Surprising coping strategies in multiple sclerosis: where do you fall?

[Marinadca]

Mirinad, what physical activity helps you beat stress without wearing you out?

Well most of my favorites are cardio and likely will wear you out.

But I find yoga to be very calming and if you are doing the gentle yoga (as opposed to some of the advanced classes or the faster moving "flow" classes).

[funnybutnotfunny]

Yes I am cancer free now, thanks. I only had 1 cancerous polyp , but ended up having most of my colon removed because of surgical complications. 3 surgeries in 2 weeks. I coded 3 times during the third, then ended up in a coma.

The most frightening time in my life, ever, was not the M.S. or the surgeries, but looking at my wife of 35 years after the 3rd surgery and not knowing who she was, or who I was. It was 3 days before I got my senses back. The brain is a strange and wonderful organ, with mysteries we still don't understand...

Gardening is very rewarding, and eating what you have grown with your own toil, just tastes that much better! It was my wife's idea when I could no longer work, to buy a small farm. I may be in a wheelchair from M.S. and poo sideways into a plastic bag from the cancer, but have never been happier on our little patch of land. I highly recommend it!

That's quite a testimony you got there brother! The Lord is so faithful. Wow 35 years? That's amazing. Marriage is great isn't it? Married for 4 years myself.

[funnybutnotfunny]

Suebee, what do you think you'll plant this Fall? I've been trying to find more perennials in the Lowe's garden department to no avail. I'm creating a garden bed in our front yard. I got some stones to place around each side of the front of the house.

I want mostly perennials but then I'll plant annuals from time to time. Do you have ideas for perennials? I'm in Los Angeles. That's about a 8 zones I think.

[GoatHerder]

Wow, all of that sounds so amazing! We hope to start a vegetable garden soon. Someday, I'd like to live on a farm and learn how to take care of the animals, etc.

Are you cancer free now?

Yes I am cancer free now, thanks. I only had 1 cancerous polyp , but ended up having most of my colon removed because of surgical complications. 3 surgeries in 2 weeks. I coded 3 times during the third, then ended up in a coma.

The most frightening time in my life, ever, was not the M.S. or the surgeries, but looking at my wife of 35 years after the 3rd surgery and not knowing who she was, or who I was. It was 3 days before I got my senses back. The brain is a strange and wonderful organ, with mysteries we still don't understand...

Gardening is very rewarding, and eating what you have grown with your own toil, just tastes that much better! It was my wife's idea when I could no longer work, to buy a small farm. I may be in a wheelchair from M.S. and poo sideways into a plastic bag from the cancer, but have never been happier on our little patch of land. I highly recommend it!

[funnybutnotfunny]

My goats really keep me sane, and the goat berries are wonderful in the garden. My bride put up dozens of tomatoes, pickles, squash, and more during our fall canning. I'm moving a tiny bit slower since last year, but not from the M.S. I got colon cancer. Caught early, but lost most if it. Colostomy to take care of now but it's been a non issue. Just taking life as it comes!

Wow, all of that sounds so amazing! We hope to start a vegetable garden soon. Someday, I'd like to live on a farm and learn how to take care of the animals, etc.

Are you cancer free now?

[funnybutnotfunny]

When I was first diagnosed I went with denial and anger!

Now that I have accepted things and been diagnosed for a few years (7, yay?) I would say that I am using humor a lot more. Physical activity helps me beat stress too. In general keeping the stress at bay is what I need most of. Reading, playing with the cats, meditating, etc are all things that help.

Mirinad, what physical activity helps you beat stress without wearing you out?

[GoatHerder]

Glad you're doing better emotionally.

I've had my faith long before any adversity, so it made it easy to deal with when it came / comes. Physically, I go a couple of hours, then sleep for a couple of hours - from 5am to 5pm, then I watch an old happy movie and get some sleep.

My Lord, my wife, and my goats, keep me grounded. *(Had to replace the chair on my work wheelchair because the goats kept eating it!)

[Suebee]

Goathearder, (I hate to be the chatty one on this forum. I am quite chatty in person too.) But I didn't want your post to go without comment. I'm so glad your cancer was caught early. An elderly close relative of mine lived well and a long time after a similar diagnosis and treatment.

I haven't dealt personally with cancer, but I remember when my MS was in a very aggressive stage that it was as if the world stopped and all my energies were directed at daily living. Perspective on what is important in life is something we all talk about, and of course strive for, but it is so easy to get caught up in the fray of things some days. I think though that when one faces a truly big health crisis, perspective actually comes quite easily. I recall how my disappointment over a lost promotion, office politics, needed house repairs, day care issues, all didn't matter at all when I was having my serious MS attack. How all those things had previously weighed on me, bothered me, and I realized how much time I had wasted on worrying or ruminating about all those things. Now, I'm much better physically and maybe emotionally healthier. I really do look up at the sky every day and thank God i can see it and am standing upright on my feet. Admittedly, I haven't changed 100%, I still can get to worrying or ruminating about things, but if I can remember to breathe, try to put it in "perspective" to the way I was before and not now, I think I'm generally more zen and joyful about day to day living. I hope you too are experiencing that perspective change and have joy day to day. Suebee

[GoatHerder]

Goatherder - so glad your neuro worked out. I had a similar problem when i was in a rural area. I cross matched my insurance list of drs with the american board of neurology. But it still required a lot of calling and finding a doc. Here is link to certification search for neuro for anyone's future reference:
https://application.abpn.com/verifyc...fyCert.asp?a=4

I think goathearding sounds like a fantastic coping mechanism! I just saw a piece on t.v. about a "goat whisperer" and the goats seemed so intelligent.

I used to find gardening very relaxing, it cleared my head and felt cathartic as I pulled out dog gone stubborn weeds. I haven't tried gardening where i live now, it is quite hot. But I have been day dreaming about some late fall plantings in a foundation bed ....

My goats really keep me sane, and the goat berries are wonderful in the garden. My bride put up dozens of tomatoes, pickles, squash, and more during our fall canning. I'm moving a tiny bit slower since last year, but not from the M.S. I got colon cancer. Caught early, but lost most if it. Colostomy to take care of now but it's been a non issue. Just taking life as it comes!

[Suebee]

Goatherder - so glad your neuro worked out. I had a similar problem when i was in a rural area. I cross matched my insurance list of drs with the american board of neurology. But it still required a lot of calling and finding a doc. Here is link to certification search for neuro for anyone's future reference:
https://application.abpn.com/verifyc...fyCert.asp?a=4

I think goathearding sounds like a fantastic coping mechanism! I just saw a piece on t.v. about a "goat whisperer" and the goats seemed so intelligent.

I used to find gardening very relaxing, it cleared my head and felt cathartic as I pulled out dog gone stubborn weeds. I haven't tried gardening where i live now, it is quite hot. But I have been day dreaming about some late fall plantings in a foundation bed ....

[GoatHerder]

New Doc Just Fine

What's it like to herd goats? That sounds so peaceful. Do you garden too?

Geeze, I hope you find a good doctor soon. I know it's difficult. Going through it myself in a way. I'm hanging out and holding on though. I'm praying that God give him the wisdom to help, for better communication skills and energy for his patients.

Oh yay, the new doc is OK. Had a nice long visit. He has no desire to change my current treatment, pat me on the head and said,"See you in 6 months, and call if you need anything."

So happy that worked out. It's been a year and 4 complete knuckleheads before I found this guy!

[Marinadca]

When I was first diagnosed I went with denial and anger!

Now that I have accepted things and been diagnosed for a few years (7, yay?) I would say that I am using humor a lot more. Physical activity helps me beat stress too. In general keeping the stress at bay is what I need most of. Reading, playing with the cats, meditating, etc are all things that help.

[GoatHerder]

I do garden, and we produce much of our vegetable needs. Goats are very calming, and when you have a goat that has bonded well with you, you would swear they can read your mind! (link to my goats in my signature line)

[funnybutnotfunny]

As a person of faith, I use that faith as my primary coping mechanism. Having a wife who is supportive helps a bunch too!

In addition to the above, caring for my goats is a very happy place for me.

My latest thing to cope with, my neurologist of 14 years, announced at my last appointment that he is wholesale dumping all of his M.S. patients, in favor of head injuries. *(Yeah, I get it, more money) I've been scrambling for 6 months to find someone with 2 working brain cells, with a staff that gives a darn; who takes my insurance!

What's it like to herd goats? That sounds so peaceful. Do you garden too?

Geeze, I hope you find a good doctor soon. I know it's difficult. Going through it myself in a way. I'm hanging out and holding on though. I'm praying that God give him the wisdom to help, for better communication skills and energy for his patients.

[GoatHerder]

Interesting Study

As a person of faith, I use that faith as my primary coping mechanism. Having a wife who is supportive helps a bunch too!

In addition to the above, caring for my goats is a very happy place for me.

My latest thing to cope with, my neurologist of 14 years, announced at my last appointment that he is wholesale dumping all of his M.S. patients, in favor of head injuries. *(Yeah, I get it, more money) I've been scrambling for 6 months to find someone with 2 working brain cells, with a staff that gives a darn; who takes my insurance!