I gained the courage, the time, and the will to follow my dream of having a sustainable farm, and raising all my own food (well, ALMOST all - haven't figured out how to roast cashews from my trees, or grow cacao and make my own chocolate, YET !!)

MS made me realize, it's now or never, just go and DO it !!!!!

I'm calmer, happier, mellower, more relaxed, more in love, and more fulfilled than ever before in my life.

yes, raising three children was mostly wonderful, (and sometimes very stressful), but I couldn't really RELAX and enjoy it, as there was so much to DO all the time, what with all the kids' activities (Scouting, sports, Tai Kwon Do, etc.), plus working fulltime, plus trying to keep up with the Joneses, and deal with shoveling snow, blah blah blah........

SO... they're all off on their own now, and it was time to do something for myself... something meaningful, that distilled all the thoughts and grand plans and schemes and daydreams... mixed in with my limitations and variable energy levels.

small-scale farming works for me, because I can do things in tiny increments, and put off what I'm too tired to do.

oh, and I've made many GOOD FRIENDS because of MS... people who HAVE MS, and totally UNDERSTAND.

I feel that God was actually kicking me in the butt when I got MS. I had my life so screwed up. My priorities were all wrong. On the top of the list was nursing and on the very bottom was my husband and kids. Granted, becasue nursing was so high up my salary was really good which makes for the good SSD check that comes.

We had two girls, the first one was one who did what we asked without asking. the second one was the kind that if I said black, she would say white. I feel I lost a lot of her life. We have regained all of it back but if I were so busy with nursing I don't know what it would be. This is the daughter I wrote about in another thread about her dogs.

I was dx in '97 when she was 16 and had to quit work right before her high school graduation in '99. So I lost a lot of years with her. But because we were empty nesters I found my husband again. It was like this new fella came home every day and we had to get to know each other again. But doing this also helped us get to know her again. Also the guy she fell in love with came from a bad home and he needed a Mom and he wasn't going to let her stay away from us. He would come over and spend the day with me any time he wanted.

Also because of my MS, I was able to be at the birth of both my grandaughters and stay with them for the first week! I have the oldest for a week each summer.

I once told the rep from Biogen that MS is a blessing to me and other people just don't understand that it takes a life shattering event such as MS to put life into perspective.

Oh, I don't want to admit how much weight I have also gained!!!!!!

I loved reading your story Doydie! Thanks for sharing!

Not sure if it's because of the MS or not but I just have the quiet comfort of knowing that I am exactly where I am meant to be.

20 lbs.

Crazy as it sounds, I think I gained two kids because of MS. I was a career person and wasn't sure that I would ever have them . . . but when they told me "don't have kids", I decided right that moment that I was going to. They are what keeps me going.

I live vicariously through them too . . . and we've had a far better childhood this time around then I ever did the first.

Cherie

I have gained friends from this site, some of you are becoming very dear to me thank you, our family even though close became closer, i gained admiration for many of you and from that admiration , strength and or a more determined attitude

I gained more time to be with my grandkids. Grandkids came to me later in life and after my MS dx. I was able to help watch the two youngest when mom went back to work.

And now Joslyn, my granddaughter, with her health problems I have been able to be there for her and her mom and dad.

And few extra pounds, thanks for nada.

lets see here.. new friends on this board and others that have helped me with great advice and just talked to me when i needed it.

i can now give a shot to anyone who needs help with it.. and make it NOT hurt according to my friend with diabetes lol

Craig, thanks for starting this thread. I have been reading it over and over with a smile on my face. I am just thinking about all the stories of gain and gratitude all because of this crazy disease. Unfortunately most of us needed this disease to make us stop and smell the roses.

As for me I think I have gained more appreciation for love and life. I posted on the other thread that I lost a marriage but I have gained so much more love. I love all my MS friends here that I keep meeting.

I am glad that you get to snuggle with your Tammy! You two deserve each other, you are very blessed!

A little more compasion probably.