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Living with multiple sclerosis is a challenge

Living is a challenge

Living with advanced multiple sclerosis is so time consuming, thank goodness I’ve retired. Also my MS has deteriorated more rapidly since medical retirement in 2012. Now it significantly affects both my quality of life and way I live my life. Both have changed drastically because of this ghastly disease and so many of the problems are invisible. The disease started 1972, but I can still stand on my feet even if its only for a few seconds. I’m still the same person, at least I hope so but life is definitely a challenge.

Where does the time go

Just doing anything takes me much longer. It often takes me 3 or 4 attempts to stand up from a chair. Walking is a slow and tedious process. Simple little jobs such as going to the loo is no longer a two minute job. If I drop something on the floor, it happens far too frequently, then I must think about my balance before I try t0 pick it up. Forgetfulness gobbles up far too much time.

The grim realities

During the day I have three simple options. Sit on a chair, walk around very, very slowly using my walker or ride on my mobility scooter. People much prefer to see me sitting on a chair. I am safe and cannot get up to mischief or fall over and hurt myself. When I decide to stand up and move then I must use a walker, preferably a four-wheeled variety but I might fall over. When I go out anywhere then I have no option but to use my mobility scooter.

Here is a daily problem

Every morning I get out of bed and put on some clothes, it sounds simple. Have you ever tried getting dressed when you must sit or can only stand up by holding onto a grab-rail with one hand? Pulling on a pair of jeans and doing up a belt is a daily challenge. My muscles will not lift my left leg off the ground so putting on my then sock and shoe is yet another hurdle to negotiate. I could go on but I hope you get my drift. Just getting myself dressed in the morning and undressed at night takes me about 75 minutes. That is a challenge.

I’m left handed but …

Multiple sclerosis affects my left leg and now it is affecting my left hand as well. I do not have fine motor control so I’m clumsy. Trying to be right-handed ain’t easy, it instinctive to use my left hand. Holding a knife and fork in now confusing, should I hold the knife in my left hand or right hand? My writing is limited to a few words and it looks like a childish scraw, yet another challenge. Thanks goodness we have computers but I’m a slow one finger typist.

Impossibilities

Gardening is definitely off the menu. I cannot dig a hole in the ground or use a lawn mower, once again it’s the lack of balance that is the problem. I love gardening, instead I now tell gardeners what to do, at least there is not enough time to micro-manage them.

Another victim is driving. Its something I took for granted, double vision made me stop twenty years ago in 2005. At the time I was working overseas and I did not need a car. When medical retirement grabbed me in 2012, I really missed the freedom to get into the car and go shopping or just explore. Now there is no way I could drive, my eye-sight isn’t good enough and I haven’t got the bottle.