Good morning, my much-loved ms family, A good Monday, are “YOU” looking forward to an exciting week. Full of adventures, rest and making more good memories. For some of “YOU”, coming to terms with this long road ahead of “YOU”. Yes, it is a long road that “YOU” now face. There is no cure, “YOU” can not get off it. “YOU” can make it a little easier. There are a number of Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMT) available to “YOU” now. Twenty plus years ago when I started my journey there was only one. Today there are many more than that. My suggestion is that “YOU” start at the strongest, Ocrevus I believe it is called. It is an infusion, so that means a needle, many of our treatments involve needles. Get used to it, I am scared of them but had to do it at first. One subcutaneous (under the skin, in the fat) needle every other day for several years. I have now graduated to a tablet twice a day. Much easier.
As “YOU” can tell this is a long term illness. My plan is to live into my seventies. I started my ms life at 29, so “YOU” can tell it is a long time. Plan on that, it may be longer for “YOU”, much longer. Do not fret, I highly recommend crying and cuddling your dog. Do not panic though. Take a deep breath, pull yourself together. Have a good strong cup of tea, and a good deep cry. It is okay to cry, “YOU” may find yourself doing it every now and again over your many years. No matter what anybody may say or think, they do not live in your head. “YOU” may face doubts, fears and apprehension. This is not an easy, take aspirin, have a nap disease, call the doctor in the morning. This is sometimes hard always serious. “YOU” will face good days, very bad nights, many many questions and emotional ups and downs that “YOU” never imagined were possible. BUT, face them my ms sibling “YOU” must. They will come at “YOU” no matter what “YOU” do or take.
That is the nature of our illness. It is sneaky, cunning and very clever. “YOU” must be more, more sneaky more cunning and more clever. A lot of our disease can be learned, some from reading but a lot through experience and logic. Nobody can give “YOU” a map. Steps to take, any guarantees. A lot of ms “YOU” have to learn yourself, through your very own experiences. Remember no two peoples ms is exactly alike, so no two peoples way of living with it are exactly alike. Do not expect to solve your ms, or even come to terms with it immediately. It may take “YOU” many years. This is okay, remember no guideline, rule book, guaranteed correct path to follow. Merely, think about what “YOU” are doing why and how “YOU” are doing it.
Merely keep moving. Finding your own path through your very long ms life. If “YOU” are like me “YOU” will take several [wrong turns, do not be afraid to turn around. There is no prize for getting to the finish line first (at least I do not think there is), the prize is how well “YOU” travel your journey. How deeply “YOU” touch those “YOU” encounter during your journey.
Travel [with a purpose, be happy careful and content with your is life. Let your gravestone say “ She\He was a good person she\He lived well and happily, we are lucky to have known them”. Or something to that effect.
Royce (your ms writer)
Chin up, shoulders back and live today to its fullest.
