Ah, MS, you picked the wrong girl to mess with. I'm tired of dancing with you. I'll never allow you to take the lead.
(You can borrow my mantra if you'd like!)
The other day, I was thinking about healing emotional wounds from living with MS. The ups and downs of anxiety and stress can, at times, be overwhelming. Was it a coincidence that I stumbled on a quote by Lancali that perfectly describes healing emotional wounds while living with MS? Hmm.
"A chronic illness is not difficult to live with because it is endless. It is difficult to live with because it is unpredictable. But like grief, every flare ends, and though the looming threat is constant, you learn to live beside it. A shadow of mixed blessings. It does not heal as wounds do, but it teaches you of your own strength till you can wear it like a battle scar."
Life is inherently unpredictable, and we can never be sure about the future. Coping with an unpredictable illness like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) requires us to be emotionally prepared to face the challenges that come our way. It teaches us to be resilient and to develop coping mechanisms that help us navigate through the difficulties of life.
It's easier said than done, but I believe it's worth it if we can do this.
I shared a post on social media to create awareness about how it feels to live with MS (or any chronic illness) and the emotional toll of fighting everyday struggles. It caused quite a stir:
My smile hides the invisibility of my illness.
It hides the 13,629 days I've lived with this damn disease.
And all of the symptoms and comorbidities that followed.
It hides every piece of crap advice I've been told to "overcome" MS.
And (the sometimes) lack of support and research for patients over 60.
Despite all of this,
I smile because I choose to be intentional about how to live my life.
By spinning gold out of straw.
Joy after tears.
Sunshine after grief.
And gratitude after waking up each day.
I'm not a Pollyanna or a character out of "Tom Sawyer" who's trying to whitewash the truth of living with MS.
This way of living works for me; it has so far.
I'm 65, and I've lived with MS since I was 28.
So, I know a thing or two.
I want to tell you this:
For all of you having a hard time with whatever adversity you're facing,
Take it one day at a time. One baby step at a time. There's no right or wrong way to BE. And no time clock.
Step through whatever you're facing; there's no going around it. That doesn't work.
And when you're ready, I mean really, really ready,
I'll be here waiting to listen to whatever you have to say.
And I'll send you a smile no matter where you are on your journey.
I hope you'll send me a smile back.,
Remember: Be grounded in today, let go of yesterday, and be patient for tomorrow. All we have is here right now.
Here are some recommendations for learning more about mindfulness, emotional wellness, complementary medicine, or two books I can't do without. As always, please leave any thoughts or questions in the comment section:
Jon Kabat-Zinn - Founder and Developer of mindfulness-based stress reduction
Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements (A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom)
Allen Bowling, MD, PhD, MS Specialist—I interviewed Dr. Bowling about his book
Optimal Health with Multiple Sclerosis: A Guide to Integrating Lifestyle, Alternative, and Conventional Medicine (click
here to read the interview). I highly recommend reading this informative guide. It's one you'll go back to again and again.
I do smile when I read your comments. You are a remarkable person.
Paulette! Oh, Paulette! How marvelous to hear from you.
Thank you for your kind comments. As always, it's so lovely of you.
I hope you are doing well and ready to enjoy the spring.
Big hugs to you, always,
Cathy