This page is dedicated to all my MS friends who have taught me a lot about living each day to the fullest with this disease, especially: Jack, Larry, Karen, Dianne, Sue, and Nancy.
 
 

I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1988, six months after the birth of my daughter. At the time, my physician suggested that I might have a brain tumor.(!)

This was not a good thing! So when I was actually diagnosed with MS following an MRI, I thought, "oh, MS . . . I guess that isn't SO bad." But of course, I knew very little about MS.

Anyway, with the help of some materials from our local MS chapter, I was able to learn quite a lot about MS. (Actually, my first contact with the MS chapter was kind of funny. It turned out the person who took my call had the same name as the priest who had performed my marriage ceremony nearly ten years earlier. And since his name was somewhat uncommon, I sort of tactfully tried to inquire whether he was indeed the same person. And it turned out it was! So anyway, he was just as surprised to hear from me as an MS patient as I was to find he had changed "careers". But he was very helpful and provided me with lots of information about MS and I will always he grateful for his compassion.)

I learned that MS is unpredictable and that not all MS patients end up in wheelchairs. But of course, I really had no way of knowing at that point what my prognosis would be.

So right away, I decided to deal with my diagnosis as positively as I could. I accepted the diagnosis as fact, (no denial for me!) and decided to take care of myself and try to stay as healthy as possible.

I kept focusing on the fact that I had two small children who needed a healthy mom and I was determined to stay as well as possible not only for myself, but for them.

Since my MS diagnosis, I had a third child without any complications, so I now have THREE very good reasons to remain optimistic and try to think positively.

My 3 kids, Easter 1994

I realize that positive thoughts alone will never overcome either chronic-progressive MS or any other crippling or terminal illness and I know a number of MS patients, who, unfortunately have to deal with the reality, and the seriousness and frustration of their form of MS. Thus far, my MS is more of the relapsing-remitting form of the disease, but I am always aware that this could change.

I guess the one thing that helps in any situation is laughter and a sense of humor. While a sense of humor is certainly not a cure for MS nor for any disease, I think it helps keep things in perspective. I guess I just keep thinking about a line in one of my favorite Jimmy Buffett songs that goes: "If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."

And I guess that's true.

Yes, my life has changed in the 10 years since my diagnosis. I get fatigued very easily and I have had to deal with increasing weakness, numbness in my right hand, and optic neuritis. And of course, I am very sensitive to summer heat and humidity. (And, oh yes, I DO fall a lot! But with the help of ballet lessons as a kid, if I do fall, I'm told I fall very gracefully!)

Here I am at the age of 6, all ready to my first (and last!) dance recital!
 
 

But it could always be worse!

I gave up my career in public relations about three years ago, so now I am able to stay home with my 3 kids. Even though it was a great adjustment for me, it's great to spend time with my kids.

And another plus for me is that I now have time to volunteer for my local MS Chapter, something I would never had the time for while I was working. This includes serving on the Board of Trustees and several committees. My goal these days is to try to be a productive member of society, despite my limitations.

And in my quest to always keep learning new things about Multiple Sclerosis, I am always searching the web for new information. Here are a few of the links to some of my favorite MS web pages:

National Muliple Sclerosis Society

Colorado Health Net

Northeastern New York Chapter, National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Ask Noah About Multiple Sclerosis

Jooly's Joint

 
 

Here are the complete lyrics for one of my favorite Jimmy Buffett songs and one which I think best sums up the way I not only feel about my life, but also my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. And who could feel "down" when listening to Jimmy Buffett? (Although I must admit I've never "run into a chum with a bottle of rum" and "wound up drinkin' all night . . ." but who knows, that might be an experience!)

Changes in Latitudes

I took off for a weekend last month

Just to try and recall the whole year

All of the faces and all of the places

Wonderin' where they all disappeared.

I didn't ponder the question too long

I was hungry and went out for a bite

Ran into a chum with a bottle of rum

And we wound up drinkin' all night.

CHORUS:

It's these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes

Nothing remains quite the same

With all of our running and all of our cunning

If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane.
 
 

Reading departure signs in some big airport

Reminds me of the places I've been

Visions of good times that brought so much pleasure

Makes me just want to go back again

If it suddenly ended tomorrow

I could somehow adjust to the fall

Good times and riches and son of a bitches

I've seen more than I can recall.

CHORUS:

These changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes

Nothing remains quite the same

Through all of the islands and all of the highlands

If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane.
 
 

I think about Paris when I'm high on red wine

I wish I could jump on a plane

So many nights I just dream of the ocean

God I wish I was sailin' again

Oh, yesterday's over my shoulder

So I can't look back for too long

There's just too much to see waiting in front of me

And I know that I just can't go wrong.

CHORUS:

With these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes

Nothing remains quite the same

With all of my running and all of my cunning

If I couldn't laugh I just would go insane

If we couldn't laugh we just would go insane

If we weren't all crazy we would go insane.

Jimmy Buffett

 
 

 
 

"So many nights I just dream of the ocean . . ."

One of my favorite views of the Pacific Ocean at La Jolla, California