Today on the nightly news I saw among the top three killers in America today we're smoking, obesity, and loneliness. Speaking from personal experience I can tell you as my disability increased with MS, I developed severe depression, anxiety, and loneliness. The MS wasn't too bad at 1st because I was able to keep up with my friends as my disability wasn't too far advanced. I always heard from them how good I looked. It was if that because I look good on the outside I had to be fine on the inside and that simply wasn't the case. But how do you describe to people who don't know about MS you're numb hands? You're a lack of ballance. Your brain fog the hand dexterity being gone and your bladder being more and more incontinance.It' s all too much to comprehend. That is single disease can do so much and that's only a small portion of what it can affect or even destroy. I wanted to scream at them saying I'm not fine. My body is suddenly not my own. But who would understand I thought? As months turned into a year on one year into the 2nd and 3rd tmy disability increase dramatically. Suddenly the invites I got to go with my friends to ride with them and camp dried up. Later this would become clear to me.When I was at my lowest of lowes with my MS and I felt as if I were spiraling into a large dark pit with no way out, three miracles happened to me.
RX presciption;
I discovered the MSAA chat room. As I met and got to know dozens of people suddenly I felt a lot less lonely and connected with individuals with the common problem, MS. It fulfilled my need of belonging to a community again. I could ask questions without being judged and could help to provide answers to people who wanted general answers to their questions.It was a safe zone, just what I needed.
If you are lonely or depressed or anxious I would strongly encourage you to talk to your neurologist. Tæhe 2nd thing I would strongly encourage is for you to join the MSAA a chat room because you will not get better support and fellowship anywhere than from this chat room.
My second miracle was meeting Jesmcd2 In the chat room as we started working together. Weeks turned into months we have formed a sisterly bond that will last overtime. We talk once to 3 times a week or we feel cheated out. We won't let the distance keep us apart. We're always there for each other if we have a problem or a issue we need to discuss with each other whether it be doctor's care, test results, or family issues.
My 3rd miracle was my girlfriend who I'll call Mary. We had been friends for over 25 years as her husband rode horses with us but her and I had never been close. Her adult son was killed in an accident when he was in his early thirties about fifteen years ago. Out of the blue she started calling me about 6 or 7 years ago and we would spend a day a week going out to have lunch and run errands. She didn't have to do it because we have never been that close but she told me she understood what I was going through. She said when her son died, she lost touch with a bunch of friends, even some long term ones who didn't know how to handle her son's death. She made me understand that it happened with me as well once I quit riding with the horse group.
I'll recommend my prescription for loneliness and the MSAA chat room to everyone who is struggling with MS. Those of us who already belonged to the chat room spread the word wide and far about the gem we have here. As far as my miracles you need to find your own. That way your miracle worker or workers will fit your personal needs.Remember to keep your eyes wide open because they're usually closer than you think. They can pop up when you least expect them.
Fancy59.
