take it slow

it's important to take it slow when there are temperature fluctuations, I've done my usual running* around this weekend and I noticed my vision doubling before. Perhaps I ran too much? Maybe its only the heat. Regardless of the cause it serves as a good reminder to slow down, I turned the ac down and I'm in for the day as it seems. For anyone with Multiple Sclerosis the sun and warm temps can be a real burden at times, it's always best to err or on the side of caution especially to prevent a relapse.

(*of course I didn't run, I use a cane for pete's sake)

readathon is almost here

I thought I would do my part to continue to promote Deweys Readathon it is a fun way to celebrate the fun and joy of reading and for my part it's a way to bring awareness to disabled readers especially Readers who have Multiple Sclerosis. At times reading can be difficult for me because I have minor optic neuritis as well as  cognitive issues as a result of MS so focusing on reading that isn't on a computer screen is fun and a great way to rebuild from my disabilities. As I have previously posted the Readathon is on April 21st and it focuses on a 24 hour period, you aren't obligated to do the whole thing but it is fun. It helps to have your own blog or your own Facebook page so you can post about and discuss what you're reading. Check out the readathon page to get more details!

it's that time again

last year I got involved in Dewey's 24 Readathom and its love of all things literary. It was important to me to do this in light of the cognitive issues that I (as well as countless others) have with Multiple Sclerosis. The 24 hour event is scheduled for April 21st  (times may vary, check the link) the event highlights the love of reading. You don't have to be a speed reader to partake but note it helps to have a blog or facebook page in order to post brief summaries or just publicize you participation. Some participants do their reading with a specific charity in mind, I've never done this because I feel odd handling monies that aren't mine. Instead of getting involved from a monetary standpoint I try to publicize the National Multiple Sclerosis Association and bring light to other MSers out there.

You don't have to be disabled to partake, I invite you to check out the link and see if you're game

I don't celebrate

Just as the title suggests I won't be celebrating my latest anniversary, it has been two years since I was officially diagnosed as having Multiple Sclerosis. I can remember it as it were yesterday, I was in the hospital because I was I kept falling at home and I was completely zapped of strength to stand back up not to mention if I were to manage standing up, it was doubtful I could keep my balance. My wife and I were still a little clueless as to what could be wrong, but the day after being admitted I was alone in bed when the attending neurologist, and might I add the Dr with the WORST bedside manner in the world, she waited till I was alone and half asleep and just came out and said Yeah, It's MS. The next day in front of my wife she started going on about the possibility that it could be HIV. Thankfully it wasn't and thankfully I now have a neurologist that minored in Tact and bedside manner. In the past two years I have tried my darnedest to get educated about MS and try to share info (as is seen here)

So in a way I guess I've just lied, I should celebrate the fact that I'm alive and the fact that the MS hasn't really progressed, I had optic neuritis that went from a minor brown  obstruction in vision to just one eye being a tad crossed, or rather a bit off center (as you see in most MSers).

read-a-thon post 5 almost dinner time

as I have previously stated I read Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, part of Stephen Kings Different Seasons, it was a good read, the only little bumps were some minor changes the movie makers made in their movie. I decided to skip Apt Pupil and go straight to The Body. It to was made into a movie but so far it seems that Rob Reiner and the screenwriter haven't strayed from King's story. I thought I would put in some pump up music, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ6zr6kCPj8&ob=av3e See you soon!!!

Mid-October update

I continue to forget my cane and walk away from it into other rooms, it doesn't scare me so much I just see it as a sign that my brain wants to re-adapt and move along. This week my wife and I are with friends who are visiting from out of state, we're in a condo enjoying different, yet similar scenery (we live in Florida) we visited the Yuengling brewery and had a chance to sample some of the product.


unrelated to my excursions I have decided what book(s) I would like to read during the read a thon that I have mentioned in previous posts http://lookingatmyms.blogspot.com/2011/09/taking-part-in-read-thon.html. I plan on read Stephen King's "Different Seasons", one of Kings best it includes Rita Hayworth and "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Body" which Stand by Me was based on. I like to participate in the readathon for the challenge of it as well as trying to bring awareness of MS and the MS community to the book blogging world and bring awareness of book blogging to some of my fellow MSers. side note in the unlikely instance that I'd finish my book I have a grouping of King books as secondary choices. Trying to read and bring such awareness to it is really close to me, a few months after I was initially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis I had developed retro-bulbar optic neuritis, (can't find the older post :(  ) and after the effects of the Optic neuritis subsided I decided to celebrate my reading. The read a thon challenges two things in me that I have/had difficulty with (memory/cognition and vision) the Readathon is slated for October 22nd weekend.

How I got my reading groove back, or how I learned to accept my optic neuritis and still enjoy a good book

About a year ago, a few months after I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, I encountered what looked like a sun spot or halo in my right eye. After going to my neurologist and consulting an optometrist, I learned that it was optic neuritis http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/opticneuritis.html. It thinned out with help of IV steroids but the steroids didn't help my confidence when it came to reading. I had amassed a small collection of books the month prior to my MS diagnosis and I had left them exactly where they were, on a shelf collecting dust.

It bothered me that aside from the physical limitations that I was experiencing with my legs and balance, I was  limited in my vision as well. After a few months of nothing but TV, TV and more TV, I was set to go back to the optometrist. (I'm jumping around in time a lot; this was throughout the span of about 8 months, 2-3 visits to this Dr. and inclusion of Tysabri in my treatment.) The optometrist performed field of vision tests on me to check my peripheral vision (which was previously affected) and a battery of other tests. My vision was improving. It wasn't the best in the world, but I was thankful for any improvement! So a few weeks later I went on a road trip with my wife to Ohio to visit family. Along with my standard luggage, I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and bring a book or three. It's a good thing that I brought those books along; I managed to read two out of the three. I was very excited about that accomplishment. No one should ever let themselves get talked out of achieving the goals that they set out for themselves. With me, I think I was just a combination of fear and me just psyching myself out which in retrospect is probably typical of not just myself but other MSers.

today is better than yesterday

I woke early again today but overall I feel alright. Had an ok day at physical therapy and decided to do a searrch on Optic Neuritis. This picture is a pretty good example of how I see the world, so to speak.

This second pic is a better representation for me because it involves a view from both "eyes"