What have you learned?

What have you learned since your diagnosis? I’ve learned who my friends are, and more importantly who they aren’t! I’ve discovered I have very few. I’ve learned that of those people who told me if I needed any help to ask, not many of them actually meant it. I’ve learned that total strangers are capable of random, unsolicited but welcome acts of kindness. I’ve learned support can come from unexpected quarters and little or none from where I would hope or expect to receive it.

Hello Flowerpot

I am learning to accept more help, I am stubbornly independent.

I agree with you, it’s amazing how strangers can be so kind.

Patience…I’m still a work in progress though

I could go on but that will do lol

Hi Flowerpot

i have learned the same as you.

J x

Hi Flowerpot,

Much the same. I have also learned that my body and brain are more adaptable than I would have thought and that many of the odd feelings that I have are now accepted as normal for example the numbness and tingling. I even forget to mention some of the milder symptoms to my neuro as they don’t seem out of the ordinary any more …

I have learned to embrace the really good days and make the most of them as they are few and far between.

Tracey xx

hiya

i have learnt to be grateful for each day i wake.

i have learnt to practise patience.

i have learnt the bus drivers should run the country…

i have learnt to live in the moment.

ur last line sums it up!

ellie

Hi Flowerpot

I have learnt how strong a family unit I’ve got, and how accepting my three beautiful children are of the changes we have had to make due to ms.

Like you I’ve learnt who my friends are, and I’m lucky that most of my collegues are extremely supportive and seamlessly help me when the need arises.

I’ve learnt that no matter how hard it gets I can be a strong woman. (Especially when I’m on a mission!)

Freckles xxx

Morning all,

I’m kinda with Blossom on this one - I have always been “fiercely independent” (I take after my mother!) but am learning that I’m gonna have to ask for help sometimes. I’m still able to do some gardening and decorating, but think I’m gonna have to ask for help sometime soon (or employ a ripped gardener like off the diet cola ad!).

I too have learned of the kindness of total strangers. A lady saw me struggling with my walking stick trying to cross the road in the snow & ice last year and immediately took my arm to steady me across. On another occasion, when I fell up a curb crossing the road, a total stranger stopped and helped me back on my feet … while my (ex-)husband just stood and laughed! &

I’ve learned work colleagues are probably too embarrassed to sincerely ask “How are you doing?”. But then … I’m probably too polite to say exactly how I am! (I know they’re interested because on the rare occasion I bring up the subject they ask questions, but I don’t want to be seen to “go on about it”!)

I’m beginning to come to terms with the fact that I’m going to have to sell the family home we have lived in (and loved) for 21 years - a 3-storey house with a 200 ft garden don’t go well with MS, especially when you’re single.

But on a good note - I’ve learned how friendly, informative & therapeutic this site is!

Mainly I’ve learned “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!”

Emma x

Oh … just thought of another one.

I’ve recently learned that when you drop your head forward on to your chest, it’s not normal to get pins & needles in your fingers! All my life, I assumed this happened for everyone. Apparently it’s only reserved for people with MS!

Doh!

I’ve also learnt the same as you Flowerpot, I’ve discovered I have very few good friends, when times got hard it made it very clear, my so called close friends where no where to be seen.

And Snowflake-321, reading your post made me realise my pins and needles have become less when I drop my head down :slight_smile:

…and ive just discovered how to do smileys on here

lol

Hi Flowerpot!

I’ve learnt the following, since my diagnosis last year :-

  1. That absolutely nothing is worth getting myself all stressed out about- What will be, will be!

  2. To put myself first, for a change. Too many times, I thought first for others, before thinking of myself. I took on board too much.

  3. That my friends REALLY DO worry/ care about me. They’re a bunch of Mother Hens, but I’m very pleased to have them.

  4. I’m with Snowflake-321. That it’s not normal to drop my head to my chest and experience pins and needles in my thighs. I was like a ‘nodding dog’ just intrigued by the weird sensations!

  5. That developing a spastic left leg for 4 weeks on and off after training is not caused by nerve entrapment in my lower back.

  6. Most importantly, I’ve learnt to ’ Stay calm and carry on’.

Best wishes

Tracyann x

lol “like a nodding dog” I did the same until it started to freak me out! The pins & needles travelled down my neck into my arms

Hi Minnie_mouse!

I kept saying, " Guess what? I get pins and needles, when I do this. Do you get it too?

Answer was always “No. But then, you’re just weird”.

Good that we know why we experienced it and, most importantly that we can still laugh about it.

To be honest I didn’t find it that funny, the pins and needles from my head drop it was partly what got me diagnosed, but I saw your comment and it did make me laugh It was a strange feeling so I did it more lol

To be honest I didn’t find it funny until I saw your comment, the pins and needles from my neck drop was part the reason how ended up getting diagnosed. But your comment was funny, I use to do it just because it felt weird lol

this is the third time I’ve wrote this, if it doesnt work, laptop is going out of the window!!!

To be honest I didn’t find it funny until I saw your comment. The pins and needles in my neck drop was part the reason I got diagnosed, last year. But your comment was funny, made me laugh I use to do it, just because it felt weird lol

I’ve learned to never give up.

To keep active with Neurologist and MS nurse. (stay intouch)

I’ve learned to listen to others and see how they do things and didn’t do things.

I’ve learned to don’t rely on anyone but yourself.

I’ve learned if you have real friends in real world MS circle who don’t annoy you keep them lol

I’ve also learned to get involved with something if you don’t like your local branch there could be another one

that works few miles away which leads to new friends, invites and more social things.

Oh and try to learn new things in my case sailing with Sailability great fun and it can spin off to more friends and

more going out.

I’ve also learnt (though some won’t agree) denial is great and can keep you going and motivate you.

Embrace denial

this is the 4th time ive tried to send this, lap top will end up out of the window!!!

Honestly I didn’t find it funny, until I saw you comment. The pins and needles is partly how I ended up getting diagnosed. But you comment was funny and it did make me laugh :slight_smile: I use to it coz it felt werid lol

I’m great at the “denial” but shouldn’t we be accepting all this? lol

LOL @ window

Pfffft Nah