Good morning my beloved ms family, if “YOU” are not sure I am talking to “YOU”. YES, that newly diagnosed (Newby) female or male human being with Relapsing-Remitting ms(RRms) It is very okay to cry, actually I encourage it. Get the emotions out, do not keep them bottled up inside. this may go on for years. This morning I went to breakfast with my best friend, and for no reason that I could discern, I was just overcome with extreme sadness. I was not sure why, but after 20+ years, me, an adult male in his 50’s was choked up and near tears. I do not know what upset me, I just figured it was my RRms,.there was no other reason. A very strange combination of what if, if only I had, I should have, and what’s next. Not so much why me, but “YOU” get the picture. My ms demons were messing with me. Even after 20 years and a good life ms can still spoil a breakfast. Actually, very likely any moment. This is an incurable brain disease after all. Central Nervous System (CNS) to be more accurate. How can “YOU” be expected to cope when “YOU” are so brand new to everything?
“YOU”, can’t be. This is a topsy-Turvy illness. “YOU” will not be prepared for everything. ”YOU”, will do everything right and still RRRms will shock“YOU” and hamper you very smartest moves. This is the nature of the illness that we face, and it will go on forever. My favourite analogy. “YOU” are steadily walking along your ms life path and, “YOU” take a step, thinking “YOU” are on solid ground and “YOU” start sinking into a quagmire of soft sand. “YOU” have taken your Disease-Modifying Therapy by the book, done all the smart things yet still “YOU” are sinking. Welcome to your life with RRms, sneaky is it not?
Do not despair, this is normal for us. Stay true to your plans. Perhaps look at them. Discuss with your medical team,. if “YOU” need to make slight adjustments, BUT, never give up on yourself. Pull your shoulders back, stand straight, smile to yourself and say “ so, this is life with RRms. I was expecting this, one day” It may be today, it may be in 20+ years, but it will happen. Perhaps again and again. It does not mean that “YOU” are doing anything wrong, or that “YOU” should change everything. It just is. It is our life, our RRms life. Learn to accept and roll with the punches. Always be flexible and adapt as best “YOU” can. Taking a day just to be, is fine. Shedding a tear is fine. Do NOT dwell on your what-ifs. Look to what “YOU” can do to adapt, and If “YOU” can not. Shrug your shoulders and say “ these things happen” Look at your life stoically. Do NOT let the uncertainty of this disease break “YOU”. at times “YOU” may not think “YOU” are strong, BUT YES “YOU” ARE. Allow yourself to be vulnerable even weak, but always adapt, pull yourself together and take the next step. Giving up is against the rules, this is your path to travel. TRAVEL IT, and do it with a smile on your face.
Royce (your ms writer and brother)
this is your ms journey, travel it YOUR WAY
