With evrything going on in the world today and all the focus on this and that, it is not widely known that March is the month for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness.  Let me share a little about what the means for me.

Several years ago, I had some phantom health issues that would begin in my body.  And then go away, even though no medial person found a cause.  No x-rays showed any problems and because my sypmtons went away, it was brushed off.   For example, a week on crutches and unable to use my leg, but there is nothing that shows a problem.  Strange pains and weakness in my arms and shoulders that would come and go.  And then the headaches.  Oh, wow, and the doctor says it is just stress.  Not to mention the eye issues, gastro phantom and mood swings.

After an appointment with my eye doctor (I thought I was going blind) it was found I was in a "flare" of Optic Neuritis.  Of course, during my recovery period while additional tests were done, the possible outcomes I researched were quite scary.  I found information regarding the brain that included the words Cancer and Tumor and surgery among others.  The final diagnosis came back Multiple Sclerosis.  I was relieved.

Although my MS is not as severe as others, it is still an uncurable disease.  There are 3 basic forms of MS.  RRMS is the most common and is what I am currently diagnosed with.  The other forms of MS are far more destructive in how the body is attacked.  These are PPMS and SPMS and CIS plus the most rare of Fulminate MS.  I won't go into medial details but the forms of MS that are not RRMS are the most severe and cause the fastest debilation in disease progression.

This month my goal was to share the 50+ symptons of MS with the first and most common being fatique.  However, the 2nd day of the month, I caught a bug and spent a day and half in bed.  Now that is behind me, I refocused my energy and am making another swing at the month!

Fatigue in MS is like having your arms and legs encased in concrete.  Sleep and rest do not help in the way that the concrete is still there.  Another sympton is pain.  I had a doctor once who referred me to a Pain clinic.  Once there, I was told that they would not be able to treat my pain since it is not the type they treat.  That is because the pain and fatigue and other symptons from MS are formed in the brain caused by the lesions where MS done damage.  It can't be fixed - we just have to learn to work around it.  This in itself causes a person to be tired, constantly having to adjust how things are done because what worked yesterday does not work today.

So as I am aware of MS, I wanted to share just a little bit so that you, my reader, is aware also.  There is not a cure - diet will help, exercise will help, medicine can help - but there is NO cure.  When you think of those with MS, you might think of a famous person who has shared their journey.  Remember, no two persons have the same experience with MS and money can provide health resources not available to the average person.  

In addition, even though MS is considered disabling and qualifies as a disability, not everyone receives the benefits of that.  Simply put, if you don't work enough, you can't have disability payments or medical care or housing or any other assistance.  After my diagnosis, I checked my work record and found that I am X amount of credits short and would need to return to the work force and work another # years and apply again.   What a crock of crap to tell a person who has a disease that interferes with the most basic functions of our body.  Yep, that's right most MS folks are not able to work even a part time job due to the effects of the illness.

So, now that I have shared an insight and gotten off my original trek, I guess the jest of my share for the day is to be Aware of others and the fact that just because a person "looks good" on the outside, it doesn't mean they are "good" on the inside.  Everyone has good and bad days but looking good is not the same as feeling good.

I started my craft shop as a way to keep busy and it's a joy for my to sew my crafts.  This is something I can do when time and my body allows.  Some days I can't get to my sewing room because it took me all day to do one load of laundry, shower and cook dinner.  Some days I get to be in my sew craft room for 3 or 4 hours straight.  Some days I start a new project and get distraced and an apron project turns into a shoulder bag. 

Enjoy each day and make the most of it.  We don't know what tomorrow will bring so stop and enjoy a sunset.  Take a moment to appreciate the beauty in the world by slowing down and smell a flower, take a breath of fresh air, rest your eyes on the things that make you feel good.  Close your eyes and savor that moment. 

Be aware that MS can happen to anyone, just like any other illness.