The Olympics, First Ladies and Multiple Sclerosis

Many of us have heard of Ann Romney's multiple sclerosis, but had not realized that First Lady Michelle Obama's father death was attributed to MS. An avid athlete, Francis Robinson III went from a competitive boxer and swimmer to couch-sitting, wishful thinker in a matter of years. This is one of the worst feelings ever! To feel so incapacitated after being so active. And to be good at something with higher aspirations than one's body will allow. But the Olympics inspire. They inspired Francis Robinson III and they inspire this girl with MS.

While meeting with the US athletes, The First Lady shared her story, growing up in south side Chicago and how the Olympics inspired her ailing father. Encouraging the athletes to continue to inspire a diverse range of people around the world.


Click here for Interview with Michelle Obama about her father, MS and the inspiration provided by the Olympics..

Ann, Wife of presidential nominee Mitt Romney, is no stranger to MS, Olympics and horses. While involvement with the Olympics help inspire it is her riding that helps keep her MS on the mellow.

Click here for interview with Ann Romney and her MS, the Olympics and horses.

One equestrian with multiple sclerosis has made it on the Paralympic team in dressage in 2012. Mary Jordan has never had day in her life without MS. The third member of her family diagnosed with the disease, Mary's dad was a quadriplegic whom she never saw stand or walk.

Mary is hoping to inspire others to live out their dreams. She not only competes for people suffering from multiple sclerosis, but also for her 15-year-old son, Tristan. Click here for more on Mary Jordan.

Well, she's inspiring the heck out of this girl with MS!

All of these ladies and their struggles with the disease are great stories. Ones I needed to hear this first day of the Olympic games, London 2012.

Go TEAM USA!



The late Amy Tryon, former Olympic athlete.

 

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Heat, Dehydration and Use of Legs with MS

Well, it was a bit warm yesterday. Went to Descanso Gardens for a stroll but didn't have my cooling vest on and could have used it. It wasn't just the high temps but an accumulation of MS stressors. Had lunch with an old friend. A much needed visit. Then cooked for family and played cards. Rested until my next guest arrived at 9:30pm. Stayed up and had another much needed enjoyable visit. Slept and awoke to some more friends visiting from Alaska. Another long awaited visit. And of course during these times enjoyed great food, wine, family and fun. But with these high temperatures, There is no real relief from the heat.

Other than staying inside next to the A/C, it's just too warm. And though I drank quite a bit of water yesterday it wasn't enough. My legs charlie horses and cramped during the night. I took half a klonopin at two different times in the night. But woke up feeling like my calves were made out of shredded cheese. Time to hydrate and rest!

As the legs tingle the day begins to unfold. Ways to make my legs feel better:

• Stretching
  
• Body brushing
  
• Bath/stimulation
  
• Water
  
• Coffee. Doesn't make my legs feel better but keeps me grooving!
  

The tingling is mostly in my calves. The small muscles in my legs. If it was cooler I'd go for a walk. But alas, I shall hide by the A/C.

Off to fill my big glass with water and end this tingling once and for all!

 

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Reflection

Time to reflect. Briefly. Before the onslaught of tasks for the day.

I am so fortunate for my life. When I was diagnosed with MS in 2001, all I asked the doctor was if it would kill me. I knew nothing about MS except it was a difficult name to say under an MS attack effecting one's speech. And though it has been an often difficult journey these past ten years, it's been well worth it.

Life is different. I am no longer the uptight, get it done, executive worried about making everyone happy except those that waste my time. Today it's different. I am different. Life is different. I still push myself to limits but in a more relaxed state of mine. A healthier state of mind.

I removed a lot of stressors from my life in order to accomplish this. I sold my house in Oregon. Left the corporate world. Moved in with my parents. Rebuilt my life. Am rebuilding my life. Let's hope that doesn't stop anytime soon!

I no longer crave to own many things. Material goods, beyond what truly makes me happy, are continuously being purged from my life. If it doesnt have to do with family, friends, food, books, a laptop, photography, fishing, horses, it doesn't belong. Forced into retirement doesn't allow for many extras. My chosen life of simpler times doesn't either. Less stuff. Less stress.

Happiness is swelling through me as I experience new feelings of contentment. Not complacency but contentment. Wow. Content and liking it! My family and friends are amazing. I wouldn't change a thing. My life is amazing. And I owe it to my friends, family and faith for they are my community. I am here and well because of all three. God Bless everyone in my life!

And a big shout out to La Canada Presbyterian church and my family where I was raised to have faith and love in life. And that I do. That, I do.

 

 

 

 

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Let it go!

First off, it's just not my issue. The fact this business wants to redo a perfectly good website because of ignorance is a waste of their time and money. As the original designer it is sad to think they are changing it to what is live now. Antiquated!

Breath....breath...it's not my issue. It's their decision to make whether it's right or wrong in my opinion.
Breathe, two, three, four...Breath, two, three, four....
Wow. How I can get so hung up for some 15 minutes over something I have no control over still amazes me! But at least I've learned to breathe through it. This is VERY Important for MS survivors - learning to let go and breathe through a situation. Our bodies do not need any extra stress or anxiety added.
Handy tips to reduce unnecessary internal toxins:

• Visualization
• Distraction
• Happy Place

VISUALIZATION
In order to reduce unneeded stress and anxiety we must move from being a "power player" to being one of "finesse". Visualize the grace of a rock climber, lean and agile, scaling the face of Half Dome. Imagine the lithe, quiet movement of gazelle on the tundra. Remember the simplicity and freedom of playing as a child.
Learn how to optimize your energy by learning how to redo each chore and activity utilizing less energy. Like right now, while typing this, I performed a quick body analysis: is there tension in any muscles? Yes! From the legs to fingers there was energy to be preserved. How is my breathing? Tense as well. Stop typing. Arms up. Deep breath, chest high. Shoulders relaxed. Let arms fall by your side. Exhale, Ahhhhhhh.
Analyze the body. Legs tense again? Wiggle and waggle. Exhale, Ahhhhhh. Amazing how quickly we can overuse our energy and we do not have any to waste!
Visualize what and who you want to be. Do not let MS define you. Survive and Thrive!

I use grape seed oil which can also be used for baths and body oils and is great for skin AND internal use mits an all around superfood!

More on The benefits of Grapeseed Oil click here.

HAPPY PLACE

Go to a happy place. Get out of your head, mind and body if you can. Go horse back riding, painting, writing, whatever it takes. Get happy! Readjust the attitude then go back to the project at hand. Today my happy place came from good friends, good coffee, and a quiet zone to write uninterrupted for an hour. Yes, that and topped off with some Hawaiian slack key guitar music, once again we have a state of nirvana.

A quick Body analysis proves that the tension has left. Energy is being consumed like the battery side of a hybrid car, conservatively, which is what we want.

Only we know when this excess energy is being burned. Our awareness and honesty with ourselves. Do we need to slow down? No one can answer that question but ourselves. And only if we want to have this choice in the future must we manage how our energy is spent today. Conserve and Preserve.

Xo,

TheGirlWithMS

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Stop and smell the roses

One of the most importent survival tactics with MS. To stop and smell the roses. And to enjoy them!

 

 

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Blogsy vital to role of this girl with MS!

Loving the blogsy app for blogging with an iPad.

Formatting is a breeze. So is blog management incase you have more than one blog.

TheGirlwithMS.com. Coming soon!

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ShenTrition

Quick shout out to the folks at ShenTrition. A Chinese/American herbal protein supplement that has rocked my health for six years now. Part of my solutions for thriving with MS!

 

 

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Great foods for thriving in this summers heat!

 

 

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Eluding MS in the Eastern Sierras

Time for the Eastern Sierras! Aspendell to be exact. Five friends. Five days. My goals: relax, laugh, eat, enjoy, catch a wild trout on a dry fly.

Balance was a bit of an issue and my friend found and made me an awesome walking stick. It's always good to have a portable hiking stick with you, especially when carrying photography and fishing gear!

MS just seemed to fade away at 8500' and cooler temperatures. No need for cooling vests except for the day we went to Bishop to check out potential barns for horses. Instead my days were filled with friends, food, fly fishing, photography, hiking and more.

Here is a Leichtlins Mariposa Lily or a Calochortus leichtlinii

And a toast to one of the greatest beers ever brewed! Nothing like a Sierra Nevada pale ale while in the Sierra Nevadas. Ahhhhhhh. This is the life!

Cooler temps allowed for this woman to forget her MS and enjoy life. Wahoo!

More photos here - http://carolinecraven.smugmug.com/Nature/Aspendell

 

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Ms and PMS. Twice the Trouble!

I should know by now. My MS is always worse the week before my menses. PMS and MS. PMSMS. As if one isn't enough... This last week I couldn't get cool at night. I didn't experience the heavy sweats last night as in the past. But woke up and knew to get to the bathroom. I had just been thinking that it had been awhile and I should check the calendar. But here it is! A few days early. Being as I'm 45 I could be heading for a pause in my meno. The point is that there is a definite relationship between MS and PMS. Would like to figure out the hormonal details.

Today was a doozy with my MS escalated. Cramps and back spasms. Energy, vision out the door. In need of a gentle day. Stretching, yoga, bath soak, praying, thanking God, breathing deep...

Water. Lots of water. And half a Vicodin for the pain. Especially because yesterday I indulged in a margarita and some great Mexican food at Dona Maria's. Yum! Best chile verde around. That was after taking a great horse ride and stopping at farmers market for some incredible produce. A wonderful Saturday was had by all.


Sunday mornings are my favorite. Today was the invitational for the trail trials. Dreamy and I qualified twice. But neither Kathy nor I had the energy to go. And I'm glad. While spending the morning talking to God and being gentle I felt the motivation to write again. I go in stages, writing. Not writing. But There is much to share about Multiple Sclerosis or MS.

MS can often be managed by lifestyle, nutritional and other changes. Don't give in to all the western medicines being thrown at you. Look deeply into the options and find a solution that works with your life style.

I did and couldn't be healthier!

Fortunately, after six months on the Copaxone shot, I was submitted into a double-blind, three-year T cell vaccination study at USC, federally supported. After going off the shot I took matters into my own hands.

While becoming certified in holistic nutrition via Bauman College, the lessons learned about the relationship between food and MS were significant. In addition, because my MS hit so that the loss of vision and the inability to walk unassisted was devastating, yoga became a necessary therapeutic relief. And it still is to this day as I just wrapped up an intimate yoga session with God being thankful for my life with MS. For I have changed much these past ten years.

My main MS solutions in a nutshell:

• Faith
  
• Family and Friends
  
• Lifestyle management. Reduce stress.
  
• Priotize appropriately
  
• Manage each day as a new day
  
• Simplify. Continually simplify.
  
• Manage external and internal toxins
  
• Yoga, gentle movement
  
• Exercise, horses, fluid movement.
  
• Fresh, fun foods.
  
• Photography.
  
• Fly fishing
  
• ShenTrition. A protein green drink designed by chimes medicine. Http://getshen.com. Six years. Will not stop.
  
• Anger management and stress relief awareness
  
• Medical marijuana for many symptoms. Pain, tremors, fatigue...
  
• Manage stress, anger, boundaries
  

Find a system or program and work it everyday.

And find good outlets. Mine include photography and writing....

 

See you back here. And stay cool!

 

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