Never Back Down

The title of this blog is how I feel about life. I am approaching the two year mark of my diagnosis. I was looking back at the early posts on this site and I am amazed at how my mind set has changed, and how I have personally changed. The voice in my early posts was a little more frustrated than in my later posts. I have certainly learned to deal with the pitfalls and obstacles that M.S. carries. I am reminded daily that everyday is a gift to be cherished. Since I began my new medicine last December it seems that my symptoms have been better controlled. This has allowed me to focus my energy on my classroom. Last week I was notified that I am one of the 24 semi finalists for the KY Teacher of the Year award. This means more to me than I could ever express in words. There was a point two years ago where I was afraid that I would not be able to teach. I have had many doors shut but so many more opened and this is a testament to what believing and having faith can produce. As I prepare today to board a plane to Atlanta to begin my speaker training with the drug company that makes my M.S. medication, I am reflecting on the past two years with a full heart. M.S. has certainly taken many things from me, however, I have gained so many things as well.

Bring on the Rain

The title of this month's blog is fitting both because it rained all weekend and I have had a really bad past few days symptom wise. One of the frustrating things about having MS is that since most of the symptoms are not visible it takes someone who really knows me to know when I'm feeling bad. Otherwise I push through. Over the past five days I had a digestive problem that I developed as part of this crazy disease called paralytic illius. This basically means that my brain doesn't send the message to my digestive system to work and it shuts down. When it begins to work again it feels like my stomach turns itself inside out multiple times. Needless to say, I spent Friday night until today in bed. Today I have been able to eat a little and my energy is back up a little. I know my usual posts are more uplifting but I think it is important to understand that this is not a cake walk by any means. I mask lots of symptoms because I enjoy my job and my family but at times, my body just says enough! I hope my brain and my stomach are back on the same page. I am looking forward to my trip to Atlanta at the end of Sept. to begin my work as an ambassador for the Novartis drug company! This will be another chapter in my MS Story.