When I was younger and a "Serious Dancer," ie, still believing that I was destined to make it my life's work, my dance friends would have mini-competitions. Like, who could hold the six-inch killer the longest? Because I have a competitive streak a mile wide, I always made sure I won. Or at least tied.… Continue reading Motivation, or why Jillian Michaels is a bully
Category: Multiple sclerosis
Impatient
I want there to be a pill I can take instead of these horrid shots. I want to not have a relapse after being off treatment for 10 days. I want to feel (next to) normal again. I want to start a family. I want to a sugar daddy to pay my mounting medical bills.… Continue reading Impatient
Lucky
I watched snippets of the Gabby Giffords special last night. Because I'm in a hyper-emotional state (darn hormones), I sniffled my way through most of them. Her and husband Mark Kelly's message of hope and courage, of perseverance and patience, was inspiring, sure, but also got me thinking. Her recovery has been remarkable, and she… Continue reading Lucky
The need equation
I think one of the reasons Nick and I get along so famously is that we both lean on each other about the same. It certainly can't hurt. He brings me coffee and cleans the litterboxes and there should really be another sweet gesture in between those two. And I ... well, I make things… Continue reading The need equation
Magical thinking
I've pretty much stayed on the conventional medicine path for my ailments, whether it be bronchitis (Z-Pac to the rescue!) or multiple sclerosis (interferons). I mean, remember my early research into MS treatments? Much has been made this past week about Steve Jobs' decision to forgo surgery and use alternative therapies to treat his pancreatic… Continue reading Magical thinking
Excuses, excuses
I haven't been posting regularly, which could be read as bad and good. Good, because it means I have nothing to complain about, which supposes that the worst of MS has retreated for now (the remitting part of relapsing/remitting). Bad, because of course there are topics to talk about — it's been a busy month.… Continue reading Excuses, excuses
Double B
I've taken my health into my own hands. Which is to say my shot regimen has changed a bit. Instead of stomach, leg, leg, arm, arm, cheek, cheek, I've decided to go stomach, stomach, stomach, cheek, cheek, cheek, cheek. Head, shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes. If only there were a catchy song for… Continue reading Double B
Nobelists were cell searchers
The three men who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine worked to figure out why cells act (and react) as they do. Sadly, one of the scientists, Ralph Steinman, died just three days ago of pancreatic cancer. His research has been crucial in understanding why the immune system sometimes goes on the attack, even… Continue reading Nobelists were cell searchers
Lofty goals
So a woman with multiple sclerosis has trekked Mount Everest? And here I whine about the elevators being out at my office for the second day in a row. Three floors, nearly thirty thousand feet. Really, what's the difference?
Chin up
Learning to cope is an acquired skill, one that takes several stabs before getting the hang of it. I still haven't grasped it entirely. Like my movements on those really off days, my coping strategy is a bit clunky and unrefined. I just finished back-to-back reading of two memoirs on multiple sclerosis - 'Fall Down… Continue reading Chin up
One, Wild & Precious 