Me & the Ms.: What We've Been up to Lately!: More Confessions of My Living with Multiple Sclerosis

By William (Bill) S. Hammonds

In his book, Bill talks of how M.S. has affected his life not only from a personal perspective, but tries to encourage readers by telling a story of his life that he hopes will capture the interest of everyone. Bill provides advice to those that have been diagnosed with M.S. by including not only eating recommendations, and numerous things that help with bodily functions and mobility, but also hopes to give people with M.S., and possibly people with other diseases as well, the motivation that will make their life more fulfilling.

Bill began to think about his life recently with his diagnosis in mind, and truly wants to share his opinions, memories, and personal feelings with everyone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456724894

William (Bill) S. Hammonds

Bill is the type of person who once thought that he was doing the right things in life, and was living healthy enough to avoid all illnesses that could possibly affect him. He grew up as a heavy-set child, and in his early days as a teenager he became more concerned about the amount of weight that he carried rather than what he could possibly be doing to his health with the self-made diets that he followed. His eating habits weren’t the kind that he would follow now, and wouldn’t recommend them to anyone. Although he didn’t consider his weight affecting him when he was younger. He has questions and suspicions about the possible causes of his development of M.S.. More recently though, Bill does eat, what he feels, is a much more sensible, healthy, and beneficial diet. After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Bill continues with walking regardless of how Multiple Sclerosis makes him feel.

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Me & the Ms.:

What we’ve been up to lately!

More Confessions of My Living with Multiple Sclerosis

William (Bill) S. Hammonds

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AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2011 William (Bill) S. Hammonds. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 3/24/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4567-2490-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-2489-4 (e)

Printed in the United States of America

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Dedication

Just as my first was, this book is also dedicated to none other than my beautiful wife Theresa. What can I say, without her where would I be? She is my strength, my purpose, my reason for fighting this fight. Sure, I have others in my life that I love and care deeply about, but Theresa’s presence is all I need to give me reason for continuing. Thank you my dear. I Love You.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Preface

Acknowledgements

Chapter One

Our Day Has Finally Come

Chapter Two

Ten Years And Counting

Chapter Three

Walking Stories

Chapter Four

My M.R.I. Checkup

Chapter Five

A Hello And A Goodbye

Chapter Six

On My Own With Writing

Chapter Seven

At Home Endeavors

Chapter Eight

The Avonex Treatment And Diary Continued

Chapter Nine

New Discoveries

Chapter Ten

Getting Personal With My M.s.

Chapter Eleven

Memories Of Long Past

Chapter Twelve

Phone Calls And Road Trips

Chapter Thirteen

A Vow Renewed

Preface

The first thing I wanted to say with this book is that I love my wife, Theresa. The second is that I apologize to those that have read my first book, asked when the next one will be available, and have waited so patiently for my work to be completed. To you, I am sorry that it has taken so long. There have been a lot of things going on that has hampered my writing, but I have always had you at heart and in mind these last few years. I appreciate your comments and conversations during my book signings and with your interactions while on-line. Most of all, I thank Marie. She has given me the drive to produce this book. So, please read on and enjoy.

Acknowledgements

Above all, I thank my wife Theresa for the love that she expresses for me on a daily basis. I know for a fact that I would not have gotten this far without her. She truly is an angel here on earth.

My fight, our fight with Multiple Sclerosis continues, and I appreciate all that my doctors have done in this battle and I sincerely thank them. Also, to all the people that are involved in the many trials and treatment developments to help combat MS and the many other diseases that are faced by so many, thank you.

I would also like to thank my family for hanging in there with me throughout the ups and downs of this disease. When times are up things are good, but when times are down they can get pretty low, so I thank you all for being there for me.

William S. Hammonds

Chapter One

Our Day Has Finally Come

I shout, We made it, the day has finally come!, as we stepped below the rising garage door. I was so worried that I would not be able to make this trip because of my many problems getting in the way. Being able to venture too far away from home and possibly experiencing the wetness embarrassments that come along with my illness may indeed stop my plans in their tracks. And I was also fearful of getting dizzy while in the air because of the vertigo that I experience from time to time. Regardless of all that though, I was able to make the one hour train ride, two hour flight, and a short escort via bus to my destination with only three emergency bathroom stops along the way. Two of those were in each airport and one on the plane itself. I believe that I was able to reduce the number of stops by cutting back on my liquid intake and resting as much as I could prior to embarking. But before I even began my journey, a kind soul came to my rescue unexpectedly; my worries and hesitations were all put aside with what happened next.

The only problem that we encountered at the very beginning of our journey was how were we going to get from the house to the Metra train station about a mile away? Theresa and I were at a loss as to what to do. With great concern in my voice I said, Theresa, we’re not able to get a ride, and we have luggage to transport. We sure don’t have enough time to wait for a cab. We called around to ask everyone we knew, but no one was available to make the drive that day. I then asked, How is it that things are going so wrong already? How could I have dropped the ball on this part of the anniversary surprise? While standing at the edge of our driveway and looking at each other we both said, There is only one thing to do. Since the luggage has wheels we will just have to walk. We then turned north and headed down the sidewalk with luggage in tow. What to our surprise, when only a few dozen steps later we noticed our neighbor backing from her garage. Theresa took the reigns and quickly exclaimed, We need to get to the train. Can you give us a ride? Without hesitation our neighbor simply said, I’d be glad to take you. Just hop in. We loaded the trunk of the car as I thought to myself; it sure is good to have people like Meagan around when you need them. Although nervous, I was now confident that things are going to be okay.

The weather was beautiful, the air was clear, the skies were blue, and we were happy on this wonderful day in early June. I only hoped that we would have the greatest time of our lives as I wondered what it would be like to take a trip like this, but Theresa has always dreamed and talked of this kind of adventure often. I remember her conversations even in our early days before our dating began many years ago. I am not going to get into how many years it has been, however. The decades that have passed sure feels as though it has been a life time ago for me. But I am trying to convey a happy story here. Actually, it is a very happy story. Our years together are what I consider to be the best that I could have ever wanted in life.

We walked through the beautiful halls of the vessel reaching our destination in just a short while. As I quickly looked in through the golden, arched doorway to make sure that we were in the right place, I thought of how surprised she will be, and I hoped that Theresa had not caught on to what I had planned. After peering into the chapel, Theresa turned back with a puzzled look on her face and said, Bill, I don’t know why we’re here. I gazed into her eyes and just smiled without saying a word. So far things were going as planned, and I was becoming more excited about the whole event more than I had ever thought I would. Although a little nervous, I tried my best to not look that way. I had only hoped that Theresa will be as thrilled to go through with this as I was being able to pull it off without revealing my big surprise after all this time. My only concern actually was that I might have forgotten something. Memory is another symptom of my M.S. and I do have a tendency to forget things on occasion. But I do not think I have left anything out this time. I really had no reservations as to what her reaction would be. I knew that she would be very excited with the renewal of the promises that we made to each other so many years ago. I was so ready for what was to come next and I just could not wait to see the expression on her face. After all, it has been so long since I had planned this trip all on my own eighteen months earlier.

In February the weather is cold here in northern Illinois. With the snow covering everything in sight I can see what the previous night’s winter weather has brought me. The plow trucks have cleared the streets, but the snow covered sidewalks and driveways still present quite a difficult challenge that I will have to trek through on my walks today. As I peer out to view the new day, I can see that the sun is shining and reflecting from the icicles that hang from the gutters above the kitchen window. Although deterred, I want to get out there. I will not let the snow stop me from my daily walking. I know in my heart that this is what keeps me going in this fight against my mightiest foe, Multiple Sclerosis.

I say to myself in a mustered, strong, sturdy voice, I am going out there regardless of the weather. This statement is what I use to keep myself going strong. It helps my attitude to remain positive, and to carry on with the daily fight with my M.S. I do need to make sure that I have the proper clothing on before I head out when it is cold outside. In winter, I need my hooded long coat, boots, gloves, black jeans, some times a scarf, and as usual, a baseball cap on my head. Oh yes, I need to make sure that I have an undergarment pad on as well. That comes in handy when I cannot make it back home in the event of an accident. Wetness has become one of the main obstacles when taking my walks recently, and Accidents have become more common for me these past few years. Most times I am able to return to use the restroom, but I admit that there are times that the pad really does save the day for me. And I do use it much more often than I have in the past. Without them, I do not think I would be able to head out on my walks with much confidence at all.

The time is drawing near and I want to do something big to celebrate mine and my dear Theresa’s coming twentieth wedding anniversary. I have been thinking about this for quite a while, but not for nearly as long as Theresa had dreamed of going. The eastern coast of South America with spectacular sun filled surroundings, beautiful sights, and a lot of warm inviting water is what we need. A place of excitement, comfort, and long awaited pleasure is where we want to be. I have got to get to work, the time is drawing near and I must get my ideas and plans together. Although I am looking at what awaits me outside my ice covered windows, I am always thinking of warmer, sunnier days. I am going out into the inclemency of Northwestern Illinois, but before I do, I need to make one phone call first.

While sitting down at my computer desk in the bedroom, I dial the 1-800 number of the travel agent that I decided on during the many months of my on-line searches and talks with friends. After a short greeting and discussions with my newly established friendship with Scott, my questions, hopes, and plans begin to take shape. We discussed what I wanted, what I am to expect, and how much this will all cost. I wanted a room with an unobstructed view and doors that opened to a world of nothing but warm, blue water as far as the eye can see. Scott began to talk about things that I had not thought of before. He said that I can upgrade my room to have a balcony to step out onto that will allow us to really enjoy the view. And all this was at no extra