MS is messy

Some days hope is all I have. It doesn't take much to keep me going because I try and keep a good attitude but MS is constantly out to derail my best laid plans. I'm hoping the new year and new health routine will help keep me on track.

MS is a progressive disease for me unfortunately but instead of focusing on what it's taken from me, I will try and remember all I'm able to do still. Life is too short to let fear dictate what I chose to do so as long as I'm able,I will continue to take a big ole bite out of life

It's been over 2 months since I recorded a podcast but felt moved to share my struggles in the hopes that it might help others who are feeling sad, frustrated and scared. It's ok to have the occasional pity party which I have been doing for awhile now but I'm not ready to give up and neither should you. This too shall pass so hang on for better days.

I want to see a BIG concert at a BIG venue downtown Friday night with my daughter and realized the inaccessibility that I face every time I venture out made her and her friends so upset. I’m jaded to this fact now but it was nice to see their compassion and concern.

I was featured in the Chicago Tribune this last week in an article addressing some shady insurance practices and the law we’re trying to get passed in this state to stop some of them. Patients like myself have little power to make their own healthcare decisions because of rising costs and fixed incomes but that needs to change.

I know I’m not the only one who is aggravated with trying to navigate our shoddy healthcare system. Anyone who doesn’t feel this way has clearly never been really sick having to depend on doctors and insurance to do the right thing. It’s bad enough to be sick but to add insult to injury, healthcare now is not set up to benefit the patient but to further line the pockets of big pharma but the good...

A cautionary tale of facing a serious diagnosis while already living with the equally serious and daunting reality of MS. My hope is that listeners will hear something that might help them when and if they get some other illness. It doesn’t seem fair but having MS won’t protect you from getting sick with something else.

Trips to the gym have gotten harder and consequently less consistent than I’d like but a nice comment from a stranger recharged me. I didn’t ask to be an inspiration but if my situation makes others feel motivated to keep their body strong, then so be it.

After 3+ years of producing the MS is Messy podcast I thought it was time to hang up my mic but a nice woman who I don’t know personally sent me a heartfelt message about how much she was getting from my podcasts. I always said if I could help just one other person dealing with MS, then the effort was worth it so I will continue for as long as I have topics to share. Thanks for listening and shari...

After years of talking about our home's lack of accessibility. we finally decided to install an elevator as stairs have become too challenging for me to manage some days. This free standing lift designed by Stiltz is the answer we were looking for when we ultimately agreed that our home, community and friends are too important to us to leave. We realize that this expensive home modification is...

All the planning in the world won’t prepare a disabled person from running into challenges while traveling anywhere but especially oversees. After a magical family vacation to Italy, I learned firsthand how hard it is to travel but I’m glad I did it.

Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. David Bilstrom, MD, Director of the International Autoimmune Institute & Bingham Memorial Center for Functional Medicine who gives us concrete answers on how people with MS can reverse and even prevent this disease from progressing through simple lifestyle changes.

My conversation with Dr. Billstrom from the Bingham Memorial Center for Functional Medicine is extremely informative for anyone with an autoimmune disease specifically MS. You will hopefully feel empowered to start making positive changes in your own health journey immediately with his tried and true advice for slowing and even reversing your MS symptoms.

I had the unique opportunity to speak with Dr. David Billstrom, a longtime, respected functional medicine doctor who has made it his life's goal to educate and treat those of us living with an autoimmune disease. In this part 1 of a 2 part series Dr. Billstrom shares his belief that all autoimmune disease can be prevented and /or reversed with some simple lifestyle changes.t You will hopefully...

After a recent visit to my primary doctor I learned that I'm at risk for heart disease if I'm not more careful with my diet. I decided to heed this warning since my Dad died of a sudden heart attack at the age I am now. I was pretty lax during the holidays with my food choices so I feel confident I can get back to healthier eating mainly because I don't want to take medicine for elevated blood pre...

After reading Michelle Obama's most recent book, "The Light We Carry" where she describes how her Dad's MS made her feel helpless and afraid aa a young person, I realized and immediately felt guilty for what my kids are carrying into adulthood themselves. I decided the vulnerabilities and lack of control they may feel at times will ultimately serve them in their relationships with others reminding...

As Thanksgiving approaches I can't help but reflect on my many blessings, some that I may not have even recognized if not for being diagnosed with MS. This disease has taken so much from me while at the same time giving me gifts I never knew possible. Gratitude is just an attitude, one that will make you happier if you practice it.

Pain and I are old friends after years of living with a disease like MS but I'm well aware that it could always be worse. I try and focus on activities that make me forget about the pain while doing my best to manage my ever increasing symptoms. Pain is just part of life so learning coping strategies is your best option for living your best life.

After taking the summer off to recharge and readjust my priorities, I still struggle with not feeling enough. This society places so much emphasis on being active and busy but sometimes MS prevents me from doing all I would like to. I've been working on true acceptance, not conditional, which only allows me to feel good about myself if I've ticked off enough on my to do list. It's ok if I don't ge...

While trying to keep up with a busy schedule I neglected to put myself and my health first and I'm paying for that neglect. I am refocused and re energized to make my health a priority because if I don't, MS will take over which I am determined to prevent. As they say, "I have MS, it doesn't have me." It's a whale of a disease but with effort and attention to getting stronger it is manageable.

For 20 years now I have been participating in WALK MS, the largest National Multiple Sclerosis Society fundraising event of the year that has always been so crucial in helping people like myself who are living with MS. The money we raise goes towards helping people dealing with this costly disease while also funding the all important research that will finally END MS once and for all. If you haven...

I've been MIA for awhile so today's podcast explains why. I am so thankful today for a good doctor, helpful meds and the support and encouragement of family and friends which are all important to feeling better. Fighting this disease never stops but with this most recent steroid course, I am feeling up for the battle again. Don't ever give up the hope of feeling better because there is always an a...

After my recent trip to Arizona to visit with my mom, I learned alot about how each of us are handling our own MS journeys. Having been recently diagnosed with MS, my mom still leads a very active life which was nice to see. I also realized while I was there how many short cuts or energy savers I employ on a daily basis, some of which I discuss in the podcast.

My Mom turned me onto a little pill that has literally changed my life so I needed to share that news with you. I had resigned myself to living with this annoying and painful symptom but for now, this medicine is working great and I am beyond thankful. Just when I'm ready to give up hope of feeling better, something like this comes along but the trick is to never give in or give up. Be your own ad...