Oh Them Wobbles

"The fires are high". That is the phrase I turn to when I can't figure out why my symptoms (ie. numbness, swallowing, wobbles) return after being dormant, and I officially can't call it a relapse. The phrase came from the first neurologist who treated me, and I refer back to his wise (and helpful) words when I struggle with things MS related...except the other day.

When my wobbles perked up last week, without any provocation from my daily actions, I told myself that "the fires are high". I was okay with that: I would take some pills and stay out of the kitchen. But when they showed up yesterday while playing a board game with Jason (sitting still), suffice it to say that those words gave me little comfort. Had I put a little extra concentration in to the game? It sounds crazy, I know, but getting wobbles from thinking is not new for me, but it is new lately.

I don't enjoy math or science, but I do like to have concrete answers...so I ask....WHY?!

Mom Is My Guest Poster!

My mom, known on here as Ladyfingers, has a passionate opinion on all things that involve MS. Ladyfingers doesn't keep her thoughts buried when it comes to CCSVI, so I asked her if she would be interested in writing a "bit" for my blog. And what better time to do so then when Canada is diving into it's fourth federal election in seven years.

The first paragraph is a long-length version of what she writes on the political propaganda that litters our mailboxes. You read that correct, she returns the propaganda with her own desires and questions - ignoring the "cause" the politico has highlighted.

A Federal election. Time for me to hone my speech. Am I campaigning
for a Party? No. I am searching for a Party; a Party, a leader,
someone with authority. I want someone to guarantee for me that they
will "take up the cause" of all Canadians who are suffering from
Multiple Sclerosis. I want more Federal money going to the MS Society
(presently 95% of their contributions are from the public.). I want
CCSVI clinics opened up to investigate & treat MS patients . Certainly
the fact that so many sufferers are going to other Countries at a
great personal expense should make them realize how serious the
disease is. If a person is willing to put his or her life in danger
for this procedure does that not speak volumes? Seventy thousand
people in this country are victims of MS.

I am returning any & all mail I get from any Political Party with this
message hand written & signed by me. I have been returning my MP's
mail for a year. I have voted in every election since 1968. I may have
voted in my last.

People keep saying there are no issues, that this election is a waste
of money. Perhaps these same people need to know about the suffering &
disabiliy experienced by MS patients. Canadians die every day of this
disease. Isn't this worthy of being an issue?

I continually receive mail from the MS Society saying  "we are so
close to a cure". Wouldn't the Gov't. in power be thrilled if it could
claim to have contributed to it?

Kitchen Secret From a Wannabe Cook with MS

On the days that I know I will be tackling a new recipe for dinner, I lay low for the day. There was a time (and sometimes still) in the past five years that spending time in my kitchen was next to impossible for me. Stopping, turning and moving did nothing but bring on wobbles for me, which in turn brought on frustration and tears. Also, reading directions and having confidence in my comprehension of the directions is also a problem.

Laying low, is exactly what it sounds like, except that it involves "prepping" on and off throughout the day. If I find myself in the pantry, searching out a snack, I will remove some of the ingredients for dinner: oil, foil, cans etc. and place them on the counter. I may spend some time mid afternoon chopping and cutting the veggies. If I'm feeling really good, I'll cut up some extras, or grate some extra cheese for meals the next day.

As much as I take one day, one hour at a time, some things still require pre-planning.