PODCAST · health
MS is messy
by Kimberly Albin
A closer look at the good, the bad and the ugly of living with Multiple Sclerosis. Although I will share with listeners the different challenges and solutions I've stumbled upon for coping successfully with this disease, I am in no way an expert so please consult your own doctor for specific treatment options. My hope is that other people living with MS and those who care for them will find comfort in the fact that they are not alone. We are all in this together until there is a CURE.
Episodes
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Hope Springs Eternal
Some days hope is all I have. It doesn't take much to keep me going because I try and keep a good attitude but MS is constantly out to derail my best laid plans. I'm hoping the new year and new health routine will help keep me on track.
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Gratitude is the reason for the season
MS is a progressive disease for me unfortunately but instead of focusing on what it's taken from me, I will try and remember all I'm able to do still. Life is too short to let fear dictate what I chose to do so as long as I'm able,I will continue to take a big ole bite out of life
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Giving myself grace
It's been over 2 months since I recorded a podcast but felt moved to share my struggles in the hopes that it might help others who are feeling sad, frustrated and scared. It's ok to have the occasional pity party which I have been doing for awhile now but I'm not ready to give up and neither…
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Inaccessibility makes life stressful for everyone.
I want to see a BIG concert at a BIG venue downtown Friday night with my daughter and realized the inaccessibility that I face every time I venture out made her and her friends so upset. I’m jaded to this fact now but it was nice to see their compassion and concern.
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Playing Russian Roulette with our health.
I was featured in the Chicago Tribune this last week in an article addressing some shady insurance practices and the law we’re trying to get passed in this state to stop some of them. Patients like myself have little power to make their own healthcare decisions because of rising costs and fixed...
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Our Healthcare System is Broken
I know I’m not the only one who is aggravated with trying to navigate our shoddy healthcare system. Anyone who doesn’t feel this way has clearly never been really sick having to depend on doctors and insurance to do the right thing. It’s bad enough to be sick but to add insult to injury…
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Cancer scare
A cautionary tale of facing a serious diagnosis while already living with the equally serious and daunting reality of MS. My hope is that listeners will hear something that might help them when and if they get some other illness. It doesn’t seem fair but having MS won’t protect you from getting...
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MS is tough but I’m tougher.
Trips to the gym have gotten harder and consequently less consistent than I’d like but a nice comment from a stranger recharged me. I didn’t ask to be an inspiration but if my situation makes others feel motivated to keep their body strong, then so be it.
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Overachiever Withdrawals
After 3+ years of producing the MS is Messy podcast I thought it was time to hang up my mic but a nice woman who I don’t know personally sent me a heartfelt message about how much she was getting from my podcasts. I always said if I could help just one other person dealing with MS, then the…
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Home elevator
After years of talking about our home's lack of accessibility. we finally decided to install an elevator as stairs have become too challenging for me to manage some days. This free standing lift designed by Stiltz is the answer we were looking for when we ultimately agreed that our home…
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Where there’s a will there’s a way. Traveling with a disability.
All the planning in the world won’t prepare a disabled person from running into challenges while traveling anywhere but especially oversees. After a magical family vacation to Italy, I learned firsthand how hard it is to travel but I’m glad I did it.
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Is MS a life sentence? The short answer is NO.
Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. David Bilstrom, MD, Director of the International Autoimmune Institute & Bingham Memorial Center for Functional Medicine who gives us concrete answers on how people with MS can reverse and even prevent this disease from progressing through simple lifestyle changes.
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Part of my interview with Dr. David Billstrom Director of the International Autoimmune Institute
My conversation with Dr. Billstrom from the Bingham Memorial Center for Functional Medicine is extremely informative for anyone with an autoimmune disease specifically MS. You will hopefully feel empowered to start making positive changes in your own health journey immediately with his tried and...
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Conversation with Dr. David Billstrom, Director of the International Autoimmune Institute & Bingham Memorial Center for Functional Medicine
I had the unique opportunity to speak with Dr. David Billstrom, a longtime, respected functional medicine doctor who has made it his life's goal to educate and treat those of us living with an autoimmune disease. In this part 1 of a 2 part series Dr. Billstrom shares his belief that all…
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Maintaining a healthy diet is crucial for people with MS
After a recent visit to my primary doctor I learned that I'm at risk for heart disease if I'm not more careful with my diet. I decided to heed this warning since my Dad died of a sudden heart attack at the age I am now. I was pretty lax during the holidays with my food choices so I feel confident…
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New Year, New opportunity to learn and grow
After reading Michelle Obama's most recent book, "The Light We Carry" where she describes how her Dad's MS made her feel helpless and afraid aa a young person, I realized and immediately felt guilty for what my kids are carrying into adulthood themselves. I decided the vulnerabilities and lack of...
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What are you grateful for?
As Thanksgiving approaches I can't help but reflect on my many blessings, some that I may not have even recognized if not for being diagnosed with MS. This disease has taken so much from me while at the same time giving me gifts I never knew possible. Gratitude is just an attitude, one that will...
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Pain, what do we do with it?
Pain and I are old friends after years of living with a disease like MS but I'm well aware that it could always be worse. I try and focus on activities that make me forget about the pain while doing my best to manage my ever increasing symptoms. Pain is just part of life so learning coping...
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Listen to your body and not that bully in your head.
After taking the summer off to recharge and readjust my priorities, I still struggle with not feeling enough. This society places so much emphasis on being active and busy but sometimes MS prevents me from doing all I would like to. I've been working on true acceptance, not conditional, which…
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We all have 2 choices in life: to Give up or Fight.
While trying to keep up with a busy schedule I neglected to put myself and my health first and I'm paying for that neglect. I am refocused and re energized to make my health a priority because if I don't, MS will take over which I am determined to prevent. As they say, "I have MS, it doesn't have...
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WALK MS 2022
For 20 years now I have been participating in WALK MS, the largest National Multiple Sclerosis Society fundraising event of the year that has always been so crucial in helping people like myself who are living with MS. The money we raise goes towards helping people dealing with this costly…
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Thank God for steroids
I've been MIA for awhile so today's podcast explains why. I am so thankful today for a good doctor, helpful meds and the support and encouragement of family and friends which are all important to feeling better. Fighting this disease never stops but with this most recent steroid course, I am...
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Mom
After my recent trip to Arizona to visit with my mom, I learned alot about how each of us are handling our own MS journeys. Having been recently diagnosed with MS, my mom still leads a very active life which was nice to see. I also realized while I was there how many short cuts or energy savers I...
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Miracle drug or temporary fix?
My Mom turned me onto a little pill that has literally changed my life so I needed to share that news with you.I had resigned myself to living with this annoying and painful symptom but for now, this medicine is working great and I am beyond thankful. Just when I'm ready to give up hope of…
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Making the most of a bad situation
If Covid has taught us nothing else, we have all learned that plans can and do change last minute. The trick is to roll with the punches which is what we did last week when we had an impromptu holiday party that might not have happened if not for Covid. I understand that taking precautions during…
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MS isn't contagious.
Being around disabled people makes some uncomfortable but after years of self work, I am finally not taking that personally. I know that what others think is none of my business but taking care of myself on a daily basis is now my full time job. My hope is that everyone is accepted and…
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Life Hacks: Necessity is the mother of invention.
I have figured out some life hacks to make living with MS an easier task. In this podcast I share some of my daily routine and the things I've discovered that will make accomplishing my goals possible even if those goals are just meeting my basic needs most days. I refuse to let this disease keep...
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Accessibility is a BIG problem.
Several times a month, I run into a business or even a medical facility that is not accessible and I'm tired of tolerating this inconvenience. The ADA or Americans With Disabilities Act became the law of the land in 1990 but you might be surprised to learn how many public facilities are still not...
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Hippotherapy or horseback riding for improved health
I don't think getting up on a huge horse to improve your MS symptoms is the first or even the second or third option that people might consider after diagnosis but I'm here to tell you, the benefits of equine therapy are immeasurable. This podcast goes into a little more detail about how...
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lessons from the Olympics
Like so many others, I have been glued to the Olympic coverage seeing so many parallels to my own life: struggling but coming up short, needing my body to perform and dealing with the "twisties" in real time. Like Simone Biles, I have struggled with understanding my place in space because of the...
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Summer heat and humidity
I have written and talked about MS heat intolerance for years but it bears repeating. Heat and humidity can exacerbate symptoms like fatigue, numbness and blurry vision although cooling the body off will usually return everything back to normal or whatever your normal is. No one wants to miss out...
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Anxiety
I had a full blown panic attack last night at bedtime forcing me to finally seek the therapy I have been putting off for so long. I understand why I am an anxious, codependent woman but feel powerless to get to the bottom of my problems myself. There is nothing wrong in seeking help when I need…
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Purpose in Life
Ironically, I didn't discover my true purpose in life until I was diagnosed with MS all those years ago now. I was in a vicious cycle of working myself sick while never feeling like I was really present for my family either mentally or physically. In a strange way, MS has given me a very strong...
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Will this one work?
I am starting on my eighth disease modifying medication tomorrow and I'm more than a little nervous about it given my history with MS drugs. I am back to self injections with the newest MS medication on the market called Kesempta. Being at home to take this medicine beats traveling miles and...
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Fundraising season stresses me out
Every year I say I'm done with fundraising for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society yet here I am again. I signed up to be captain of a small but mighty WALK MS team and since there's no actual WALK event this year due to Covid, I've been forced to be more creative than ever in my fundraising...
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True healing comes from the inside
I have spent years looking outward for ways to heal my MS but it's not working. In fact, I'm getting worse, weaker everyday. Had a lightbulb moment this weekend that I share in this podcast finally deciding that the answers are within me. I am unconsciously bringing more pain and disability into…
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Botox is a miracle drug
Botox is not for just for smoothing out the wrinkles anymore. It's the miracle drug that helps me deal with an overactive bladder. After years of dealing with this frustrating MS symptom, I am grateful to have discovered this procedure which really has been life changing.When you hear people talk...
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Comparison is the Thief of Joy
I know it's human nature to compare ourselves to others so I'm not immune to this behavior. Life is too short to spend your time thinking about what you don't have instead of appreciating what you do. I know everyone has their own challenges but some days I wish that my disability did not hold me...
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On the Road Again
It has been a whole year since I have been on a plane but I am so thankful that I took this calculated risk to get out of the cold weather. I share the challenges of traveling when disabled for a couple of reasons, the first being to remind able bodied people to help out when and where they can…
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My Messy Little Life
I started this podcast in June when life really felt out of control but I've since learned that if I let go and accept what is instead of trying to force the outcome I want, life becomes so much easier. I don't need to have all the answers to question what my purpose is so cutting myself a break…
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Gratitude
Being thankful for what you DO have instead of focusing on what you don't have is an important reminder especially at this time of year. After a rough 2020. I'm ready to really focus on improving my health starting with the right attitude of gratitude. I've spent way too much time frustrated with...
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Squiggy died, am I next?
Death is part of life but when someone dies of the same disease I have, I am immediately reminded of my own mortality. I am really working on not being fearful, not even letting my mind go to those places of dread and anxiety especially when I'm not feeling well. I realize that I am blocking my…
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The Role of Fear in Our Lives
Is it possible that a little fear could actually be good for our systems? I was an adrenaline junkie in my youth and still seek out opportunities to get that rush these days although it's getting harder to do while in lockdown. I have done it but you don't need to jump out of a perfectly good...
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What to do with these emotions.
Between the pandemic and the election I have been an emotional wreck for months despite all my efforts to stay calm. Saturday was a watershed day for me as everything finally came to a head and I spent the day laughing one moment, then crying the next. Anyone who knows me would've been surprised…
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Anxiety
Nothing like a global pandemic with no end in sight to ratchet up underlying anxiety issues. I come across as a cool cucumber to most people who meet me because I try and keep my problems to myself but the combination of so much time on my hands and the unknowns of Covid have me really examining...
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Catching up with my friend
Joni and I have been friends for close to 15 years after meeting at the MS Society’s Public Policy conference in Springfield. Like myself, she has done everything in her power to stay mobile and active and is a constant source of knowledge of all things MS.
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The Power of Prayer to heal
It's taken me a minute to graciously accept and appreciate the outpouring of prayers that are always offered up for my health challenges with MS. I have come to welcome these well wishes for what they are, understanding that my resistance to prayer has more to do with my own feelings of…
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What we put our attention on grows
Rather than always thinking about what I don't want to happen, ie. an accident in my pants because of my neurogenic bowel and bladder, I'm trying to focus on what I DO want in my life. The best way that I have found to get out of my head and appreciate my body for what it can do as opposed to…
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Why is MS so hard to diagnose?
Everyone who is eventually diagnosed with MS has their own horror story about how painstakingly difficult it is to even get this disease definitively identified. This podcast explains why that is the case, what symptoms to look out for and what options you have for getting to the bottom of these...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A closer look at the good, the bad and the ugly of living with Multiple Sclerosis. Although I will share with listeners the different challenges and solutions I've stumbled upon for coping successfully with this disease, I am in no way an expert so please consult your own doctor for specific treatment options. My hope is that other people living with MS and those who care for them will find comfort in the fact that they are not alone. We are all in this together until there is a CURE.
HOSTED BY
Kimberly Albin
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does MS is messy have?
MS is messy currently has 63 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is MS is messy about?
A closer look at the good, the bad and the ugly of living with Multiple Sclerosis. Although I will share with listeners the different challenges and solutions I've stumbled upon for coping successfully with this disease, I am in no way an expert so please consult your own doctor for specific...
How often does MS is messy release new episodes?
MS is messy has 63 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to MS is messy?
You can listen to MS is messy on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts MS is messy?
MS is messy is created and hosted by Kimberly Albin.
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