Little Wins: Finding Joy in the Small Moments

Living with a chronic illness is like being an actor in a play, one where the script keeps changing. Some days, I feel like I'm nailing my lines, and others... well, let's just say I'm improvising.

Here's the thing about Multiple Sclerosis - it's not always visible. I don't always look sick or act sick. In fact, I've become quite the expert at masking my symptoms. I put on this mask every morning, ready to face the world without inviting those looks of pity that make my skin crawl. Don't get me wrong, I know people mean well, but sometimes those sympathetic glances feel worse than my symptoms.

Most days, I can pull it off. I navigate through the world, juggling work, family, and everything in between. But then there are those days when the pain becomes too loud to ignore, too intense to keep in. And that's when I find myself incredibly grateful for modern medicine. It's not a cure (I wish it was), but it gives me these little wins that mean the world to me. Last week, I started a new round of symptom treatment. Now, this isn't to be confused with my disease-modifying treatment - that's a whole other ballgame. This is about managing the day-to-day symptoms that like to pop up and say "Surprise! Bet you didn't plan for this today!"

These treatments are like little doses of magic. They allow me to experience those small joys in life that some might take for granted. Like surprising my kids by going up the stairs without hesitation. Or walking down the street without dragging my foot, feeling semi-normal. For a while, I get to mimic an old version of me, the pre-MS me. And my friends and family? They get a glimpse of the old me too. I can see it in their eyes - a mix of joy and relief. It's like we're all pretending, just for a moment, that everything is normal and sometimes pretending can be a beautiful thing.

One of my dear friends brought us dinner this week. To her, it was probably just a small gesture. But to us, it meant the world. Instead of spending precious energy on cooking, I got to be present. I sat down with my kids, ate a meal I didn't have to prepare, and soaked in those moments of normalcy. That's another little win.

These little victories might seem insignificant to some. Climbing stairs, walking normally, enjoying a family dinner - they're everyday occurrences for many. But when you're living with a chronic illness, these small moments shine like beacons of hope. They remind me that joy can be found in the simplest of things.

So here's to the little wins. To the moments when I can pretend MS doesn't exist. To the friends who show up with compassion. Each of these small victories adds up, creating some amazing moments that make life beautiful.

Remember, whether you're living with a chronic illness or loving someone who is, it's okay to celebrate these little wins. Because sometimes, the smallest victories are the ones that matter most.