Caring For Yourself

It’s an odd thing I sometimes consider. (Trust me, I’m not crazy) – but once or twice a year I wonder, what if the neurologists are wrong? What if my wife doesn’t have Multiple Sclerosis? What if she has something that looks like MS but isn’t as bad? I know it’s wishful thinking. And I […]

Continue reading about Wishful Thinking: What If It Were Not Multiple Sclerosis?

Rick on December 21st, 2010

Driving past a neighbor’s last week I saw him and his wife setting up Christmas decorations in their yard. The lights around the edge of the house had been put in place the week before. These decorations were the large figures that sit on the ground and are lit up at night. Later that evening […]

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Rick on December 21st, 2010

Readers of the Multiple Sclerosis Caregiving blog make comments that can usually be separated into just a few subjects related to caregiving: 1) shock at an MS diagnosis, 2) concern about the future and worry about how difficult caregiving will be, 3) questions about a particular aspect of caregiving, and 4) support for another reader. […]

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Rick on October 6th, 2010

When my daughters were smaller I loved to play with them in our yard. Some of my favorite memories are of them running barefoot through the green grass in their pajamas early on a cool, Spring morning. Running so fast their long hair flowing behind, grinning from ear to ear, their eyes shining with delight, […]

Continue reading about Too Many Blessings and Not Enough Time!

Rick on September 22nd, 2010

I’ve thought it many times since my wife was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis: I want to outlive my wife so I can take of her. I’ve always known exactly what I mean by this. And it’s simple. I want to be here to care for her as long as she lives. I don’t want her […]

Continue reading about The Implication in the Dark

Rick on April 19th, 2010

In Multiple Sclerosis has a History, I wrote, “I didn’t know lumbar punctures have been used for diagnostic purposes since 1913”. I think that piece of the History of MS jumped out at me because lumbar punctures (aka “spinal taps”) give me the creeps. Believe it or not, (and I am certain she will disagree […]

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Rick on March 31st, 2010

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 […]

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Rick on March 28th, 2010

Hello Cancer, Goodbye Marriage: A new study shows that men are more likely to ditch their sick spouses, should really be titled, “Hello Illness, Hello Marital Stress”. The authors, Barbara Kantrowitz and Pat Wingert, are reporting on an article in the November 2009 issue of Cancer, titled, “Gender disparity in the rate of partner abandonment […]

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Rick on March 27th, 2010

Mark Twain said something about cats and hot stoves. “We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it – and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove lid. She will never sit on a hot stove lid again – […]

Continue reading about What? Me, Worry?

Rick on February 8th, 2009

In the Health section of PhysOrg.com is an article titled, “How to … avoid burnout” Burnout – a state of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion — leaves people feeling hopeless about the future. While the focus of the article is on workaholism, the tips from therapists on staying healthy in stressful environments are perfect for […]

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Rick on October 11th, 2008

It is not unusual for caregivers to find themselves physically wiped out and without energy.  MSNBC.com has a helpful article titled, “Moving in slo-mo? 10 ways to pick up your pace“.  The ten suggestions in the article are easy to implement and, while they won’t make stress go away or reduce the amount you must […]

Continue reading about Fighting Fatigue and Finding Energy

Rick on May 17th, 2008

I hope these first few paragraphs don’t sound like a whine. They’re not because I know a lot of people whose schedules are a lot rougher than mine. My wife’s relapsing-remitting MS is managed well and I have nothing to complain about. But I do want to use comments about my busyness lately to share […]

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Dr. Elliot Frohman, professor of neurology and ophthalmology, led a research experiment on people with multiple sclerosis that demonstrates that increases in heat increase the severity of an eye-movement disorder called internuclear opthalmoparesis (INO). “Eye test peers into heat-related multiple sclerosis symptoms” on the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center web site describes the experiment […]

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Rick on March 24th, 2008

Why don’t I exercise? Probably for the same reason many caregivers fail to exercise: it requires an investment of time and time is always in short supply. That sounds like a good excuse, but I know it’s not. I have no good excuse. I should buy a bike and hit the road. Maybe start running. Something.

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Rick on February 17th, 2008

It’s Sunday.  In many cultures, this is a day of rest. Do you find it difficult to slow down and catch your breath? In the best of situations, finding time to relax can be difficult. However, even brief breaks help. This afternoon I bulk-loaded some Kodak Plus-X125 black and white film, grabbed my old Pentax […]

Continue reading about Even God rested