Why I'm Thankful For My Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis

The following originally appeared in The Huffington Post in 2015 for MS Awareness Month. A few minor changes were made to reflect how I continue to feel in 2023 about living with MS. 

MS Awareness Month

The philosopher John Lennon famously wrote, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." The life we imagine for ourselves isn't always the one we get. Our paths can take sudden turns down unexpected byways, leaving us to battle unchartered territory.

March is MS Awareness Month, a time to remember the over 2.5 million people worldwide living with an unpredictable and incurable disease called multiple sclerosis.

Strength, resilience, hope, and courage are important words to remember while thinking about the MS community.

And of course a cure.

As February drew to a close I didn't know what to write about to honor this important month.  How could I put a positive spin on a disease that's often an unrelenting taskmaster?

At the same time, I've always tried to look for a silver lining in any situation, despite any challenges.

That's part of a sound mental wellness plan. 

Then it hit me! As an obsessed fan of classic films such as "It's a Wonderful Life," I thought about Clarence...you know, Clarence the Angel.

MS Awareness Month

Like Clarence granting George Bailey the ability to see what life would have been like if he'd never been born, I wanted to write how different my life would have been without my diagnosis.

I look forward to the day when I can finally say, "I used to have MS." That will be the greatest day of all.

MS is something I'd never wish for, but as a friend once said to me, " You're part of a club you never wanted to be in, but since you are, you may as well be one of the cool kids." INDEED.

So I'll be mindful that despite my diagnosis I'm surrounded by many blessings.

And, like George Bailey, I cannot be a failure because I have many wonderful, caring friends - both near and far.

I'm thankful for my diagnosis because it taught me self-compassion, survival, the importance of careful research, and always keeping hope in my heart.

MS Awareness Month

My best friends, my husband, and my son.

ABOUT MS AWARENESS MONTH:
National MS Education and Awareness Month is an effort by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF) and affiliated groups to raise the public's awareness of multiple sclerosis. The vital goals of this campaign are to promote an understanding of the scope of this disease and to assist those with MS in making educated decisions about their healthcare.

To learn more about MS from various MS organizations please check the list of MS RESOURCES located on the tab at the top of this page

The Silver Lining of Being Sick and Tired

I wasn't a diehard fan of the series "Mad Men" but the opening sequence haunts me. I have flashbacks of that black silhouetted man seeing the world crash around him, then similar to Hitchcock's "Vertigo" he falls slowly to the ground.

silver lining

For devotees of "Mad Men" the interpretation is easy, yet the iconic image can be interpreted in different ways and for different reasons. Here's why the image is haunting me:

ONE: When your body ignores your inner cries to stop misbehaving that desperate man is a parable for life. Down, down, down we fall.

I've received four diagnoses in the past year, all having to do with my digestive system. Now I must re-learn how to eat or my gastrointestinal tract will seek revenge in painful and odious ways.

For now traveling is difficult since you need to be near a clean bathroom. Your "normal" life is on hold as you spend time visiting doctors and testing the waters to find a new normal.

In the meantime people get tired of hearing about your recent illness(es). I don't blame them. Who wants to hear adult potty talk? I'm as tired of it as they are.

For thirty-one years my journey has been about learning from adversity, tolerating new normals and dealing with disappointments. I've been a willing student to learn all I can, but now I'm back to square one. Down, down, down I fall.

Then one day a dear friend told me something that empowered me. She said that someday I'll be able to look back and realize these diagnoses were teaching me powerful lessons. Adopting a smarter eating plan will help me live a happier life because I'll feel healthier and more energized.

Talk about a silver lining.

I believe in silver linings and I have faith in the wisdom of my friend. Staying strong and having a positive attitude will serve me well one more time.

I want to rejoin life and take part in all its glory. I miss the old me. So I'm trying as hard as I can to find my way back. In the meantime I hope you'll stick by me.

TWO: While watching what's taking place in Washington I see the "Mad Men" image representing the downfall of America. Lies, deceit, greed, narcissism, cover-ups, intolerance, hatred and corruption results in an America I hardly know. We are trapped with a man and others in power who are trying to make "America Great Again" by making it unrecognizable.

Citizens are being pitted against each other as we defend our opinions about a man with no values. Down, down, down we fall.

What's kicking the image back to a safe place is the public outcry from millions of citizens who believe our country is worth the fight. The marches have been exquisite. Local groups have banded together. Ordinary citizens are running for office to rid of the old guard. We are staying stronger together as we continue to resist becoming something we're not.

All of this is in the name of truth, justice and the principles of the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal.

WE THE PEOPLE, the Constitution says. That certainly is a silver lining.

 

END NOTE: If you are interested in what I'm reading about digestive issues, here's what's currently on my nightstand (all available on Amazon):

 

 

 

 

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