I will win...

A loser is a winner if he conquers himself.

Bob Gass

I just read my daughter's blog this morning. It is such an awakening to realize that we change physically as we age. When I was young and was not yet diagnosed with M.S., I juggled a physically and mentally challenging career, an extremely demanding boss (who is now one of my best friends), a marriage, two magnificent children (one of which I might say had an "attitude"). I was my own housekeeper and cook and all taking care of all of the accoutrements that go with that job. In my spare time (this is funny--did I have any? It's a blurr...), I was a long distance runner (a mental health requirement at the time), I played the piano and guitar. Then....

I was diagnosed. The symptoms had been creeping-up on me. In about one day, I lost my job. I must say that my boss was (still is) the best in crisis along with my husband. Not the same husband in the first paragraph. The point of all of this is, in the beginning, everthing changed except my husband (the best). He treated me exactly the same as before I was labeled.

But, there was no more running, no playing piano, no job. All of those doors closed. I learned not to dwell on what I could no longer do but, what I could accomplish. I had to change my methods of doing things. The fatigue associated with this disease is overwhelming. I accomplish, much slower now, but I accomplish many things. I went back to school, got a degree in Anthropology. It takes me about a month to clean the house but, I do what I can when I can.

I never let M.S. conquer me. I have done all that I can to remain healthy. I told my children that there may come a day when I can no longer do for myself but, it will never be because of something that I did to or did not do for myself.

It's been 32 years since my first symptom, and I'm still walking (not pretty but, still walking). I have great faith in God and the Holy Spirit guides me all day. The only credit I take for my good heath, at this point, is that I follow the good directions--physically and mentally and most important, spritually.