5 Things Friday: Symptoms & More!

Who doesn't love a good list? This new series, 5 Things Friday, will just be various lists of 5 things. To make this seem cooler, I even made this:

Now that you're thoroughly convinced on the coolness factor, here we go! Since this is an MS blog, I'll start with an MS-related list. Since we are all not only our disease, I'll also throw in a more general about me kind of list.

Five MS Symptoms I've Experienced

1. numbness
2. assorted paraesthesia: tingling, itching, buzzing, etc.
3. bladder & bowel issues
4. foot drop
5. double vision

(unfortunately, this is not a comprehensive list, but a mere sampling)


Five of my Favorites

1. color: green (much to the dismay of my pink & yellow loving niece who tells me that I should not have green as my favorite color because "it's the color of POISON!")
2. movie: Life is Beautiful
3. music: In terms of genre, classical. If forced to choose favorite composer, probably Beethoven
4. book: I couldn't choose even if you tried to force me, so pleases don't try. It's hard to find a book that I don't like. I end up finding something to like/love in pretty much everything I read.
5. food: Thai. Mexican and Indian are runners up.

There you go. Now you know a few more things about me! Have a wonderful weekend!

Thankful Thursday: bloggers

I think a regular practice of keeping a gratitude journal or just taking time to reflect on things we are thankful for is an important part of living our best lives. And sometimes sharing these thoughts with others is a great means of spreading the love - thus, the Thursday edition of the weekday blog series I'm trying out.

What better topic for my first Thankful Thursday post than blogs and bloggers? There are so many wonderful blogs out there in web-land and I have far too many to ever stay on top of on several different topics. I'm amazed at the number of MS blogs out there and wish I had the time and energy to explore more of them. I have  found a handful, though, that I'm truly thankful for and I try to keep up with everything they write. I'll highlight just a few in this post and will highlight a few more next Thursday. If you aren't already reading the following blogs, you should be!

I am thankful for Lisa Emrich, the blogging superstar responsible for the big MS blogger list, the organizer of Carnival of MS bloggers, and author of Brass and Ivory. Lisa is such a great source of information and she stays on top of all the latest MS news. She also shares my passion for music and often posts great videos of fun or inspiring music.

I am thankful for Kate Wolfe-Jenson, artist and author and inspiration of Dancing with Monsters. I adore the way Kate thinks and writes. She often makes me reflect and think about things in different ways. I always leave her blog feeling inspired. I recently purchased her book and can't wait to dive into that as well.

I am thankful for Judy of Peace Be With You, the wonderful poet of haiku in triptych. I love the choice of medium and the way she fits powerful insights, images and emotions into 51 syllables post after post.

What are you thankful for on this lovely Thursday?

Wordless Wednesday: Joy

Tuesday's TaDa!

I like the idea of having some regular "series" on the blog, like yesterday's Magazine Monday where I'll discuss an MS-related tidbit I've read in a magazine. I have ideas for all of the weekdays, and I'll try to "premiere" them all this week. Then you'll probably see them here and there, but not every day and sporadic, occasional regular non-series posts will resume.

So, for Tuesday's TaDa! I'm going to celebrate a personal accomplishment by sharing it with y'all. I tend to put down or brush off my successes and I know this isn't always healthy. I don't want to brag, of course, but I think taking a moment to be proud of something is a good thing.

Today, my mom and I took an 80 minute walk along a lovely trail that we recently discovered. We're both trying to exercise more and work on fitness and general health. I'm also trying to lose some weight. I've been counting calories pretty consistently as well as trying to fit in more exercise. Exercise can be tricky for me, because most forms of it increase my nerve pain in my feet and legs. My neuro wants me in the pool every day since that won't aggravate the pain, but I'm not really much of a swimmer and don't have easy access to a pool. I've found that taking some preemptive meds before something like this vigorous walk helps mitigate the damage. I also find being in nature to be a great distraction from the pain. Anyway, I've lost about 20 pounds and I actually weigh what it says on my driver's license, my first weight loss goal. I still have a ways to go, but today I'm going to be proud of this accomplishment.

I've reached a weight loss goal and I'm exercising somewhat regularly, like today's awesome walk! TaDa!!!!!!!!!!

my favorite spot on this awesome trail

Do you have a TaDa to share? I'd love to hear about it!!

Magazine Monday: Violet Fruits

This blurb from the May issue of Self suggests that eating violet fruits like blueberries and plums could prevent MS because they prevent the production of hydroxyl radicals. Haven't heard this one before, so thought I'd share. It doesn't say so here, but I'm sure it can't hurt to eat them for those of us past the prevention stage...good thing they are delicious!!