Good Morning my beloved ms family. Everyone okay? No ms gremlins upsetting your rest last night. At least none that “YOU” could not handle, and banish to the back of your mind and let “YOU” sleep. This is one pf the reasons that I always say, find strength. Surround yourself with brightness, things that bring “YOU” joy and happiness. I understand that in our current 4environment “YOU” must try extra hard and there is a lot of ugliness in the world. Why people have to be so ugly is beyond me. BUT, for us, for “YOU” in particular find happiness. Let this be a secret between “YOU” and me, nobody else. I wish for “YOU” today, JOY, HAPPINESS, COMFORT. Do not tell anybody, that was just for “YOU”, between us.
Your Relapsing-Remitting ms (RRms) is a lifelong condition. I can not state that enough. It lasts forever, until “YOU” pass. Which I hope is in at least your eighties. Treat it like that. Make your decisions based on that. If “YOU” choose to take an infusion, find ways to manage the side effects ,of which there will be some, I am sure. This is a serious illness and these are very serious medicines. When “YOU” have time read the medicine disclaimer that “YOU” are supplied with every month/ I did once and as I remember it was scary stuff. Only did it once in my twenty plus years. A lot was over my head and a lot was just really boring, but it is always good to know what “YOU” are putting in your body. Even if it is only a vague knowledge.
Remember this is lifelong. Your medicines are lifelong. Other things may not be. Marriages and relationships may come and go. It takes a little while to adjust to a loss, but give it time. Cry your tears and who knows what “YOU” really need may turn up one day. It is okay to be down, off color one day. I believe it is part of the human condition, it certainly is part of the RRms condition. It is does affect your brain after all. So try NOT to be down on yourself. Do not use derogatory or negative terms about yourself. There is ugliness and darkness all around us. Find your own light, bathe in it let it surround “YOU”. On a coolish morning go sit in the sun for a few minutes. Plant a few sunflowers in your backyard, if “YOU” do not have a backyard, get some bright pictures and put them on your walls. Anything to lift your spirit, to bring a smile to your face.
It is NOT ALL bad. There is GOOD JOY BEAUTY LOVE. This condition is not too much for “YOU”. Take a little time (it may be a few years), recenter yourself. Find your way forward. Accept that it may change. What I wanted at 35 is not what I want now in my 50’s. Be prepared for this and if it comes accept it. RRms life, is not a constant never-ending battle. “YOU” are not a warrior. At least I am not. I manage my RRms, accept my losses and cherish my victories. I suggest “YOU” might do the same.
The sun will shine for yours and my lifetime.. I will prepare all that I can for any darkness, knowing there will be a bright dawn waiting for me and I suggest “YOU” daoas well. NO, I that was not all religious, unless “YOU” want it to be.
Royce (your ms writer and brother)
SMILE, smile again and smile some more. YOU can do this
