Embrace the Journey: Age Gracefully , A Curated Blog

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How do you feel about aging? Are you still walking? Could you get up after falling? As we age, these concerns loom large. Problems with walking and falling are worse with Multiple Sclerosis. I’m happy to say that I’m still walking and enjoying living.

MS makes everything more challenging, especially aging. I got over being slow and needing help. Everyday I get to practice humility, gratitude, and tolerance. I'm even learning to be patient with myself. Thankfully, maturity helps everything. 

Don't fall! I was out 8 weeks

In my research about aging with MS, I discovered something really good! The immune system weakens, especially with Secondary Progressive MS, my type. Those destructive T-cells that cause lesions in the brain, get lazy and don’t work so hard. In fact, a trend in treating the disease is to stop drug therapy interventions sometime after age sixty. I have been off my drug therapy for 18 months.

The MS Society did a longitudinal study of patients ages 30 to 76. The anecdotal data in the article confirmed that my path with the disease is normal. It’s still hard to diagnose and the path is different for everyone. We all, MS patients, have widely varied symptoms, but almost all reported improvements in symptoms from doing exercise. 

Walking daily for 30+ years

Scientific data shows that over time, mobility is the symptom that declines the most. Think about it. Leg muscles are large and require lots of strength training just to remain functional. Besides walking, legs help us do simple things like sit, bend down to tie shoes or pick up something. Since MS works relentlessly to weaken muscles, we must work just as hard to keep legs strong. The aging process also works against us. We naturally start losing muscle mass starting early, like in our forties. 

My recommendation is start exercising now if you are not already exercising. It’s never too late and it may be the most important thing you do for yourself. A long time ago, a trainer told me to work my core and leg muscles everyday. I do but I’m still weak. 

PT Thomas keeps me walking

My Physical Therapist says that aging impacts walking and movement for everyone. Walking requires balance, strength and coordination. MS robs us of all three so we have to hit it hard! 

Did you know that aging also shrinks the brain. This undoubtedly impacts processing time, decision making, coping skills and emotional resilience. However, it’s well documented that exercise helps keep the brain nimble and sound. I exercise a lot daily - it’s the one thing I have control over. 

The older I get, the more I look and act like Mama

Let’s not forget the body changes that come with aging either. In my mind’s eye, I see a young me. When I look in the mirror,  I see more and more of Mama. I have her hair which is good, but I’m not so thrilled having her shape and body type. I feel the inevitable slumping shoulders, thick middle, and grumpy dispositions all lurking. We enjoy these caricatures in the comics. I will fight these traits from now on.

They grow up too fast! 

I love growing old is great but only as long as I  continue to be active. In fact, staying active is my job. Having MS complicates everything and makes it harder, but the rewards come in spades. When I exercise, eat well and do my therapies, I feel better and hopefully I look better. I can look forward to taking trips and playing with the grandchildren. The results show in my mobility, which has always been my primary indicator for well being with MS.