How do you describe a physical feeling that no one can see or experience but you? I deal with a lot of sensory issues in my new MS life. These “invisible symptoms” bother me every day in some capacity, but the severity isn’t always the same. I’ve talked a lot about the unpredictability of my…
A few months and plane rides after being diagnosed with MS, I realized I was missing out on an essential accommodation I could take advantage of at the airport: pre-boarding for disabled passengers. Over time since my diagnosis, I’ve learned that, depending on my energy levels that day, standing in one place for extended amounts…
I love going to shows and watching live music. There is something about experiencing live music that brings me so much joy and makes me feel truly present (now that I think about it, was I practicing mindfulness all this time??). Whether in a small venue, an arena, a coffee shop, or outside in a…
My husband and I recently celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary. After enjoying a delicious dinner, we looked at all the photos from our wedding and went through the awesome playlist made by our DJ. Listening to these songs and conjuring up the moment they were played, I thought about how lucky I am to have…
In the spirit of Halloween, the theme of today’s post is wearing a mask. We all have to put on a mask sometimes in our daily lives – whether it’s to get through a frustrating work meeting while maintaining professionalism or pretending to enjoy an activity to be polite. Perhaps your mask only needs to…
In November 2023, I attended the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) Annual Meeting in Chicago. I went to network and learn from inspiring women in the healthcare industry, but it was also a bit of a personal experiment: it was going to be the first time I went “public” with my multiple sclerosis diagnosis among strangers….
Food has always been an important part of my life. Growing up Italian American, most of my family time was spent in the kitchen or around a table. Many of my core memories involve a meal. I love cooking, but I don’t pretend I’m a professional chef. I don’t have knife skills or tons of…
I think there is a universal truth that everyone can agree on: Moving sucks. Moving sucks for everyone. There’s something so stressful about the entire process of moving, whether the move was expected or unexpected; whether you’re in a small apartment or a big house; if you’re going cross-country or to a different apartment in…
At a recent appointment with my neurologist, exercise came up. Not surprising as exercising is extremely important in managing multiple sclerosis. I asked, “What is the best kind of exercise for MS?” He said, “The best exercise is the one you enjoy doing and that you’ll do consistently.” I’ve heard and read this advice before,…
Last week, I had another MRI. Getting an MRI is really weird. I am not claustrophobic, so I am not scared of MRIs. Well, actually, I am scared of them…but not of going in the machine. I’m always a little scared of the results of the MRI, because what the test says determines what damage…