Category: Primary Progressive MS

Fear · Health · Medical · mental health · Multiple Sclerosis · Primary Progressive MS · Ramblings

We can’t do it alone…

Tracy2 Comments

Since my husband’s been home thanks to the corona, we’ve been moving my legs more and more. It’s all been leading up to getting me into my chair. Today was that day. I wish I could say that it worked and I got into my chair. But I can’t. The pain in my lower back, my hips, and my knees was so excruciating I couldn’t do it. I was scared we were going to fracture another bone in my back. I’m so angry and bawling like a little kid. I’m angry at myself that I just didn’t bite the bullet and have them throw me into my chair. The pain was/is worse than the contractions I experienced giving birth to my son. 😢

We will try again, hopefully tomorrow. But after today, I’m scared… so scared. It really feels like I’ll never get out of his bed. I am bedridden in every sense of the word. I know I say it all the time, but wow, did my doctors drop the ball in 2013. And wow, did Independence Blue Cross fuck me in regards to Rehab. It just sucks knowing that there is no way to get help. We can’t do it alone. I’m thankful that tomorrow is my counseling appointment as I’m falling apart right now. I’m so disappointed in myself that I couldn’t do it. I know I shouldn’t be, but I am.

Oh well…

Have courage and be kind.

mental health · PAIN · Primary Progressive MS · Ramblings

Letting go…

Tracy4 Comments

This is tough for me. I can see myself sitting up and moving around my room. When I see myself, I still see the kid that I once was. I have cried so many silent tears for all that I’ve lost. Believe me, I have tried to move forward and truly accept my new normal. It sounds easy enough, but it’s so very hard. I think the boredom gets to me after a while. It’s almost seasonal in a way. It feels like every three months or so I fall into a depression. I’m trying to recognize the signs of my downward spiral(s).

I constantly fight with everything that I feel I should have done when I fell in 2013. Why didn’t I scream at them for rehab, why didn’t I try harder, etc.? I’m learning to forgive myself for that. There was nothing I could’ve done as I’d never been in that situation before. My doctors dropped the ball. I’m trying to let go of the anger.

I’m going to discuss this with my therapist on Thursday. I think it’s something that has been festering for so long. I have to get it out. I feel like I’m all over the place right now, so I will end here. 🖤

#LettingGo #ChronicIllness #PrimaryProgressiveMS #TheBedRiddenLife

Have courage and be kind.

Fear · Health · Medical · mental health · Multiple Sclerosis · Primary Progressive MS · Ramblings

You’ll get through this!

Tracy6 Comments

I have made it through a couple times where I didn’t think I was going to make it. I wish I could say that it’s going to be OK, but I don’t know. I’m trying really hard every day and hoping that something is going to give. I just can’t go another 6+ years in this bed. I’ve had to learn patience, which has never been one of my virtues. I really want to stay positive but I don’t see me getting the help that I need. I’ve been in this bed for over six years and my body has, well, died in a sense. It’s going to take a lot of time and a lot of hard work to make my legs go back to a normal position. Unfortunately, we don’t have the money or the good insurance to get the help I need. And in this moment in my life, unless you’re trapped the way I am trapped, I understand you’re not going to understand. I know, blah blah blah. I just needed to vent it out. I’m struggling, but I’ll get through this. I’ll get through this to wake up trapped again. But, I’ll do it because that’s what everyone wants. OK, that didn’t come out the way it was supposed to, but I think some of you understand.

My legs are jacked the fuck up. I can’t straighten my knees or bend my ankles properly. I’ve been stuck in this bed for so long as I sit up, in my adjustable bed, I get dizzy. My body has literally died being in this bed. Ten to twenty, and I’m being generous, physical therapy visits won’t do anything for me. I can’t sit up unless I have help or something is behind me. But like I’ve stated before, Independence Blue Cross took me out too soon from the rehab. I was sitting up on my own. But when you get kicked out of rehab and you get no good in-home physical therapy, it all goes away.

Yes I know it’s obvious I’m struggling. I just am not sure how to wrap my head around it all. I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel anymore and that’s what scares me. But I’ll keep fighting and hopefully one day it will take me to where I need to be.

I’m sorry if it’s all over the place right now. But I can’t get my thoughts in order so, there it is.

Have courage and be kind.

Medical · mental health · Multiple Sclerosis · Primary Progressive MS · Quotes · Ramblings

We have to keep going!

Tracy5 Comments

We must keep going… I know that know. Although, it can be so hard to do. The home health nurse came over last week and now I’m waiting for the physical therapist to call for an appointment. We are not sure how many appointments I’m allowed through Independence Blue Cross. Sadly, it probably won’t be enough. Again, I’ve been in this bed for over six years. The damage done is much more intense than a few at home PT appointments. All about the money and giving their higher-ups bonuses at the end of the year. Meanwhile, I’m trapped in my bed thanks to, in part, Independence Blue Cross. they kicked me out of inpatient acute physical therapy in 2018 too soon, and now they won’t give me any proper care. According to Independence Blue Cross doctors, it’s not needed. My family does as much as they can, but without real help… I really feel like I’m going to be stuck in this bed for a long time. Unfortunately in the world we live in today, insurance companies run our healthcare. Profits over people. I’m still waiting for them to give me my money back for the transport services. With everything going on the world right now, we could really use that 900+ dollars back. Greed prevails… 😳

I’m trying really hard to keep going. I believe I will, but I just need help. My counseling appointment went really well last Thursday, and I will be talking to him again this Thursday. So that’s a plus.

I’m still feeling quite a bit lost but this time I am reaching out. It’s gonna be a long process but I have to keep going. 

Have courage and be kind.

Health · Medical · mental health · Multiple Sclerosis · Primary Progressive MS · Strength

We all need a little help sometimes.

Tracy4 Comments

Tomorrow at 9 AM I have my first Zoom counseling appointment. I was getting concerned because ComPsych kept calling and telling me they hadn’t been able to find someone. This morning that changed. I’m a little nervous but I think it’s going to be a very good thing for me. We need to let people know that getting help is nothing to be ashamed of.

It truly is OK to ask for help! And please, if you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Have courage and be kind! 



Family · Loss · Love · Multiple Sclerosis · Primary Progressive MS · Ramblings · Sadness · Strength

In Memory – Will Herberts

Tracy6 Comments

Will was one of those people that you just wanted to have as your friend. No matter how awful his multiple sclerosis was treating him, he smiled. He always had a smile for everyone and a motivational word or two. His passing left so many of us in tears. We were just becoming good friends when he went on his next adventure. When people say multiple sclerosis doesn’t kill you, they are wrong. If he did not suffer from MS he would not gotten the infection that landed him in a nursing home.  He would not have become septic, and he sure as hell wouldn’t have ended up with bedsores. He did die directly from his multiple sclerosis.  I think the part that is hard for many of us is that while in the nursing home he suffered from bedsores. That is something that should not happen when you’re under 24/7 care. 😢

The best thing about him is he always smile no matter how bad he was feeling. He always had a kind word for everyone that he met. he definitely was “Wicked Smaht”!! The world lost an amazing person the day he died. What I loved about him the most is that he never had an unkind word to say about anyone. He was just always there when you needed him. Thank you so much Will for being you. You touched so many lives and we miss you so! You truly were an MS Warrior! I know wherever you are you’re making everyone laugh and feel better. Love you! 😘

Just look at his smile! That is who he was!

Have courage and be kind.

Family · Health · Hope · Multiple Sclerosis · Primary Progressive MS · Ramblings · Strength

I am so proud of you!

Tracy6 Comments

It’s been two weeks and one day since my suicide attempt. I’m still on that high but I have had a couple of lows. My husband helped talk me through them and I’m utilizing my tribe. I have the suicide hotline phone number ready to go on my phone, and Alexa will call them for me as well. People think it’s easy to just, get over things. For some it is, but for some of us it’s not. All we can do is live day by day. I am actually living minute by minute right now. I have been known to self deprecate and that is something I’m trying to stop. I am an awesome person, a great mom and wife, and a fierce friend. I am very proud of myself right now for holding it together when I’m ready to fall apart. I am really hoping for better days. I am hoping to get out of this bed at some point. I just have to let go of my past and who I was and learn to love the person I’m becoming. It’s a process and a pretty hard road, but I’m going to keep going forward.



Have courage and be kind.

Health · Hope · Multiple Sclerosis · Primary Progressive MS · Ramblings · Strength

ComPsych – Making the Call

Tracy5 Comments

I may have found someone to talk to. I’m awaiting a phone call. Now my husband’s company, Comcast, wants us to go through ComPsych for our mental health needs. Anything has to be better than going through independence Blue Cross directly. I don’t mean to be so blunt, but IBX really is waiting for me to die. 😳 I know, drama queen right?! What other reason could there be for them fighting life-saving rehab for me. Oh wait a minute, money! It’s just very sad to me that money is more important than human life. Again, and I know I’ve said it before, if they had allowed me another month in rehab, I wouldn’t be needing rehab anymore. unfortunately, giving people bonuses at the end of the year was more important than my life.

Enough of them, things will be coming into place soon. 😏 Now, I am going to get some help. I was very proud of myself for actually making the call today. I’ve been looking at the paper they gave me at the hospital for mental health help. It was a complete and utter joke. Bottom line is my insurance won’t cover anything they gave me. I actually think this ComPsych, which is through insurance I think in a roundabout way, is going to be a good thing for me. Honestly it’s a good thing for anybody to have someone to talk to that’s completely impartial. I really hope this will be another positive and a new turning point for me.

Have courage and be kind.