Cheryl, first off you are such a strong woman and I admire you!

As for what I have lost, I'm not sure I would call it "lost". I lost a marriage because of MS, but that in my eyes is not a bad thing. My ex couldn't deal with me when I was sick. He was a great guy and dad but not a good caretaker. In his mind I was faking it and if I went to the gym I would get better. Ha!

I think I have gained a better love for life! Also more independence, if that makes any sense. I have bought myself a house, am raising my 11 yo son, and I'm doing it all on my own with no help from the ex.

So I guess in one way I have lost something but I think I have gained so much more!

Just wanted to check to make sure, FG and Koala remembered to put out the torch and wash their hands..:D

Sally...you are one of the "goods" that I have on my list!!! I love your sense of humor!!! Thank you for being you!


:hug:

Well, FG, I've been bypassing this thread because I refuse to count my losses, it's an attitude thing.

Your post about counting the gains is more my speed. No, I'm not the one that no one, including kids, can keep up with anymore, I'm no longer obsessed with downhill skiing or softball tournaments, and I don't expect to ever climb and camp a mountain again. But, I cannot dismiss all the things I've been able to do, and the people I've met because of the MS and that is where I find my solace.

It is amazing to me, but I'm actually at peace with having this disease and I continue to do whatever I want to do, as soon as I figure out how to do it.

So, on goes life, sink or swim.:cool:

Hey Cheryl~~ Just wanted to let you know of one thing you HAVE gained on this wacky road you've been on>>>>> ME
and your road trip to TH memories!! :D

I'm a Type A personality too, and slowing down or delegating duties just isn't in my vocabulary either. But, I'm trying so hard to learn that I have limitations now.

You have pushed yourself so hard this past yr, while also volunteering to be a Mod here to help all of us. For that, we are thankful. :hug:

Take care of yourself Cheryl~ We only have ONE FG!!! :hug::grouphug:


You are a very special person and friend.:hug:

hi cheryl,
i can totally relate to your fatigue and getting ADL's (activities of daily living) done while working.

i was an RN for 35 yrs. i planned to work til i could pull SS.
then i got dx'd. i had been having sx's for some time but of course didn't know it was MS.

my fatigue became worse and worse. i was working 12 hr days with sick and premature infants. most under open (heated) warmers. that was a killer.
i wouldn't be able to do a thing on my days off.

finally i came to the realization that i had to quit my job. nursing was my life, my identity. i really grieved the loss of my job.

with it i lost friends, or people i thought were my friends.
i'm single and take care of myself.
i've lost mobility.
i've lost financial security.
my future is uncertain and i hate that feeling.

however, i adapt as needed. i can still walk with aids. i can still drive. thankfully it's my left leg that's bad. i'm still independent. i live with MS so i've learned how to live with MS. i've learned a lot of things. a lot of what i've learned has been from you.

i was really given a lifeline on the boards and you were a part of that.
i've learned how to say no. how to teach others about MS. how to take care of myself.

i'm sorry for what you're going thru. i know as your path becomes clear that you will find a way and learn to make adaptations. you've got the smarts and the spirit. you go girl! :hug:

one thing i have noticed and respect deeply is everyones sense of humor, it seems as if we are all nuts and crazy as far as humor is concerened, thank god:eek:

When I started this thread, I was pi$$ed off at what I was losing - work, flying, and a couple of other things. But as I have progressed through this thread, I've realized that I have gained more than I have lost.

You know that I have had a pretty tough time since December and maybe it's just a long MS relapse or just a long roller coaster ride I've been on, who knows. I've never actually sat down like this and "put it out there" for discussion b/c either I didn't want to or I didn't feel safe enough to do it. I think more the latter than the former.

Life goes on. There are things I miss, but I think some of them are due to the loss of the friends I used to do them with and not necessarily b/c of MS...hopefully that situation will be rectified in the near future!

Sink or swim? I am not ready sink yet...let's float!!!

:D

Well, now that you mentioned it, I have the rope, innertubes and cooler. All we need is a current river. :D

Got lots of rivers in Idaho!

I am doing ok today...you guys are my lifeline...