This is an article from Ann Romney. Read it here… –http://bit.ly/17BpQkN

Together we can raise awareness!

Being an ambassador for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, I learned the importance of getting base line tests done in multiple areas so doctors have an understanding of where you are coming from if something may arise. I remember thinking, “ Well this makes great sense! Why have I not done this in the six years I have had MS?” So I am hoping my “Ah Ha” moment will do this same for you.

 

Base line tests to be done include:

 

• Vision
• Physical (meaning mobility and function)
• Psychological
• Cognition
• Pain

 

This is such a great thing to have done for any future needs. Hopefully this is not the case but why not be prepared? After all, being prepared and staying on top of your MS is a critical thing to do. It is a must to help avoid stress and annoyance at the time of all you want is to feel better. So call your doctor today and ask him if he/she feels this is a good thing to do and whom he/she refers for such testing. Do it for you and your health, you deserve it!

 

While I am mentioning staying on top of your health, I want to give some additional advice too. I have been currently having issues with my health insurance coverage of medication for my MS. I have dual coverage and I still was told my medication was not covered. As crazy and tiresome as this has been, it has taught me a valuable lesson. Check up on your insurance every so often to make sure everything is in tact. Don’t assume like I did for the past 8 months that things were taken care of, because they were not. It has caused so much stress when all I want is to get my treatment done and paid for like I had been the past two years before my girls were born. So stick with a plan and a routine of a “ Wellness Check” of your insurance and of your coverage. It will be worth it, trust me!

What is Your Story?

What is it that you want to do in this world? What do you want to do with your life? What do you want to see and conquer? Are you thinking about these questions?…

Well if so, I am encouraging you to look deep within yourself and look for the answers. Find what matters to you and what does not and go for it. We all have that inner flame to light, so light it and enjoy your adventure!

Start YOUR STORY now…it is going to be great!

xo

I continue to read studies about Vitamin D and MS. Read this article and see what you think!

http://www.drcolbert.com/blog/?p=466

I asked my husband to give his thoughts on my MS to help those who have loved ones with a disease or illness. He is my rock!

My wife was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2007.  At the time of her diagnosis we had been dating for two years.  On a trip to Arizona for spring break she had experienced unusual fatigue while hiking a mountain.  Later that summer Marci had a stressful week between planning hair and makeup for a wedding she was working along with a late night at the Cubs game.  She began experiencing vision problems in her left eye but shrugged it off as allergies.  When the vision problems didn’t clear up after a few days she went to the eye doctor.  This chain of events set off her eventual diagnosis of MS.  Since her diagnosis six years ago we have had many ups and downs in terms of figuring out how to best manage the disease.

I have to be honest, since my wife’s diagnosis she has taken on a positive attitude in dealing with her MS.  She could easily sulk and feel sorry for herself, and no one would blame her.  However, I know that it has been her positive attitude towards beating this disease that has allowed me to never entertain the idea of walking away.  When she was diagnosed, we were only dating.  But as soon as we found out the diagnosis we went to work to figure out what she needed to do to best manage the disease.  Our life “slowed down”, we began eating healthier, and she started working out 3-4 times per week.  She did her best to remove as much “stress” as she could from her life.  Her main concern was whether or not we could have children down the road.  As of nine months ago, I am happy to report we were blessed with healthy twin girls.

I have experienced a wide range of emotions since Marci’s diagnosis six years ago.  Initially, I was in shock, and couldn’t understand how a healthy 23 year old could be dealt a life changing disease.  However, with Marci’s attitude of “why not me” instead of “why me” it has been easy to help her fight this disease.  We are very proactive in raising money for the MS Society through the MS walk.  In the past 6 years we have raised over $60,000 that goes directly to MS.  I helped Marci with the application process of becoming an MS ambassador, a position she started in June of this year.  We know that we are in this together and we have taken a “team” approach to keeping Marci healthy.

We need to change the way we think. We are all the first ones to say, “I can’t.” Let’s take those words out of our vocabulary and insert…I WILL!

When we change the way we think or say, better things can happen. Instead of saying I can’t do this…I can’t see that…I can’t, I can’t, yada yada yada, say I will do this, I will see that, I will achieve anything I can, I will get better, and on!

Train your thoughts to start with I WILL and get rid of the negative. Try it today. Every time that little voice in your head starts to say I can’t, change it to I will. It makes your thoughts and day so much better. So what are you waiting for? Say…

I WILL CHANGE MY THOUGHT PROCESS AND SEE THE POSITIVE AND AMAZING THINGS LIFE HAS TO OFFER!  I WILL DO THIS!

 

MSAA (Multiple Sclerosis Association of America) will come pick up your items to donate. So clean out your closets and your homes and donate to a good cause! It is free pick up, all you have to do is call…

855-MS PIC UP

or go to their website…

www.msaapickup.org

Thank you for your support!

You have a purpose for why you have MS.

What is yours?…

This is a motto I choose to live by. I have a purpose and a reason for being diagnosed with MS.  I choose to help others living with MS, try to inspire others to be positive and live the best life they can, and get the awareness out about MS to hopefully one day find a cure.

At times, it may be easy to lose sight of your purpose. When you are not feeling well, when your meds or treatments are not working properly, when you are tired of being tired, and when you just don’t have much of a fight in you anymore, remember YOU HAVE A PURPOSE. You have it in you and you can do this. You can fight this disease and you can live the best life you deserve. You have so much to keep fighting for, even in low times and frustrating times, do not lose sight of this motto. I want you to adapt it into your life as well.

I encourage you, if you have MS or not, to really find your purpose. What are you passionate about? What do you love? What do you want to do with your life that will make you happy? Figure this out, and it takes time, so don’t worry if you do not know yet. But figure it out and go for it! You can do it.

The saying, “Make lemonade out of lemons,” could not be more true. When a “sucky” thing happens for example, being diagnosed with MS, try to find some good out of it and always stay positive along the way. Your attitude and determination of staying positive and uplifting will take you far. I promise.

Here are some books that have helped lift my spirits up when I have been down. I refer to them all the time and always remember things I read from them. I hope all or at least one of them helps you too!

First on my list is any books by Joel Osteen’s. I love every one he has wrote.

Your Best Life Now

It’s Your Time

Every Day A Friday

His wife, Victoria, wrote one as well. Great too!

Love Your Life

Books by Louise L. Hay

You Can Heal Your Life

Meditations to Heal Your Life

Books by Gabrielle Bernstein (thanks to my sister in law, Rhonda)

Add More ~Ing to Your Life

Spirit Junkie

Book by Karol Ladd

The Power of a Positive Woman

Book by Ann Pietrangelo. She shares her life with MS.

No More Secs

Book by Stormie Omartian

The Power of a Praying Woman

Your MS

This is a simple for matter of fact statement. And it could not be any truer than this. “Your MS” is yours and only yours. No one with MS has the exact same symptoms as the next person with MS. This is a major confusing and sometimes emotionally hard thing. This is one of the reasons why there is no cure for MS yet. Each person experiences their own things. Although there are many things those with MS experience are the same. So remember that since this is Your MS, you need to address each symptom, reaction, feeling, etc. Don’t just think it’s nothing when it may or may not be.

Know that you are doing great, you are not alone, and take care of you and Your MS.

The treatment you take for your MS work for you and may not work for the next person. It’s crazy how it all works. But thankfully there are many treatment options so you can find the one that works best for you. It may happen that one works for a while, then it does not. Talk to your doctor for other options of treatment that will make you feel the best you can. There are always options in life no matter what, so don’t give up.

When talking with others with MS, try not to compare because again, its Your MS. Things may work great for others and you not so much. That is okay. But comparing will only get you frustrated, so do whats best for you.  Do keep an open mind on what others may be trying or on and if you feel it would be a good fit for you then great!

Be healthy, be you, and be true:)