Why Should This Upset Me?!

It happened (again) a few days ago when a casual acquaintance called me and asked me if I was alright "the other day?" It just so happened I was having a HORRIBLE day, with dark, depressive thoughts and bad imbalance and unsteadiness that lasted all the way into dinner time where I proceeded to cough, gag and choke on clear liquids and salad. I was miserable that day and a couple of people that morning picked up on it.

I didn't want to explain myself

This aforementioned acquaintance gave me a hug and asked if I was okay to which I replied yes. I know that by now most of you are getting why I answered this way and where I'm going with this.

You would be right. I answered this way because I did not want to have to give a long or even short explanation of why I was feeling the way I was (when I don't even understand it myself! You know what I mean!) PLEASE don't make me feel as though I have to give you a reason for the moodiness, the darkness I feel at that moment, or try to explain that I am trying to bring my eyes, torso, and legs all into alignment so that perhaps they can coordinate with each other and act in unison!

It's not the flu, it's MS

So anyway yesterday I got a call from this same concerned lady who happens to be very sweet by the way and has been through a whole lot herself, and she feels bad because (she said) I gave you a hug and here you probably had to go throw up. What!?

I told her that no, it wasn't the flu or anything like that. That it was the MS to which she replied, "I know... my neighbor, or sister or cousin or someone has it." I don't know exactly who it was because by then I quit listening.

It really upset me

But it really did upset me and I'm not sure why it should anymore.

So often I have been asked why are you dizzy or nauseous to which I reply, "I'M NOT!" MS is not the flu, it's not a cold, it's not something that you can take an over the counter medication for and in a few days you'll be just swell!

Caring enough to educate yourself

I just wish that these people who know someone with MS would really get to know them better and ask questions and then better yet, would do a bit of research on the subject.

When I was first diagnosed, the first thing my mother-in-law did was to get online and research. That was the biggest compliment I could have been paid! She was the only one that took the time to do that and I remember thinking... how great is that! That she would care enough to educate herself on the subject? It's one of the best things you could possibly do.

Thank you, Betsy!