MS MuSings
Monthly Online Magazine
by and for those with MS,
Multiple Sclerosis
Issue 119,
August 2009
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MS MuSings Monthly Online Magazine by and for those with MS, Multiple Sclerosis Issue 119, August 2009
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Tables of Contents Other Monthly Please Visit
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Playing this page: Wind Beneath My Wings This is Page 1 Click on the Name in the Grid to See the Person of Your Choice
I still need updated biographies and pictures from many of our contributors. Please get them to me as soon as possible so you'll be included in our Gallery.
Editor: Car, (Carolyn Reynolds)
I was diagnosed with MS in March, 1997. It had taken five years to get to this diagnosis, and I was told I was lucky because doc had thought it was cancer of the spine all along. I have been married for over 35 years to Roger, and we have two children, Emilie who is married with three of her own, and Michael, who married in Oct. 06 a lady with a little girl, so he is now a daddy too! I had gone back to college when my children were in Jr. High and hadn't been teaching too long when the symptoms showed themselves. I managed to get in nine years teaching and left this profession with such a heart filled with emptiness. I had been doing some presentations around the state and saw myself in this role along with the teaching itself. I spent the first year of my "retirement" in such despair until I found an MS chatroom and some truly amazing friends. These friendships helped see me through my retirement process and the Social Security process. I owe these friends many thanks. But I was still empty on the inside. Where was the rest of my life going? I've always liked to write, and did some of that for a local newspaper. I had a couple of stories published in an area publication, and I knew I loved to write, especially poetry. Always I had wished for the time to do some writing, and now that I had more than enough of that time, why wasn't I doing the writing? An idea came to mind. . . .all of these intelligent creative people I'd met online, what could I do that could involve many of us? I knew absolutely nothing about anything on the internet other than how to log on, what and how could I possibly do something on it? The son of a dear friend had just taken a job working in technology and was very savvy himself about the internet and its strange ways, so I asked for his help. He said yes, and helps me to this day get this magazine online. I am now over 50 years old (and think I'll stop counting), and if not for the MonSter who continues to waltz through my life with me, I'd say I don't look or feel 50. I enjoy every moment of every month that goes into the publication of this magazine, and I treasure each of its contributors. Thank you, my fine and talented friends, for keeping this little dream of mine alive and well month to month! To email Car: carreynolds0291@sbcglobal.net
About the Author: Bill is retired, but works tirelessly for the new MS Group in the Seattle area that he founded. He is the father of seven and grandfather of ten. He has been a regular contributor to this magazine since its start.
MS has taken away many things from my life, but it hasn't taken away the most important things. It hasn't taken away what is in my mind and heart, two things that make up what a person is! I know I can't control some of the things that happens to me, but I can control how it will affect me and how I can grow from it. I believe to live life as best as I can today, and tomorrow will be a better day! A simple view at a complicated life!
Life is Better
With A Smile! :-) Tony Tony and wife Robin live in Alberta, Canada and very much enjoy doing things together. Before retiring, Tony was a CAD (Computer Aided Draftsmen) Operator. He now enjoys being on the computer and taking pictures. He has been a contributor to the magazine since its first issue. Reach Tony by email to comment: a_r_bene@shaw.ca
About the Photographer: Ralph and wife and sons live near the Rocky Mountains. Ralph enjoys photography, and sends pictures here monthly to use in the magazine. They have two sons, and enjoy the part of the country in which they live. Please visit their website to see a wider range of Ralph’s skills with his camera. Reach Ralph by email: http://www.geocities.com/rtrc4_1999/
Holly,
Columnist , Writer
I was diagnosed with MS in May of 1991 but had symptoms for at least 5 years
before they knew what was wrong. I was a hair stylist and just could no longer
work due to my symptoms. For 5 years I was a MS Support Group Leader and volunteered for the MS
Society and the Government Relations Committee for better health care. Believe
it or not you can fight city hall and win sometimes. I am married, have 2 grown children, 4 grandchildren, and one great
granddaughter born September 2007 and all of my family live VERY far away from
me. So my daily life consists of my husband and our lovely 11 1/2 yr. old Golden
Retriever, staying in touch with my family and our friends and pursuing my
interests as my health allows. My husband retired in April of 2006 so we have started that new chapter of
our lives. Actually the whole year of 2006 brought many changes to our lives.
The biggest was losing my Dad my last parent. We live in the Pacific Northwest which has the dubious distinction of the
highest number of people with MS anywhere in the world. Why no one seems to
know. It must be tied in with the weather somehow? I am allergic to all the MS drugs so have to fight this with diet, exercise,
rest and keeping my mind very active. I don’t know what type of MS I have there
seems to be a difference of opinion on that. It has though remained fairly
stable with the first few years doing the most damage. I have not seen a
neurologist in many years for there is nothing they can do for me; so far my
other Dr’s have taken care of me. But my biggest problem seems to be my back with its problems and the pain and
discomfort that causes. Newly diagnosed with mild heart problems but on meds for
that actually help. Then the heat of summer which is brutal on me and add in
hearing loss from MS, so this is what I deal with. I am now the big 65 WHOA!!
I was born in New York, had my childhood in Europe (my dad was a pilot), my
teenage years we lived in California. I have now lived in the Pacific Northwest
for 37 years. I have been writing for MuSings for about 7 years now, and it has given me
great and wonderful friends and has been a delightful and helpful experience.
The biggest thing I have found is that when we interact with others who have MS
we find we are really not so different than anyone else who has to deal with
health issues. Also, we definitely cannot go down this path alone…….so don’t
even try. Writing is an excellent way to go down this MS road.
Here I am at Ground Zero, my first visit in 5 years. From the Author: “Hi there! I'm Luis M., 59 years old, retired teacher and having MS for about 28 years, the last 10 as chronic progressive. I need help in order to survive from one to the other. My only and beloved PCA is my wife of 38 years, wonderful, intelligent woman I just adore. . .During her hours at work I keep myself busy with the pc, ham radio, my call's N2GKI, used stamps with interesting cancellations, reading specially novels by F.Paul Wilson and now I have an added happiness in my life, my 8 months old grandson Joshua Jude whom I visit every other week and spend quality time watching him discover the surrounding world. My wife and I have three grown children, Emmanuel is a lawyer and works in NYC, Andrew is an artist painter-restorer working at the National Gallery in Washington DC, and my daughter, she teaches in a Public school in Manhattan to children with developmental difficulties. I fell in 1946-47 while going to an errand. Hurt my
left knee and about 6 hours later I had high fever and was unconscious.
The drs.(?) said either Polio or Tetanus, let's hope for the first. I was
treated and my mother became my PT and within 6 months I was walking again
BUT with a skinnier left leg and a very weak left knee.Needless to say I
am happy the definitive diagnosis of PPS was made! I lived over 50 years
IN DENIAL of having had Poliovirus."
My name is Cheryl, I am 35 years old. I currently reside in Michigan with my husband of 16 years and my four children (ages 15, 10 and 4 and infant). Spacing them that far apart seemed like a good idea at the time..... lol.. I was dx'd in November of 1999 with R/R MS and have been using Avonex to fight the MonSter ever since. I'm not crazy about the shots, but I consider them the best weapon I have at my disposal right now until something better comes along. I imagine every shot is a severe punch in the gut of the MonSter! I love spending time with my family and friends when I'm not on the computer :o) (Which according to my husband, is a rare occasion!) Being diagnosed with this disease has created many changes in my life, I have to admit most of them for the better. Finding that I have MS has been a very rewarding experience for me, and I would not exchange the friends I've made or the lessons I have learned this past year for anything less than a cure for every single one of us! To my dear, dear friends...I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Deanna with Grandniece, KKKKatie!
I am a very lucky lady! I have a wonderful hubby, Dave, whom I write about all the time. He's a workaholic and a man, so a great supplier of angst for me to write about. In reality, he's my rock and I love him dearly! I have 2 kids...Zach and Zarah...more fodder for my musings! They are great kids and wonderful human beings! I am enjoying them immensely! I got a huge extended family, too, and I know I'm rich in that respect. And friends...I've met some of the most amazing people through this magazine! Car and Strat and Cher and...well..look at the party pics! ALL of them are the nicest people you'd ever hope to meet. I live in a lovely little valley and I gotta tell you i can just look out the windows of my sunporch and get inspired. Anyone with writer's block...come visit! We'll set ourselves up with coffee or cool drinks and push open the windows for a little aromatherapy and relax and soak in the vibes. Trust me! I am a lucky lady! Reach Deanna by email: annnieM@starband.net
About the Author: Gaz thinks of himself as "easy-going," but I know for a fact that he is now an elected official in his city. Gaz lives in Australia with his wife, and is the father of three children. He was an elementary school physical education teacher. He stays in touch with youth now days by tutoring and coaching from his walkabout. Gaz was one of the torch bearers for the Olympics in Australia, a true honor that was bestowed upon him. To reach Gaz by email: starrgh@tpg.com.au
Message from Gaz: “Car, have attached a photo of my mate.. Kym Freeman who wrote the poem I sent you. I will give you a little background that you might be able to use.” When I asked Kym if I could use this poem his reply was simply… “yes mate you fellas are in your own prisons with MS.” Kym is a talented poet as you can see from this poem, but he is also a talented artist and musician. I enclose a photo of the Cowra Bridge that Kym has painted aboriginal motifs on as a gift to Cowra. He comes from Northern Queensland and lives with his wife Trish just outside Cowra. One night he turned up at my home with some 'gumbi gumbi' which is aboriginal medicine in the hope it may make me feel better. We drank a toast to each other and yes I did feel better but it didn't cure the MS. I am proud to call him my mate.
To Reach Kym, email Gaz at the address following his biography. From the Editor: Please see the poem by Kym in the April issue of the magazine and another in a more recent issue. They are very powerful and beautifully written. I do hope to get some more of Kym’s poetry in the future to put here in the magazine
2008 Women's Retreat Friday night into Saturday It is time to update my profile. Tomorrow Febuary 1, 2009, my Bill will have been gone for four months. I think it is time for me to realize he's not coming back and I really am on my own. I have lived with MS since August 20, 1973. I use a walker, wheelchair and scooter. I am alone now and still wondering how I am surviving by myself? Somehow, I have gotten super strength, I work every other Friday, I go to exercise and horseback riding and out with my friends for either lunch or dinner. The most important thing is that I write for the Musings and through the Musings I was able to write my book "I have MS, It doesn't have me!" The Musings have given me the best friends and support any person could want. I am grateful for all the friends who have been here for me. It's time for me to Move On to the next phase of my life!
Reach Jan4ever by email: jhbnaples@comcast.net
Reach Car by email to comment or to submit: carreynolds0291@sbcglobal.net
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