Embrace Your Destiny: Time Travel Back

Taken in 2019 in Arizona

I thought it would be fun to travel back in time to talk with young me. Here is some of our  conversation:

“Hey young Judy, do you recognize me? You will be me in twenty years. Sorry about this diagnosis of MS you just received. I remember feeling sad and like my life was over. It’s not! Would you be interested in a few take aways from my experience managing the disease?
 

Acceptance is really hard. My number one take away is: come to grips with the new you. You are the same, but different. You have an insidious, debilitating disease, but that doesn’t change who you are. You are the same person who has a few limitations. It’s like an “Identity Crisis”. I call this part of the my journey the “Self Discovery” period. Does that make sense?”

Young Judy 1986

Young Judy said, “Yes it does! I feel like I’m floundering in deep water. Occasionally, I come up for air, but then I get sucked back under. I’m scared, confused and overwhelmed with emotions and anxiety. That darkness is bad.”

“I remember that. Understanding your new self is a process and takes time. I learned I had to slow down. I couldn't do as much because I got tired quicker. Everything from movement and thinking to processing information took longer. Once I accepted that, things got better. I even discovered that people are very tolerant and want to help me. Look on that as a good thing!

By the way, you are taking one of the MS drugs, right? You need the drugs because they slow the progress of the disease. But, there are many other therapies you can do to minimize your symptoms. What symptoms bother you most? You may have symptoms you aren’t even aware of yet.”

Young Judy became very thoughtful on this question. Finally, she said, “I have a lot of headaches, stomach issues and my joints don’t work right. I fall a lot because my walking is unsteady and  awkward. My foot and ankle motions is the worst. My ankle joint feels frozen. My biggest worry is my mind slipping. I have trouble focusing and often get lost in the details. Indecision and confusion keep me company. Does it ever get any better?”

Rest and water after a long walk

I said,“Yes! Take away number two: Anything is possible if you want it bad enough. Your new job is to manage your symptoms. Expect to spend lots of time and hard work on it. Be patient, persistent and open to new ideas. Also, don’t believe everything you read.

For example, you know that heat makes you weak. That's true for walking outside in the heat and sun. I find it debilitating especially in high humidity. What I didn't know is that some heat is tolerable. I tried Bikram hot yoga and discovered that infrared heat is tolerable for me. I could do that ninety minute workout in the hot room just fine. I would have missed out on this amazing therapy if I had never tried. That frozen ankle? It’s fixed. Hot yoga started the healing process for that problem and many other joint and physiological issues. If you are willing to put in the time and effort, little bit by little bit, you will see improvement. By the way, who supports and encourages you?"

 

Family dinner out in Coral Gables, Florida

Young Judy jumped right on this topic. “My best supporters are Donnie and Liz. My quilting friends at church have been very encouraging too. The rest of the family is good but they are far away."

 

“That’s take away number three: You need a whole team of people to help you. I have people who give me different therapies. Some therapies  like massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic, I do monthly. My juice lady, and piano teacher work with me weekly. Other team members challenge me to venture into new mind spaces. This includes Toastmasters, Memoir writers and my French teachers. Family and friends are my cheering team that encourage me to keep doing and trying. You get the picture. I am a work in progress! You are too.”

Juices for the diet

Young Judy got it! She said, “I will try to speed up my self discovery period. I can tell that's important. Thanks for coming back with these three take away. This has been a boost and change of perspective. I don’t mind doing the work when I see even small results.”

“Good fortune and safe journey to you, Judy! You will feel better, think better, and perform better in time. Read my blog posts for more specifics on everything productive I do. It’s at judymanagesms.blogspot.com.