20th Anniversary!
I have lived with MS for 20 years. The first 15 years were a piece of cake and very manageable. Stay out of the heat! Deal with the occasional limp! Feel fatigued, so take a nap! Take your meds! But otherwise, life went on normally. Room mother at school, domestic engineer deluxe, loving wife to a wonderful husband.
Then about 5 years ago, I hit the MS wall very suddenly and violently. Everything became extremely difficult -- walking, bathing, dressing, eating, driving, thinking. And the list goes on and on, as you know. My days as a domestic engineer deluxe were over. My symptoms have continued to gradually decline. But life is still fantastic. My husband of 25 years has been a rock throughout this ordeal. Whenever MS presents us with another challenge, he steps up to partner with me on figuring out solutions. Despite these challenges, I am thankful and happy each day for so many incredible things: getting out of bed and standing up, putting one foot in front of the other, having no pain, two beautiful daughters, a husband who is my best friend. And, also for the many positives that enhance my life: a fantastic support circle, scooters at the grocery store, airport wheelchair service that allows me to travel regularly.
To my MS friends out there: I am not perfect. I have the occasional "pity party" day where I cry and yell at the MS gods for cursing me. But I have found that daily life is much better if I smile and focus on all my many blessings. Look for your blessings!
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