"Oh, hi Rover…I guess I forgot to feed you too. Well come on - I'll do that first before I forget again. There, now you can eat---see, I'm not such a bad person – at least I take care of my pets; don't I Rover."
Now, what was I doing? Oh yes, looking for my keys. If I were keys, where would I hide? I guess I'll scan the kitchen first – I'm already in here. Oh no…there's my water bill payment – I forgot to mail it. Maybe it's not too late – sometimes the mail runs late for some unknown reason.
But not today of coarse…well, let's see what treasures I got. Junk mail and bills – just once I'd like to get a real sleazy love letter from a secret admirer. Instead, I get a bill from my credit card company. Maybe I should pay it before it disappears…at least I can pay it online so I don't have to buy more stamps.
I love my DSL – makes everything online better…hey, I have email – guess I better check it, might be something good.
Five hours later
Well, I must have over-done it because I feel really tired. I hate days that are so hectic and fast-paced. I think I'll turn in early and get some extra rest.
John Braswellã2006
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :(
I don't have MS, but I do have worsening OA that requires me to walk with two forearm crutches and other health issues. I am definitely disabled.
Here is a website to explore. It has helped many with MS, and the basic program is a free download. http://www.emofree.com/faq/doesEFTworkon.htm
Elizabeth