RE: What it is like to have TM?

Lindstrom, Ann (annlindstrom(AT)lucent.com)
Wed, 6 Jan 1999 22:46:48 -0800

OK - I'll add some thoughts:

Being able to walk, but walking is painful:
Finding no place to sit when you are exhausted
Having a handicap sticker and parking in handicap spot and getting
that look
Trying to explain to friends and family when you can't go on any
further
Not being able to find the brakes when you are driving and your feet
are numb (add to this that I have to drive over a mountain to go to
work......)

Having TM in general:
Having that niggling fear that its really MS
Almost hoping that you do have MS, cause then people would
understand easier what is going on
Trying to find a way to do the things you have always loved, even if
you have to be creative to do so
Learning that there are some things that you just can't so anymore
Knowing the price you are going to pay if you get too tired
Having to explain what my disease is to mystified health
professionals

Knowing, thanks to the net and Jim Lubin, that you can always reach
people who care and understand
Being forever thankful for a loving and concerned spouse and family
who try to understand as much as they can
Having three great dogs who love me whether I'm sick or healthy

Wow - one could go on an on - I'm finding this pretty theraputic!
> ----------
> From: Alton[SMTP:A.Ryder(AT)ix.netcom.com]
> Reply To: A.Ryder(AT)ix.netcom.com
> Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 1999 7:14 PM
> To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Cc: Sarah0069(AT)aol.com
> Subject: What it is like to have TM?
>
> This topic was inspired by a phrase in a note by Sarah0069(AT)aol.com. In
> my mind I see a several cartoons:
> .................................
>
> Being in a wheelchair and:
>
> confronted by a path with a vacuum
> cleaner hose across it.
>
> looking up at a store item on a high shelf
>
> having messy hands with the sink and rags
> on the other side of the room
>
> learning (when you have no time to spare)
> that the only toilet around has a stall
> door too tight for the chair
>
> looking down and realizing that the catheter
> bag fell off and was ruptured by the chair
>
> Being on crutches and:
>
> walking into a store with a slippery
> floor (someone moping the floor?)
>
> trying to find a parking spot that has
> no ice where you will step when you get
> out of the car [recent & not funny!]
>
> heading to checkout with something
> tucked under you chin [in a store
> that has no shopping carts]
>
> .................................
> OK, I've tossed out a couple. Anyone else
> care to take a turn?
>
> Alton, who had a wry grin while typing these
>
> OK, an irritated grin
>