MS Journey

Today started with bright sunshine and the promise of joy. We were headed to a baptism at our local church, an event that held special meaning for our family. The weather was perfect, with the sun shining warmly, creating a beautiful backdrop for celebrating faith and new beginnings.  As the morning unfolded, the kids were buzzing with excitement. Their energy was infectious, reminding me of how important these moments are in our lives. In the hustle and bustle of preparing for the day, we realized we needed a gift for a sweet little girl being baptized. Learning about this just yesterday added a layer of spontaneity to our plans, and we quickly dashed to the store, searching for the perfect present.  With the gift wrapped and tucked under our arms, we made our way to the church, eager to soak in the joy of the occasion. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and chatter, and as we entered the church, we were welcomed by familiar faces and warm smiles. It was a reminder of ho...

Today started like any other day in my busy life—juggling kids, swimming classes, and a grocery run. On the surface, everything felt normal. But beneath that facade lay an unsettling detail: I forgot to take my morning medication. As I sit here, sipping my coffee and reflecting on the morning’s chaos, a nagging question keeps surfacing: Am I truly helping myself by ignoring, dismissing, or justifying my symptoms? It’s a familiar pattern for me, one I’ve danced around too many times. Life gets busy, and my pride often tells me to push through, even when my body is waving a red flag. This year, however, the fatigue has hit differently. Sure, fatigue has always been part of my reality, but I felt I had it under control—until summer rolled in. Suddenly, I was overwhelmed by exhaustion. At first, I chalked it up to the sweltering heat and humidity, which I know can amplify MS symptoms. That seemed reasonable enough, right? But when the summer heat finally lifted, the fatigue stu...

Today was a small win in my post-operative journey—I had a good check-up! The doctor said that in a few more weeks, the stitches should start to dissolve. I’m still sore, though, which isn’t surprising. The doctor reiterated again just how big and deep that cyst was. Even after all these weeks, I’m feeling it. But today, I think it’s a bit worse because this morning, I got both my flu and COVID-19 shots.  I knew it was coming, so I asked the pharmacist to put them in different shoulders. I’m glad I did. The flu shot shoulder is a little painful, but the COVID-19 one feels like it’s packing more of a punch. There’s that lingering ache that feels almost like a bruise you keep bumping into. It feels like I have a fever, but my temperature is only 98.8°F. Nothing too concerning, but my body definitely knows something is up. My four-year-old son has been trying to understand what’s going on with me. Over the last few months, I’ve started telling him, “Mommy’s hand hurts.” He doesn’t und...

It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to sit down and write. Life has been an absolute whirlwind, filled with more than a fair share of challenges. The past month has felt like an endless cycle of emergencies, injuries, and struggles. I spent time in the ER after a nasty fall that left me with an injured hand and ankle, followed by surgery for a cyst removal, and now, I find myself battling a cold that refuses to let go. It’s been one thing after another, and with each new hurdle, my body feels like it’s leaning whichever way the wind blows. Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is like walking a tightrope on the best of days, but recently, it’s felt more like a tightrope in a storm. My balance has taken a nosedive, and I’ve been experiencing multiple falls each day. Every step has become a calculated move—figuring out how to get up or sit down, turn without toppling over, or manage the stairs without losing my footing. It’s not just exhausting; it’s mentally draining to have to thin...