Can infirmity be a blessing?

 

I met a woman in a wheelchair yesterday. And she’s a miracle. Her cheerful attitude and upbeat outlook inspired me more than I knew I needed.

 

 This lady was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis almost 50 years ago. She’s battled the beast ever since.

 MS research has come a long way in the past five decades. Back then, when this dear new friend was diagnosed, doctors had very little to offer her. None of today’s disease-modifying treatments were available. Physicians could only address some of the MS symptoms, as they arose.

 This sweet lady is basically bedridden. Her husband, recently retired from a lifelong career, cares for her daily needs and more. He’s a marvel.

 

 The two of them came out to address a monthly fellowship group to which I belong. Their appearance required herculean efforts on both their parts. They said they rose at 6 am to prepare for the event. They said she almost never leaves their home.)

 As they spoke, recounting their story, sheer joy fairly seeped from their pores. He said it was the greatest blessing of his life to care for his beloved wife, feeding and dressing and assisting her in every way. She sang his praises as well. Honestly, they were adorable.

 After their brief presentation, I was able to slip across the room and introduce myself to her. I leaned down by her and told her I shared the same diagnosis. She looked up at me with a contagious smile and a light in her eyes. Yes, despite her physical limitations, this woman jumped at the opportunity to encourage someone else.

 I thanked her for coming and said I hoped she would not be overly exhausted by the effort.

 “Honey,” she answered. “I’ll be done in tomorrow, but it’s worth it.”

 Seriously, I’d been feeling a little cranky that morning. I’d had a few unexpected inconveniences that cluttered my progress before the meeting. I arrived just in the nick of time, struggling a bit to show up with a chipper attitude.

 

Boy, was I missing something!

 Then I heard this lovely couple’s story.

 I do not know why MS has crippled her and left me still standing with nearly full physical faculties. I cannot explain why she is restricted to her bed and sometimes her wheelchair, while I'm out hiking and biking and participating in nearly every activity I choose.

 People often tell me I’m staving off MS with all of my exercising. They claim to be astounded when I run a race or log the year’s number in annual miles. Sure, pursuing physical fitness can make us healthy in all sort of ways. But MS can still sideline anyone, seemingly randomly, no matter how much we try to fight it.

 Other claim that a solid faith can keep MS at bay. I believe in faith. But I also know extremely faith-filled people (like my new friend) who have been attacked viciously by MS. And my faith seems feeble next to hers (if it’s even fair to compare). I know God is able to heal and sustain anybody. But I cannot begin to understand why some still struggle immeasurably, while others seem to face simpler challenges.

 I cannot tell you why MS boxes in some people and allows others to keep on going in all sorts of physical ways.

 But I can earnestly tell you that this dear lady is still going strong, even if it’s from her own bed. And I am both impressed and inspired.

 That’s hope.

 I don’t know if infirmity can be a blessing. But she surely is.

 

Related items:

• 15 things never to say to anyone with multiple sclerosis
• Hold on! Having MS, I'm thankful for ...
• Should you tell people you have MS?
• Somebody stop me. I've done too much. Again.
• Sometimes feeling overwhelmed ain't half bad
• Tuning in sometimes clears the clutter for an MSer
• You have MS? I know someone who has that.

 

Image/s:  Adapted from public domain image. Word cloud generated by this user.

 

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Hold on! Having MS, I'm thankful for ...

November is a popular month for thankfulness, as we count the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Lots of bloggers put up daily posts, pointing out things for which they are grateful. That set me to thinking.

Is it possible to be thankful for multiple sclerosis?

That’s a tall order. But I believe enumerating blessings is a healthy and worthwhile endeavor. With that in mind, here’s my alphabetical list of MS-related things for which I am thankful. Some items may seem tiny and trivial, but they matter to me.

Awareness – Before MS, I pretty much operated on auto-pilot, never having to focus much on personal health concerns or my own physical condition.

Believing – My faith insists that every battle is part of God’s purpose – even MS.

Cooler temperatures – I’m not a big fan of bitter winter weather, but I definitely appreciate the onset of autumn’s sweater-y days. I’ll even put on a parka with a smile, as long as frigid winds don’t chill us to the core. (Extreme cold sets off MS issues too.)

Dogs – I have a couple of high-energy canines who nudge me and urge me to be up and about, even on my MS-draggy days. I’m always glad I did, especially when I didn’t really feel like it. Their enthusiasm is contagious and rewarding.

Energy – MS makes my energy rise and fall. My vim and vigor varies. Knowing this, I make merry when my wherewithal is worthy of it.

Fellow MSers – I gain considerable encouragement and helpful information from others who are fighting the same MonSter as me.

Glasses – As chronology and MS dim my vision somewhat, I am grateful for my specs, which are most often perched atop my head. Now, if I could just find them …

Horses – Although I don’t always ride (like when MS vertigo attacks full force), simply being around these wonderful creatures heals my spirit in ways nothing else can.

Icepacks – This sounds simplistic, but there are days when a little chill can be a beautiful thing.

Jokes – Yikes! Please don’t fill the comments section with hokey quips, tired riddles, and painful puns. But I have to say that humor is healthy. If we can’t laugh at ourselves, how can we fight the MS MonSter? Comic relief is definitely real relief.

Knowledge – When a doctor first told me that I might have MS, it blindsided me. As I awaited the diagnosis, I began to research and read. Learning that MS is not a death sentence and what life with MS might look like gave me hope, which I carry today.

Layers – Like most MSers, I am temperature-sensitive. That means I am layering and peeling my clothes all day long.

Music – I think everybody sort of has a soundtrack for his or her life. Or maybe we ought to. I enjoy compiling playlists for all sorts of activities and settings. Playing some favorite songs brings me joy, increases my energy, and draws me out of the MS dumps.

Nutrition – I used to eat nearly anything I wanted. Cravings counted. As I’ve learned more about MS and its symptoms (including headaches, various forms of inflammation, and gut issues), I’ve also explored proper nutrition with more interest and discipline. I believe I am healthier overall as a result, and I’m grateful for that.

Occupation – I love to write, even when I’m cranking out copy to meet a deadline. It’s expression. When I write about MS, it’s also an outlet. (Thanks for reading.)

Pain-free days – Every day without an MS migraine is a big blessing. (Remind me of this on my worst headache days, would you?)

Quilts – I’m not a thimble-fingered artisan, but I have made a few cozy patchwork quilts that welcome me warmly when MS sidelines me. It’s nice to have a nest when I need it.

Recreation – OK, this kind of goes with exercise (see below). But a bit of distraction and fun can go a long way, when it comes to coping with MS … or life in general.

Stretchy clothes – Tailored clothes are awesome and stylish, but some MS days simply call for extra ease in dressing and wearing. Yes, I’m one of those moms who darts out to do errands in gym clothes (but never in PJs).

Timing – I count it as no small gift that many of my worst flare-ups have somehow peaked when I have been home, rather than out of town and in the middle of some inescapably hectic event.

Understanding – Lots of non-MSers will never comprehend what the MS life is like. Maybe that’s OK. I’m just grateful for those who are willing to come to understand why our energy waxes and wanes, why we may seem absolutely fine one day and fall to pieces the next, and why we make plans that may require last-minute rescheduling.

Victories – Living with MS can be frustrating, and it takes flexibility to face canceling when symptoms flare. But I think it’s important to celebrate the times when we can actually show up and meet goals and live life at its best.

Walking – Before MS, I assumed everyone who had it would eventually become unable to walk without assistance. Since MS, I have trained and run a full marathon. I know my own outcome could have been so very different. I am extremely thankful that I can still walk and run.

eXercise – Grateful for continuing mobility, I am pleased that I am able to keep on running and biking and hiking and horseback riding and pursuing other physical activities I like -- at least on my better days.

Youth – Most people would say I am no longer young. I’m celebrating a milestone birthday this month. But some say 40 is the new 20, 50 is the new 30, 60 is the new 40, and so on. I don’t act my age, even with MS. I don’t plan to. And I’m thankful.

Zen – I don’t practice formal meditation or follow the religions that promote “Zen.” So I’m using the term rather loosely here. But I am grateful for the de-stressing that comes with accepting MS. Once I learned to live with this chronic medical condition, I realized a sense of power, rather than defeat. Contentment brings its own sort of relief. MS has become a challenge to face, a dragon to slay, and a MonSter to kick to the curb. I’m not giving up here.

Image/s:

Adapted from public domain image

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10 tips for fighting off the fiercest flu

Influenza is abundant around this time of year, and the current flu strain is attacking with a vengeance. Flu sufferers can be sidelined for several days, while others may require hospitalization. Those who battle chronic medical conditions (such as multiple sclerosis) often worry about possible exacerbations, while they slug their way back from influenza.

What can folks do to prevent infection with the dreaded flu?

 

Adapted from vintage movie still / public domain image

NOTE: Written by this author, this copyrighted material originally appeared on another publisher’s site. That site no longer exists. This author (LAN/Kicking MS to the Curb) holds all rights to this content. No republication is allowed without permission.

Here are 10 ways to minimize risk of catching and sharing influenza.

When it comes to staving off potential sickness, it pays to take an all-in approach. After all, an estimated 35 to 50 million Americans suffer from influenza each year.

1. Decompress.

Stress sends the human body working in overdrive, which can actually make a person more vulnerable to a host of health problems, including flu infection. Even a few moments of relaxation can help to restore balance and improve one’s ability to fight off sickness. Strategic breathing techniques, yoga, and even quiet reading or games can help an individual to reduce stress.

2. Eat your vegetables.

Veggies are vital for health, as most folks know. Leafy green produce works wonders for stocking the body’s nutritional supply and fighting off flu and other illnesses.

3. Fill up on fruit.

Fruit is another essential for combating sickness. The nutrients in fresh fruit, in particular, bring a midwinter bounty to the body’s immunity system. And the added fiber of fruit keeps the digestive system operating properly, just in case.

4. Get moving.

Exercise is a well-known stress-buster. At the same time, a good sweat can work wonders in purifying the body from germs. What’s more, a few deep breaths in the cold winter air can kill off respiratory germs that tend to lurk in closed quarters.

5. Pour on the fluids.

Proper hydration is a must – particularly during flu season.

6. Skip the sugar and starches.

Who doesn’t crave carbohydrates in cold-weather months? Still, refined sugars and starches may actually reduce the body’s ability to combat flu germs.

7. Sleep well.

Grandma was right. A well-rested individual enjoys better odds of fending off the flu – and recovering more quickly, if he or she should happen to succumb to it. Fatigue adds vulnerability to all sorts of sickness.

8. Stop for a shot.

Each year’s flu shot aims at taking on the current strains of influenza, making this annual appointment important, particularly for the very young, the elderly, or those with any sort of immunodeficiency. Of course, the inoculation doesn’t take full effect for at least two to three weeks after administration, so it pays to be prompt.

9. Take the right vitamins.

Vitamins are vital, especially during the season of sickness. Key components include Vitamins A, C, D, and E. Many nutritionists also swear by cranberry, echinachea, elderberry, garlic, ginger, probiotics, and zinc for fighting the flu.

10. Wash your hands.

Proper personal hygiene may be the most important flu prevention measure of all. Those popular antibacterial soaps and gels may ease consciences, but the real secret to stopping influenza is basic hand-washing with traditional soap and water.

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Victories: Describing multiple sclerosis from A to Z

People often say they are sorry when they hear I have multiple sclerosis. I get it. I’m sorry too. I wish I didn’t have it. But MS doesn’t make me a sympathy case, either.

Like other MSers, I want to focus on the triumphs, whether they be titanic or tiny.

Battling a chronic (and so far, uncurable) medical condition sometimes raises the rebel in spunky people. Although we definitely have down-days, we also mark those red-letter occasions when we can get up and be the best we are currently able to be. And we are grateful for it.

Here are a few victories I’ve celebrated (since my MS diagnosis), when the MS MonSter has cried “Uncle,” because he’s been kicked to the curb (at least for the moment):

• biking around the block
• clearing garden beds on a hot sunny day
• climbing out of bed on a difficult day
• completing multiple half marathons
• coping with minor (but stressful) surgery
• doing barn chores
• driving two hours in heavy construction traffic
• getting back on the horse after a terrible fall
• joining a tour of a foreign country
• preparing a turkey dinner with all the fixings
• publishing 20+ columns each month (and multiplying that by about tenfold each April)
• riding on a camel
• riding on a motorcycle
• running several laundry loads
• showing up for holiday gatherings
• singing karaoke for the first time
• taking a trip across the country
• walking the dog
• working a trade fair
• writing a handful of published books

I don’t list this stuff to boast. And I’d bet many MSers could make much longer lists with considerably more impressive achievements.

That’s actually not the point. The idea is to mark milestones that make us realize we are not simply victims to MS.

Faith plays a huge role in finding victories in the MS battle. I believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer. I want to exercise ongoing gratitude for every step I am able to take, for every day I am upright, for every occasion when I am actually able to show up for appointments, and for every time I have the wherewithal to complete plans without canceling.

Before MS, I took all that for granted. Now I am beginning to recognize the blessings of each day that actually works.

MS is a series of victories, both mammoth and miniature.

But we count them all, because they really do count. Especially when those down-days try to make our spirits tumble. We’re still fighting.

Image/s:

April A to Z Challenge 2016 logo – fair use

 Adapted from public domain artwork

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