Question of the Month (Feb. '13) - Expressing your Normal Self

[Lulu54]

Living with MS or looking for answers about MS can be all consuming and we often find the need to step back and just be 'normal' for our own sake. What have you done lately to push MS to the back and foster a sense of normalcy?

Our Monthly Question focuses on a specific topic. There are no right or wrong answers -we just want to hear about your experiences, whether you are a veteran of this forum or you are new and have been lurking, waiting for the inspiration to share your thoughts.

We can't offer a cup of coffee or tea while we chat- you will have to pour your own - but we hope you will sit down with us at our virtual table and share your thoughts.

- Your MS Community Leaders

[4everwaiting]

Have a question, does a mri of the brain for ms on a 1.5 telsa show lesions or can they be missed. Does a negative mri mean I don't have ms, even with many symtoms of it.

[maestro1959]

Hi Laura,

This is a great topic for conversation.  My mobility is very different from the norm, but I try to keep going.

I have terrific friends who assist me in staying connected to life beyond the MS.  For instance, a couple nights ago I went with two other gals to Barnes & Noble just for coffee and a bite.  We sat and talked and laughed and laughed some more for about 3 hours.  It was super.

For that time I thought very little about my disease, as I did not have to contend with the havoc it has wreaked.  For a while I was really normal, not the "new normal."

We just keep on keeping on, do we not?

Beth

[Lulu54]

It looks like a mixed bag for people here - being able to step away from the MS saga and woes can be next to impossible at times.  I'm always happy to hear about people doing things for other people - I love that approach to get out of our own problems.  

Congrats to everyone who recognizes the need to find balance and are actively doing that search for the right way for each of you.  

And to you old timers who popped up on this post - it's great to see you!
hugs to all,
Laura

[Fluffysmom]

I've thankfully been in a pretty good place, health-wise.  Since I've been on disability for years, normal for me is working at being as healthy as I can be. That includes going to the gym almost every day; I love my Zumba! I've been doing 4 - 6 Zumba classes a week & a couple Silver Sneakers Strength classes.  I had been trying other classes but over the last couple months have been developing intense tightness in my left leg, so I've had to back off a bit. I've been going to physical therapy for it.

I love to cook healthy meals, finding recipes to try, and shopping for healthy foods. I've been trying to make my own kale chips that are as good as some awesome (but expensive) local ones, but haven't perfected my recipe.

I've been making friends at the gym; one woman has invited me over so she can show me how she makes the beans she brought me some of that were so good. She's from Costa Rica. I went out to coffee with a couple other ladies who go to Zumba with me; we're going to make it a regular Friday after class get-together, with shopping after.

I've managed to go from 202 pounds to 129 in the past year or so.

I'm looking forward to two weeks on Maui, leaving March 8. I did buy some cooling gear for the trip and for Zumba; working on feeling normal while wearing it, lol.

[PastorDan]

Sierra, I meet a, b, and c people every day, too.  Why do I feel obligated to keep coming up with new answers?

And this time, I think I figured out someone's acronym use with no input from Mary! ;>D

[Sierra28]

I don't know how to find normal right now because I still don't know what I'm dealing with. I have a year-old TM diagnosis, but am going through the wringer health wise again now. Since its rare for TM to be relapsing, I'm waiting to get in to an MS specialist.

In the meantime, my current neuro is as useless as my left hand, as he refuses to treat the symptoms, lest they mask the cause, and I'm bombarded daily by people who want to know a) if I've seen the new dr yet (the wait could be 6 months) b) what's wrong with me, and/or c) if I'm feeling better yet.

It would be nice to have a dx so I could maybe work on finding a new normal.

Sorry, another downer of a post! Tough week here, too.