It was really a no-brainer for me to tell my family and close friends about my MS diagnosis. Who else was going to take pity on poor me when I needed a shoulder to cry on or I had chocolate cravings? That didn't mean it wasn't hard. I have a might prideful streak to me,… Continue reading The Do-I-Tell Conundrum
Category: Multiple sclerosis
Is anything safe anymore?
First it was spinach. Then Children's Tylenol. Then Toyotas. Then those cribs. Now the alcohol prep pads used in my shot process, and sold over-the-counter under various brand names. It's sad when the product meant to sanitize might actually introduce bacteria: Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals has become aware of a broad United States market recall of… Continue reading Is anything safe anymore?
Of birds and disease
I've been thinking about Rachel Carson a lot lately. Hundreds upon hundreds of birds falling out of the sky and thousands upon thousands of dead fish washing to shore tend to bring out the conspiracy theorist in all of us. The end times. The byproduct of a military op done in the black of night.… Continue reading Of birds and disease
Dealing with a person dealing with MS: A quick primer
There's no What to Expect when You Have Multiple Sclerosis guidebook. If there was, it would be about a page long. All it would need to say is something to the effect of, "Hold back the edges of your gowns, ladies....we're going through hell." Or, just as succinctly put, it would advise patients to "expect… Continue reading Dealing with a person dealing with MS: A quick primer
Ring it in
I don't put much stock into New Year's traditions, other than to find the closest cute drunk guy to plant one on as the clock counts down. And eat black-eyed peas. And, for a while, watch those crazies waterski the Mississippi from my warm perch at Landry's in downtown Memphis. That tradition ended the year… Continue reading Ring it in
Pill popper
I have become the Cookie Monster of pills. If it is smallish, oval-shaped and in feel-good colors, I'm taking it. Probably with milk. There is a pill I take to stay awake. There is also one I take to fall asleep. (Yes, I am aware of the contradiction there.) There is one I take to… Continue reading Pill popper
The inevitable end-of-the-year list
Yes, me too. I'm not much for New Year's resolutions (more on that later), but I am a sucker for retrospectives. A psychologist might say that means I unhealthily reflect on the past instead of looking ahead to the future. To which I would retort, "I know you are but what am I?" Yes, I… Continue reading The inevitable end-of-the-year list
Handi-capable
One of the first things I did once I got out of the hospital (besides eat real - read: fast - food) was get a temporary handicapped parking tag. At that point, I still was having trouble walking and we thought that it would come in handy. Considering I was only able to go about… Continue reading Handi-capable
Laughing through the tears
One of the more random and strange MS symptoms is uncontrollable, often sudden, laughing and weeping not tied to any particular emotion. A new drug about to hit the market at the beginning of 2011 deals with this condition, known as the pseudobulbar affect. It's a very real thing, despite the "pseudo" in its name. Maybe… Continue reading Laughing through the tears
I’ve got the blues
And sallow yellows and deep purples and sickly greens. Meet Jennifer, The Great Human Pincushion. A couple of badly administered self-inflicted shots and unfortunate attempt to draw blood, and my body has become a canvas of colors. The bruises are in various stages of fading. They only hurt if I look at them, which is… Continue reading I’ve got the blues
One, Wild & Precious 