Driving and MS

I realised many years ago that my attitude to driving had seriously changed. The major highways scared me, so many lanes, cars changing position and travelling so fast. I had trouble seeing the me, now, as being the same person who used to travel all across the city, and on all the highways. Okay, I never took the Don Valley, I had some limitations even then.

I guess it's a lucky thing for me that I lived in a small town when my disease worsened, when my anxieties reached a higher level. I understand everything the woman in the attached article is talking about...been there, done that.

I still drive about town, run my errands, and even made it out of town for lunch with my brother. Granted I cancelled twice before I got my nerve up, not having made the trip west since before winter.

The fear comes, as stated in the article, with a slowing of the brain to process information. I have to be alert, pay attention, and I can't deal with new places, new streets. I need to have a driver to go to those new places, as I need the familiar.

It doesn't always help being on comfortable roads, mistakes still happen. Like yesterday. I got the time wrong on my appointment, and didn't notice until I was on my way to pick up my friend. By that time I was already ten minutes late, and my anxiety level high as I hurried to get there.

I pulled up to a red light, stopped (what I admit here I will claim never happened if asked officially), and as the road was clear, moved on through the intersection. It wasn't until I was half way through that I realized it was a red light, not a stop sign. Next time, I'll take the time to call, explain why I'm late. I will never rush like that again as my anxiety level goes up and stops my clear thinking.

The one thing I've learned about this disease is that you have to know yourself, what you can deal with and what you can't. Life will always throw you some curves, and it helps to not over tax yourself on the little things, you never know what's coming round the bend.


http://ms.about.com/od/livingwellwithms/fl/My-Experience-with-Driving-and-Multiple-Sclerosis.htm?utm_source=exp_nl&utm_medium=email&utm_term=list_ms&utm_campaign=list_ms&utm_content=20150513

Let the sun Shine

The last few years I’ve had an issue with the sun. Heat intolerance aside, the sun was giving me a rash. Not one for cavorting on the beach or in the pool, the sun was only touching face, arms and legs, but still.

Every time I was out in the sun for even a short time, I would get a red raised rash, worse on my face. My moisturizer has a SPF of 15, but I often forgot it before going out, as it was more of a bedtime ritual.

But I finally got smart and bought some sunscreen. There were so many choices I read labels, strengths and finally made a choice. I bought Banana Boat lotion with a SPF of 60, and added the lip balm while I was at it.

Yesterday I was out to the store, a quick in and out, which is enough to cause a breakout. After I was outside in the garden, and had a little walk around the court. Today I looked in the mirror and was delighted, no red, raised rash, no blisters, nada, nothing.

Just to be on the safe side, I may purchase a second tube of this miracle lotion, and keep it in the car, just in case I forget to apply it before leaving the house. Summer has a whole new appeal.

Heat Intolerance and Humidity

As we're heading here into summer, and the warmer weather, I thought I'd share this article about heat intolerance and humidity.

http://link.about.com/view/54378a9bfa13a184078b4ad52hw7s.2om/91951379

Age is No Indicator

My friend called me last night, wanted to know if I wanted to go to the store with her, maybe grab dinner while we were out. I needed a few things, needed to eat so I said sure, pick me up. Any meal I don’t have to cook is a good meal; I’m so tired of making the effort. Which is why snacking becomes the more normal, the easy way out.

We made our way through No Frills, not every aisle mind you, but hit the produce and the perimeter of the store. After that we dropped our bags in the car and crossed the parking lot to the new Chinese place.

My friend is 82, eighteen years older than me, and walks well without any assisted device. I was using my cane, my gait not as easy as when I have the walker. I stumble at the curb to make the step and have to sit immediately when we get inside.

It’s a take-out place though there are a number of tables, but you have to place your order. My friend took care of that while I sat. When we went to leave, I struggled to stand with the pain in my back, my knee, and was almost at car before I regained my more usual walk.

I looked over at my friend and laughed. She said something about us being two old ladies and I told her to speak for herself. “I’m not the one with the cane,” she answered.

I said we made an odd pair, her older looking with her grey hair, but more able mobility, and me with my dark hair, my limp and my cane. What was wrong with this picture?

I can admit that she has earned her better physical state. She exercises in the pool at least three times a week, eats a very healthy diet, and consistently takes her medication, including all the more holistic OTC stuff.

I’ve been hit and miss all my life. I can be over-involved in an activity, first it was mothering, and then it was work. Since I have been on my disability I have not been disciplined, have had a fatalistic outlook, and have looked toward, planned for, the end, rather than taking care of the today.

If I live to be as old as my friend, the years will not be as kind to me as they have to her, and I have no one to blame but myself.

Once Upon a time

I was sitting at the school on Sunday after the MS Walk with three six year olds and the question came up, what was MS. I tried to keep it simple, it was a disease, which I had, and was the reason I didn’t walk so well. They were only six after all, and I had to begin by explaining what a disease was.

I thought about this when I came home. The last thing the parents said as I drove away with the youngest kids so the others could continue the walk was “be good”. My kids are very protective of me, appreciate whatever help I can give them, but know my limitations.

When the grandkids were toddlers, I wouldn’t watch them unless we were inside, as they could move faster than I could and safety was then an issue. Later, when I knew they would listen, I could take them to the park and feel in control.

The grandkids play with my cane, something I allow as it takes away any discomfort, makes the cane seem normal. Same goes with the walker. The last thing I want is for these kids to be afraid to come near me because I have a disease.

Now that I think about it, these kids have only known me this way. I went on disability the year my 2^nd of seven grandchildren was born. As I’ve used the cane for a number of years, and the walker for the last two, they have only known me when I had a physical impairment.

I guess that’s why I try so hard to find ways for them to remember me for something else, to make the disease the lesser memory.

One Problem Solved

The other day I bought cupcakes to celebrate my son-in-law’s birthday. I had a few bags of groceries and loaded up the walker to make the trip from the car to my place.

I quickly learned that the walker sort of vibrates as it moves over the pavement with all its bumps and ruts. This means that whatever is positioned on the seat jiggles, and is in danger of bouncing off the seat. This is what happened to the cupcakes, splat, upside down on the sidewalk.

I finally took the walker into Walmart and tried out different baskets, but none were a good fit for the seat, being too tall, too wide, or conversely, too small.

But then I found that Walmart sells a canvas type tote, with firm sides and a base, and long straps for carrying. It fits perfectly on the seat, and because it’s collapsible I wouldn’t have to worry about what to do with it if I want the seat.

In my tool drawer I found a pair of bungee cords, and was able to secure the basket by the handy side handles to the seat. After all, I might load it up with groceries or whatever, but it would still jostle on the seat as it moved.

I love when I find a solution to an ongoing problem.

The MS Walk

Today eleven members of my family walked for MS. I met them at the half-way point and picked up the three six and under walkers and drove them back to the starting point. It was a very positive feeling to see all those people out walking, supporting, hoping for a cure.

Last year our team won Best Team Name. “Debby Does MS” I know it’s a play on words, referencing a rather famous movie of a similar title, something about a city in Dallas? What I have always wondered...how did my kids know about that movie. Something as a mother I think I’d rather not know.

The food at the end of the walk was great as usual, thanks to all the corporate sponsors.

The team decided, after last year, that they wanted T-shirts. So I bought shirts, had some difficulty getting them all in the same colour, different sizes, and ended up with neon green. It was a colour that brought notice; I could see my group coming from a distance.

I was surprised to see we won the Best Dressed Award, but I guess others noticed that bright green too. And to think, I didn’t even get the shirts printed with our team name. Now that we’re into this, we also want to put the years on the back, a reminder of our family’s commitment to this effort.

It means so much to me that my family does this as a team. It’s a show of ongoing support and understanding, and I love them all for doing it.