Sometimes I am lucky
Sunshine, looking out from the study
Sometimes I am lucky but suffering from MS is definitely not a matter of luck. The exact cause of MS is unknown but glandular fever is definitely linked to the development of MS. Many experts believe it is triggered by a combination of genetics and environmental. Certain factors increase the probability of being affected and these include life style, vitamin D levels and race or ethnicity.
OK then, lets agree that the chances of getting MS are not luck. In our family my father’s sister, me, my brother’s wife and their daughter had or have MS. Maybe our family is unlucky, who knows.
The day did not start well
The following story happened to me just recently. The heatwave at the end of May had just finished but it had left me feeling very tired and unsteady on my feet. I am determined to retain my own wobbly life and be independent as much as possible. Its much cooler now but just to get out of bed and dressed takes me an hour. My morning routine, cup of tea and breakfast then Peristeen, wash and shave plus a few exercises takes another 2 hours. These days, living with MS takes up so much time and energy.
I needed some cash
At about 2.30 I’m ready to venture down to the garage, get onto my mobility scooter and get some cash from the nearest ‘hole in the wall’ cash machine. Its a sunny day but there are some ominous black clouds on the horizon. I leave the house and promise Barby that I won’t fall over. Just outside the house there is a hydrangea plant and I remember that I must take some cuttings from it. Now is an ideal time of the year, Just put the cuttings into some water and when the roots develop transfer them into compost and let them grow.
Must not multitask
Thinking about the cuttings and not concentrating on my wobbly walking was unbelievably stupid, even by my standards. Before I could say Hieronymus Bosch I was sitting on my backside. How on earth could I be such a stupid ignorant twit. Falling over is incredibly easy for me especially if the path is a bit uneven and I’m thinking about something else. There was no way I could get back onto my feet on my own.
Getting help
Wherever I go my mobile phone goes as well, its almost my fifth limb. I immediately phoned up Barby and told her to bring out the wheelchair. That’s ‘Patrick speak’ for I’ve fallen over and need some help. Very luckily Meg, my oldest daughter, who lives in the main house was also in and she could help Barby. Between them they got me back onto my feet and into the wheelchair. Within a few minutes I was sitting safely in the bungalow.
Sometimes I’m lucky
Meanwhile the ominous dark clouds that had been on the horizon had moved to centre stage. They were big, black and blocked the sunshine. By now it was really quite dark and the weather had changed. The heavens opened, rain and hail plus a strong gusting wind. If I had managed to get out on my mobility scooter then I would be getting the cash just as the wind and rain came lashing down. Instead I was sipping coffee and eating a slab of cake indoors and I said to myself, ‘I might have MS but sometimes I am lucky’.
June 2026
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