MS is so intrusive. It came over without an invitation, plunked itself down on my couch and decided its stay would be an extended one. In my overtures, I have made it clear it is not a welcome guest. I guess you could say we are in a battle of attrition - I really want… Continue reading The new normal
Category: Struggles
Hot and heavy(-handed)
I feel like I should come with my own warning label these days. CAUTION: Do not let this woman around heavy objects. Or hot objects. Or sharp ones. Actually, just roll her up in bubble wrap but leave her head visible so she can breathe. With a curling iron in my bad hand the other… Continue reading Hot and heavy(-handed)
Namaste
Looks like I'll be dusting off my mat and limbering up to align my chakras — after reading this article in the Los Angeles Times, I think I'll be giving yoga a try. That's because I haven't found an exercise or activity that has helped me cope with the physical ravaging and mental draining that… Continue reading Namaste
What a prick
No, not my husband. Although he is the one administering it. When I first found out about my treatment options for MS, it was a daily shot or an every-other-day shot. No namby pamby pills for this disease (Oh, but wait! There are pills, too.). It's hard-core you suck it up and give yourself a… Continue reading What a prick
When your mourning has a sound
This song gets to me. In a big way. "Heirloom" by Sufjan Stevens. Lyrics: When your heirloom’s wilted brown When the devil’s pushing down When your mourning has a sound And you hesitate to laugh How quickly will your joy pass How quickly will your joy pass And when you walk inside I feel the… Continue reading When your mourning has a sound
From push to pace
I'm what you'd call a bit of a workaholic. I regularly put in 50-hour-and-above weeks before winding up an MS patient, working odd shifts and split schedules. I'm such a nerd in that my idea of leisure time involved learning how to get better at my job by taking on projects in coding, video editing… Continue reading From push to pace
Moving past the negative
I never want to say "I used to dance." But the reality, though, is that limitations come with the territory. I can't move the way I used to, the way I'm used to. Every step is different. Every muscle feels heavy. Every movement takes a conscious effort, and even then it's sometimes not what I… Continue reading Moving past the negative
The physics of disability
My life of late has come down to a simple equation explained rather matter of factly by physics. That doesn't make the reality any easier to endure. Tripod (and apparently overweight) dog + stairs to get outside + my general weakness and numbness in arms = Huge fail. Ella, our mutt mix, being the elite… Continue reading The physics of disability
Head case
Went into the narrow tube of magnetic fields (great band) today for another look-see of my innards. I feel like the Alan Shepard of MRIs by now, I've logged so much time. It's gotten somewhat easier, although I always have that last-second panicked breathing before I'm guided into the machine. I've found if I close… Continue reading Head case
Bee stings and snake bites and hyperbaric chambers (oh my!)
As I am guessing is the case with most diseases, there are a couple of approaches doctors must take - treating the disease and treating the symptoms. Right now we are in the throes of handling my myriad symptoms, which I elaborated on here. I did the oral steroids thing and tried to tough it… Continue reading Bee stings and snake bites and hyperbaric chambers (oh my!)
One, Wild & Precious 