Is there a reason?

There is one thing that keeps coming to my mind. What is the reason I got this disease? It isn't a STD, it's not contagious in any way, there is nothing I did to get MS. So why did it happen?

I am hoping that there is something good that is going to come out of this.That I am going to make a difference in someone's life and it will be in part because I have MS.

I want to inspire people and give them hope. I want to show them that if they have MS, their life isn't over. This is just an extra hurdle you have to jump and if you can make it over the hurdle and keep on going, you have a strength that not everyone has. You just can't give up. 

I wanted to give up after a while and let the MS run my life, but I couldn't do that. I have two wonderful kids who depend on me, and family and friends who love me and make me laugh all the time. That may sound silly but laughter is so important.It keeps me going

Make it a great day!

Getting up and staying pumped!

So I've been working out recently. For a long time I kept telling myself that I couldn't do it because of my balance issues or because my foot curls in sometimes; but the fact is that those things are only true every once in a while. There is no reason for me not to exercise the other 85% of the time. Plus, exercising helps keep your weight down (DUH), it increases your strength and it boosts your energy.

Studies have shown that people with MS who participated in aerobic exercise had better cardiovascular fitness, better bladder and bowel function, improved strength, and less fatigue and depression.

An exercise program needs to be fitting for your capabilities and limitations and it may need to be adjusted as changes occur with MS.Make sure to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program. If your doctor is anything like mine, he might suggest a few types of exercise but will basically tell you to do whatever you are comfortable with.

Well, that's it for me.Have a great day!

Things that make you go GRRRRRR...

So one of the things that I find the most frustrating is when I'm feeling fine and then out of nowhere, a symptom flares up. It's not an attack, just a simple symptom flare up.It always seems to happen when I am at work too. At least the cognitive issues do.

I don't like anyone at work seeing me as weak in any way. So to start having issues concentrating or even putting a sentence together is one of the most frustrating things about MS when I am at work.

Taking it up a notch is the trouble I have walking. It starts with being off balance, but further, it leads to my spinal cord injury caused by the inflammation from the MS. When I walk, one of my feet start to curl in and it makes me twist my ankle. This combination has made it so that I occasionally need to use a walker.

Being 27 makes that the most embarrassing thing. I hate having anyone see me like that, but it is what it is. This MS is a part of me now and these... we'll call them quirks... are now a part of me so it is time to start embracing the bad along with the good.

MS is something I have, not who I am.

Find a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.
Joseph Campbell 
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_inspirational.html#1co50sdCw2lycJmU.99

What I want out of this...

I’m not sure exactly what I am hoping this will become. I just know that I feel the need to research Multiple Sclerosis and write about my findings and my experience with it.

I was diagnosed on March 10, 2012 and it has been the most difficult thing I have had to face my entire life.

As I research and read books about it just for fun, I will write about it and with my experience with medications. I can tell you now that Copaxone did not work for me and I am now on Tysabri and so far it is AMAZING!

I hope that you will get something from me writing about my experience with MS and I promise to try to keep a positive spin on things and I would love to get feedback on my posts!

I believe that things, like getting a disease that has no cure, happen for a reason and there is something good that will come of it. I hope this blog will bring that good thing out.

I hope everyone is had a great day!