[Blessings2You]

I certainly know we're all different, but there's something in my mind that pictures us (MSrs) all the same.

It always startles me when I realize (or am reminded) that some of you are the same age as, or YOUNGER than, my children!

I have no idea how long I've actually "had" MS, but I wasn't diagnosed until I was 55...kids were adults, I was close to retirement age (well, relatively), etc.

Extra hugs tonight to all of you "kids" coping with this stinking disease. Mama loves you.

[SallyC]

LOL...I thought I was the Mother hen here, since my kids are all in their early to late 40s and spouses too!!

I guess I'm not the only one who feels that way though. Welcome, Blessings, to the Mother hen club..

[Kitty]

I'm a member of the Mother Hen Club, too! My oldest son will be 29 this April. I can't believe it! How can that be when I'm not getting any older???

I often think about the ones here who are so young and are having to deal with this disease and raise families and work. I know it must be hard.

[nemsmom]

Originally Posted by Kitty

I'm a member of the Mother Hen Club, too! My oldest son will be 29 this April. I can't believe it! How can that be when I'm not getting any older???

I often think about the ones here who are so young and are having to deal with this disease and raise families and work. I know it must be hard.

You all are so sweet! I'm young (27, diagnosed at 23, showing symptoms since about 13), but lucky enough to have an amazing support system! Yes.. I have this horrible disease, along with others, but I have a truly understanding husband and great friends, family and neighbors to help me whenever and wherever they can.

It's tough, but my kids get to grow up understanding that, just because someone "looks healthy" doesn't mean they have a perfect life or are healthy.

And, hey, I married an EMT, so if I need emergency medical help, as long as I'm with my husband, I get immediate help.

[Snoopy]

Well, I am older (50) but I was diagnosed at the age of 24 and have had symptoms since I was a kid. I had been married 4 years when I was diagnosed, now 30 years.

nemsmom:

but my kids get to grow up understanding that, just because someone "looks healthy" doesn't mean they have a perfect life or are healthy.

I have 2 kids (20 & 22) who were born after my diagnosis. They grew up around this disease and have a very good understanding of it. They also do not assume someone should not be using handicap parking just because they "look healthy."

[doydie]

I was 'lucky' enough to get MS when I was 47, one child in college and other in high school. First 2 years I pretty much just sailed along with no major problems. My 'big one' was in 1999 when my youngest was graduating from high school. So I didn't have to deal with all the things that young Moms who have MS have to deal with. I don't know how you do it and admire you for it. I wonder if my youngest daughter wouldn't have been such a rebel during high school if I were having major problems. But if that were so our relationship today wouldn't be so precious. All things work out

[nemsmom]

Originally Posted by doydie

I don't know how you do it and admire you for it.

Thank you, I admire anyone going through health issues, especially those that are hard to diagnose.

Everyone says, "You're so strong" or "You're so brave" or "I could never handle that".... But you never know, until you're doing it. I know that all of you understand this disease, and if you had to do it when you're kids were young, you would have found a way.

People try to give me their looks of pity when they hear I have MS. I just tell them, "Everyone has their struggles, this is just mine". Sure I have pity parties for myself sometimes (well, sometimes a lot depending) , but otherwise I can't do much else but laugh at myself for tripping over air, or forgetting the word "garbage-can" and deal with it.

I don't know how well I would be doing without all of you though! It helps so much to have all of you to ask questions and cry or laugh with when needed!

Thank you all for being such amazing support!

[doydie]

I am just SO glad that I wasn't one of the many young women here in this forum that have asked whether or not they should take the risk and get pregnant, or go get my college degree, when do I tell the guy I am dating that I have MS. I just don't know how you do those things. I guess God knew the right time for me. It certainly made a difference in my life. Some of you may remember my story but there are new ones here.

I was an RN on a very busy cardiac unit and nursing defined me. I lived and breathed my nursing career. Nursing came first then my kids and then my husband. So I was able to work 2 years full time with no problems after my diagnosis. I treasure those 2 years. People with a brand new diagnosis of heart disease would question how they were going to continue a normal life. So I was able to share my story. I don't know how many people were helped knowing that a major illness isn't the end of the world. So in 1999 I started noticing that I was forgetting more and more. Then my right leg started getting weaker again. And it got worse. So one night I had to call in sick. I never went back to work.

That was in May. My youngest daughter was graduating from high school and going off to college that fall. So I found myself a housewife again. I was forced to be with my husband again! I'm not saying that correct at all. We were still married but we just passed in the night occasionally before. We both worked day/evening shifts and just didn't touch base much. So now we were empty nesters and I was the housewife. We reconnected. I can't say it has been a bed of roses but I had to re-evaluate my priorities. I had to see for myself that family comes first. I know for sure that God was giving me a swift kick in my pants when I had to quit work. And I'm glad He did but I'm just glad I had all the years when I was young to be able to do all the things I did without having to question what I could and couldn't do because of my MS.

[karousel]

I was once a "young" one. Now I think I'm a "middle". I had to make that decision of whether to have children or not. I remember how hard it was working and raising my DD. I was taken out of work when I was 32 and in some ways I was fortunate because she was only 2. In the long run it has made my life so much more bearable and a bit easier.

I applaud and admire all of you who are continuing to go to school, work, and/or raise children.

[ewizabeth]

I'm childish, does that count? lol