Slip-Sliding Away.

My father had the same version of MS as I do (or close to it) so I am lucky in the case that I have an idea what could happen if I am not aware and ready.  Still, things happen.  I've always been Mr. Dependable, the guy that my family and coworkers turned to to save the day, and I did have a pretty good score doing that. Now that my own brain has turned against me, the "Tom" in there is seeing that I am making serious mistakes, such as wiping out the checking account to pay bills that weren't due until April.  But that's what I did.  I pay the bills.  We had spoken with our financial advisor a day previous, and had seen we are in pretty good shape.  But we won't be if I continue to do what I was just expected to do (by me, and then everyone else). It's just another little slip.  My wife and I will work finances together from now on. I was used to and pleased to be "The Guy".  But MS takes my understanding, my ability to concentrate, and words.

There is a movie being released soon starring Julianne Moore called "Still Alice", about a college professor who develops early onset Alzheimer's Disease.  As the disease progresses, the family has to adjust to the changes in Alice as does Alice herself.  For those afflicted with the brain lethargy in MS, you know the loss of words (good side- sometimes you come up with a better word), and how hard it is to communicate.  Actually, writing on line at this second is the best way for me to talk to people, until I get to the Stephen Hawking level ( and yes, I know, he has ALS) (more parenthesis - Susannah Callahan's great book Brain on Fire posits that neurological diseases affecting the brain are all the same disease, just at different levels like bipolar then MS and further up the scale ALS).

This book:

Tomorrow, I'll see a urologist, my physical therapist, and my psychiatrist.  Everyone tries to help curb the slip slide, but in the end, it's always a solitary trip with helpers waving bye-bye.  So go make your favorite sandwich, watch an old movie, or go outside if the temperature where you are is higher that the seven degrees it is here. Hug someone or yourself, even.  Good job.

Coming soon: Maurice Raynaud's Phenomenon.