I'm a "planner". I don't like to be surprised by the unexpected (unless it's a windfall of money).

Having MS has made it difficult at best to plan anything. I still do, though, and my pre-MS organizational skills have come in very handy.

All we can do is plan, hope for the best but prepare for the worst. That's true in anybody's life - whether you have MS (or any disease) or not.

The first Neurologist I saw (the one who dx me) told me the day I got my dx "life is what happens while you're making plans". I was expecting a much worse dx than the one I got...so I was relieved when he said "MS". I smiled and said thank you - he told me that was the first time anyone had thanked him for a dx of anything!!

I look at MS as a challenge (I love a good challenge) and try to begin each day with the determination to overcome just one obstacle MS throws my way. I set the bar low but my expectations high. It's all about adjusting.

I love the quote!!! I also love the challenge part, cause that is how I am. I LOVE challenges. Matter of fact, my mom, who is 1200 miles away, is worried I am pushing myself to hard. I told her I am not diferent today than I was 3 years ago. I will push until I fall, or can't push any more. Even more so now I guess. I have more to prve to myself, and to others now. I want to do the things the naysayers say I can't or shouldn't. That is how to get me to do something. Tell me I can't!

Amen and amen!

I totally agree - I'll do something I'm told I can't do just to prove that I CAN!! I think you'll do just fine with MS - you have a good attitude and the determination to "keep on keepin' on" - and that's all anybody can really do.

I wouldn't dare tell you that, and you have a great attitude!!

HOWEVER . . . you do need to learn to pace yourself. Not doing so will be to your detriment.

Keep the attitude, but adjust your physical expectations of yourself at the same time. Everything in moderation . . .

Cherie

I was/am SO LIKE YOU ARE SAYING about yourself. But, also, listen to Cheri. For me, her point was well taken a few weeks back. I have ALWAYS bulldozed my through everything, for the past several years, before I new I had something that needed to be dx'd. I literally about killed myself. This has been quite an adjustment for me.

I have not, and will not, just cower down to this MS. But I have had to become realistic. Because, for me, I had to admit that it is not going away. But it is also not going to be the death of me.

You have such a great attitude and I'm not sure what where in the disease you are. So I don't want to sound negative. But, just to say, along the way... BE KIND TO YOURSELF... REPRIORITIZE WHEN AND WHERE YOU NEED TO... and STILL you can be the one to rise victorious over the MS. You sound like a great, strong lady.... you definitely will not let it get the best of you.... But don't let YOU get the best of you, either!!! Just make gentle adjustments as needed!

I hope this helps, I wouldn't want to come off negatively for you. Take care of your self! You have a lot of wise folks here at NT to help!

If it would help, the following address is to the "Crumbling" thread I posted, that I got a lot of help on from Cheri and a lot of other wonderful people here.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ight=crumbling

"...MS WAS MY DISEASE OF CHOICE..." Boy, oh boy, I didn't even realize until now, how I was also able to talk myself into being okay with MS, as my disease of choice... I can so relate!!! That is just too true to NOT be funny!

I know...it sounds crazy but when you have researched your symptoms and it all points to a brain tumor you're thankful for anything BUT that dx!!