Bear with me. I am in a rambling mood. First, after a 2 week hiatus, Jarvis went for his Sunday stroll this morning! I think I have found a combination of things that really help me. (Hence the “eureka” part!) I have noticed during my time on the bike that at about the 6 or 7 mile mark, Jarvis gets lazy and uncooperative and starts something akin to foot drop. I can get him back in position. I just have to think about it. Not to let Jarvis get his way, I bought a brace at the drug store which helps him stay in place. He did not know what hit him and cooperated. Try this if you have this problem as well.
People with MS are usually very severely hampered by the heat. I found a company called Stacool Vest with great vests that really work. Their website is www.stacoolvest.com. The vest is made of a light material that feels like a wetsuit and is not at all difficult to move in. There are 4 panels of frozen gel packs that go on the two front sides and two back sides. Each is wide and long enough to cover the whole “quarter” of the body. I was AMAZED at how it kept my core cool. I LOVED IT. Whether working out in the heat or just being outside, this is a real find.
And now some really great news. (Insert drum roll here.) The combination of my workouts, the ankle brace and the awesome vest cut my walking time today IN HALF!!!! Nathan and I walked about a mile and a half and I did fairly well. Nathan said my pace was strong and I did not start having a problem until much later than previously.
It has become more and more obvious how Blessed I am. Whether you get your strength in religion, spirituality or whatever, getting a positive source to wrap yourself in is profoundly beneficial to beating your challenge, whatever it may be. It has become abundantly clear to me that I have been so Blessed with the people that have been put in my life. Trisha deals with me patiently and encourages me every step of the way. She also has promised to throw something at me when I start singing out loud in the gym. Nathan unselfishly walks with me and gives me more encouragement than he will ever know. He makes a HUGE deal about tiny victories that for many folks would be inconsequential. These make me want to work harder. Jim constantly encourages and supports me. He even texted me greetings immediately before he started his IronMan this morning from Idaho. I mean, it was 10 minutes before he put on his wetsuit for his swim! WOW!!!! The selflessness of the people around me is truly mind-boggling. I can not fathom the fact that I did not even know these people at the beginning of April and it feels like they have all been my best friends my whole life. I will never be able to express my gratitude to and love for these three.
But this is not about me. This is about people helping people. I hope that I help my heros in some way and that all of these posts help others. None of us will understand what we are doing in this life. Honestly, we don’t need to and should not even waste the time time trying to figure it out! We just need to spread hope and support to anyone and everyone that needs it. My tip for the day: get yourselves a Trisha, Nathan and Jim. It sure makes life a lot better!
Good luck and my best,
Trace
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