Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Still Hanging in There

I hadn't realized it has 7 months since I posted anything, but no news is good news right?! I am still doing really, really well. No problems or issues to report on. I did have some blood work done in October and my white blood cell count was 3.0 when the normal range is 4.5-12. If I recall I had a little stomach bug a few days before I had my doctors appointment. However, within this last year, my WBC count has been low; every time I get it checked. That isn't a great thing especially this time of year. I just have to be careful with all the sickies and to keep my hands washed and the carts rubbed down. :) For Thanksgiving this year, I was able to go to my parents house. It was SO WONDERFUL!!! On top of the holiday, my grandma invited me to come to her house to meet someone who is in the process of possibly being diagnosed with MS. She needed some support and assurance. I wished when I was first diagnosed that I could have had someone to talk to. I had a lot of people tell me what I should do, what things to try, and what things to avoid. I think I tried all of them and came up with something that worked for me. Everyone has their own MS. They have their own success and their own stories. I think things that work with some people may work for others, but it seems that there really isn't one common factor that helps everyone. The only thing that I could think of that may be similar is the need for Vitamin D. Of course, sleep and exercise are huge ones too (along with any other medical disorder) but Vitamin D seems to be the only additional supplement that doctors recommend. One thing that I tell people regarding their MS is to no to let it get you down. Yes, it may cause you to not be able do things like you use to, but do what you can. Don't focus on the CANT's, but focus on the CAN's. I have to remind myself of this everyday. I participated in a Fall softball league this year (which I try to do every year), and I especially have to remind myself this when I play. I can't throw like I used to, bat like I used to, and even run like I used to (this partly because I am not a 20 year old anymore). However, I still can play! I still can see to catch the ball, move my legs to try to get on base, and just have fun with this non-competitive team that I play with. Enjoy life to the fullest because you only have one life to live. Don't let anything get you down! Hugs and much love to you!