By: Matt Cavallo
There has been nothing routine about my schedule lately. Between traveling for work, the kids going back to school and everyday stress of life with multiple sclerosis, I am wiped out. My last flight was particularly exhausting. It seems that every time I travel, the airlines come up with new ways to delay my flights. This past one last week was a flat tire. Yes, a flat tire delayed me for two hours on a one hour flight to Santa Barbara.
That is the thing about life. There is relatively low predictability. Those of us living with MS love a predictable schedule, but the truth is that circumstances outside our control force us to adjust on the fly. The problem is that if we don’t keep up, we get left behind. So how do I manage to keep up with a busy schedule while dealing with a chronically fatiguing disease? Here are some tips that I use to make my hectic schedule a little more manageable.
3 Tips for Managing a Schedule with Multiple Sclerosis
1. Prioritize and Plan Ahead – Prioritize neurology, other doctor appointments or medical procedures ahead of time. There is limited availability for these medical services and spots fill up fast. If you know that you need a neurology follow-up, MRI, etc., plan six months ahead of time and book it. This will reduce the stress of trying to get an appointment at the last minute, which may cause the extra stress of having to juggle other items on your calendar.
2. Keep a Calendar – Whether electronic or paper, you need to have access to calendar reminders when planning your schedule. I cannot tell you how many times I have double booked myself because I did not refer to the calendar in my pocket. Using today’s technology will allow you to be prompted for important events or forecast possible conflicts. With MS you have enough to worry about, let the calendar manage your time, so you don’t have too. I know once I did, my stress of wondering what I had next was gone.
3. Let Go of what you can’t Control – This is perhaps the hardest lessen to learn. So you have prioritized, planned ahead and calendared an event. Then something unexpectedly flares up derailing your schedule. This is OK. It is bound to happen. Last week, there was nothing I could do about the flat tire on the plane. Some in the crowd went to customer service. Others went up to the gate agent. Most waited in some line for two hours asking questions about an event they couldn’t control. I sat in my seat and waited for the tire to be changed. After all, I would rather be a little late then try to land on a flat tire.
Living with multiple sclerosis is tough. It can be a chronically fatiguing condition that makes you feel like you are constantly trying to catch up with those around you. Don’t let your schedule contribute to your MS fatigue. Use my 3 tips for managing a schedule with multiple sclerosis. Remember to prioritize and plan ahead, keep an up-to-date calendar and let go of what you can’t control and you will find the everyday stress of keeping your time melt away.
*Matt Cavallo was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005. Matt is an MS blogger, author, patient advocate, and motivational speaker. Matt also has his Master’s degree in Public Health Administration. Matt is the proud father of his two sons, loving husband to his wife, Jocelyn, and best friend to his dog, Teddy. Originally from the Boston suburbs, Matt currently resides in Arizona with his family. To learn more about Matt, please visit him at : http://mattcavallo.com/blog/
