Sex Does A Body 

Good

Sex...okay now that I have your attention I am going to just touch on a couple of ways that sex is not only for your body, but it's good for the soul.  One shouldn't be amazed that something that was created for good and feels good would have so many mental and physical benefits. 

Having sex regularly with your partner not only brings you closer, this is closeness and intimacy bleeds into your daily dealings with your partner, thus, benefit number one, is reducing of stress.  Research shows that having sex once or twice weekly can reduce stress enabling you to be a better and happier employee. This is because when we have sex it releases endorphins and oxytocin. These are feel good hormones which gives you that feeling of relaxation.  These endorphins and oxytocin also have another benefit.  These good feeling hormones stave off and or decrease levels of depression and anxiety.  

For people with a chronic illness, sleep is a necessity.  Sex on a regular basis, doctors state at least twice weekly, more is ofcourse better, aid in sounder sleep.  The same hormones that destress you are the same hormones that prep you for sleep.  Now ofcourse, if you have a very rousing round of sex, it will take you longer to go to sleep due to the body's need to come back to calmer levels.

Pain. Pain is something that I with MS and others with chronic illness contend with daily.  The endorphins that are released during orgasm closely mimic that of morpheine.  And what is morpheine? Morpheine is a narcotic pain reliever.  The orgasmic endorphins mimic morpheine, thus releasing pain for a certain period of time after. 

Also, people with chronic illnesses take medication that is for their condition, but also suppresses their immune system.  A compromised immune system is a great place for nasty little colds that come around this time of the year. People who have sex were found to have higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobuliin A. So with regular sex, your immune system is a little stronger, thus aiding in reducing your incidences of catching colds or getting over them more quickly. It just gets better and better.

Did you know that having sex four time a week will make you  look younger?  Research showed that couples who had sex at least four time a week look on average 7-12 years younger than their actual age! Regular sex releases hormones of testosterone and estrogen which keep the body youthful and vital.  And not only does it help you look younger, regular sex does a body good by keeping it toned. It is one of the best cardio exercises that you can do, and you are sculpting your body as you squeeze and move during lovemaking.

I can go on and on about this subject because there are just so many benefits to having REGULAR sex the list is endless.  Yes, there may be many kinds of medications that you are on for your illness.  I know that myself I am a walking pharmacy, but one of the most pleasurable ways to aid in your overall health is good, regular sex. It really does a body good.  

Enjoy, as I will also.  

Thanksgiving.....Everyday!

Being Thankful Everyday

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day where millions of people were feasting on the traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner with family and friends and sometimes, stranger. This time of the year people think of the many things to be thankful for. But, I think that this is the time when we should be being thankful all the time.

Now I wonder why we think of being so thankful on Thanksgiving Day.  As I sit and think of all the many things to be grateful for as I sit in my  warm and loving home with plenty of food and family.  I am thinking of the people still effected by Hurricane Sandy. I am thinking of my friends whose loved ones didn't see this holiday season, I think of the homeless, the battered, the abused where abuse increases during the holiday season.  Yes, I am thankful, and you are thankful and need to be thankful everyday.

I am starting with my kids before we start the day to give thanks to the Lord for another blessed night and day and give one thing that they are thankful for.  I want my children to realize just how blessed they are.  They want for nothing, they have a loving family, and all the necessities. I want them to think of kids there age that go to bed with no bed, go to bed with not enough food, go home to an inadequate home, with barely the necessities.  Yes, I want them to be thankful everyday because at any time circumstances and predicaments can change.  

As I sat last night with pain in my legs and back, I was about to get down on myself and negative I stopped myself. I asked for forgiveness for these negative thoughts and start turning my thoughts to what I am thankful for.  Though I am in pain, I have insurance that covers the medicine to take the pain away.  Though my feet and legs hurt, praise God I still have feet and legs that function.  I immediately started giving thanks for my blessings, my children who are thriving and healthy and strong, a loving husband, a wonderful mother who is still living and healthy, those precious memories of those gone to Heaven,  time spent with  my brother and my niece, time spent with my friends, all the necessities and even better yet, extras, luxuries. So, there is no room for complaints in my life.  And if you think carefully enough, you will open your eyes and see that everyday we should be thankful, no matter how big or how small.  

So, I am thankful, so very thankful, but this thankfulness for my family and I will be daily. Just giving thanks daily.  I want my children to realize how blessed they are and to be grateful.  So, yes, Thanksgiving Day is wonderful, but giving thanks daily, now that is priceless.

Overcoming MS Through Diet!?!

Fair Warning

It's one thing to know that you have a chronic illness, and then there is another thing to know that you have not managed your illness and it could inevitably end your life.  This is what happened to me.  I was at my long standing neurologist and he informed me quite seriously that my body could not take another six years of numerous relapses that I have been having over the course of six years.  He looked at me and told me that at the rate I was going I would not see my 50th birthday! This is and was a very sobering thought, but one that I knew in the back of my mind all the time.  I knew that my body, and my will would not make it very long with my illness and I really hadn't tried to get a real grip of this disease, this multiple sclerosis.  Well, looking at my children, their young age, I want to be with them for more than just seven more years.  So...the hunt began as to how to tame this beast, this multiple sclerosis. 

I started trolling twitter for anything and anyone connected with MS.  I had been thinking about drastically changing my diet and going on the Swank Diet which is the only diet that I knew of for reducing the relapses of MS.  Well, on twitter, I found a wonderful website,www.overcomingmultiplesclerosis.org.  The things that I read on this website I knew, but wasn't doing.  I got in touch via twitter the man behind the website and the book, Professor George Jelinek.  This just might be a God send.  This time I am actually not only reading, but implementing things to better my health and to be here for my 50th birthday.  The good professor told me that it is all about the right supplements, the correct amount of rest, the correct exercises and the correct diet.  

Years ago when I probably had MS and didn't know it, I had a very strict diet and very strict exercise regime.  So, Professor Jelinek's diet and regime feels like a old comfortable companion who has missed me over the years.  This is my first week on my new regime. Though I am still weakened from my last relapse I try to get as close to 10,000 steps that I can, some days I manage only 5,000, but I am still recovering and giving myself a break.  When my I totally regain my strength I will start my more physical exercise regime, which will include cardio and yoga with my daughter.  Also, what I have never done and starting to learn is to meditate.  I did not realize how important it is to meditate, still your mind and your soul. This is imperative in healing and staying healthy.  And I am back to watching my saturated fats, which is not good for anyone, but especially a person with MS.  So, my saturated fats are 25 grams or less, no dairy, no processed meats or foods, good clean living and eating.  The whole process is to become vegan, and, well...I am going to have to work on that one.  I have given up red meat, and pork, I am slowly weaning out chicken and the last thing to be weaned out is fish.  But, I have increased my fresh fruits and fresh vegetables and watching my saturated fat.  To be honest, I do feel better, so this is enough for me to keep going and the fact that I HAVE to gain control over this disease. 

So, a change of diet and lifestyle is nothing compared to being able to live and be here happy and healthy for my family.  So, I am looking forward to eating healthy, living healthy and...being here to celebrate my 50th birthday and then some.  

Handling the Holidays!

Taking The Stress Out of 

The Holidays

Fast approaching is America's holiday season, kicking off with the beloved Thanksgiving.  There are visions of turkey and all the trimmings, decorating, and getting ready for, (if you celebrate), Christmas.  Though these are loved holidays, as a person with a chronic illness it smacks of stress and questions into "How in the heck am I going to be able to make it through the holidays?"  

It is a daunting task I have to admit.  Let's start with Thanksgiving and the cooking.  You have to realize like I did, or at least I am trying to do, is to find your limits.  This is the time you really do have to listen to your body or your body will betray you quickly before the season really starts off.  The Thanksgiving Day dinner is a big one.  Do you cook?  Where to go?  If you are cooking, ask for help. It's okay to ask for help or invite people over and encourage that they bring the sides if you are providing the house and the turkey. Use throw away plates, cups, cooking tins and plastic wear.  This sounds cheap, but if you are cooking and inviting people over it saves you the energy in having to wash all those cooking trays and dishes.  People, this is called self perseverance.   But it is always easier to go to someone else's home if you just can't summon up the energy to cook an entire meal.  If this is the case, I sure the person cooking would love if you bought a side.  

Right after Thanksgiving comes...Christmas and all that that entails.  And what that entails is ofcourse...shopping.  There are many of us who can walk, but only for a short while, or our energy levels quickly depletes, or many of us who are unable to walk and use scooters.  I love going to stores, but my energy and legs don't hold up well to these mega large stores and walking and standing in line and buying.  It is just too much.  I have found a friend in online shopping.  My first site, if you are interested in some websites I am going to list some of my favorites.  

First, did you know that you can shop and make money at the same time?  Well you can if you sign up first on www.ebates.com.  Then whenever you shop online, go to ebates first and type in your store of choice and you can earn a percentage from just buying through www.ebates.com.  Some of the best websites that I go to for gifts is 

• www.ebay.com
•  www.walmart.com
•  www.target.com
•  www.jcp.com
•  www.overstock.com
•  www.sears.com

There are many things to do to keep not only your sanity, but your health.  Don't overdo.  Place limits not only on yourself but your family.  Sometimes you will have to say no and its okay, and the world will not end.  Take your medication, take frequent breaks, ask for help and for quick gifts don't forget your local dollar stores like Family Dollar and Dollar General.  Holidays are a wonderful time for family and friends, but it is not a time to lose your health in the process.  

You Should Not Complain!

Putting Things In Perspective

It is so easy to sit and think of all things bad in your life.  Your car won't start, you are not feeling the best, you got into an argument, you didn't get the promotion or raise that you'd hope for, this list can go on and on.  I have been in my own little pity party for a couple of months due to a major relapse and was ticked off because I gained back ten of the pounds that I lost due to having to go back on steroids to calm down the relapse. Then I thought, how dare I complain! I have insurance, a beautiful family, and most importantly I have God.  I felt bad and ashamed at myself when I look at the destruction that Hurricane Sandy is still continuing to cause.  I sit here in my warm, dry home with food, clothing, shelter, heat and think of many of the people in Jersey who are without and I was washed over with shame. Shame for being so trite, so superficial, so shallow, ashamed to not be praising God daily of what blessings are around me and abundant.  

I read a little something a few years ago about you are blessed if you have things that we take for granted and that others do not have. Well, I found it and I hope that this makes you think and stop and realize what a abundant and blessed life that you have even in strife, illness, anger, you are still blessed than many, many people. I hope that this speaks to you as it spoke to me.

Blessed

Blessed

If you woke up this morning
with more health than illness,
you are more blessed than the
million who won’t survive the week.

If you have never experienced
the danger of battle,
the loneliness of imprisonment,
the agony of torture or
the pangs of starvation,
you are ahead of 20 million people
around the world.

If you attend a church meeting
without fear of harassment,
arrest, torture, or death,
you are more blessed than almost
three billion people in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator,
clothes on your back, a roof over
your head and a place to sleep,
you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank,
in your wallet, and spare change
in a dish someplace, you are among
the top 8% of the world’s wealthy

If your parents are still married and alive,
you are very rare

If you hold up your head with a smile
on your face and are truly thankful,
you are blessed because the majority can,
but most do not.

If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them
or even touch them on the shoulder,
you are blessed because you can
offer God’s healing touch.

If you can read this message,
you are more blessed than over
two billion people in the world
that cannot read anything at all.

You are so blessed in ways
you may never even know.

When The Weather Matches Your Mood

When The Weather Matches Your Mood

Hurricane Sandy has come, not gone, but still lingering on.  Who would have thought that the places that got hit by a hurricane would actually get hit by a hurricane.  I always just thought that that was only for my relatives living in Florida, which I always considered a place to visit and not to live. But, Hurricane Sandy surprised us all.  As we recover, rebuild, you still have to admit that whatever your circumstance during the hurricane shapes your thoughts, your mood, your sleeping patterns and your tolerance levels.  Amazing what weather can do!

I do have to admit that before the storm was brewing, my mood pretty much sucked to be truthfully honest.  I am still clawing out of a relapse.  And though after mega doses of IV and oral steroids eased and took away the more pressing symptoms of relapse, there is no antidote, no pill, no treatment for getting over the main hurdle of being totally, mind numbing, body aching exhausted.  I keep hearing my husband, mother and friends tell me that they can see a positive change in me.  That I don't look quite as exhausted before, and all I can think of is telling them to just shut up and keep it moving.  

At times like this, at times like this, I just want it to be over.  I am tired of the doctors, I am definitely tired of the new insurance that I have to jump through hoops for, I am tired of being exhausted but the MS won't allow me to sleep, I am tired of hearing doctors give me steroids, then tell me that I am obese, I am tired of the constant pain, I am tired of monthly treatments and weigh ins, I am tired of hearing you need to do so much cardio, but no one takes into consideration that some days walking is a gift, not a given. I am tired of when I am feeling down, and have been for quite a while all the perky sayings are annoying.  You know what? How about allowing me to wallow a bit.  Oh yeah, I forgot, that makes people uncomfortable to be in on someone else's pain so they want to candy coat it.  Sorry, I cannot candy coat stuff anymore, I am tired. Just tired, tired, tired.  

So as I look outside to the debris in our yard, and in our front yard and on our street, I can empathize.  I feel like the chaoticness that is around me.  I see the rain and feel the clouds feel my pain and are crying for me and with me.  I would love for someone to validate me, actually hear my pain, maybe shed a tear with me.  I know to read the Bible, you do not have to remind me to do this.  I know God is healing me, will heal me, but guess what? I have felt like crap for going on two months.  Yes, God is seeing me through, but Lord, I need a break in such a big way it is not even funny.  

So my prayer is that, just hear me, just let me feel, just let me cry, just let me wallow for bit if you will. I am sorry I am not Sally Sunshine.  Today I am sad, today I hurt, today I feel guilt because I look at my kids and know they deserve more.  I hate questioning if they would be better off without me, but I know that is false and something that the devil wants me to think, so he can just kick rocks.  In other words, sometimes...just let me have my pity party.  Maybe if I was allowed to have one, or two, or three before, I may feel better today.  As for now....I am so tired, so tired, so, so tired. But, I have miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.