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Cathy Chester

About Cathy Chester

Cathy Chester was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1987, but has lived with MS symptoms since 1981. Now in her fifties, her philosophy is life is precious and should be lived to the fullest each and every day. She views her MS as merely a small part of who she is as a person. Some days are better than others, but each day is a gift and one she cherishes dearly.

A New Video Series to Educate and Inspire the MS Community

By Cathy Chester - September 10, 2017

There’s strength in numbers when it comes to community. Shared stories and new ideas envelop us in love, hope, and support. Paying it forward – responding to a kindness by being kind... READ MORE

How Electronic Medical Records Could Save Valuable Time in an Emergency

By Cathy Chester - August 20, 2017

A few years ago I went back to school to earn a certificate in patient advocacy. I wanted to marry my experience of living with a chronic illness and my new degree... READ MORE

A New Study on Using Food as Medicine for People with MS

By Cathy Chester - August 6, 2017

There’s been a lot of buzz about a small clinical trial about diet and MS. Dr. Ilana Katz Sand, a neurologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, is conducting a... READ MORE

Six Ways To Take Care of Your MS When Loved Ones Are Sick

By Cathy Chester - July 17, 2017

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they face the difficult task of watching a loved one suffer with illness. They see it spin its ugly web that sometimes becomes unbearable... READ MORE

Taking a Fresh Look at Exercise Training for Progressive MS

By Cathy Chester - July 10, 2017

We all know the benefits of exercise. It reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, improves our mood, strengthens our bones, reduces the risk of some diseases, helps control our weight and reduces... READ MORE

After 31 Years It’s Time to Re-Evaluate & Make Changes in My MS Care

By Cathy Chester - June 20, 2017

This week I spent a good deal of time leafing through news articles, perusing medical journals, and scouring the Internet for trends about MS. I don’t know why I’m so indecisive about... READ MORE

How to Hold Onto Hope in the Face of Darkness

By Cathy Chester - May 30, 2017

It’s amazing how much better I feel when I can go outdoors and breathe in all of nature. Even if I sit quietly listening to the sounds and smells of spring I... READ MORE

How I Manage My “Fairly Uncommon” Partial Complex Seizures

By Cathy Chester - May 27, 2017

It was a Saturday afternoon in 1995 and my husband and I were at a crowded, noisy tile store with our three-year-old son. We recently moved into the home we built and... READ MORE

What People SHOULD Say to Someone Living with Multiple Sclerosis

By Cathy Chester - May 17, 2017

There’s a marvelous piece written by Ashley Ringstaff called “MS & Things People Should Not Say.” It provides a solid list of statements people should never say to someone with MS. It... READ MORE

The Difficult Choices We Must Make While Living with MS

By Cathy Chester - May 17, 2017

It’s no secret I’ve been ill on and off for the past year. With four added diagnoses all having to do with my digestive system, my MS has flared more than once.... READ MORE

Let’s Talk About Aging and Multiple Sclerosis

By Cathy Chester - May 12, 2017

I was thrilled when I was invited to be a patient expert for the website LiveWise MS. Along with other experts (mainly nurse practitioners), LiveWise MS offers pertinent content for MS patients.... READ MORE

How I’m Taking Steps To Heal My Gut

By Cathy Chester - April 10, 2017

I received many comments on the posts I wrote about the importance of gut health, so I decided to write another. Before experiencing symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea this subject never... READ MORE

The Importance of Keeping Your Gut Healthy: Part Two

By Cathy Chester - March 7, 2017

If you read my last post for MultipleSclerosis.net you know I’ve been having stomach issues for several months. Pain and cramping in my abdomen, along with chronic diarrhea, have plagued me for... READ MORE

The Hurt and Loneliness of Living with Multiple Sclerosis

By Cathy Chester - February 19, 2017

I’ve got loneliness on my mind and I’d like to, as the author Elizabeth Lesser says, break myself open. Please don’t confuse loneliness with feeling alone. They are two separate things: Loneliness:... READ MORE

How Creating a Gratitude List Can Help Us Better Manage Our MS

By Cathy Chester - February 7, 2017

My head is spinning out of control with the recent disruptions facing America and the world. Aside from my diagnosis I’ve never felt such an impending sense of gloom invading my every... READ MORE

The Importance of Keeping Your Gut Healthy When You Have MS

By Cathy Chester - February 5, 2017

The focus of my work is about living our best life within our abilities or feeling thankful for our blessings despite our difficulties. Lately I haven’t been taking my own advice. There’s... READ MORE

Five Ways to Tame Stress in the New Year

By Cathy Chester - January 19, 2017

The stress of 2016 has taken its toll on my body. It’s brought me to new lows I haven’t seen in years. It’s funny. Just when you think you have stress under... READ MORE

A Website to Help You Be Your Own Best Advocate

By Cathy Chester - January 8, 2017

If I’m repeating myself about the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers it’s for at least three reasons: (1) CMSC provides important information for our community that you should become acquainted with; (2)... READ MORE

Three Ways to Help You Enjoy Your Holidays Despite Multiple Sclerosis

By Cathy Chester - December 30, 2016

I’ve written countless articles on surviving the holidays while living with Multiple Sclerosis. I’ve suggested and outlined how to tell others how stressful this time of year can be for us. I’ve... READ MORE

Four Ways People Can Show They Care When We Need it Most

By Cathy Chester - December 12, 2016

We combat illness every day with as much grace and dignity as possible. Our broken souls fight what’s naked to the eye. We’re warriors wrestling with invisible battles. Our adversities strengthen us... READ MORE

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