We have no choice, I really dislike having to say that but I feel that it is something that has to be said. The choice of sitting in that cold dark corner and weeping endlessly I refuse to look at as an option. More a horror that “YOU” and I must avoid at all costs. “YOU” like me are better than that. There are a number of things that we can start to do to avoid that fate. Yes, wear your depends in public, trust me it might save “YOU” one day, maybe not but I feel better safe than sorry. Start taking a Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT) “YOU” may not like it, I really disliked it when I started but I take my tablet every morning and night without fail. I try to exercise eat healthy and get a few positive influences in my life. I do not regret what I may have lost I look forward to what I may gain. Relapsing Remitting ms (RRms) has stolen a lot from me, but I can find things that it has given me. A great many things that it has given me, and really it is not that hard to find.
I accept that there are losses, some rather painful at the time, but I might ask were those things going to go away with or without RRms? My ex-wife, yes and I am glad SHE DID. My flying career, I am pretty sure it was going away. My playing with sharp knives in the kitchen, better that it did. My driving cars fast and binge drinking. Not at the same time, that is silly. Better that they went away. Of course there are things that I have gained, she who must be obeyed, I never would have met her but for RRms, and I will say she is one of the better things in life. My joint dog, renewed closeness with my mother, exercise. When at home I go to the gym three plus times a week. My seventy plus year old neighbour. I never would have met him if I had not gotten sick, let alone the people at the casino where we go to breakfast. Yes there are good things that have happened because of RRms it is not all doom and gloom.
On a less cheerful note, not sure that is the best word “YOU” can decide. Without RRms I never would have found within me the strength to cope with three facial surgeries because of Trigeminal Neuralgia. I never would have been able to walk out of a public bathroom in protective underwear and a t-shirt. I might never have really pushed my physical and mental limits. I might never have found what I was capable of. The same is true for “YOU”, “YOU” are capable of so much more than “YOU: ever thought of. This illness knocks “YOU” down but with perseverance and a belief in yourself it is just down not out. Get that chant going in your head. “I CAN I WILL I AM DOING IT” accept that it may be clumsy slow and just plain ugly but “YOU” are doing it and will keep doing it for your many many years that “YOU” have this lifelong incurable progressive disease.
Royce (the tortured writer)
Be strong you CAN persevere and do RRms
