Tuesday, August 3

Public speaker on MS, medications, heat, and diplomas

Last evening Rosalee and I drove to a golf course club house to listen to a man, about 45 years old, a Professional PGA Golf player, who has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He still plays Pro golf and says it's because of his positive attitude and faith in betaseron that he can do it as if he doesn't have MS. For the most part though, he plays in tournaments that are hot, but in places where the heat is dry. I spent about 10 minutes outside this afternoon in 100 degree (F), humid weather. Walked over to the the shed next to the house by walking around Annabelle's small yard. Plus I emptied the two cat-litter boxes, sprayed them out with the hose, and put some plastic bags in the trunk of the car. Although I didn't have any trouble doing all that while pretending I don't have MS and can be like a normal, healthy person, I started feeling nauseous after I got back in the house. Granted, that could've been caused a little by the fact that I hadn't eaten anything since about 8:30 this morning (it's now 4:05 in the afternoon). Not to mention the 100 degree heat here is humid. But "allowing" myself to NOT do things just because I've been TOLD I have MS is, according to Mr. Profession Golfer/Speaker who's sponsored by Bayer Pharmaceuticals , NOT an option. Wife and Daughter tell me that I shouldn't think that way in this heat because, "even a healthy person shouldn't be out in this heat for very long". So now I've got myself a conundrum. Admit I have it, or do what I want, when I want, for as long as I can, thus, you know, challenging the disease/myself into believing that this body is healthy? In other thoughts... I wonder why it is that when companies sponsor these events and have a free meal, that it's always a buffet. You're bringing people who have trouble walking, using canes, wheel chairs, electric scooters to get around, who have MS which is notorious for causing walking problems, that they feel it's OKAY to make them stand and sit in line to get plates of food and glasses of drink to carry back to their table. I mean, What Were They Thinking?! Can only assume that they assume that the person with the ailment will have a caregiver to get their food for them. Other than that, I don't get it. In hindsight I wish I would've asked him if he has spoken to Bayer about making their medicine affordable to EVERYONE, and not just well insured or rich people, or for people who happen to find out they offer assistance to very low-income people. Which he didn't, nor the Bayer representative, mention at all last night. *shrug* In case you're wondering, most medications for MS are given via needle-injection and cost 1,000 dollars a month or MORE. We can't afford any of them, Medicare doesn't cover them, so we have Low-Dose Naltrexone capsules made that only cost $50 every 90 days, and so far I haven't needed any other medicine for it. Other than ones that ARE covered by Medicare and Prescription D coverage. The night was capped off after we got home by finding out that DD-17/18 made supper for her and her brother (14/15), did the dishes (by hand), organized the bathroom towel rack, and started the laundry. We're very, VERY proud of her! So this evening we're rewarding her by taking her (and us) to Pizza Hut for supper.
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These are pictures of our daughter's diplomas.
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three diplomas on the wall
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2 comments:

Lee said...

Maybe MS people who listen to the speaker are supposed to use all that "positive thinking" to wish away their symptoms in time for the buffet line? Personally I am always a wee bit suspicious of seminars put on by someone who has a vested interest, like the drug mfr. I do think that living life as fully as possible as long as possible is a good choice for all of us, but I think for everyone that fullness will be different.

Todd said...

He said that if we got nothing else from the talk, that a positive attitude would be a good thing.