Being a Mom with MS

It's not often that I think about how my MS affects those around me. Most days I can deal with having MS. It's not awesome, but it's somewhat manageable. Then, there are the days where my kids want to do something and I'm just not up to it. Adults have a hard time understanding how someone who, by all definitions, doesn't look sick. Imagine being a kid, and trying to understand why your mom can't do as much as she used to do.

My kids are very smart. They understand so much, but they can't seem to understand when I say I'm not feeling great. I look the same as every other day. Maybe, if you look really closely, you'd notice circles under my eyes, or half-closed eyes. Maybe you'd notice I'm sitting more, or moving more slowly than usual. The signs are very subtle, and beyond their realm of my kids' understanding. Plus, there's the “it's MOM” factor.

No one wants to see their mom sick, no matter your age. My kids know I have MS, but I'm not sure what they think it means. I've talked to them about it, but it really makes them uncomfortable. I got the comic book style pamphlet from the MS Society for them to read. I gave them a page to read that explains some of my symptoms, and why “Mom just can't today”. I've tried to explain that while yes, I have MS, I'll be around for a while. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm doing a very good job. I feel like they perceive MS as this mysterious, nebulous thing that I say I have.

Summer vacation is coming. June 25^th is their last day of school. I have little things planned here and there. It is my fervent hope that once I start my medicine, I can be the Mom that my kids think they have.