By Scott Cremeans
A friend told me one time that life is war. It is a battle between good and evil a fight between right and wrong. If that is the case, then multiple sclerosis is a beefed-up war on steroids AKA Solu-Medrol. This situation means that you should not go into battle with just anyone by your side.
You should load your ranks with individuals who will help with no hesitation or haste. You want positive and understanding people to back you. You need cohorts who are unquestioningly positive and can turn a bad situation into a funny story. Your quiver should be laden with supporters who in the depths of sorrow can make you cry out loud from laughter.
If negative human impacts are money, multiple sclerosis is a very rich adversary. I know that this is a pessimistic way to look at life. Some might say that it is even an extremely cynical outlook on life. No matter if you agree with the theory that life is war or you think that it is “kittens and rainbows” one part is correct. You need good friends to help with the defective times and share in the excellent times.
Sometimes in life you should not try to make it on your own as good friends make everything better.
After 26 of marriage and 35 years of professional work to build a retirement together my husband has decided that the “in sickness and in health” part of our vows doesn’t apply to him. To boot, not a hint of wanting to make sure I get what I need after a divorce. A fight over every penny. The toxicity makes me want to to run but I know I will need the money so the fight is on and my MS symptoms are raging. No friends or family to help but I look forward to peace, rest and becoming myself again. At 58, it’s hard when it all goes south but with the encouragement of the MS community and a couple really steadfast friends, I am standing strong and am able to be a friend to them. This is a tough disease but as the old saying goes “I’ll get by with a little help from my friends “.
Thank you for reaching out Floridagirl58, I’m sorry for the circumstances you’ve faced. It sounds like you have a strong will and good support network to help you through. If you’d like to add to your MS support community you can find others living with MS on MSAA’s online peer forum My MSAA Community, https://mymsaa.org/msaa-community/my-msaa-community-forum. There are many individuals here that are encouraging and supportive and I hope you continue to find strength in numbers and friends. Take care of yourself, Angel, MSAA Client Services Specialist