Smiling through life with MS
I can hardly believe it but it's almost a year since I had the first round of Lemtrada treatment for my relapsing-remitting MS, which means it's nearly time for round two. The time has flown by, but strangely it feels as though my treatment was a lifetime ago, almost as if it happened to someone… Continue reading Lemtrada: my top tips
Middle age is something I'm still not ready for, even though I'm right in the thick of it. I have got to the point where I don't readily remember my age, and every time I have to recall it I have to take part in a 'Play Your Cards Right'-style guessing game in my mind:… Continue reading Seeing myself
A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I and some friends went to the Bluedot festival at Jodrell Bank in Cheshire. I was slightly daunted to be having my first festival experience in nine years, and my first with mobility issues, but all went (almost - of which more later) smoothly and it was… Continue reading A day at the Bluedot
For a long time before I became disabled and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis I used the tube and buses in London on an almost daily basis. I would consider myself a kind and thoughtful traveller, who would always stand up to let someone who needed to sit down have a seat. But from the… Continue reading Priority seats; or How to be Kind
At the beginning of June, I was enjoying basking in the garden like an overgrown cat. I'm still enjoying it but as the summer heats up I am having to manage Uhthoff's Phenomenon, something common to many people with multiple sclerosis where a rise in body temperature leads to a worsening in symptoms. For a… Continue reading Getting lukewarm
When you're diagnosed with a chronic illness, i.e. an illness that you're going to have for the rest of your life, there is an initial period of shock and disruption. This might last for weeks or months, but eventually you find that life settles down and you adjust to the reality of living with your… Continue reading The administrative burden of chronic illness
It's a hot day today, and I love it. Autumn used to be my favourite season, I loved the smell of woodsmoke and the excuse to wrap up warm, hating the summer quandary of trying stay cool without revealing too much of my alternately milk-white and angrily scarlet sunburnt skin. Now I'm middle-aged, I don't… Continue reading Routines
In my time waiting for Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) treatment, I've been part of a very useful Facebook group with members who have had, or are having, or are thinking about having Lemtrada. It's a great place to get support and advice about a drug which has many possible side-effects and treatment regimens that differ wildly from… Continue reading The listeria diet
The peonies in my garden are flowering for the first time since I planted them three years ago, so there's no doubt summer is almost here. The last three months since Lemtrada have passed in a blur, and I can't quite believe we're more than halfway through May. It feels like a good time to… Continue reading Checking in: three months after Lemtrada round one
Today is the three month anniversary of my discharge from hospital following my Lemtrada treatment. Since it was decided that I would have Lemtrada, a year and a few years ago, I've been on a special anti-listeria diet. It's been a challenge - no chilled ready-to-eat food, no unwashed salad or fruit, no cured meat… Continue reading 101 Ways to be Happy #3: a day on the South Bank
Falling & Laughing 