today, i had lots of gas

While in rehab, my doctor described having MS (despite your specific symptoms caused by relapsed lesions) as such:

Everyone is given a tank of gas when they wake up in the morning.  For most people, that tank of gas can be determined by how much sleep they got the night before, their diet, if they exercise…life decisions.  The better decisions you make, the more gas you have.  The more bad decisions you make, the less gas.  But overall, a person can gauge their day and their gas.

With MS, you have no idea how much gas you have in your tank.  You could have slept the suggested 8 hours, with your 30 minutes of exercises, 8 glass of water, with veggies and fruits.  And your gauge is for 2 hours of gas.  You just have no idea.  

I thanked him for the prep talk. (: 

But as the days go by, I realize the truth in his statement.  Some days I have 2-4 hours of “gas”.  Others, I have 6-7.   It just depends, like everything else with MS. 

Fortunately, today was a more 6-7 hours.  In other words, I had lots of gas.  Dont worry, it wasnt painful. (Sorry, I am immature sometimes.  I have 4 younger brothers, Im currently living at home with them…it comes with the territory) 

Here is all that I did today:

  • Went to TJMaxx, without the wheelchair (we forgot it…).  My last experience in this store, I had a major melt-down (due to heat) and almost lost it in the shoe isle.  Today, I survived for a “drive through” shopping visit.  I was able to purchase some lovely zebra print accessories for my room.  The hardest part was walking by the shoes and seeing some lovely summer heels…and realizing I wont be wearing those again.  I guess this is why God made me so tall to begin with.
  • Stopped at Starbucks.  Got the usual iced coffee.  <3 Starbucks.
  • Went to the pool for therapy.  The pool feels so good.  As long as Im in the water deep enough to be past my stomach, my balance and coordination actually work.  It was lovely to get some cardio and PT in.
  • Did a load of laundry. 
  • Vacuumed my room (try doing that with a crutch…its quite impressive).
  • Practiced OT by writing many thank you cards.
  • Took my disease drug management without the auto-injector…just to be empowered. (:
  • Biked 20 minutes on the recumbent bike.

And now, I crash.  Out of gas.  I’ll probably pay for all this productivity and energy overload tomorrow but it was worth it. 

I received some great amusement today from some lovely people!  As always, it brought a HUGE smile to my face.  Maybe this is why I had so much “gas” today. (:  THANK YOU!

Tomorrow, being the 4th of July, I hope we all can appreciate the true FREEDOM of our country.  Whatever your stance is, whatever “party” you associate yourself with, you have the right to fight for your freedom and your rights, even if that means against your own government.  You, me, we, are still Americans.  We are in this together.  Let’s start acting like it?

That’s my “let freedom ring” statement of the day.

I hope you all have a fabulous day!  I have a date with the batman tomorrow.  NBD.

Love, Eliz