Hoping 2017 is a Great Year to Enjoy the Ride

Well it's been a while since I've written a blog. We all get busy with life and it's ups and downs. This is the time of year that I reflect on the past and look to the future. It's kind of like the Christmas Carol or it's A Wonderful Life. Having MS during the holidays can sometimes be very difficult. The hustle and bustle of shopping, holiday parties to attend and just trying to keep up with every day tasks can be overwhelming.

​I've learned that you really have to pace yourself. Putting pressure on yourself only leads to exacerbations and depression. I learned this the hard way. For years I always ran around and scheduled every minute of the day. Don't. For me it just lead to IV steroids. That's definitely not on my Christmas List.  

Now that I'm older and wiser, I start my shopping in August. Start it on a month there are five pay checks. Buy one gift a day or one gift a week. It really works. My daughter has MS too. We try to only schedule events every other day. Take a day in between to rest or bake cookies. Just the smell makes it feel like Christmas. Reach out to friends and family. They won't mind helping even though you think your just a burden. Cookies freeze really well. The holidays are not about the presents or food despite what everyone seems to think. It's about family and friends. It's about Love.  I know there have been times that I've declined parties because I've needed help getting into friends home due to stairs. However friends don't care,they just want to see you and share a drink or a bite to eat. Don't stay home. If your really not up to getting out; then invite family in. You don't have to entertain. Do a pot luck. Just visit. Seeing others really does boost moral.

2016 has been a crazy turmultuous turn of events both in my life and in our country. I know it is hard sometimes, don't feel alone. Learn from the past, take it one day at a time. Everyone's life is like a roller coaster. The downs become ups eventually. Every single person matters. Watch A Wonderful a Life. Happy Holidays to you all. I'm hoping that 2017 is a great year for everyone and that you try day by day to enjoy your ride.

​Susan

A BIT ABOUT SUSAN...Susan is a registered nurse who worked in high risk obstetrics at Brigham and Women's for twenty years. She is also a certified nurse paralegal. She is currently not practicing as she is disabled because of MS.  She was diagnosed 10 years ago with RRMS and has a daughter who also has MS.

---