I hadn't been diagnosed a full year when I accepted the challenge of taking over the creation of a local Walk MS Team. Our team "No MS'ing 'Round" was a success! We received a very generous amount of donations from coworkers and family. We also had a large turn out for our team on what was a very chilly Western PA day (snowflakes joined in the day's festivities).
For those who wanted to share in the Team Spirit, I had tshirts made. They were simple grey tshirts with "No MS'ing 'Round" on the front and that year's Walk MS design on the back.
I LOVE these tshirts! Yes, I say tshirts! The printer somehow duplicated the order and even after selling additional tshirts and donating all of the money from them, I still ended up with 10 tshirts in my drawer.
These tshirts are comfy. COMFY. I would live in them if I could. Sadly, my girls are starting to notice clothing choices and I've heard "MOOOOM, you wore that shirt YESTERDAY!"
"No, I wore the one that is in the dirty laundry. This one is clean!" I will reply. But, that argument doesn't satisfy them and I am made to change shirts prior to going out in public. But really, the love of the tshirts and the love of the girls are so close that it's a very hard decision. Heck, there are days the tshirts will win - this Momma can be just as difficult and ornery as her kids.
Beyond the pure comfyness of the shirt, I think it is also a symbol of how I have been able to fight the MonSter. I am taking my MS and letting people know about it. I am starting teams for the Walk MS events. I am building a team - not only to support me on my Walk MS events, but to support me in my everyday life when I get a smidge down or simply want to vent.
When I'm feeling down, the comfort of the shirt is there . . . the feeling of it, but also for the memories. What a great group of friends and family I have that have stuck with me after my MS diagnosis! This group of friends and family keeps me determined that the MonSter is not going to win!
Showing posts with label Walk MS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Walk MS. Show all posts
Friday, January 15, 2016
Monday, January 4, 2016
Walk MS 2016
Hi all!
Teams are starting to form for 2016 Walk MS events!
Sign up at the Walk MS page. You can even sign up as a Virtual Walker! You can join my Team - MonSter MaSh.
If you're local, you can join my team MonSter MaSh.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Three Years
I've been living with the MonSter otherwise known as MS for a little over 3 years.
Three years of daily shots
Three years of trying to accept that there is something wrong with me, when many times, I feel "normal."
Three years of anger, resentment, frustration and denial.
Three years of going days without remembering there is something wrong with me and then pushing myself a little too hard and being stuck in bed for an entire day.
Three years.
I know the basis of MS. I am in support groups. I am a Team Captain for WalkMS activities. I wear MS clothing to increase awareness. At the same time, I still do not know the limits of what the MonSter will or will not permit me to do. I was living in fear, at first, that I wouldn't be able to continue being a Mom. But, I'm starting to realize I can do most everything, within reason. Sometimes, I just have to be a little pickier as to how many activities I can do in one day or one weekend. Sadly, I still stumble and have to have recovery days because I didn't realize combining two activities would totally wipe me out.
Three years.
I try to raise awareness of MS. But, I don't make every Facebook post about my little MonSter. I don't spend every minute thinking of MS and how it is affecting me each moment of every day. So, guess what, that means I may have days where the MonSter doesn't factor into my daily existence. I'm not trying to keep it a secret, I simply do not feel it is necessary to walk around with "I HAVE MS" tattooed on my forehead. So, I may walk a little weird, have tingly hands, be afraid to carry something, walk into walls, have vision issues . . . but that is part of me. It is, again, not something I need to remind everyone of every two seconds. Don't get upset with me. I am still adjusting. And I will NOT let MS become the focus of my life. If you don't like that concept, please, click on the "next" button at the top of the page and enjoy the next blog that comes up.
Three years.
My gosh! I have a "disability"! I had to mark that on form the other day! I don't think of myself as having a disability in any way! Mind Blown!
Three years.
Yes, I have been turned down for various types of supplemental insurances because of this condition. Queue the anger and bitterness as well as the frustration when I FEEL NORMAL!
Three years.
I am a baby when it comes to fighting the MonSter. I've only been officially diagnosed for three years. I am one of the fortunate ones with MS. Unless I let you know, you don't know there is something wrong with me. I have spent MUCH of the last three years counting my blessings and finding the positives in each of the situations that have presented themselves to me.
Three years of daily shots
Three years of trying to accept that there is something wrong with me, when many times, I feel "normal."
Three years of anger, resentment, frustration and denial.
Three years of going days without remembering there is something wrong with me and then pushing myself a little too hard and being stuck in bed for an entire day.
Three years.
I know the basis of MS. I am in support groups. I am a Team Captain for WalkMS activities. I wear MS clothing to increase awareness. At the same time, I still do not know the limits of what the MonSter will or will not permit me to do. I was living in fear, at first, that I wouldn't be able to continue being a Mom. But, I'm starting to realize I can do most everything, within reason. Sometimes, I just have to be a little pickier as to how many activities I can do in one day or one weekend. Sadly, I still stumble and have to have recovery days because I didn't realize combining two activities would totally wipe me out.
Three years.
I try to raise awareness of MS. But, I don't make every Facebook post about my little MonSter. I don't spend every minute thinking of MS and how it is affecting me each moment of every day. So, guess what, that means I may have days where the MonSter doesn't factor into my daily existence. I'm not trying to keep it a secret, I simply do not feel it is necessary to walk around with "I HAVE MS" tattooed on my forehead. So, I may walk a little weird, have tingly hands, be afraid to carry something, walk into walls, have vision issues . . . but that is part of me. It is, again, not something I need to remind everyone of every two seconds. Don't get upset with me. I am still adjusting. And I will NOT let MS become the focus of my life. If you don't like that concept, please, click on the "next" button at the top of the page and enjoy the next blog that comes up.
Three years.
My gosh! I have a "disability"! I had to mark that on form the other day! I don't think of myself as having a disability in any way! Mind Blown!
Three years.
Yes, I have been turned down for various types of supplemental insurances because of this condition. Queue the anger and bitterness as well as the frustration when I FEEL NORMAL!
Three years.
I am a baby when it comes to fighting the MonSter. I've only been officially diagnosed for three years. I am one of the fortunate ones with MS. Unless I let you know, you don't know there is something wrong with me. I have spent MUCH of the last three years counting my blessings and finding the positives in each of the situations that have presented themselves to me.
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