I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis in December 2008. This is my blog about my life living with the roller-coaster world of MS with a little humor and advice thrown in!

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Show Your Love

I read an interesting blog the other day that really stuck with me for some reason.  This daughter was shocked to discover upon her Mother's death that she (her Mom) had MS.   The mother hid it from her husband and children for many years so as not to be a burden.....

The daughter was hurt because she grew up thinking that her Mom was cold and distant.  Apparently the mom thought that she was doing everyone a favor by not doing things with the family that she wasn't physically capable of doing. Or not explaining why she couldn't.

Wow.  I guess I understand? No, not really.  I for one could never do that.  My family has given me the support, courage and drive to do everything that I am capable of doing right now.  

We don't talk much about my MS at home.  We all know it's there. No biggie. Taking care of my family and wanting to do as much possible with them makes me take care of myself. Reserving my energy when needed so I am able to keep up with them is important.  Sometimes I forget that but crazy enough someone else around me does and reminds me.  Just the same as I do for them.  Which I think is pretty cool. 

We are a family.  We take care of each other.  That's what families do. If your loved ones don't know what's going on with you how can they understand you?  And vice versa.

I would hate to think that one of my boys thought I didn't love them very much just because I let my MS dictate my life and they weren't aware of it.

Everyone handles things differently I guess.  I understand what that mom was trying to do, but my opinion is don't let MS or any disease keep you from letting those around just know how much they are loved.  

1 comment:

  1. Great post. I've had a similar experience myself. When I was diagnosed in 2012, I didn't tell anyone except my best friend. I myself wasn't ready to accept the diagnosis, let alone share it with my family. My mother has MS as well, and my father is her primary caretaker; I thought my diagnosis would be a burden for him. He knew I was having an MRI and that I had some numbness/tingling and weakness in my leg, but didn't know the specifics. When he finally asked me what was going on because he didn't believe "nothing" was going on (as I initially told him), he was appalled that I hadn't told him. His response was something to the effect of: "After all your mother has been through, I can't believe this is something you'd hide from me. If there's one thing that I would've expected you to learn, it's that family is always there for you, and will always be your best support system."

    Seeing this post reminds me that if I had it to do over again, I would've told my family from the get-go. They have become my most important support system through it all.

    Thanks for posting. Stay well :)

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