I'm melting...

Or in medical terms, Uhthoff's Phenomena (heat intolerance).

Many people with MS experience a drastic sensitivity to increased body temperature.

Demyelinated tissues in the central nervous system can be very sensitive to even small increases in core body temperature, which results in nerve conduction delays or even conduction block.

This sensitivity can be exasperated by exercise, hot baths, emotion, fatigue, fever, or for me - Summer.  Ugh.

Any MS symptom can appear because of this, with the most common being blurring of vision after activity and overall physical weakness.

Avoidance is the best defense (yeah - tell that to my kids).

For now, I'll use my cooling neck tie (so ugly, but really helps), take lots of cold showers, and make room in the freezer for my entire self...

Only two months to go...

On Motherhood, at year-end

Sometimes I yell.  Sometimes my shoulders are tight with stress. 

Sometimes I have to take a deep breath and count to three.

I am mostly exhausted. 

And sometimes cranky.

And I never get enough sleep.

But you know what?  It's worth it.  Every moment, however tedious, tiring or repetitive they sometimes can be.

Because these tiny creatures are truly awesome.

And there are days, like today, where you stop just that little bit longer to look at your child's face.  To try and understand them just that little bit more. 

To see them as real people.  Important people.  People growing up in what seems like an instant.

Being proud of my boys is an understatement, for sure.  They have both accomplished so much this school year, have pushed past obstacles and uncertainties, and have come out on top.

I couldn't be a prouder, more sentimental Mom as I am right at this second.

(maybe that's the lack of sleep from a 4am kid nosebleed or the 6 Timbits I just scarfed).

Onwards and upwards for these two guys!



Preschool Graduation



Last day of Grade 2

MS fast fact - dysaesthesia

Or for me, the creepy crawlies.

Dysaesthesia, which means an abnormal sensation, can occur in any area of the body, depending on where central nervous system damage has occurred.  And comes in many forms - pins and needles, tingling, numbness, burning, wetness, crawling, itching, electric shock.  Not to be confused with loss of sensation, or reduced bodily sensation.  These are all common in MS.

Other than tingling and numbness, which are my biggies, the skin-crawling sensation is a common one for me.  It's not permanent, but it always affects me in the same area.

It starts on the tip of my nose and spreads across the left side of my face.  It feels like thousands of bugs are crawling across my skin.

Shudder.

Then it just stops.

And reappears whenever it pleases.

It's a good time to practice my nursery rhymes, I guess...