Do You Hear What I Hear? (Home Free) (Christmas A Cappella)

Do You Hear What I Hear? (Home Free) (Christmas A Cappella)

Top 50 Symptoms

Lisa Emrich has listed the "Top 50 Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis." I hope U.S. readers here had an inspirational and rewarding Thanksgiving, even if you were/are experiencing some of these. Hopefully, Christmas for you will be relaxing and full of sparkly goodness!

The holidays, though, seem to be a stressful time of year for many folks, and stress is not good for the body. Maybe the best approach is to get analytical about it. If this is a hard time of year for you, why? What unique factors about the holidays make it that way? 

Once those answers are in hand, think on what can be done about it. Is there anything someone else can do to help? Telling others what is troubling you may allow them to come up with ways to assist. Modifying traditions and working together to make this time more enjoyable for you will often make them more fun for others. When people love you, they are tuned into you. If you're out of sorts, they'll know it. Allowing them to take some of the burden or brainstorming with you on solutions just might bring the holidays into a healthy perspective for everyone involved.

Frequency

Last night, we watched an interesting movie called, "Frequencies." The basic premise is that every person has a frequency. The higher the frequency, the "more nature tries hard to give you what you want." The lower the frequency, the more "unlucky" you are; you are out of balance with nature; things fall on you or trip you; the physical world and your body are out of sync.  

I've tripped, stumbled, fumbled, and gotten pummeled oodles of times for most of my life. I mean, really; how many people can gash their gums open by eating an M&M that splits just right and plunges downward? It takes a special kind of talent....or is it something else?  

So, maybe I need to raise my frequency. I know the things attempted in the movie, but you won't find spoilers here on my watch. 

Hmmm... What could I -- the non-scientist, low-frequency simpleton -- do here at home to make my surroundings treat me with more dignity? How does one raise their frequency? Stand inadvisably close to a microwave antenna? Should I hum an ear-piercing, high monotone note while rapidly blinking my eyes? Perhaps I should hang my head out the window of a speeding car....at night....while shining a flashlight forward then back then forward...

I had a dream last night. We were downtown in a city and looking at a sidewalk cafe ahead of us. There was some sort of city-wide contest going on where you could gain a prize by stealing wine glasses and presenting as many different specimens of them as you could on some future date, assuming you didn't get caught and jailed in the meantime. So, hubby and I decided to take turns rushing some of the cafe tables in order to each swipe a wine glass. I went first, and that's when the magic happened. Now, I know theft is wrong, but let's focus on the good. 

My gait was swift and sure! I leaped easily over low benches and a planter without stumbling or knees buckling or plowing face-first into a waiter's feet. It was like I was an Olympian! It was wondrous. I was a precise machine of athleticism. It was a beautiful thing. I didn't tire; I didn't trip; I didn't even have a thought in my mind that my body wouldn't do what I wanted it to do. I fluidly streaked to that glass and escaped with the prowess of an ancient Greek warrior. Wow!

I awoke with a smug, pleased grin on my face. Yup, perhaps all it is I need to do is maneuver that frequency dial in my brain. Look for me in Rio in 2016! Well, or Tokyo in 2020; it might take a while to perfect this.

Ignorance is the Disability

Inspiration to Keep Stampeding!

http://www.wcyb.com/news/80-year-old-woman-overcomes-handicap-to-compete-in-Senior-Olympics/33636720
Found via Dave Bexfield's Twitter account: @ActiveMSer

Cost of Fuel

From this article, "MS Fatigue -- When My Tank is on Empty":

"For me the major difference is it takes my central nervous system and body a lot more effort to move and maintain balance to keep me upright. Rarely do I walk without being conscious of how I am walking and making sure I am firmly planted with every step. People without MS just walk – and don’t use any extra energy doing so."

Photo by Becky Luigart-Stayner.
Accompanies article on 

The Better Fitness Walk via Cooking Light Magazine.

***

A tank that reaches "empty" explains it well. This article by Laura Kolaczkowski was just linked to by Endless Pursuit on Facebook.  It explains this concept as well as how MS fatigue is different than the tiredness felt by those without these issues.


I've been wearying quickly on our walks the past several months, but not always. Sometimes, I can go the whole route and even have some energy left to do a chore or two when we get home. Other times, I am simply "running on fumes" when we get back. I have little choice but to rest.


We've tried to figure out the difference between the good days and the bad. Is it the temperature? Is it fluctuation in temperature? More allergens in the air one day than the other? More cosmic rays hitting me one time than the next? (chuckle)

An artist's concept of cosmic rays hitting Earth's upper atmosphere. 

Credit: Simon Swordy, University of Chicago.

Click image to go to article about cosmic rays as well as see this artwork larger.

I've decided there's probably no logic to figure out.  I just have to work with what my body is doing at any given moment.  Despite the troubles, I am committed to keep exercising. So, I push through. Admittedly, it takes more will power to do that some days. At those times, I don't go as far or I take it more slowly. In fact, I can sometimes walk multiple miles if I can take all day and have breaks. By the way, this article on the ActiveMSers site is helpful with tips on endurance.


Anyway, during these times of slogging along just to make it home, I decided to be aware of my habits while walking -- ie. not be blinded in my numb-brained, dogged determination mode of repeatedly mind-whispering: "Keep going. Keep going. You can do it."

What did I learn in this self-study? I realized that if we're on the sidewalk and it is about to end, I look for a driveway I can descend to the street rather than stepping off the curb. Same goes for when I want to ascend to the sidewalk again. I look for a driveway so I don't have to step up the curb. That extra step in elevation makes a difference. Also, I need to concentrate on lifting my foot on the high points of the road and keep an eye out for potholes and cracks so I don't trip; therefore, I'm not the greatest conversationalist at all times. Focus is key!


It is so much easier when we walk at the gymnasium, for the path is flat and unchanging. Plus, I feel I can stop anytime and go back to the car rather than have to reach a certain destination and try to make it back home. True, at the gym track, it is the same ol' scenery, lap after lap. But, the temperature stays consistent there -- though a little too warm sometimes. Outside, I'm either shedding the coat completely to avoid a rise in body temperature or trying to wear it only on the cold parts.


Wearing it only on the cold parts, you ask? Well, usually, that means wearing the coat backward to keep my back cool while keeping my arms covered and shielding my front from the biting wind. Hey, it's a new fashion statement; work with me here!


See, they did it!

I'm getting better at the concept of "conserving spoons." Until we reach the FORK in the road where there's a cure, we'll just need to keep on keeping on.

What?!

Feelings Of Guilt/Laziness When Chronically Ill

You Don't Know Jack About MS

Jack Osbourne has a website about MS, and he's created a webisode series that is interesting, informative, and inspirational:
http://youdontknowjackaboutms.com/webisodes.aspx

"Myelin-Maker: How an FDA-approved drug boosts myelin synthesis."

Good article from University at Buffalo that you might want to read.  (Written by Ellen Goldbaum.)

Let's Not Take Ourselves Too Seriously

Jason Gray - Laugh Out Loud (Lyric Video)

Montel Williams on Multiple Sclerosis