For me TM came 4-1/2 yrs ago. At that time, I had no health problems and was still working part-time which is what I wanted. In 2 days time, with TM I was unable to walk. After 6 weeks in rehab, I was able to use a walker and after 7 months was able to go back to my part-time job. I enjoyed the interaction with the people. I missed being able to go shopping and doing the everyday things. About 3 yrs ago, we relocated 150 miles away to be near my daughter and her family. Of course, I had to give up my part-time job. With TM and getting older, we thought it would be best to have family close. Believe it or not, I miss many of the things we did around the house. It was even difficult to use the vacuum because I have terrible balance. I miss being able to work in the yard. The house we bought has 8 acres of land and I can't even walk it to see what it looks like. I hate the fatigue after doing the simplest chore around the house. I miss being able to run in and out of the store to get something. It is a chore to get out of the car and walk into the store. I know it is simple things that I complain about, but to me it is a big thing to have to depend on other people. I have it so much better than a lot of us, but it still po's me. Boy when I re-read this, I sure sound like a complainer, which I guess I am. I don't want to complain around my family so I guess you are all my shoulder to cry on.
Patti in Wisconsin On Sat, Jan 26, 2013 at 11:10 AM, Linda Egli <[email protected]> wrote: > I lost a wonderful job working in a local Public Health Department. I had > worked there for 12 years & loved every minute of the job. I went to the > doctor with severe numbness & loss of motor function, I then saw a neurologist > & after a 36 years as a nurse, my career was over. I left work that day & > was never able to return - very hard to deal with & probably took 2-3 yeas > to finally accept. > I miss dancing; I was not the greatest but I enjoyed it. > The main thing I miss now is only having partial use of my hands. About 2 > years into TM I developed essential tremors in both hands (especially the > right hand & I am right handed). I take Primidone but it really doesn't > help a lot. The main thing that helps the tremors is alcohol & I can't > drink every 4-6 hours, (but some days I try). Between the severe numbness > & tremors, using my hands can be difficult. I had always enjoyed sewing, > needlework, crocheting, scrap booking, & just anything involving arts & > crafts. I got rid of 95% of my craft & sewing items because I could not > stand not being able to use them (I had a whole room for crafts). I have > found I can do jigsaw puzzles - the 3-D ones with larger foam pieces or a > little crocheting if I keep it at 15 -20 minutes. > I try to be positive as much as possible, knowing there are many people > with much worse difficulty than me. On a good note, I have a > wonderful supportive husband (helps with laundry & tries to help cooking), > good medical coverage, & am able to afford someone in to help with > the house 3 days weekly. > Life is what you make of it. > Linda E. > > ------------------------------ > *From:* john snodgrass <[email protected]> > *To:* transverse myelitis <[email protected]> > *Sent:* Saturday, January 26, 2013 5:44 AM > *Subject:* Re: [TMIC] Tonight, Today, Tomorrow > > i was a work-a-holic > i sure miss that! > > ------------------------------ > *From:* "[email protected]" <[email protected]> > *To:* [email protected] > *Cc:* [email protected] > *Sent:* Friday, January 25, 2013 10:32 PM > *Subject:* [TMIC] Tonight, Today, Tomorrow > > *Hi everybody,* > ** > *Tonight, sitting here doing nothing, I'm wondering how Transverse > Myelitis has affected your life. What has it stolen from you. Maybe > everything, maybe nothing. I'm sure it is a personal thing.* > ** > *Some people choose to focus on life and believe that everything in life > happens for a reason. * > ** > *I love life and refuse to let TM steal one minute. Life is made up of > many joyous moments and I choose to focus on those moments, not TM. * > ** > *Because of my love for life, I refuse to feel sorry for myself. I've > learned to be outspoken about my TM and I've become a demanding person > because of TM. * > ** > *I hate that I've had to give up driving and remember how it used to feel > heading down the highway with my arm resting on the window turned all the > way down.* > ** > *Always remember that today could be potentially the best day of your > life. Never take today for granted. When you wake up each morning > remember to thank God for giving you another day.* > ** > *Always end the day with a positive thought. No matter how hard thing > were, Tomorrow is a fresh opportunity to make it better. (unknown)* > ** > ** > > > > >
