Information and opinions on Multiple Sclerosis from Shelly at MultipleSclerosisCentral.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365 http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365 http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/72819/highway Sat, 30 May 2009 09:55:54 -0400 Shelly Okay, this is my second attempt at this, because after 2743 characters typed in my sharepost yesterday, it ended up in cyberspace somewhere so I have to start over, but I am not complaining....   Starting over stinks, especially when I drop an almost full bottle of coffee creamer on my freshly mopped kitchen floor, due to lack of hand strength. Or, when I notice that I am not keeping up with my 22 students in kindergarten physically or... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/72819/highway http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/63124/spring Sat, 14 Mar 2009 15:33:35 -0400 Shelly Wow....I never thought it would get here. Teaching kindergarten day in and day out, just hanging on to those hopes of times of solace. I can say with pride that "I made it!" to spring break, which means a week to recover, rest and rejuvenate my mind and body.   Don't get me wrong--I love teaching kids. Unfortunately, this year has been harder than the previous, due to my MS and changing therapies and increasing leg issues. I have also met... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/63124/spring http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/54955/walkin Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:09:55 -0500 Shelly I used to be an active person. Playing volleyball, walking, riding my bike. I even bought a thing on TV called "The Bean" which was basically, well, a huge, blow-up bean-shaped ball to do crunches on. These days, that is the only thing I feel I am capable of, if, that is, I can get it from the basement where it sits and collects dust.   My legs are the reason I had to get a disabled parking permit. They are my biggest gripe these days,... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/54955/walkin http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/53286/though Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:03:44 -0500 Shelly I am usually a positive person, so my friends and co-workers say. Laying in bed this morning with stiff legs, thinking of tomorrow when my two children will wake up early (they promised they would let me sleep until 7:30, since they know the holiday will be brighter for all of us if they do), then heading to Denver to spend time with the in-laws that I haven't seen since my diagnosis, I began to think less than positively.   I won't lie.... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/53286/though http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/47546/day-ads Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:47:04 -0500 Shelly I am so not political. Yes, I am a republican and I did vote tonight after school. I just will be so thankful that soon the commercials will switch from candidate-bashing to once again talking about erectile dysfunction. I guess both types of commercials are equally annoying to me, since the political ones are primarily fiction and the latter doesn't apply, thankfully.   Just once I'd like to see an ad bashing this thing called MS. I... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/47546/day-ads http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/39004/finding Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:44:37 -0400 Shelly I turned 40 this month, and for my birthday I got a pair of really sweet shoes. I have always loved shoe shopping, but with my MS issues, I tend to steer away from trying on too many pairs, and focus on getting ones that will benefit my stability. Long story short, I have fallen in love with Keen hiking sandals, and even found a couple of pair on e-bay for less than the mall. They are ugly to some, but really grip the floor and prevent foot... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/39004/finding http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/33588/gotta Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:40:25 -0400 Shelly Remember when you were a teenager, young and naive? Everything is funny-- commercials, embarrassing moments, certain aisles of the grocery store.  I am nearing 40, and I can still laugh at some of the aforementioned episodes. However, I choose not to laugh at commercials about bladder control, embarrassing times when I have knocked over small children to get to a bathroom, and the store aisles that stock canes, bathtub seats and bladder... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/33588/gotta http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/31204/oops Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:07:34 -0400 Shelly Now that it is summer as far as my school calendar is concerned, I feel like I have a new swing in my step. Well, it's not really a swing, so much as I feel good and want to get out and about. I took my son over to a friend's house who was playing in the sprinkler in his front yard. I said, "Oh, it's a water day. Too bad you didn't bring your coat." To which my 12 year old replied, "Oh Mom, you made another one of those again." He knew I meant... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/31204/oops http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/30918/missing Sat, 14 Jun 2008 21:59:17 -0400 Shelly It was August of 2007 when I received the call that I did have MS. Wow. 39 years old and just starting a new job teaching kindergarten. I couldn't believe it. I have been journaling this first year, the ups and downs. In it I seem pretty up most of the time, but there are definitely down days, like when my legs don't want to work or I get nothing accomplished. When I think of the past, I miss it in a lot of ways. I am sorry that my kids have to... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/81365/30918/missing