MS Means Managing Resources Wisely

We had a surfing contest here in Mexico last week. There were a couple of bad "crashes" among the surfers, although none as bad as the one last year that resulted in a broken neck.

It made me stop and think about how unpredictable life is. I tend at times to do a bit of futile 'if only' thinking about having MS. But anyone can have a life-changing event at any time.

Be it an accident or a disease, humans are very vulnerable to the unexpected. One of the things that I always encourage people to do is to invest in disability insurance. Face it -- disability is more likely than an early death. So disability insurance is more important than life insurance for most people. Like me, you could 'wake up' one morning with a disease like MS or be in a traffic accident and as a result be unable to continue your profession.

And, no, I neither sell nor own stock in insurance! But most people don't realize how long it can take social security disability to kick in or how few other resources most of us have to cope with a prolonged period of unemployment. Especially not when that lack of income is accompanied by steep medical bills.

I have often given this same message to the nursing students I taught. And many of them were in their early 20s. I don't know if any of them took my advice but it's something I want you all to think about. You can save yourself and your family a lot of potential grief by being prepared.

Enough. I really do NOT sell insurance!

Medications, MS and Travel

For those of you who don't know, I spend the winters on the coast of Mexico and that's where I am now. Thanks to the wonders of computers, I can keep up on issues and developments regarding MS even though I am many, many miles from a medical library -- and the nearest one is Spanish-only!

Sayulita used to be a small seaside village. In the past 10 years or so it has unfortunately been "discovered" -- with the result that it is now much more of a bustling small town rather than a pueblo. Many of the locals have sold their homes to Americans and Canadians. It's not easy to learn Spanish here because you don't actually need it. English is understood and/or spoken widely.

Health care is very different here than in the US and that's one of the challenges of traveling here with a chronic disease. And with MS particularly, the challenge is being able to get and store refrigerated medications here. My prescription drug supplier won't ship things to Mexico. So I have to stockpile a several-month supply of my meds and then make sure I can store it appropriately as I travel south. I travel in a small RV, so that is less of a problem than it might be.

And, as an FYI for other MSers out there, if you are taking Avonex, you can request the 'old' form (not premixed) of it if you are at all concerned about having adequate storage. It is not ruined by a short time at room temp, unlike the premixed version.

More later ...

Related Topics: Travel Related Illness, Packing for a Healthy Vacation

Technorati Tags: multiplesclerosis, MS, travel, avonex

New Year's Resolutions and MS

For all of us with MS, an important part of our work is taking care of ourselves ... if we don't, there is nothing left to give to others and little pleasure in our lives for ourselves. So, our very first New Year's resolution should be better self-care.
Now, most people with MS have figured out the basics like "Don't overdo", but that's so general it doesn't really help a lot. What we have to do is look at our lives, figure out how we are using our energy and what's really important, and then we have to make some tough decisions. Every time we use energy, we are risking the very real possibility that we won't have enough energy left to do the things that really matter.

How do we limit the energy-waste that is so costly to us?

1. THINK. It is all too easy to agree quickly to take on one more thing. One more task, chore, even party. So, before you say YES, think about how that new whatever fits into your overall life. Really think. Practice saying, "I'll let you know ..." to unexpected invitations and requests, giving you a chance to figure out what you really want and need to do. Don't be afraid to say "No".


2. PRIORITIZE. Houses don't have to be spotless. Do you dust daily? How about doing it once a week. How often do you really need to vacuum? Yes, a vacuum cleaner is an "energy-saving device", but pushing around (even the self-propelled ones) takes energy. Again, think of cost and benefit. If you are used to cleaning thoroughly several times a week but are then too exhausted to do anything but go to bed, perhaps you can "buy" yourself more meaningful time by limiting your cleaning to shorter times, less often.


3. GET REAL. Don't stand when you can sit, don't walk further than you have to. This one is hard because most of us are used to activity. And I'm not saying don't exercise, because exercise is important in maintaining optimal health. But, honestly, walking all over the grocery store isn't particularly effective exercise and it uses energy that could better be used in planned exercise. Don't be shy about using one of those scooter-chairs with a cart attached to do your grocery shopping. Yes, it's hard to do the first few times, but it's well worth making the effort to get over your discomfort with "looking disabled".


4. SURF. Use catalogues or shop online. OK, for most of us, that won't work for groceries (although in some cities, you can order groceries online and have them delivered to your house -- for a fee, of course!). But for that birthday-wedding-anniversary present, there is no need to exhaust yourself mall-crawling. And there is not much that isn't available online at this point.

Later this week, I want to write more about the very important skill of asking for help. It's not easy for many of us, but it can be such a life-saver.
Take care, all ...

Related Topics: Rate Your Energy, Modifying Your Home When You Have MS

Tags: MS, multiplesclerosis, 2006Resolutions, goals, webmd