To Blog, or not to Blog, that is the question.

                                                                                   
I can hear them now. 
Why are you sharing your business with other people.  
You shouldn't talk about your health in public.  
This is a private matter, you have to be quiet about it.  
You wont get better if you keep talking about it.

So should I speak or should I stay silent?

I remember 
The reason i wanted to start this blog was because I wanted to define MS on my own terms.  You lose so much control of your life once your diagnosed.  

Inspiration  - Diem Brown

Its in my nature

Not the cultural norm

The fight is still not over...

Today I interviewed my personal trainer at Crunch Gym and it was very educational. I asked him questions about the importance of exercising when you have MS. He offered tips and strategies on how to fight fatigue and gain more muscle strength. You can find the interview on the link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYQVGj0tJGQ

When I Walk.

       In 2006, 25-year-old Jason DaSilva was on vacation at the beach with family when, suddenly, he fell down. 

  3 months prior to that incident, doctors had told Jason he had multiple sclerosis, which could lead to loss of vision and muscle control, as well as a myriad of other complications. Jason tried exercise to help cope, but the problem only worsened. After his dispiriting fall on the beach, he turned to his Mom, who reminded him that, despite his disease, he was still a fortunate kid who had the opportunity to pursue the things he loved most: art and filmmaking. 

  Jason picked up the camera, turned it on his declining body, and set out on a worldwide journey in search of healing, self-discovery, and love.

                         I Can't wait to see this Film!! You Can Check Out the Trailer Here. 

Fighting MS with Food.....And loving it!

Multiple Sclerosis is an inflammatory disease that causes damage to the central nervous system.  In laymen terms that means..........It's too HOT in the kitchen, so COOL it down!     
Inflammation is a huge culprit in MS but is also experienced by healthy people everyday.  Inflammation is your body's first response to an infection or trauma.  For example, if you scrap your finger on something sharp your immune system will start the process to repair itself. 
Step 1.  Inflammation- Redness, Heat, Swelling (your body's way to kill off any harmful infections)
Step 2.  Release the Army- White blood cells and proteins (this finalizes killing off infections and puts a clot on the site to prevent spreading)
Step 3.  Put a bandage on :-)

Now having an acute form of  inflammation is normal, but what if there was no trauma or infection? and Step 1. gets out of control and starts inflaming for no reason and doesn't turn off.  This is chronic inflammation and comes in different types of illnesses; rheumatoid arthritis(inflammation of joints), asthma(inflammation of bronchial tubes) and MS (inflammation of the brain and spine). 
In Multiple Sclerosis, the central nervous system (brain and spine) is under chronic inflammation and by the help of medication and a proper diet you can properly manage this disease.    
So if MS is an inflammatory disease, it would make sense to have a diet that is rich in 
ANTI- inflammatory foods.  Right??  I found it difficult to find a diet that was backed up by scientific research to show slowing in the progression of MS.  All the doctors I talked to said that eating a balanced diet (Canadian Food Guide) is the best way to eat and that no studies have shown eating a particular diet will help with MS.  
Now if you talk to anybody fighting a chronic illness they will tell you that they act like their own doctor, dietitian, nurse and therapist.  You gradually learn what works for you and what doesn't.  So I did my own research and right now I'm eating foods like; kale, spinach, salmon (lot's of it, rich in Omega 3 fatty acids), papaya, blueberries, avocado, hemp seeds, flax oil, extra virgin oil, turmeric spice, coconut water(more hydrating than water) and broccoli.  I love to cook and these foods act like a coolant to your system, so I try to find different ways to incorporate them into my diet.    
  

Welcome to FeFe’s Diner 

Veggie smoothie I make in the morning (banana takes away the bitterness and makes it  so much more enjoyable to drink!)

Salmon&Linguine Pasta dish

Baked roasted red pepper Salmon 

Smoked Salmon with navy bean sauce on French baguette, topped with olive oil 

If you have any recipes or a type of food that has helped you during an illness please share in the comment box down below.  It would be greatly appreciated by readers.

Please Click here to Donate.

Additional Links:

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Inflammation and Tissue Healing

Pan Seared Salmon with baby arugula

Your Donation makes a Difference!

So you hear the news....
You have MS..... 
Now what do you do??
Well you have two options:
1. You can be angry and become discouraged with life
or
2. You can get in touch with the MS Society team

After being diagnosed I was told by doctors to get in contact with the MS Society.  This organization provides services and programs for people affected with Multiple Sclerosis.  They offer educational classes, leisure programs and host social events.  Studies have shown that supportive programs help decrease the risk of depression and enhance quality of life. 
The first class I attended at the MS Society was called 'Tax Talk.'  In this class we were educated on our disability rights and given information on how to file a tax return and how to claim medical expenses.  I found this class very informative because an MS diagnosis comes with a very high price tag.  The price of medication, vitamins, mobility equipment, modifying equipment and any other assisting devices.  If you think going back to work will help contribute to these expenses, you could be right........provided your employer will take you back.
Another thing I really appreciate about the MS Society team is that they ADVOCATE for you!  With MS 'some' employers don't consider you an asset but see you as a liability.  In a meeting with my work, 3 weeks after my diagnosis, they said they were considering terminating me but wouldn't because "MS can get better and when it does call us." Then I was put on medical leave.
I've grown a thick skin to the ignorant comments people say about MS.  
After the meeting with my work I contacted the MS Society and asked them if my rights were being violated.  Within 1 hour I was given a list of contacts on who to call and an MS Society worker offered to come with me and speak with my employer.  These guys mean business lol.
Having MS means you will face difficulties finding employment and being accommodated for.  The MS Society not only fights for you but educates you on how to advocate for yourself.  Till this day, I have not received  a formal apology for their inappropriate statement and action.  
Human Rights must be protected!            
As a result of having these programs and services available for people with MS, they are able to transition back into the community with more confidence, hope and support. 
So if your wondering where your donation is going, it's  going towards changing someone's life for the better.

'Let's make MS History' ONLINE DONATION:
http://mssoc.convio.net/site/TR/Walk/AlbertaandNorthwestTerritoriesDivision?px=1680663&pg=personal&fr_id=2038

MS Society website:
http://mssociety.ca/alberta/edmonton/

Alberta Human Rights:
http://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca/

A Storyline of MS

So it looks like MS will be showcased on America's number one daytime drama, 'The Young and the Restless.'  

A very well known character, Nikki, was just diagnosed with MS in today's

episode.  I must say, I was very surprised to see this but curious to see how they portray someone dealing with this disease.  The more awareness on MS the better, and the timing couldn't come at a better time!

                                                             May 26th MS Walk

                                                          CHURCHILL SQUARE

                                              

Please support me in the MS Walk fundraiser.  I provided a link to my page below

to donate.  Every little bit counts :-)))

http://mssoc.convio.net/site/TR/Walk/AlbertaandNorthwestTerritoriesDivision?px=1680663&pg=personal&fr_id=2038

It's in our grasp

  A week ago I attended the 'endMS' campaign meeting at the Scotia Bank theatre.  The 'endMS' campaign is focused on raising money for researchers to find a cause and cure for Multiple Sclerosis.  The advancements they have made is quite remarkable.  Finding ways to stimulate the myelin-sheath for regrowth and repair and exploring options in transplanting bone marrow stem cells in people with MS.  Not only is the money being raised for science but for enhancing the quality of life for people with MS. Before this meeting I was very doubtful, doubtful to the notion that there will ever be a cure but I was later amazed to see first hand what big strides were taken to end MS.  An even bigger shock came to me when they introduced one of the lead Neuroscientists for MS,  Dr. Yohannes Haile.  Just from his name alone, I knew we were from the same country, Eritrea.  Eritrea resides on the Horn of Africa with a population of 6 million.  What are the chances!  After the meeting I introduced myself to Dr. Haile and invited him for coffee with me and my dad.  He said yes and the day was set.  So many questions were rummaging through my mind.  How do people get MS? Will it get worse? Will there be a cure?  I did as much reading on the web as I could on his extensive work in Medicine and Neurology.  Even finding out he was in the Metro newspaper for discovering a new drug that could prevent disability in MS.   

We met at Second Cup for coffee and for the first hour didn't talk about anything pertaining to MS.  My dad and Dr. Haile exchanged stories on how they grew up in Eritrea and I was able to talk to his wife about what we studied in school and what goals we had in the future.  Later on we talked about the Patient Specific Treatment they are working on, because MS is different for every individual they need to find treatment specifically for that individual.  Many times we hear of the advancements researchers make in science but what we don't see is the amount of work it took to achieve them.  I got to see a very personal side to this researcher.  A man who is very dedicated and focused to his work and who makes sacrifices in his personal life to do so.  All the questions I was going to ask the doctor I laid to rest.  It wasn't about delving into why I got it, how I got it, at the end of the day I want to see how important this is to you and when I did I felt like I was in good hands.  As we were ending our conversation I had only one last question to ask.  "In my lifetime, will I see a cure for MS?"  Without any hesitation he reached out his hand and said "Yes."  I reached out mine and we shook on it.  And you know what.............I believe him.  

Sunday MAY 26, 2013

I will be participating in the 'MS WALK' fundraiser on May 26th!  In order for me to complete this walk I will be working with my trainers at the UofA and I'll update my blog to let you know how I'm doing.  I'm also in the process of setting up a website so you can donate directly from your mobile phone or computer.  My goal is to raise a minimum of $500.00.  So please ask people you work with, family and friends to donate.