MS Diary | Tuesday, 4/16/24 | National Healthcare Decisions Day

It's that time again. Time to review health insurance, discuss options, make calls, TALK about your health. 

I'm on ACA, Affordable Care Act, and pay about $12/mo for myself, wife and 1 daughter. It pays for my Dr. visits, most medications, specialists. It does NOT cover those expensive ass DMDs, Botox, DME. (At least, not the sky high wheelchairs despite RX or medical advice.). I don't choose my own doctors but I could if I upgraded from $12/mo to $250/mo. Nope. I'm not doing that.

I have auxiliary coverage for eyes, ears and dental. That one is $150/mo. I'd drop it but I need glasses and 2 wisdom teeth extracted. *sigh* 

Tribespeople, this ain't no life for the weak. Take your health seriously. 

MS Diary | Monday, 4/15/24 | DRINK WATER REMINDER 

It's National That SUCKS Day and I'm starting with high spasticity. That SUCKS but I do have good news.

Dehydration causes muscle weakness, spasms, spasticity and more. Before I get too crazy, I'll drink water. A LOT of water.

MS Diary | Friday, 4/12/24 | Married with MS

I don't wanna even try further explaining. It'd take too long. I'd jack up writing with side stories and complicated testimonials.

MS Diary | Thursday, 4/11/24 | Laugh and keep going 

We've all heard the saying. 

“Sometimes, you gotta laugh at yourself and keep going.”

That was me. Hell, that IS me. Damn near eeeeevveeery day. I'm swanging and banging with Multiple Sclerosis, working a full-time gig, building a University of Gratitude and these disabilities will throw shit off.

MS Diary | Wednesday, 4/10/24 | Spasm stories

Yoo. I'm finally there. 

If I reach with my arms, I spasm. 

If I turn my neck in bed, I spasm. 

If I push too hard trying to pee, I spasm.

I spasm so hard that my pants often split from the pressure. 

MS Diary | Tuesday, 4/9/24 | How UTHealth workout felt

Wow. Bro, I went so hard I was sweating! That felt good. I can't remember the last time I was able to move that much. My wife was flirting with me. (That hyped me even more.) My energy was up so the Baclofen didn't knock me out or make me drowsy. I'm gonna try doing this 3x/week.

MS Diary | Monday, 4/8/24 | Weekend wins & lessons

I spent the entire weekend on the couch. It was glorious. I slept late then sat on the couch. It prevented some nerve pain. *fist bump* It's less pain from pressure spots too. I'm grateful I didn't get hurt either. I fell from bed twice. Once, I fell into the corner of the office desk. That HURT but I didn't get hurt. I fell during a transfer. That dinged my pride but whatever.

MS Diary | Friday, 4/5/24 | Stop overpacking your bowls

I'm an avid cannabis guy. Blunts, papers, wraps, edibles, tinctures, pipes, oils, ointments, everything. 

I prefer pipes. They're cleaner, efficient and effective. What I must watch is my bowl size. If I pack it, it gets jammed, doesn't smoke as well, nor am I any higher for real. I'm just wasting cannabis.

MS Diary | Thursday, 4/4/24 | When self-care goes wrong

I did a 2nd consecutive day of self-care. I showered so I could apply fresh ointment on pressure spots. I used the baby powder to ease th4 chaffing. I sat on the much softer couch to relieve some pain from the wheelchair seating. I researched and bought something for the wheelchair seat seat cushion that's splitting. Hell, I drank more water than alcohol so I could hydrate too!

I didn't do anything physical. No yoga. Not a stretch. Didn't put feet up. None of that. 

I start Thursday with serious nerve pain. Spasticity, spasms, leg quivering, oh I'm hurting. *sigh*

It may not be related but I jumping in Gabapentin and starting my exercise NOW.

MS Diary | Wednesday, 4/3/24 | Self-care revelation 

Yesterday, I realized something MAJOR with my wellness. I know I'm not the only one.

I only self-care when I'm alone. I'm sick AF. I'm severely disabled. I'm riddled with bullshit, disabilities, limitations, chronic pain, explanations for doing nothing. Yet, here I am. Here, WE are.

I'm married. I refuse to collapse in front of my wife. No way. The intense crush I wield for her is my theme music of survival. I'm always going forward when she's around, grinding, building, working, believing. It's tiresome.

I'm a father so there's no rest. Noooo. How? When? Where? The kids NEED shit. The kids didn't ask for this bullshit, don't deserve to miss out over MY limitations. I'm earning for them, growing, learning, improving, sacrificing. It's exhausting.

When I'm alone, no wife, kids gone, fam and friends busy. That's when I slow down. That's when I sleep, rest, pay attention to what hurts. It's the only time I self-care.