The title gives it away, but with which medical professional is a Multiple Sclerosis patient likely to have the most contact? In my experience, it has been her pharmacist. Most medications are refilled monthly. Between quarterly or annual visits to the neurologist, I believe most concerns about Multiple Sclerosis are related to medications. And in [...]
During the last few weeks, I’ve been asked by caregivers (via this blog’s contact form) for help finding support for themselves in their local communities. I take these requests seriously. In fact, it would be impossible not to because the caregivers include information about their particular needs. Perhaps it’s empathy, or a sense that we’re [...]
On a recent evening, my wife and I were sitting in the living room, both of us reading and sipping hot chocolate before we ended our day. She, snuggled in a dark pink sweater and wrapped in her light pink afghan, caught my eye as I sat in my chair. She smiled. “I enjoy the [...]
Today’s Herald Tribune in Sarasota, Florida, offers an excellent story of one couple’s journey of love. The subtitle, “A Manatee County man’s devotion to his wife seems limitless“, summarizes the story of Oliver and Phyllis DeSofi. Mr. DeSofi is a committed husband and MS caregiver for his wife. Don’t miss this story … “One couple’s [...]
Spend time on the Family Caregiver Alliance website at: http://www.caregiver.org Of particular interest to Multiple Sclerosis caregivers will be the Family Caregiver Alliance Fact Sheet on Multiple Sclerosis. In addition to common information about MS, the fact sheet includes important information about cognitive problems caused by MS and their impact on caregivers. For example, “About [...]
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“Doing Your Best When You Can’t Make It Better” has been the tagline of this blog since I started it. I think the tagline may express too much futility. Maybe I was having a bad day or month when I wrote it. Today, I’m changing the tagline to something much more positive and more reflective [...]
One of the first commitments I made to myself after my wife was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis is that I wouldn’t allow it to impact my children in negative ways. That was eight years ago. They were five and eight years old at the time. Fortunately, my wife and I have been able to keep [...]
As a caregiver, you know your family finances are probably different than those of some of your friends. You have medical expenses most of your friends do not have. Chances are good that your friends’ families are dual income families. Yours is probably not. Caregiving often brings its own unique set of financial burdens. Helpful [...]
As a caregiver, if you wonder when or whether your caregiving might be “too” caregiving, there’s a simple way to find out. Ask the person for whom you care if you’re doing too much.
And remember, what you’re needed for today may not be what you’re needed for tomorrow. The symptoms caused by Multiple Sclerosis vary over time. You may need to do the grocery shopping for several months in a row and then be surprised when you’re told, “I’ll do the shopping today.”
When someone asks you if you want the good news or the bad news first, which do you choose? I prefer the bad news first because then the good news sounds even better. Of course, some days you only get the bad news. Yesterday, after her neurologist conducted an EMG on her leg, she had [...]
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society offers an excellent online brochure titled, “Fatigue: What You Should Know – A Guide for People with Multiple Sclerosis“. The introduction explains MS-related fatigue, the but the best part is the “causes and Treatments” section. It offers treatment options for breathing and movement problems as well as a list of [...]
A friend told me yesterday he had seen my wife in a local store and “she looked good.” I agreed, “Yes, she does look good!” I embarrassed him a little so he clarified it a bit, “I mean she looks like she’s getting along well.” Of course few see her when she’s not getting along [...]
I remember reading the cartoon book, “Good Grief, Charlie Brown”, when I was a child. The phrase, “good grief,” grabbed my attention. What did it mean? I knew grief was what one experienced when someone died. At the time I didn’t imagine that could be good. One lives long enough and learns that grief really [...]
Getting the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis took too long from the time my wife first talked to her primary care physician about the intense headaches and shaking hands until the second neurologist completed his testing and gave us the diagnosis. The medical tests were frustrating, the feedback came too slowly, and living in a small [...]
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It’s Sunday! The New Testament is full of examples of the Apostle Paul’s physical ailments. I remember hearing of his “thorn in the flesh” when I was a child. There wasn’t much for a first grader to do in south Texas in the 60′s. I liked to break the prickles off my mom’s roses and [...]
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I was working in a closet filled with network hardware and cables when my cell phone vibrated on my hip. I answered and heard my 8 year old daughter say, “Daddy, Mommy fell and is bleeding on her head.” “Is she okay? How bad is she bleeding, Sweetie?” I ran to the stairs. “Sissy is [...]
Six New Dawn roses cover a pergola I built for my wife a few years before her MS diagnosis. If I had known then what we know now, I would have built it much closer to the house. My wife loves roses and living out of town as we do, we have a yard large [...]
