Carnival of MS Bloggers #98

Welcome to the Carnival of MS Bloggers, a bi-weekly compendium of thoughts and experiences shared by those living with multiple sclerosis.

Eager Bladders, Fatalistic Humor, Caregiver Survey

I. P. Freely

by My Odd Sock

Nah, this isn’t about the work of legendary folk-lore author, I. P. Freely

It’s about bladder control pure and simple.  Or lack thereof in regards to many of us with multiple sclerosis.

You see, most of the time I HAVE bladder control.  This is about the times when my bladder controls ME!  Like a loyal dog to its master, when it goes–I go!

My problem usually occurs in the morning when my eyes are bloodshot and my bladder is brimming like a cup of Maxwell House.

I do my quickest spasticity-induced, “quasi-shuffle-foot drag” (Government moves faster!) into the powder room.  But it isn’t quick enough for my seemingly ping-pong ball sized bladder.

Typical view of preferred potty distance.

Vicinity when my bladder opens flood-gates.

Because my bladder likes to get a jump start on the day as soon as I cross the threshold of the bathroom.  (In Track & Field, this is known as a “false-start.”)

Needless to say, my day begins with damp UnderRoos.  (Stealing the slogan from Folgers….”The worst part of waking up is urine in your lap!”)

My sometimes accidental basement bathroom.

But the bathroom isn’t the only place where yours truly has had bladder issues…outside in the yard…in the basement…in the shower–wherever I suddenly find myself far enough away from the potty…and not enough leg umph to get me there!

My problem seems to occur when I wait too long.  Then, when it is too late–I have to go–and go NOW!

Luckily the urge has never struck when I have been in public.

I’m sure you can relate to urgency mishaps.  Do they happen to you?  Are you prone to have problems any particular time of day?  Ever have an accident in public?

Please share your story in a comment.  Your words will have me sitting on the edge of my (toilet) seat with anticipation!

So I doubt the work of I. P. Freely will ever match the popularity of a James Mitchener, Stephen King or J. K. Rowlings, but the impact of the author’s words influence nearly everyday of my MS filled life.

Why the long face?

by Andy of our lady of the multiple sclerosi

New Neurologist: The First Visit

 

Props: 

Projected Sign:  No Eating Nor Drinking While in This Office (We’ve had too many spills!!!)

Table

Eyeglasses

Hospital Gown

File and pen

Neurologist (writing): “Do you have any problems with your eyes?”

Me (seated – table): “Not yet.”

Neurologist (writing): “Do you have any problems with bladder, bowel control?”

Me: “Not yet.”

Neurologist (Removes glasses, looks up appearing exasperated already): “You really shouldn’t be so fatalistic. Any problems swallowing?”

Me (pausing): “No.”

Perfect Chicken Broth

by Whitney at Nutrisclerosis

Use 1 whole chicken don't forget the feet. Cut the chicken up, put the whole thing in the stock pot and just barely cover it with water. Add 2 Tbs. of apple cider vinegar and let it soak for a half an hour to an hour. The chicken should be truly free range, preferable raised by someone you had a face to face conversation with about it's eating habits (lots of grass, bugs, lizards, seeds, snakes, and corn with  no rat or mouse shit in it) and habitat. Also no hormones or antibiotics. I am very  much into finding delicious heritage breeds like Dorking or Rhode Island Red. Ok, moving on.

Bring to a slow boil all the while adding: a slice of lemon (I use the end about a third of an inch slice), 2 bay leaves, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup of fresh parsley slightly chopped, 1 or 2 carrots, 1 onion, 1 or 2 stalks of celery, 3-5 cloves of garlic crushed. Once it boils, turn down to low and simmer for 2 hours. Skim the scum.

After 2 hours take the meat off the bones and put the bones back in and simmer them for another 20 or 30 minutes. Turn the heat off, let it cook a little and then strain it and throw all the chunks out. That's it there's the broth. Don't skim the fat off it when it cools. Eat the fat, or skim it off and use it to cook something else. Or give the fat to me, I will use it. I use the meat in recipes, and usually freeze it. I also triple this recipe and make it in my giant zillion quart stock pot.

MS Caregiver Survey

I (Lisa) received the same following email asking me to post this survey in the Carnival, but Patrick went beyond the call of duty.  Read his post below and complete the survey before October 21, 2011.

[Patrick] Received an interesting email:

“Dear Patrick,

We, the Southeastern Institute of Research (SIR), are conducting an important research study on behalf of the National Alliance for Caregiving and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The study includes a survey that investigates issues related to caring for someone with MS and the needs of family and friend caregivers. Would you be willing to post a link to this important survey on caregivinglyyours.com? …”

 www.sirresearch.com/MScaregiver

For those who know me well, know I live and learn by questions. Noting a name and phone number at the bottom I called Heather Marron, Project Manager for SIR. She is indeed a real person and patiently fielded my questions.

More importantly I took the survey. It takes around 15-20 minutes though you can always save and return. It passed all scrutiny by my AVG anti-virus and anti-spyware defenses; ever the ‘doubting Thomas’ I also ran Spybot upon completion of the survey and it too found no prying eyes left behind. No name or contact information is requested, as anonymous and confidential as anything can be in this age.

Most importantly it really is an extraordinary survey. I’ve never seen anything like it and long overdue when it comes to trying to study us extremely diverse and unique MS caregivers.

“Responses will be combined with those of other caregivers and will be shared with the National Alliance of Caregiving and the [National] MS Society so that they can learn how to better meet the needs of those caring for people with MS.”

Please note you must complete the survey by Friday, October 21st and “for the purposes of this research study, caregivers are defined as family or friends, not professionally-paid caregivers.”

Of course if you have questions (and believe me I understand) Heather said it was fine to pass along her contact information: Heather Marron, Project Manager at SIR at hmarron@sirresearch.com or 800-358-8981 (ext 28) … or Anna MacIntosh, SVP of Research Operations at SIR at anna@sirresearch.com or (800) 807-8981 (ext. 18).

Take it and spread the word!
Caregivingly Yours, Patrick Leer


This concludes the 98th edition of the Carnival.

The next Carnival of MS Bloggers will be hosted here on October 13, 2011. Please remember to submit a post (via email) from your blog of which you are particularly proud, or which you simply want to share, by noon on Tuesday, October 11, 2011.

Thank you.

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