What to expect when you’re not expecting…
As a
seventeen-year veteran MSer, I am sometimes asked to give advice to the newly
diagnosed. Sometimes I am the one to
welcome the recently initiated into the fraternity or sorority of MSers. Questions get posed to me all of the time
typically asking the same queries in different forms. Is MS a death sentence? No.
You have MS, how do you look so good?
Oil of Olay. What now? Hold.
Then one
gentleman’s query put me in a quandary.
He asked: What should I expect from an MS life? I thought for a moment and came up with this
answer. This is the way that I look at
it, and it is my opinion. My explanation
had elucidated our strange medical condition in this simple sentence. With Multiple Sclerosis you must expect
anything and be ready for everything.
There are a
plethora of variables that make planning for MS an impossibility. Just to give you an idea of some of these
issues: age, how healthy you are and your geographic location just to name a
few. Multiple Sclerosis neophytes need
to know although there are many similarities there are even more
differences. If you ask any ten people
with MS, you will see commonalities in the indications. However, the impact of these symptoms on
their lives can vary drastically.
People will
gladly share their stories and how they dealt with the adversities that they
faced. The problem is that you will not
understand until you experience that symptom.
However, even if you have the exact same sign, your body will likely
respond differently.
All of that
being said focus on several things in your new MS life. First and foremost keep your bodies
moving! Keep as active as you can by
moving anything that you can for as long as you can. No matter if it is running, walking, swimming
or something in between stay in motion.
I always say that if you sit still for too long, you will rust. A rusty pair of scissors does not work
correctly and neither will you. I went
for nearly ten years without moving, and I deteriorated so much that I am
currently in a wheelchair. Learn from
the mistakes of others.
Food is
life, but the wrong food can be the opposite.
There are plenty of MS focused diets to choose from. It is more important to pay attention to the
similarities of those diets and not the differences. They all tell you to eat reasonably and
smartly. Portion control is imperative
just like not overdoing the unhealthy food.
Although many argue what they look like health and wellness are both
critical.
When
something unexpected happens, do not panic!
Someone has gone through it before you, and they will deal with it after
you as well. Remember that life with
Multiple Sclerosis is the new normal so adapt and overcome. Do not give up doing things but find a
workaround for you. Wear a cooling vest
or carry a notepad for reminders just do not deprive yourself of life. Take it one day at a time.
No matter
what happens, keep a positive attitude and always wear a smile. When you need help, and you will require
help, people will be willing to assist you if you are smiling. Grumpy Gus’s get a bitter rejection when
assistance is needed the most. Learn
your limitations but never give up. Live
your life to the fullest using any adaptations required. Do not ruin a good today thinking about a bad
yesterday, let it go.
Build a
stable support system filled with family and friends who are supportive and
understanding. Find a Multiple Sclerosis
support group and in that group find an MS buddy. Stress and MS are mortal enemies so do not
let them use your body as a battlefield.
Avoid stress but if you cannot avoid it find ways to manage your
stress. Meditation, music or religion
might help.
These are
some of the most important facts for those new to MS. Experience removes fear and builds your MS
confidence. Remember: today you are
better than yesterday but not as good as you will be tomorrow.
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