Life Interrupted

Hello everyone,

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Please join me on the Living With RSD show. Friday at 12 noon east/ 11 central/9 am pacific. The host, Trudy Thomas, is a very good friend of mine who deals with chronic pain among other issues. I hope that you will join us as we discuss how chronic illness affects one's relationships. I know that it's going to be a fantastic show.

Trudy is the one that got me involved with taking Low-Dose Naltrexone (ldn) which has proven to be beneficial for reducing and eliminating some of my MS symptoms. Like me, maybe you to can say goodbye to MS related fatigue. Learn how and where to get your ldn Friday.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thematrix777

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thematrix777

Call in number is 347-884-9691

Blessings,

ChrisChris

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As most of you know I have taken Betaseron, Avonex, Novantrone and most recently Copaxone. Last November I stopped taking Copaxone after six years of injecting on a daily basis. After much research and discussions with others who have had MS for years to decades on the Patients like Me Website (PLM), I had decided to begin treatment with LDN, Low Dose Naltrexone.

After taking this drug at an extremely low dose of 1.5 mg for three weeks followed by taking 3 mg for three weeks and now about to achieve the maximum 4.5 mg of the low dose of LDN I wanted to share that which I've noticed and experienced.

I've certainly noticed a complete elimination of MS related fatigue except during the hours of five and 9 PM. 2 PM to 9 PM has always been my weakest and worst part of the day regarding neurological function.

I have been able to ride my stationary bike for a period of 30 to 45 minutes every day without suffering from fatigue afterwards. I was not even able to use the bike prior to the LDN.

I am able to use my walker for a little while every day (during the morning) something that was unheard of prior to the drug. I have been using a wheelchair 98% of the time for close to seven years. So this is an improvement I'm hoping to see continue.

I do stand much more easily. I stand straight and I feel safe when on my feet. On regular basis I am now doing approximately 50 squats and 20 calf raises to strengthen my legs every day.

I'm looking forward to beginning the new dosage of 4.5 mg of LDN tomorrow. I hope the improvements continue because my goal is to begin on another drug called Prokarin. which like LDN Is not a mainstream medication prescribed by most neurologist for MS because there are no clinical trials that show that they work. The lack of clinical trials as a result of the pharmaceutical companies keeping these inexpensive drugs out of the news. That's my feeling anyways.

I recommend you Google the term Prokarin and MS. I think you'll be happily surprised. I have spoken several times with the nurse that has the patent on the drug Prokarin. Her name is Elaine Delack. Elaine has been interviewed on our blog talk radio show “winning life through pain” listen to the archived show at www.RSDcoachlive.com . I believe the show was during January of 2010. Check it out if you can. Prokarin seems to eliminate many of the symptoms of MS. Some of them pretty major symptoms, so I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

Both of these drugs will require a physician's prescription. This may not always be easy to attain so you have to search for a doctor. There is a doctor in Pennsylvania who did my consultation over the phone and orders the compounded prescription from Skips pharmacy in Florida. I'm likely to do the same thing for the Prokarin prescription.

I hope that you are doing well. Check out www.patientslikeme.com for the LVN and Google Prokarin and MS. Good luck and best wishes,

Chris

Whether we are looking at an age group of 18 to 25-year-olds or society as a whole the effect of positive thinking is enormous. Scientific studies show that positive thinking reduces stress and anxiety, improves health and allows us to enjoy life more.

Every individual chooses between optimism and pessimism. From my real-life experiences dealing with depression, a loss of self-esteem and a pessimistic outlook towards my own future, all of which were a result of my life being interrupted by multiple sclerosis a chronic illness and my resulting disability is proof of how having a positive attitude can improve one's life.

As I have stated time and time again in my book Life Interrupted, It's Not All about Me__ stress and pessimism can cause many health problems and reduce overall well-being. I once lived through this scenario so I know it to be true. There are medical studies that show that positive thinking and optimism have had possible health benefits such as:

Increased lifespan

Increases resistance to the common cold

Lower levels of depression

Lower levels of stress

Better coping skills during of hardship and stress

Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease

Life is difficult at times, but it's necessary even critical to find the bright side of every situation. As the saying goes, "when life gives you lemons make lemonade".

As an MS survivor, I stay encouraged through speaking and providing comfort and encouragement to others. By engaging in this process, which provides me with a purpose and a sense of self worth I receive encouragement, knowledge, joy and the abundant blessings that are new friendships. In a way it's tangible proof that my illness has made me a better person today than I was, before I was diagnosed.

In my own way I have become an MS- life coach, which is perfectly fine with me. After all, living with this disease for 30 years has given me the hands-on experience necessary for the process of helping and ministering to others living with this disease. I welcome your friendship and questions. Drop me a line anytime at duketate@aol.com

Blessings,
Chris

Over the years I have tried most of the pharmaceutical disease modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis. In the early 90s I was injecting Betaseron, but after 10 months of miserable flu-like side effects I put an end to that. I injected Avonex for the last five years of the 90s. In the new decade I tried IV Novantrone for several months before it caused complications with my heart muscle and finally, I injected Compaxone for seven years most of which time the disease appeared to be progressing.

The sad thing is there is no way to tell if the drug slowed or sped up the progression of the disease. A neurologist was always there to tell me, “well, you may have gotten worse faster without the drug. There's really no way to know”.

I stopped injecting the Copaxone in December. After much research I decided to try something different called Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). So what is LDN? Just google LDN and MS and see for yourself. Here's a story that I found:

NEW YORK (CBS) ―

Twenty years ago, Ronnie Raymond began losing her balance and strength. But now a medication that's used to treat alcohol and heroine addiction is working to provide relief.

"I was losing my balance dancing, wearing three-inch heels and dancing. And it was weird that I was losing my balance. So that's what gave me the first sign," Ronnie said.

Ronnie has progressive multiple sclerosis. Formerly an avid traveler – she's collected masks from all over the world - the disease left her having to rely on a motorized wheelchair to get around. But there's another characteristic of MS that was almost worse. "It led to having a lot of physical fatigue. I stopped working about eight years ago for a number of reasons, but one of them was the tiredness and not being able to keep up with what I was expected to do," Ronnie said.

Then about a year ago, Ronnie heard about an underground movement among patients who were using a medication for drug addiction to treat their MS.

"It blocks the receptors in the brain so the heroin abusers cannot get a high if they use the heroin. In subsequent years, it was actually approved for alcoholism," LDN advocate Dr. David Gluck said.

It's called lo-dose naltrexone. At less than a tenth the dose used for drug and alcohol abuse, LDN has some very different effects. "It increases your endorphine supply, and that in turn strengthens your immune system, from which you get a host of wonderful outcomes, the basic one being that the disease no longer progresses," Dr. Gluck said.

Even though naltrexone has been FDA-approved for almost 25 years, it's only available in 50mg capsules, so LDN useur lipstickrs have to get theirs from certain pharmacies that know how to compound the very low dose capsules. Only a few actually verify their work. "After we are done compounding we send it to a lab to be analyzed to make sure our work is right," Victor Falah from Irmat Pharmacy said.

Patients usually take a capsule at bedtime. The apparent stimulation of the immune system may explain why a few small studies have shown a beneficial effect on a variety of diseases, including Crohn's, MS and Parkinson's. Other pilot studies are looking at whether LDN may work against cancer and HIV/AIDS.

Ronnie's MS stabilized a few years before she started on LDN, but she said it's still done something very important for her. "No fatigue at all, a lot more mental clarity, I feel alive again. I feel like it's given me back my life," Ronnie said.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

It may have been in my head, but I felt like I was sucked into a black whole at this rehabilitation facility. I can see how the severely disabled and seniors get trapped in these facilities. They did everything to keep me from leaving.

See what I mean:

Hospital Stay Sunday 2/7 - Tuesday 2/9 Ambulance transport from home to Metro West hospital Saturday 2 PM.

Reason: MS exacerbation resulting from having a temperature of 99.4 which was later found to be due to a urinary tract infection.

Treatment: IV antibiotics Which returned my fever to 98.6 overnight resulting in the return to my baseline neurological function.

Released: from hospital Tuesday 2/8 1:30 PM

While waiting for the paperwork for my release from the hospital Deb Denison, a representative from Whittier acute-care rehabilitation with whom I had been speaking about my book, asked me if I would be interested in speaking at the rehab center regarding the topic of my book Life Interrupted, It's Not All about Me, which deals with the stress put on one's relationship as a result of life being interrupted by a chronic illness or disability.

Her plan was to mention this to the director at Whittier. I was excited t for this possible opportunity to speak and market my book at the facility. Somehow I got talked into going into the facility to see if they could help me out in some way in the process of living with multiple sclerosis from day to day. I decided to check it out for a couple of days.

Whittier Rehabilitation Stay Tuesday 2/8 - Wednesday 2/9

Admitted Tuesday afternoon: Expecting to stay for approximately 2 to 4 days, I set out on this little adventure. Things begin going down hill from the beginning: The facility was beautiful and people (nurses aides, nurses), were all so busy never able to spend more than two minutes with you. I had questions about my prescriptions that I need to be taking for MS and I was always told that they would be coming. My prescription information had been forwarded from the MetroWest Hospital. I was to be taking: The following prescribed medications from my neurologist Dr. Arthur Safran at Framingham's MetroWest MS clinic (ongoing for years). Neurontin 300 mg three times a day To reduce neurologic pain (burning sensations on the surface of my skin). Baclofen 10 mg four times a day To reduce spasticity and tone in my legs. Zanaflex 4 mg four times per day for spasticity and tone in my legs. Celexa 20 mg once a day an antidepressant. Namenda 20 mg once a day for nystagmus (shaking vision). Flomax before going to bed allowing me to empty my bladder, by allowing urine flow/stream (causes severe drowsiness). Tuesday afternoon I meet the facilitie's neurologist and I tell her when I need my medications. She seemed like she was listening to me so I thought nothing was amiss. For the next 24 hours my prescriptions were given to me at random, even incorrectly. My medications rarely came on time. I was given the Flomax in the morning when my prescription bottle says specifically at night. But most disconcerting was the fact that Zanaflex and Baclofen were given to me together (A no no) and every time I mentioned it to the nurse she would say that it was the doctor's order and she could not change it until the doctor changed it. The change was never made throughout Tuesday, Tuesday night and Wednesday. The problem being both Zanaflex and Baclofen act to reduced tone in my legs, allowing them to bend which is the intended purpose. The problem is encountered when you take them together, because the muscle must have some tone to allow one to stand. Without tone your legs are like spaghetti and support is impossible. (I wa.0s a nutraceutical/pharmaceutical chemist for Wyeth laboratories for seven years, So I know a little bit about that which I speak). One of my nurses was actually thankful to learn this information, however she could not change the doctors orders until the doctor came to see me. So I waited, and waited. The neurologist was supposed to come see me that morning. As of 3:30 Wednesday afternoon I had not seen the neurologist until she heard that I was leaving on my own. At that time she came up to my room and tried to get me to stay. I chose to leave Against Medical Advice (AMA). For the past decade I have been taking Baclofen and Zanaflex alternatingly every three hours, four times a day (Daily schedule below). 5 AM Baclofen, 8 AM Zanaflex, 11 AM baclofen, 2 PM Zanaflex, 5 PM baclofen, 8 PM Zanaflex, 11 PM baclofen, 2 AM Zanaflex and repeat daily. For some reason Whittier could not follow this schedule. Taking these two medications at the same time causes extreme weakness, making one unable to support himself. Another huge problem was the fact that I received a straight catheterization in the middle of the night, Tuesday/Wednesday, and I was given another catheterization Wednesday afternoon. On Wednesday afternoon the nurse performing the catheterization caused some trauma which caused me to begin to bleed. At that time the nurse told me that I would not be able to leave until there was no blood in my urine. I felt that if this bleeding were to continue or worse, I were to developed bedsores, I would never be able to leave. The only reason there was blood in my urine was because of that trauma that she caused. For all I knew seeing blood after such a procedure was normal. I needed to leave before I was physically unable to leave. They had put me back in bed on my back at noontime and I could only urinate into a urinal while in bed. I was so afraid of skin breakdown that now I really needed to leave. Once I had skin breakdown there was no way they were ever going to let me leave. I began to feel like I was trapped. Sleeping was a huge issue: My roommate listened to his television until 2 AM when I finally asked him if he would mind lowering the volume. My roommate turned the television back on at 5:45 AM at which time he was also listening to his radio. Three hours and 45 minutes of sleep is not enough for someone dealing with multiple sclerosis. Alone this behavior would bring on an exacerbation. When I mentioned my roommates behavior to various nurses and physical therapist they kind of rolled their eyes and shook their heads like this was familiar behavior for this gentleman who had been there for three months. It was an experience. I enjoyed meeting so many of the nurses, nurses aides, Doctors and occasional facilitators, but my health which had returned to that of a normal baseline for me was beginning To falter as a result of lack of sleep, increased anxiety and being confined to bed at their request. I needed to stretch, to move to have the correct spasticity medication at specific times to prevent my body from locking up, and having muscle spasm.

Do you think I was wrong in leaving the facility Against Medical Advice (AMA)?

 Now That's Improvement, NOT!

More than seventeen years after Multiple Sclerosis forced me from the workforce, the most efficient, prosperous and profitable economy on the planet, it pains me to learn that record numbers allege disability discrimination on the job.

During the late 1980's with the establishment and implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, I was living and working during an exciting time. A moment in time punctuated with this law promising and providing protection against job discrimmination and job security for the disabeled employees working within our great country.

Yet, today I read an article written January 7, 2010 by Michelle Diament in disabilityscoop A premier Source of Developmental Disability News entitled Record Numbers Allege Disability Discrimination on The Job.

The article reported allegations of workplace discrimination based on disability rose to the highest level ever last year. Of the more than 21,000 cases reported 20%, still a lofty number were legitimate. As to why there were so many, 80% false discrimination claims filed, I offer this theory__ because the economy is so bad and so many people have lost, are losing and are afraid of losing there jobs people may be filing false claims hoping for a financial award. resulting an explantion to which was also hinted upon within the aforementioned article in January which stated, the reason is unclear but may be due to the economy, changes in the workforce or better awareness, stated Equal Employment Opportunity Commission officials.

Take a trip... You deserve a break

My wife and I went on a wonderful ten day all inclusive vacation to the Dominican Republic departing from Boston's Logan International Airport. I'm pretty disabled, as I have lived with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for more tha thirty years, so believe me I had many concerns, even doubts whether I should even consider taking such a trip.

I'm legally blind, confined to a wheelchair and struggle with bladder control issues. I was able to go on the most fabulous vacation because of a little planning and preparation ahead of time. In an attempt to reduce the issues and hardship raised by heightend airport security visualise yourself and your special needs ( your walker, wheelchair, oxygen canister etc.). What looks like it will; be an issue? That is what willl draw the attention and suspicion of airport security? Arrive early and be prepared to wait. It's just part of todays reality.

When scheduling your trip work with a travel agent that can provide you with answers and go as far as to arrange for any special needs you may have with both the airline and the resort at which you will be staying. Do not be afraid to ask questions about every special need and concern you may have. They can and will arrange to take care of you and your every issue, but you need to express every need and concern. No one is a mind reader. Like me, I'm sure that you will find your agent to be extremely knowledgable, helpful and compassionate. These are people whose sole purpose it is to make sure that you have a relaxing and memorarable vacation experience. Go and have the time of your life.

There was a time not too long ago when I felt there was no or very little direction for my life__ no purpose to my life__no reason to get out of bed in the morning__ and seemingly nothing could change that. Back then I remember thinking oh how I wish things could be different. How I wished I could put the years of education and experiences, which I had accumulated over my lifetime to good use.

You know what they say...be careful what you wish for, smile. I have become overwhelmed by the amount of time I have to invest daily (8 to 12 hours) working to promote and market my self-help memoir. But, more importantly is the time and effort I put in to ministering to others struggling with what can become a bleak and depressing situation similar to that which I once experienced. Helping others learn to live and deal more positively with the hardships and stress put on one's relationships as a result of life being interrupted by chronic illness or disability has truly become my purpose. A purpose with which I have been blessed. I never dreamed that I would have the strength and abilities to make a difference in the lives of others. Yet, that is what I'm doing every day and I love it.

You will never hear me complain__, never say, it's not my job__ or that there is not enough time in the day__and the biggie, the complaint of all workplace complaints, I'm not paid enough. No there's a whole new perspective on life these days. There is a driving force behind my being. I have a purpose and the reward is great. Over the past several months, especially during the last month I have been reaching out to others utilizing the Internet and yes, even the old-fashioned radio. It's my goal to let individuals with multiple sclerosis or any chronic illness for that matter, know that life can be and still is great. I know... remember from whom you are hearing this message. If you've read my self-help memoir, Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me www.likeinterrupted-nolonger.com then you know about my depression and downward spiral that was a result of my "poor me attitude" and the stress introduced to my relationship as a result of life being interrupted by multiple sclerosis.

I've been so busy and there is a purpose and lust for life every day. Have faith. Don't give up and God will make a way. Here are a few of my Media Interviews from September and October 2009:

The Relationships101 Radio Show: Host Dr. Beth Ericsson

USAToday.com: article written by Dan Wooding

The Aberration Nation blog: Written Interview Penelope Pzortec

Internet Media: www.AsistNews.net: Writer Touched By MS Says Disability Does Not Have To Mean Inability

The Boundless Riches Radio Show: Host Lisa VanAllen

Zerbincast: Podcast Hosts Kevin and Shelley Zerbe a couple living with MS

The Prayer Chain Of Faith Show: Host Pastor White

Prophetess Spinks, Mega7RadioLive

Gospel 89.3 Radio interview

I don't usually get excited by political stuff, but this obviously hits home in a big way. Our new leader gives me more cause for concern with every passing minute. If you, like me are concerned and you have any ideas on what we can do as a nation of concerned citizens, I would

love to hear your ideas.

Social Security..................

For the first time in history, the Democratic Congress will not allow an increase in the social security COLA (cost of living adjustment). In fact, The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation predicts there may not be any COLA for the next three years. However, the per person monthly Medicare insurance premium will be increased from the 2009 premium of $96.40 to $104.20 in 2010 and to $ 120.20 for the year 2011.

Send this to all seniors and recipients of Social Security disability income that you know. Remind them to not vote for the incumbent senators and congressmen in the 2010 and the 2012 elections.

God bless,

Chris

Hello again,

I received an e-mail this morning from a friend who does not suffer from MS, rather Lupus which is another autoimmune disorder.  I wanted to share it with you.  I know, I know our neurologists are going to say, results in animals and results in humans are two different things.  Still, it is very interesting.  If nothing else this has to be a reminder that the cure for MS is going to come along.  Some doctor will come across it by accident just as they did in this case.  Anyway, here's Sheila's e-mail and the link to the article:

Aug 11 was a historic day for M.S. sufferers! Scientists successfully reversed M.S. in mice. The discovery was made by accident. They were searching for a cure for cancer instead.

Here is the link:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-08/mu-mrs081109.php

I also wanted to ask if you had heard my most recent interview given last Saturday August 8?  If you go to my interviews page you can click on the red link for the Zebcast (podcast) you will be able to listen to the 43 minute interview in its entirety. The interview was conducted by Kevin and Shelly Zerbe an incredible and perfect couple for this interview as you will hear.  Kevin has MS so he and Shelly could completely relate to my book Life Interrupted It's Not All  About Me. if you have the opportunity to share the link for the interview with others who could benefit, please do.  You're my blessing  and I thank you so very much.

I pray that you are all having a blessed day,

Chris

Hello everyone,

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I wanted to share this with you, because I know you'll all be interested or curious at the very least. At this time I am in the middle of discussions with doctors from the United States who perform a procedure, over in the Dominican Republic which is described as an embryonic stem cell transplant. When you have the opportunity, you may want to visit the Company's web site. There is a lot of great information, even testimonies from folks that have undergone the procedure. Google MEDRA, stem cells, Dominican Republic and read more. The treatment cost is $30,000. I would have to raise the money but it would be worth every penny to be healthy again. What do you think?

Have you ever heard of the company MEDRA? MEDRA treat s people with a number of chronic illnesses like MS, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal cord injury and more with embryonic stem cells with tremendous results. MEDRA, specifically Dr. Radar performs the procedure (involving an IV and injection of two types of stem cells) that takes approximately 90 minutes. The procedure is performed in the facility in the Dominican Republic because as you know embryonic stem cells cannot be used here in the U.S.

MEDRA has mailed me a package that explains the whole process, I have spoken on the telephone for more than two hours and I think I am going to do it. If you have the opportunity google MEDRA, Dominican Republic, stem cells. I would love to hear what you think. I'm not crazy, am I?

I wish you all well. You're in my prayers,

Chris

Are you aware how often relationships fail as a result of life being interrupted by chronic illness or disability? Recently I learned that 75 percent of marriages where one of the partners suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS) ends in divorce. Fifteen years ago my response would have been, come on, no way. Fifteen years ago I had already lived with MS for fifteen years. Yes, there were some difficult and uncertain times, but for the most part if you didn't know me well, you would have been unaware of my disability. After having had the disease for fifteen years, I felt the rate of progression was so slow that my lifestyle would be restricted but relatively normal.

I was married for the first time in 1992, after having been diagnosed with MS twelve years earlier. you can read all about that time of my life right up until 2008 in my book, Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me. The book which I have written to help others managing with chronic illness within their family deal more positively with the resulting stress put on the relationship as a result of one's life being interrupted by chronic illness or disability. I have written this book to help others avoid making the same relationship destroying mistakes that I once made. At one time, not long ago I wasn't sure if. there was a need for a book such as mine untill I received confirmation time and time again.

I can remember, in 2006 having just completed writing my book, about to set out to find a publisher, but not really feeling confident with what I had written. After all, I had never written a book before__I was not a writer. I was a nutraceutical chemist with a degree in ecology. At that point I turned to prayer, asking God to show me what to do__ to provide direction. My first bit of confirmation came in the most unsuspected manner. About a week later, I was relaxing watching television around 8:00 PM when I was interrupted by a telemarketer. After listening to her spiel I thought.... O'kay now she's going to hear mine. I began telling her about my book, turns out that she has colitis and her relationship wss suffering because her husband refuses to recognize her disability or to make simple adjustments to accommodate the issues had by his wife. Beverly, the telemarketer, began by telling me that she had explained to her husband time and time again her need to sit next to or at the very least within close proximity to a restroom when they took their two young boys to a sporting event, the park a barbecue or whenever. We were on the phone for more than an hour and she wanted to buy my book. Confirmation or coincidence?

I received my second confirmation, again in 2006. At that time I was in the planning stages of a course that I was going to be facilitating at my church. The course, Life Interrupted, became a reality in December 2006. At that time I was informed by employees of the church, heads of the various ministries, pastors and the Caring Coordinator for whom I was volunteering at that time, that the turnout would likely be small, likely two to four participants. A flier was placed in the church bulletin 3 Sundays in a row leading up to the Wednesday evening class. Turned out to be a freezing cold night, but 25 people came out to hear my story and learn how they could better deal with the stress put on the relationship as a result of life being interrupted by a chronic illness or disability. It is a real problem that is just beginning to draw the attention of the medical community. I don't think anyone ever recognized the prevalence and enormity of this issue. Do you agree or disagree?

I have facilitated discussions and held book signings at hospitals, MS clinics, numerous support groups for a multitude of chronic conditions and I've seen the tears. I knew those tears all too well. To think, at one time back in 2001 when my wife was leaving me and I felt like I was being abandoned by my caregiver, I thought I was going to be alone for ever. How was I ever going to meet someone? Who would want to meet me, damaged goods. I thought I was likely headed for a nursing home. Yes, I was living a nightmare and I could not imagine a pleasant ending. God is in control and he has a plan.

I held a book signing at a Barnes & Noble in Framingham MA from 7 until 8:30 PM on an unusually cold and wet evening and the audience was phenomenal, Every seat was filled. Management had to bring out to more rows of seating and more people appeared. It was standing room only as far as I could see. The discussions and questions from people were tremendous. I was approached by a couple that had a daughter who was afflicted with MS, there was a woman who lost her husband after a decades-long battle with the disease and her 48-year-old brother was just diagnosed. For a while the scenarios seemed endless. The best part of the night was seeing so many individuals that had entered the store quietly with almost somber and solemn looks on their faces earlier in evening were now laughing, talking and now leaving my event with smiles on their faces. Confirmation? I am pretty sure I have all the confirmation I need.  There's  no doubt in my mind that God wanted me to write this book to help others. Writing a book, sitting in a chair at a desk, writing for hours, these are just a few of the tasks that I know are physically impossible for me, yet a published books since before me now.  I know it was the work of God and I'm proud to have been the vessel through which His work was done.  What do you think?

Be well and God bless,

Chris

Hello everyone,

Wow, you all are so helpful and understanding. You would think that our co-workers, spouses, family members and friends, the people who are closest to our lives would understand, be the most likely to show compassion or at least want to understand what it means when we get a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. It tears me apart when I hear someone with MS say that there husband or wife is in denial about their MS. When a parent freaks out because the neurologist sent his daughter home with a walker. And, I hate hearing about all the anger, usually misdirected that is being shot back and forth between couples trying to deal with all the stress put on their relationship because of the fact that life has been interrupted by MS. My book Life Interrupted, It's Not All A bout Me published by Tate publishing in 2008? It deals with all these issues with which many of us with MS or any chronic illness for that matter may be dealing with every day. I have had MS for 29 years so I am no longer in a situation where I have to prove that I have a disability, but in 2001, after twelve years my ex-wife asked for a divorce. I don't blame her. She met her end point, because as the disease worsened I became a bitter and angry man suffering with depression, a lack of self-worth and a diminishing self-esteem. As individuals dealing with the symptoms of MS, as frustrating and many times embarrassing as they are, we must not take it out on our loved ones. Likewise, the healthy spouse has to educate himself/herself about the disease, move beyond denial and dig in. Remember, it's for better or worse and in sickness and in health. That's my two cents anyways. What do you think?

God bless, Chris

       It is another cool, wet and dreary day here in Massachusetts. Its hard to believe we're about to reach the midpoint of June already. Busy as usual, I am still having trouble with Amazon.com.  It  seems that they have been selling the self published version of my book (black cover) rather than the newly released  book (white cover) released October 14, 2008 by Tate Publishing and Enterprises LLC. The new version of the book is available from Borders.com, barnesandnoble.com, target.com and directly from the publisher at.www.Tatepublishing.com. I am truly sorry for any confusion or inconvenience .

        I have suffered from MS for 29 years and over the past decade my cognitive difficulties, brain fog and just the inability to come up with the right word when speaking has become more prevalent. Yet, I speak at hospitals, support groups and bookstores regarding the book that I have written, which helps individuals deal with the stresses put on relationships as a result of life being interrupted by chronic illness or disability. We can use things like tape recorders and note pads to help us remember the things that we need to do when they are available.

I want to share a technique I use to help me remember things that I need to do. For example, let's say I/you are in bed, no not together, lol, but I/you are in bed and we remember a few things that we need to do in the morning. What I'll do is create a word or part of a word that will help me to remember all of the tasks that I need to do the following day. Remember, each year to remember one word than it is to remember several tasks. Here's an example, let's say I have to.....

pick up an ice cream birthday cake.... I

Go to the pharmacy...........................P

pick up an anniversary card................A

make doctors appointment ................D

I would create the word PAID

Or create the partial word DIAPer to help me remember what I need to do tomorrow.

PAID_____pharmacy, anniversary card, ice cream, doctors appointment

The technique won't help you write a book, but it will help with your to do list.

Be well and God bless,

Chris

                                                                  www.Lifeinterrupted-nolonger.com