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:)

MSF Ambassador

I have a new adventure that I am so excited to be a part of. I am part of a group of people who are the MS Foundation Ambassadors. This is an amazing opportunity to be part of something that is really going to help others living with MS. I have had three weeks of over the phone training  (the Foundation is located in Florida) and have one more to go. I will be doing as many events, public speaking, writing, visits to doctors offices, visits to people with MS, and so much more with this adventure. And I can not wait!

This Foundation is a wonderful one to be a part of. This past week we went over all the Foundation has to offer and what a role we can help play in this. It is incredible all that they have done and continue to do to help those living with MS. The foundation is also all funded by donations as well. Pretty amazing, it is because of such giving people that this is possible.

Meeting the other 14 Ambassadors and hearing their story has been pretty cool too. We all have this darn disease but yet we are all effected in our own ways. Not one of us has experienced exactly the same symptoms or relapses. It is wild.

But we all do have one thing in common…

We will not give up! We are strong! And we want to help others.

What an amazing group and Foundation to be part of!

Today at my MS treatment, I became overwhelmed with a grateful thought of how lucky I really am.

While sitting there, I witnessed a women come in for a treatment for pain. She had her young grandson with her. She was in a wheelchair and unable to walk. How sad it that? She can not even play with her grandson, who let me tell you was full of energy! I thought how lucky people are to walk, to be mobile, to be independent, to do whatever they want. Something, I think many of us take for granted.

Then came a women who had a scarf around her head covering her bald head. She not only has MS but cancer too.Double suck-y whammy! But she had the brightest smile on her face, was telling people to have a good day, and was in great spirits. How inspiring was she to witness from a room off to the side where I was. She didn’t even see or talk to me but made me really think and be thankful for how lucky I really am.

So with this post I am asking you to really take a good look at your life and see how wonderful it truly is. So many others are going through way worse things then you are or that you may ever go through. Be grateful for that. Take no one and nothing for granted. Life is short. Be the best person you can be and remember that you are so lucky to live the life you are living.

And for those with MS or any other illness remember this….

This is your life, your story to tell. It may be not so fun at times but it is yours. Why not make it a memorable life? A life to lead examples for others to follow, making a difference in this world piece by piece. What a wonderful life and wonderful world it can be.

Happy Summer! With schools getting out or already out…summer is right around the corner. And that means here comes the HEAT. Now some of you like the heat but for those with MS, the heat can be a real bummer.

I know personally, too hot and humid just makes me feel awful. It makes me feel like someone put a straw in me and sucked the life of me right out. It sucks. But it can be somewhat managed, you just have to be prepared and ready,

So here are my tips for you and how to beat the heat this summer:

1. Lots and lots of cold water ready and on hand.

2. Air conditioned places, make sure your house, workplace, car, and anywhere you spend a lot of time is air conditioned or at least well ventilated to be cooled down. For example, if your gym is too hot, bring a fan to have while you work out.

3. If wanting to be outside, be somewhere where you can be in the water if a pool or lake. Any cool down way helps out a lot.

4. Place ice packs on the back of your neck if overheated. You can even run cold water on your wrists.

5.Wear lose and light colored clothing.

6. For those with optic neuritis issues, always have sunglasses with you to protect your eyes.

7. Carry a handheld fan or hat to shade your face.

8. Try to avoid bad sunburn.

9.Know when you are getting over heated and don’t push it.

10. Enjoy your summer! Just take precautionary measures, be smart, be prepared, and live for the moment! Summer is a fun time! Have a blast!!