You are a survivor

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Unlike many people, we’ve endured the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. It’s a story some of you know very well. For me it was a quick process due to my MRI results and my prevalent loss of multiple bodily functions. But I know for others it was a long and arduous development with one appointment after another, yet nothing being found definitively sometimes for years.

Oh, the heartache. Oh, the worries. Oh, the concern of what is actually happening and when will it end. When the diagnosis takes place there is a moment of relief knowing that you aren’t going crazy. That there’s an answer to all your troubles.

Through it all, I have to say… you are a survivor. It took me a little bit of time to figure that out for myself. I was caught in such an out-of-control whirlwind that I couldn’t see anything around me that made sense anymore. But then I saw it. Hidden behind the appointments and around the newly discovered symptoms, there it was plain as day. I am a survivor. I’m not healed and as of today am not healed. But I have survived and each day I am surviving.

But why? That was the question I kept asking myself. Why have I survived? Why is this my life now?

I don’t know why I have lived through it. I don’t know how I have lived through it. But what I do know is that I have emerged stronger and with a clearer purpose. Whether you believe it’s God’s gift or just sheer luck… you have been given a second chance in life and I encourage you not to squander it or dwell on why you were chosen.

We make choices every day. Some are clear to make and some not so clear. But I believe we have been chosen to rebuild this MS community we find ourselves a part of as we rebuild ourselves. Some of us will rise to the challenge, other’s won’t. But we will all ultimately survive because we already have.

Let’s be honest. You’re a survivor.

I like how Lori Goodwin said it… “Even in times of trauma, we try to maintain a sense of normality until we no longer can. That, my friends, is called surviving. Not healing. We never become whole again … we are survivors. If you are here today… you are a survivor. But those of us who have made it thru hell and are still standing? We bare a different name: warriors.”

So fight on… my MS Warriors. Fight on!

To Meme or not to Meme? That’s the question!

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I’ve put together a collection of my most wonderfully random and entertaining images and memes to keep in one convenient place. It’s a work in progress but hopefully it gives you a laugh and something to think about along with something to share with others to raise multiple sclerosis awareness.

I hope to add at least 2 to 3 images a week so makes sure to come back often. You can find the memes easily from the websites by following the link labeled “MS memes” in the top menu bar at positivelivingwithms.com.

When I first started Positive Living with MS I came across people offended by my sarcastic yet pointedly accurate MS images on topics that were a bit hards to talk about. As time passed the narrow-minded, prudish followers went away. I still meet people that don’t like my use of humor to talk about my life with MS. I find that in the humor there are some heavy subjects that will bring you to tears… but it’s all a part of a life with MS that needs to have more awareness.

As I’ve said many times, it’s better to laugh than cry about what we deal with. It makes the days brighter, the load lighter and the pain easier to handle, both emotional and physical. So laugh and don’t feel bad for it. It does a body good.

MS Facts Memes

Humor Memes

Inspirational Memes

MS Symptom Memes

 

Chocolate… is it good for multiple sclerosis?

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It’s been known for years that flavonoids in cocoa help fight fatigue. These chemicals possess anti-inflammatory properties that may be especially beneficial for people with multiple sclerosis. I know that may sound strange to you, but cocoa (chocolate) has been studied for just that purpose. Amazingly enough case studies show that eating cocoa does just that.

Let’s face it, no matter how you enjoy it — as a candy bar, in a hot drink, drizzled over ice cream — chocolate brings joy. It’s a wonderful flavorful treat. Now, I’m not talking about melt in your mouth milk chocolate, but dark chocolate is what has most of the health benefit for our bodies. Dark chocolate has between 50% and 90% cocoa solids. The higher percentage the better.

I don’t know if it’s because dark chocolate has a slight bitter taste or because you need to ingest it slowly to actually enjoy it, but I happen to think it’s a great alternative to pharmaceuticals. I have always said that the day after a chocolate filled holiday is my favorite day because chocolate goes on sale. I don’t know if it will be on sale after Valentine’s Day this year as in times past, but any discount would be welcomed due to the high price of food around the world today.

Results showed in the cocoa study that participants experienced a 45 percent improvement in fatigue. In addition, the high-flavonoid group was able to walk farther than those in the low-flavonoid group during a six-minute walking test. They also reported less pain.

MS is a challenging disease, and it requires innovative approaches to find ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. Could chocolate make multiple sclerosis fatigue better? Only time will tell but I welcome the challenge.

Incontinence… ain’t nobody got time for that!

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Have you heard about the adult diaper spas that have opened in the UK and the USA. Yes, you read that right. It’s a place to nurture and pamper diaper lovers and enthusiasts. It actually caters to people with a psycological disorder that’s been growing among adults over 21.

Sorry, but I don’t see the fun or joy in having to wear a diaper because my bladder or bowels aren’t working correctly. Yes, I have had problems with bedwetting before… but the previous time was when I was five years old!

When I was in the hospital last year I wasn’t able to make it to the bathroom on my own and my bowels were like clockwork. I had to go every morning by 6 am but since I couldn’t get out of bed on my own I wore an adult diaper and the nurse had to clean me up because I made a mess. Two weeks of diaper changing was enough for me.

I was in the hospital to have my bladder removed. For about 7 years I had used a suprapubic catheter (SPC) for bladder incontinence. The catheter was placed in my bladder to help empty my urine but the SPC wasn’t working well for me and of all things it was painful. I had bladder stones that were causing me problems and blocking the flow. When the urologist had recommended removing my bladder entirely I was a bit nervous, but excited as well about the concept. I thought, this will make my life a bit easier to manage than it has been. I’m ready for anything that will help me out.

When I finally got home from the hospital after my bladder was removed, I was able to manage things on my own and so happy. It’s been a year and I believe it was one of the best changes for me since my MS diagnosis over 10 years ago dealing with continued incontinence troubles. I now have a pouch I wear on a stoma the doctor created for my bladder. The pouch is my makeshift bladder and sits outside of my belly area near my belly button. I replace the pouch about every 3 to 5 days but empty it as often as needed like you would a normal bladder. No more issues with trying to hold my bladder and making a beeline to the toilet.

I have to say laughter is the best medicine unless you are dealing with incontinence. I had a feeling of relief knowing that I wasn’t the only one who leaked a little when I sneezed, moved around, or coughed. I wasn’t the only one that had to change their clothes after misjudging their bladder timing.

There’s nothing wrong with finding humor in the uncomfortable aspects of life. Certainly leaking pee is something that happens to many people with multiple sclerosis and although there are certainly degrees of it where some find it obviously debilitating, others just find it annoying. There’s nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to having a badder that rebels. Humor really does help. I talk with people a lot about incontinency. I just can’t hold it in. (grin)

Even if your experience isn’t that bad like it only happens once in a while or it doesn’t disrupt your life very much, there are still reasons to address it. The good news is that it’s never too late to strengthen your pelvic floor. Ask your doctor about it or even your physical therapist about which exercises help. I wasn’t able to use those muscle but for many people doing pelvic exercises helps restore controlled use of the bladder.

Either way, just keep in mind that although there is nothing to be ashamed of when you leak pee, you are certainly far from alone. Will you make it to the bathroom in time? Depends! – they really do help. (Grin)

Be strong

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One of the great American authors, Alex Haley, had a picture on a wall in his office that attracted much attention. It always aroused the interest of his visitors because no one could understand the significance of the photograph to the writer.

On one occasion, a visitor with a perplexed look on his face asked, “Alex, why do you have a picture of a turtle sitting on the top of a fence post?” Haley replied, “I try to remember how this turtle – me – got on the top of that post.”

Sometimes, perhaps most of the time for many of us, it is difficult to admit that if it weren’t for the help of others, we would not be where we are. From our earliest moments until this present hour, we are encouraged by nearly everyone to believe that “You can do it by yourself!”

But this is not true! We all need the help of others. Each day people come into our lives who need help, encouragement, inspiration, an act of kindness, words of sympathy, or a look of empathy. Receiving and giving help are basic human needs and behaviors.

But when you are living with a chronic illness like multiple sclerosis, asking for help isn’t always that easy. It seems like it should be, but reaching out can be tough. Many times you end up feeling vulnerable, weak and exposed for reaching out. And sharing your needs means the reality of how bad your illness has gotten scares you. You would rather others not know in order to keep them from worrying.

This can create a vicious cycle, leading to anger, frustration, and feelings of helplessness or hopelessness. Things cannot get better if you don’t acknowledge what is wrong. If you find yourself overwhelmed you may benefit from talking with your doctor about what’s going on. They have access to great resources that can help.

I have news for you today… reaching out to others for help is one of the strongest things you can do. It means that you are standing up to unspeakable forces and looking MS in the eye proving you aren’t afraid of what is happening. Only the strong can do that. And you are strong.

No matter how weak you feel, no matter how beaten or how bruised you are, I promise you, you are more powerful than you can possibly imagine. You’re living with the impossible every day.

And like the turtle on the fence post… you have many people willing to help if you just reach out to skilled people who have the resources to put things into action for you. Are you on the fence post to learn to fly or to learn to repel down?

“Be strong.”