msers , that's YOU, newbies, as well, YOU are part of the family as well now. If YOU have noticed, I have a little different opinion about our travelling companion than some. It really does not make them or me wrong. Just different, we all face our differences in our own way. Based on a lot of different experiences and our interpretations of those events. Embrace your difference and be true to it. Take what YOU read, learn and make them your own. What works for me may not work for YOU and that is okay. This illness journey we are on is all about alternatives.
I would suggest that even though YOU are on this journey that YOU may accept the faults, failings, and sometimes ignorance of others. Protect yourself as much as YOU can whenever YOU can.
Wear your DEPENDS, I like flex fit.
Take your Disease Modifying Therapy,(DMT) religiously as if your life depends on it.
Eat better, American Heart guidelines are good.
Exercise, mostly core it will help you get off the floor, stand straight and look good.
LAUGH, obvious but I bet YOU do not do it enough.
TALK to your spouse, they are likely as scared as YOU, just differently.
When YOU have got yourself back together, a little, find a goal. This is a very longterm illness. With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis, you will not be dead tomorrow or even next week. You are taking your medicine so a wheelchair may not even be in the 20-year future, a cane maybe, but get a really cool one. not your grandmothers, but one that says, 'HEY I AM HERE, DO NOT MESS WITH ME" Never allow yourself to be a victim. YOU, like me, have multiple sclerosis that does not mean anything more than what WE want it to mean. It is not an excuse it is us, and anybody can accept that or leave. This illness may define YOU, but that definition is decided by us, nobody else ever.
YOU walk your journey, YOU wake at 3 am with the thoughts, YOU, YOU, YOU. it really is all about YOU. There are decisions and choices to be made, now & many times in the future. YOU will get some wrong, but YOU will learn. After 20 years, believe me, I have made a lot wrong. I accept the pain and suffering that I going to cause myself. I accept that this illness is me eating me. I am interested in learning why, on a purely clinical basis, but I never obsess about it. I do not blame myself, I merely accept that something plus something equals ms. Go outside in the heat of the day for too long and I will walk worse than normal. Cause and effect. Easy for me to say I have had 20 years to work this out. YOU will work this out yourself, some faster than others. Just do not hate yourself for not working it out yesterday. Be kind to yourself, for as much as I say YOU are wonderful, I do not rest in your mind at 3 am, and 3 am in the lonely dark is when ms likes to come to say hello.
Be good and kind to yourself, live well and be proud. This is one of those life events that YOU can, YOU WILL You are DOING. YOU are on the path of RRms and will be for a very long time. Make your journey one that is easy as YOU can, just be careful there are thieves out there.
Royce
Walking along the path we shall go
