Living with MS-Little joyful things

In ten days I celebrate my 45th birthday. I had hoped for my birthday that I could say I was starting my 45th year in remission from my MS but I learned last week that wasn’t the case. I feel good and I was really hopeful that when I went in they would say no lesions. But the darn little buggers are still there. The doctor told me that he did notice I still had a light tremor and my speech is still slightly slurred. I was told I was just getting used to them. I knew my sight wouldn’t fully return in the left eye after three bouts of optic neuritis that was a given. I am okay with what he told me. Because I feel better. I am still hopeful that I will be in remission soon and hopefully for a long time. I just focus on the day to day and enjoy as much as I can. Saturday I laid in the grass at the park for a two hour nap in the sun. Sunday I enjoyed a Mother’s Day brunch and kick boxing with my daughter. I went to bed early and loved every minute of my nine hours of sleep! I woke up early and had an extra half hour to sit on the balcony and listen to the birds while I drank coffee. It is the little things in life that can bring the greatest joy. No I not in remission but my life is full of those little joyful things. So I go into my 45th year looking forward to the little joys and hope.

Living with MS-Walk a Mile in my Shoes

Someone posted on social media yesterday that 30% of Hoosiers have pre-existing conditions. To me that seemed low given the people I have in my circle. My circle is full of hard working people who never ask for handouts, that despite things they go through in their lives they give to others to better their lives. Yesterday’s vote was a slap in the face for myself and those like me. We work, we pay our bills, we don’t ask for anything but to be able to afford the care we need to deal with the health conditions we have. I was told last night that I needed to stop my pity party and support our leaders because they were doing what was best for our country. I in no way feel sorry for myself, I am pissed off at the leaders that have never had to walk a mile in the 30% of my fellow Hoosier’s shoes and the millions of other American’s that fall into this category. Better yet walk in my shoes with my bank account. So you can honestly know what it is like to be faced with the possibility that you cannot afford care for a disease you didn’t ask for. I doubt you would be able to walk ten steps let alone a full mile. I have seen the full medical bills before insurance kicks in and it makes me sick. I am thankful for the coverage I have now and for what I pay for it. But who knows what our companies will do if this passes. I only hope that each state will think about their 30%, 45% or more or less and think that we are more than dollar signs, we are voters. We are voters that can make or break you come next election. 30% may not be a big number but come voting time it is very big because you can add all the family members who vote to that 30% plus those who already were against the changes being made. Enjoy your short victory, I will see you when I walk a mile to the polls to make my vote next election.