Yep. See these ever so lovely ads on my blog? They make me pennies and nickles. Like literally a penny if you click on them. So yes, I sold out. And I could care less. I am not a 19 year old with the thought that selling out is bad. It's good. Heck, it's the American way. Plus, I am poor. So please, feel free to click on those ads from time to time. By checking them out, you'll be doing me a solid. I may one day make a whole dollar!! Yay!!
Now to other things. I wanted to write a blog about what exactly Multiple Sclerosis is. Then I realized that would mean a lot of typing and I could just as easily add links to helpful sites. So, if you've ever wondered exactly what it is I'm dealing with, please, click on these links to some helpful sites that sum it up much more succinctly and eloquently then I ever could in one paragraph.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/what-we-know-about-ms/what-is-ms/index.aspx
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001747/
Have a beautiful Sunday. Since it is John Lennon's birthday, he would have been 71, and he is a hero of mine, I leave you with this quote:
“Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.”
-John Lennon
Showing posts with label Multiple Slcerosis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Multiple Slcerosis. Show all posts
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Illegitimi Non Carborundum
That Latin phrase that is the heading of this post? It's my quote of the day. I'll translate it at the end. Even though it's kind of a fake Latin phrase, it's one of my favorites. It has to do with how I feel about my blog subject today.
First, I'll explain that I LOVE a good quote. About anything. Life, love, books, learning, dogs, basically anything brilliant that someone has said in the past, I'll write it down in my journal (or now this blog) or on a Post-It note and refer to it as needed. I love brilliant minds.
Today is pretty darn hot for a Southern California day. My Internet says 79*, but it's muggy and gross outside. I think it's wrong and it's hotter. Thank you Jeebus for A/C and my momma for letting me run it. And no, Jeebus is not a typo. Google it if you have time. My fellow Simpsons fans will get it. So, I'm chilling inside, watching some 30 Rock and decided to write. Ahhh... 30 Rock. Good place for quotes. Not necessarily inspirational, but amusing and they make me happy nevertheless.
Now to today's blog entry: I really don't love talking about my Multiple Sclerosis. It brings up bad feelings. It makes me remember that I have it. I like the whole, "Out of sight, out of mind" motto. Maybe in my case it should be, "Out of mind, out of my damn brain!". Even if it doesn't make it true. I don't even like to really read books about MS. I will, but I'd prefer to read a nice novel and get swept away to another life. However, I was just speaking to someone about my MS and I thought I'd just write a quick note about how I, personally, deal with it. I did okay talking about it. I hope! It has taken a looong time. Six years. It's still no picnic. But I can do it. That, in itself, is a victory. It's also nice to be able to tell someone something that might possibly help them. Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that doesn't have a lot of support. I do not mean to belittle other diseases. They ALL suck! But we really don't have a lot of places to turn to. That can be really hard.
First, I try not to think about it. Sound stupid? Probably. You know how they say that there's the power of positive thinking? I know I feel better when I do not focus on it. I'm not saying to ignore it, or to not educate yourself. I've read tons of books on the subject. I just try to not let it rule my life. I do better when I wake up not thinking, "I have MS." but rather just waking up and thinking, "What am I going to do today?". The more days I have where I can forget for awhile that I have MS? The better I feel.
But, when you do have to think about it and read those books and do that research, stick with uplifting things. Montel Williams is a hero of mine. A fellow MS patient, he is so optimistic. I can read his books and be inspired, not depressed.
I play with my rescue puppy Sid. I saved him from the pound. He had a tough life before he came to live with me, but now there's no more spoiled dog on this planet. Maybe Paris Hilton's dogs. But he has a better mom than they do. In my very biased opinion anyway. ;-) He makes me smile like no other. He relieves stress when he grins at me and flashes his Billy Idol toothy smile. Yep, he's a recurring theme here.
I do yoga or I meditate. I try to find my center in my wobbly world. I am a weeble. But remember! Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down!!
I read. I escape to another world. I love my Kindle. My eyesight is okay at the moment, but the Kindle allows you to change the font size to REALLY BIG if you need it. Or listen to an audio book!
So, that quote for today, "Illegitimi non carborundum", it means: "Don't let the bastards grind you down."
Don't let them. Don't grind yourself down either.
First, I'll explain that I LOVE a good quote. About anything. Life, love, books, learning, dogs, basically anything brilliant that someone has said in the past, I'll write it down in my journal (or now this blog) or on a Post-It note and refer to it as needed. I love brilliant minds.
Today is pretty darn hot for a Southern California day. My Internet says 79*, but it's muggy and gross outside. I think it's wrong and it's hotter. Thank you Jeebus for A/C and my momma for letting me run it. And no, Jeebus is not a typo. Google it if you have time. My fellow Simpsons fans will get it. So, I'm chilling inside, watching some 30 Rock and decided to write. Ahhh... 30 Rock. Good place for quotes. Not necessarily inspirational, but amusing and they make me happy nevertheless.
Now to today's blog entry: I really don't love talking about my Multiple Sclerosis. It brings up bad feelings. It makes me remember that I have it. I like the whole, "Out of sight, out of mind" motto. Maybe in my case it should be, "Out of mind, out of my damn brain!". Even if it doesn't make it true. I don't even like to really read books about MS. I will, but I'd prefer to read a nice novel and get swept away to another life. However, I was just speaking to someone about my MS and I thought I'd just write a quick note about how I, personally, deal with it. I did okay talking about it. I hope! It has taken a looong time. Six years. It's still no picnic. But I can do it. That, in itself, is a victory. It's also nice to be able to tell someone something that might possibly help them. Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that doesn't have a lot of support. I do not mean to belittle other diseases. They ALL suck! But we really don't have a lot of places to turn to. That can be really hard.
First, I try not to think about it. Sound stupid? Probably. You know how they say that there's the power of positive thinking? I know I feel better when I do not focus on it. I'm not saying to ignore it, or to not educate yourself. I've read tons of books on the subject. I just try to not let it rule my life. I do better when I wake up not thinking, "I have MS." but rather just waking up and thinking, "What am I going to do today?". The more days I have where I can forget for awhile that I have MS? The better I feel.
But, when you do have to think about it and read those books and do that research, stick with uplifting things. Montel Williams is a hero of mine. A fellow MS patient, he is so optimistic. I can read his books and be inspired, not depressed.
I play with my rescue puppy Sid. I saved him from the pound. He had a tough life before he came to live with me, but now there's no more spoiled dog on this planet. Maybe Paris Hilton's dogs. But he has a better mom than they do. In my very biased opinion anyway. ;-) He makes me smile like no other. He relieves stress when he grins at me and flashes his Billy Idol toothy smile. Yep, he's a recurring theme here.
I do yoga or I meditate. I try to find my center in my wobbly world. I am a weeble. But remember! Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down!!
I read. I escape to another world. I love my Kindle. My eyesight is okay at the moment, but the Kindle allows you to change the font size to REALLY BIG if you need it. Or listen to an audio book!
So, that quote for today, "Illegitimi non carborundum", it means: "Don't let the bastards grind you down."
Don't let them. Don't grind yourself down either.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
First Day of Blogging...
Welcome to my blog!
It may well be the most boring blog on the planet! I'm not trying to scare you off, just a fair warning. I have Multiple Sclerosis and therefore am not having wild, crazy adventures. Just the day to day adventures of dealing with this dumb disease. I will, on occasion, do really stupid things which I will post for your enjoyment. After all, someone ought to enjoy them. I am currently enrolled in school, deciding if I should re-enter the workforce(terrified to lose my disability benefits), all while living with MS. It makes everything a little bit tougher.
Let's start at the beginning, shall we? I am currently 32 years young. I am a female. I was diagnosed at age 25 with MS. I was working full-time, going to school at night, when I woke up one morning with extreme vertigo and double vision, which led to vomiting because I felt sea sick. I thought it was the Taco Bell I ate after school the night before. Wouldn't you? Cut to a week later, I'm in the hospital having been diagnosed with relapsing/remitting MS. I won't lie. It did suck. A lot.
I spent the next 3 years focusing on getting better, all while attempting to get put on disability. My advice for anyone with MS trying to get on disability, get a lawyer. I had to before they approved me. Also make sure to get a neurologist you love. They will become a fixture in your life. You need to trust them completely. What sucks about this disease is that we can look completely normal, even though we have lesions on our brains that make it light up like a Christmas tree on our MRI. Especially when you're young, people do not believe you are as sick as you are. I think that's why I was denied for disability for so long, but a lot of people have told me they deny everyone at least three times.
Life has had its ups and downs, but I am blessed. I have loving and supportive family and friends. They always put the air conditioner vents in the car facing me (it's the small things sometimes). They are there for me in so many other ways too. I still live with my mommy. Yay! At 32! But what would I do without her? She also helps with my shots. How on Earth am I supposed to get the back of my arms by myself?
Six years after being diagnosed, I am almost feeling like I did when I was still "healthy". As healthy as I ever was, I mean. I am on medication. Three times a week I have to inject myself, my mom does help, as I mentioned. I do have many, many, many lesions for someone my age. I don't like writing that. It feels like it's not true if I don't say it. I am always tired. If you're reading this and you have MS, or know someone who does, then you know what I'm talking about. The migraines are still constant. But I am able to walk. Pretty normally too! I just trip more often than your normal 32 year old. People ask if I have "upper" or "lower" MS and I suppose I have "upper". I don't have a problem in my legs really, just my head. The double-vision comes back on occasion. I have to stay out of the heat, but my English/Irish ancestry makes me stay out of the sun anyways. I do yoga at least 4 times a week. I only miss it if I'm sick or having an "MS" week. When I have a bad day, I always just say, "It's the plaque!". I also use that when I forget something. (Side-note: make notes for yourself. To-Do lists, Post-It notes. I find they all help me remember to do the small things like take the dog to the groomer's before the day is halfway over)
I guess I started this to chronicle for myself how I'm doing with Multiple Sclerosis and to show others out there that it's okay. It gets better. If you were just diagnosed, there are a lot more medicines then there were 20 years ago. Of course, I have depressed days too, but all in all, it could be much worse. I met a friend at an MS Walk who told me that everyone on Earth is disabled, they just don't know what they have yet. And it's true. At least we know what we're up against.
So, keep your head up and be proud of your daily accomplishments. MS is a daily battle, and every night when you go to bed, congratulate yourself on what you've accomplished. No matter how small. Doing the dishes, walking the dog, doing some yoga, or even just making it through another day. If you are walking though... keep on eye on what's ahead of you instead of keeping your head up. I don't want anyone else tripping. :)
It may well be the most boring blog on the planet! I'm not trying to scare you off, just a fair warning. I have Multiple Sclerosis and therefore am not having wild, crazy adventures. Just the day to day adventures of dealing with this dumb disease. I will, on occasion, do really stupid things which I will post for your enjoyment. After all, someone ought to enjoy them. I am currently enrolled in school, deciding if I should re-enter the workforce(terrified to lose my disability benefits), all while living with MS. It makes everything a little bit tougher.
Let's start at the beginning, shall we? I am currently 32 years young. I am a female. I was diagnosed at age 25 with MS. I was working full-time, going to school at night, when I woke up one morning with extreme vertigo and double vision, which led to vomiting because I felt sea sick. I thought it was the Taco Bell I ate after school the night before. Wouldn't you? Cut to a week later, I'm in the hospital having been diagnosed with relapsing/remitting MS. I won't lie. It did suck. A lot.
I spent the next 3 years focusing on getting better, all while attempting to get put on disability. My advice for anyone with MS trying to get on disability, get a lawyer. I had to before they approved me. Also make sure to get a neurologist you love. They will become a fixture in your life. You need to trust them completely. What sucks about this disease is that we can look completely normal, even though we have lesions on our brains that make it light up like a Christmas tree on our MRI. Especially when you're young, people do not believe you are as sick as you are. I think that's why I was denied for disability for so long, but a lot of people have told me they deny everyone at least three times.
Life has had its ups and downs, but I am blessed. I have loving and supportive family and friends. They always put the air conditioner vents in the car facing me (it's the small things sometimes). They are there for me in so many other ways too. I still live with my mommy. Yay! At 32! But what would I do without her? She also helps with my shots. How on Earth am I supposed to get the back of my arms by myself?
Six years after being diagnosed, I am almost feeling like I did when I was still "healthy". As healthy as I ever was, I mean. I am on medication. Three times a week I have to inject myself, my mom does help, as I mentioned. I do have many, many, many lesions for someone my age. I don't like writing that. It feels like it's not true if I don't say it. I am always tired. If you're reading this and you have MS, or know someone who does, then you know what I'm talking about. The migraines are still constant. But I am able to walk. Pretty normally too! I just trip more often than your normal 32 year old. People ask if I have "upper" or "lower" MS and I suppose I have "upper". I don't have a problem in my legs really, just my head. The double-vision comes back on occasion. I have to stay out of the heat, but my English/Irish ancestry makes me stay out of the sun anyways. I do yoga at least 4 times a week. I only miss it if I'm sick or having an "MS" week. When I have a bad day, I always just say, "It's the plaque!". I also use that when I forget something. (Side-note: make notes for yourself. To-Do lists, Post-It notes. I find they all help me remember to do the small things like take the dog to the groomer's before the day is halfway over)
I guess I started this to chronicle for myself how I'm doing with Multiple Sclerosis and to show others out there that it's okay. It gets better. If you were just diagnosed, there are a lot more medicines then there were 20 years ago. Of course, I have depressed days too, but all in all, it could be much worse. I met a friend at an MS Walk who told me that everyone on Earth is disabled, they just don't know what they have yet. And it's true. At least we know what we're up against.
So, keep your head up and be proud of your daily accomplishments. MS is a daily battle, and every night when you go to bed, congratulate yourself on what you've accomplished. No matter how small. Doing the dishes, walking the dog, doing some yoga, or even just making it through another day. If you are walking though... keep on eye on what's ahead of you instead of keeping your head up. I don't want anyone else tripping. :)
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