When you are first diagnosed with a Chronic Illness, what are the first things that go through your mind? I know when my doctor told me I had Multiple Sclerosis I thought my life was over! I was young and only knew it was a debilitating illness with NO cure insight. I lived the first year after diagnosed in denial and a lot of sadness. But, as I got older I realized my life was NOT over and I could live a pretty normal life!
I have discovered there are crucial things that need to be done in order to control this disease as much as I can. The most important thing I can do is be positive about life. No matter what I deal with living with MS, it really could be worse. There are about 400,000 people just in the United States that live Multiple Sclerosis, some have a pretty “mild” case of this disease, whereas some have a really aggressive form. Yes, I deal with a lot of pain and some days are worse than others. But, I do not believe it helps me at all to sit and think about how much I hurt. I think it is better use of my time and energy to focus on the good aspects of life. I do have handicap parking because sometimes it hurts more to walk long distances. However, I do not have a walker or a wheelchair and have full function of my legs no matter how much they may hurt! I deal with a constant amount of pain in my back but shockingly enough a heating pad helps in short-term.
I have the love and continuous support of a very loving family. I think painful and difficult times would be so much more difficult without love. I value my family more than I can even begin to explain. My husband is here with me day in and day out and will listen to me whenever I need to vent. He offers me SO much emotional support as we all have our bad days when we think that nothing will ever improve. When I have a weak moment and go to him crying because I just want all my pain to go away, he ALWAYS assures me I will be okay and get better in time. He always makes sure I have everything I need in order to be comfortable when I am resting to get well! My husband has an incredible amount of patience and tolerates my stubborn behavior like a champ! My biggest problem is I want to do everything and never ask for help, but he works hard to get me to do less and rest more!
Another essential for living with a chronic illness is, getting the rest your body needs. As I have already made clear, I am really bad at this but doing my best to improve. I feel like I am being lazy when I just sit on the couch watching TV, but there are times I realize that is what my body is asking me for. Getting plenty of rest does not necessarily mean you need to sleep all the time, but it does mean you need to take time to turn your brain off and relax!
It is also essential to reduce stress from your life as much as possible. Life does come with stress whether it be work, relationships, money, health etc but we do have the choice on what extra unnecessary stress we allow into our thoughts. Is it really important for us to try to solve and worry about the problems a friend or family member might be experiencing? Now it does depend on the problem! If a family member is coping with something they just need someone to talk to someone about, that is perfectly fine as long as it does not consume our life to an unhealthy point. I have the compassion where I always want to help, but I also know there are certain things I can not do anything about and need to take a step back from the situation.
It is vitally important to love and value yourself. If we do not take care of our own health, we will not be able to be our entire self. Sometimes it is urgent for us all to take a break and think about what we enjoy! It is not selfish to think about what we need in life, which I am honestly still working on!
Thank you for reading and commenting of my thoughts for the day. I hope you had a lovely and relaxing weekend! Hopefully y’all are ready for yet again another Monday. Thankfully, I have a short week so I can only hope it is an easy week as people are preparing for the holidays! As always, stay strong and positive and good things are bound to occur! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!!
Always, Alyssa
When I was diagnosed, I was convinced my life was over ( I have two cousins that have died from “complications of ms”) I did a whole lot of drinking that first year, maybe even the second. I’m not sure when I started focusing on the positive, but it has definitely changed my life. FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE
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WOW, I honestly did the same thing and drank a lot. I thought alcohol would dull the shock of the diagnosis. It helped me ignore the obvious of what I was going through. It was when I met my husband that I admitted to drinking way too much and told him I was worried it was out of control. But I did stop, never drove after even just one drink and now I only drink occasionally and never to hide from the MS. We are incredibly strong women ♡
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Reblogged this on Survivors Blog Here.
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A positive attitude will get you far in life! You go girl!
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Thank you and I could not agree more! It takes more energy dwell on the negative than it does to see the positive!!!
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Family and friends have been a godsend through dealing with MS, I can’t imagine where I’d be without them. Life with MS has been up and down since day one, looking for the best side of whatever may we’ll be hard, almost impossible at times, but trying to do it as much as we can helps so much.
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I could not agree with you more!!!! Take care and always stay positive. I am glad you have good family and friends!!!!
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Nice blog,But madam can you for ayurvedic treatment and yoga for treatment of multiple sclerosis?I don’t about their role but please go through it.even our one of Great scientist and physicists is suffering from a amotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Ok be brave,good bless you.
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Thank you for your comment! I am going to check into the treatments you mention. I appreciate your suggestions and compliment on my blog!
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Keep it up! You’re an inspiration!
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Thank you so much for your kind comment! Being positive and inspirational is and always will be my goal!! Take care!!!
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I love this. You have such a great mind set on this all. Im still in the time scale of coming to terms with it all but I’ve found your blog so helpful! 😊 x
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Thank you so much! I really try to maintain a positive mind set. I do remember it was really hard in the beginning but you will get there, I promise! If there is anything I can do to help you please never hesitate to contact me directly. I am always here to do what I can to help!!!
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In that case, listen to your body (and your man 🙂 ) I see you guys make quite a couple.
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I really am doing my best with listening to both my body and husband. I am way too stubborn for my own good sometimes!
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Same here. We need help, like kids.
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Sometimes I think being stubborn is a good thing but other times I think it is a little self destructive!
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I don’t see any good. I’m incorrigible.
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I love the way you think!
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Likewise. Hugs
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We might be a little too much a like!!! I love it though! Hugs!!
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Nothing wrong with that.
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Love how positive you are Alyssa 🙂 It definitely helps. It’s so easy to think of what’s wrong but takes real strength to think of what’s right and how we’re not going to let this beat us xxx
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Thank you so much! I truly do believe that being positive will help us through hard times. It takes so much extra energy to be negative and stay that way! Strength does come from being positive!!!
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Thank You Alyssa. Today I will visit a friend who is suffering from a chronic illness (caused by biofilm) she is very down and I was searching for the right thing to do/say. This article helped me realize that I will give her encouragement and let her know that she will get better.
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I am so glad this post gave you some good advice! I am sorry your friend is suffering from a chronic illness. It can be very difficult but she is lucky to have a good friend like you!! Take care and enjoy your visit. If there is anything I can do to help you in the future, please let me know. Visiting with your friend will bring her some happiness and a break from just thinking and dwelling on her illness. Take care!!
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Thank you Alyssa. All the best on your own journey. I’ll be reaching out again.. your advice is really appreciated!
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You are welcome!! I really hope you have a great visit with your friend today!!!!
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I can totally relate to that feeling.
I’ve been struggling and battling chronic Lyme disease and it’s been an overwhelming journey.
I recently started blogging and you might find inspiration in my posts!
I’d love it if u come visit and leave some feedback!
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Oh girl I will definitely check out your blog. I am normally very optimistic but just have a few off days where I might be a little negative, not often, I promise!!!!
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Ha ha! It’s okay. We all have these days every once in a while. If there’s anything I can do to help then let me know…
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Thank you so very kindly Sarah!! I do appreciate your sweet words!!
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I’ve learned that everyone needs support (including myself, big time!) and that when we are surrounded by ppl why suffer just like us it gives us a great boost!
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It has helped me so much to be able to chat with others through this blog that either deal with something similar or just have great knowledge. It amazes me how many people I work with just do not understand and certainly do not try to. Blogging has been a saving grace for me and given me a great way to communicate my feelings!
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Wow! You have written exactly what I feel! This is the only place that I can truly tell others how I feel!
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Great minds think alike Sarah!!! I hope you have a fabulous day!!!
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Yep, you too.
See you tonight 😉
Btw, have you checked out my posts? I’d love your opinion!
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I will definitely check out your posts tonight. I will be able to do more once I get out of work!! Work will probably frown on me blogging at work:)!! See ya tonight!!!
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Ha ha!!
Can surely see that, Alyssa
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Although if they would mind their own business it would not be an issue:)!!
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😉
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I really do think as long as my work gets done, I should be able to do whatever else I want!! Funny how no one agrees with me!!!
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You have a certain point!
Definitely an interesting one!
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I think I always have a good point:)!!! Just teasing!!
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Ha ha!
You’re funny. May I ask what age you are?
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Yeah no problem, as long as you don’t think I am old! I am 36. May I ask the same?
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What do you think?
Make an educated guess
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Oh goodness, I am terrible at this game. Hmm, 28?
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Would you believe if I tell you I’m 16!!!!???!
You’re most probably shaking, I know, most ppl are like that when they hear my age 😉
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WOW, you are SO wise for your age and you write so incredibly!!!!! You are a very intelligent and strong person Sarah!!!!
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Thanks.
Did you fall off your chair? Lol
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Just about! You sound so much more intelligent than most people I talk to daily!
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That’s what ppl say aaaaalll the time… I mean all the time! I’m kinda used to that by now, y’know!
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I can imagine you are!! Continue to stay the strong person you are. I bet your parents are very proud of you!!
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Ha ha!
Now you can refer to me as “darling” and “sweetie!”
Since you know my age!
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Oh I am southern I refer to everyone as darling and sweetie!!
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That’s my mistake then;)
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Oh goodness no worries at all!!!!
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Oh my goodness, I am old! I am 20 years older than you.
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That certainly sounds creepy. My mom (which is your age;) always says that she feels like she’s talking to someone her age!
Strange thing? My grandma says the same thing. Ha!
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Oh my I am your mother’s age. Now I feel old, not that she is old though!!
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Ha ha! You totally make me laugh!!
Do you live in the us?
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I am glad I could make you smile!! I am not sure, where do you live?
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I live in the US.
Why, ur not sure if you live in the US?
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Oh now you are being funny!!!!
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I guess we both have a chance to that!!
No, serious, where do you live?
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We live in North Carolina. How about you?
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Big Apple!!
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No way! It is COLD up there!!
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Yeah.
New York is so boring and such a dirty place to live in! Sexual abuse and crime rates are really high up here.
As you saw in my posts, we travel lots. Was there last year in the summer!
Gorgeous place
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That’s horrible there is so much crime! You were in NC?
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I am following your blog now, I would love for you to follow mine as well. Your advice will be more than welcomed. I have learned some of my words actually help others, which makes me SO happy!!!
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Yeah, that’s a fantastic feeling!
Thanks for following, btw.
I’ve learned over the years that the only strength is God! He is my rock and my fortress when I’m feeling low (days I have, like today) and he’s the only one who can truly make things better!
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Thank you Sarah! I appreciate your kind words!!
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Of course! You most definitely deserve it;)
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Thank you so much!!!!
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Well, I only say the truth;)
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