Happy Something Today.. Isn't It?

Oh yeah, Happy World MS Day to you. If you can be happy about that.. meh..

So, anyhoo, I approach the 5th anniversary of my 29th birthday.. I have to say, this year has been pretty damn amazing so far! I love my family and friends, I have the best dog ever, I'm taking on more responsibility at work, WITHOUT the stress, and everything just seems to finally be falling into place!

I had my neurologist appointment recently and everything is good there too (as always, knock on wood!). I'm good on my MRI for another year, so  I just need to get blood work done and I'll be all good!

I'm still tired ALL THE TIME! But I've come to just accept that as my natural state of being for now. I don't like it, but I accept it. Blergh...

On a happier note, I'm really looking forward to the summer! I wish I could handle the heat better... It can be a little hard to see all the "normal" people laying out by the pool on a nice sunny day when I'm stuck in the air conditioning. It can suck covering up Rebif bruises because warm weather calls for less clothing... But, I do love the great things that come with the summer! BBQ's, swimming, the sun staying up late and making me feel less tired. And the beach- even if I'm under an umbrella!

And then there's fireworks on the 4th! One of my friends has an in to the Happiest Place on Earth! Mickey Ears! Another one of my very favorite friends is getting married! Another one is expecting twins! TWINS!!! Holy crap!!! Busy, busy summer!

So, I know it's yet again been awhile since I've paid attention to my blog.. but that's actually a great thing! It just means that I've had so much to do out in the great, big bustling world! So, I'll try to write this summer, since I do love my faithful readers. And it's always so awesome to see people from so far away actually care enough to read my blog in this little sunny, chill corner of the world! But, if it's been awhile between posts, I'm laying by the pool, reading a good book. Probably getting a few new freckles!  So, as always, keep your head up. No tripping when it's sundress weather!

Happy 8th MS Anniversary to Me!!!

Okay... so technically, it's tomorrow. February 2nd. Groundhog's Day. Can you believe that bulls$#*? Of all the days that you want to not pull a Groundhog's Day... that would definitely top the list.

What's that, Punxsutawney Phil? 8 more years of MS? Oh, and also the rest of my life? Are you sure you saw your shadow? I think that was just a play of the lights... get back in the hole and give me another damn reading.

8 years of shooting a painful medication into my body and having weird bruises because of it. (Side-note: they actually called to schedule the next shipment as I was writing this. Their ears must have been burning) 8 years of my best friend Stephanie covering up said bruises when went out to a concert, bar, club, beach and then had to leave. Usually because I ended up puking because I got too hot. (Thank you to Steph and all my amazing friends and family who have willing left amazing places because of me) 8 years of trying to date guys and figure out when to tell them that I have MS and not get that "pity" look. Screw your "pity" look, boys who gave it. And you were boys, not men. Thankfully, you were few and far between. 8 years of MRI's and seeing how they've evolved. 8 years of me learning and getting stronger.

Seriously though, I've been really lucky. No relapse in those 8 years. Knock on wood. Seriously. Stop what you are doing right now and knock on wood for me. Tingling, migraines, fatigue, all those lovely side effects, but nothing too terrible. Now go knock on wood again....

When you're diagnosed, you feel as if the world is upside down. Sometimes literally. I was so damn dizzy, everything was spinning. Then your life is thrown upside down. Slowly but surely, it returns to normal. Well, an MS normal.

My life is almost back to normal. I barely even blog anymore. Which sucks, but it's kind of a good thing for me. I've been so busy actually living, I haven't actually had time to fill you all in on my life. I promise I'll try to do better on staying current.

I actually went out for New Year's instead of staying in with Ryan Seacrest. I'm going out this weekend, which is why I'm writing right now instead of tomorrow on the actual anniversary of my diagnosis. So I still love writing and staying in touch... but it is so nice to feel somewhat normal again.

If you don't feel good at the moment, it will get better. I felt like crap for so long. I also stayed at home for too long. I'm not saying that you also need to get a part time job. But getting out the house really helped me. Having a reason to wake up and get ready made such a difference in my mood and health. People around me that I barely knew commented on it. So don't make the mistake of staying on your couch watching Law and Order SVU marathons all the time.

Looking back this 8th anniversary, I can say it's made me mentally stronger. I've made a lot  of new friends. I know that there is a great community out there that supports each other through all the good and bad times. I still wish I was perfectly healthy, but as someone with MS once told me when I was first diagnosed, "Everyone is disabled, everyone gets sick. They just don't know what they have yet. We do.". So at least we're ahead of the game.

Cheers to you all.

Till the next time, keep your head up, otherwise we trip!!!