Telling people about MS...

Today I told the two friend's I made at the FRA that I have MS. I've known them 5 minutes but already I felt I should let them in on my not so little secret.

I don't plan on the whole class knowing or even on my course tutor knowing... but I've realised that I made MS such a huge part of my life for the past two years that it's hard for me NOT to mention it when people ask; 'So what were you doing before this course?' 'How come you were working at a School?' 'Why did you leave Ann Summers?' OR when I'm explaining my past experiences.

I'm not ashamed of MS but I'm also not going to let it define me or use it as a platform the way I have done for two years. Although it has been a great platform at times! And equally not so great at others. 

I have been invited for an interview on Saturday for a HUGE lingerie brand... will I be telling them I have MS? Um... NO. Not yet anyway. It's a tricky one about telling employers, future employers, new friends, old friends etc etc. What will their reaction be? Will they change towards me? Will I be discriminated against? 

My advise to someone who has been recently diagnosed? 

Don't be afraid of what people think. You are STRONGER than you think so bite the bullet and tell those who matter. Tell your family and close friends... This is what they are for... this is one of those times when family and friends make ALL the difference. 

You don't need to shout it to the world, unless you're like me and it helps to live out the experience with everyone and anyone all over the world. Maybe pencil down your thoughts in a diary or on an anonymous blog and you'll start to find it easier to manage in no time. The idea of telling new people will start to not matter as much. 

Anyway... my advise is to BE BRAVE, BE OPEN, FAMILY AND FRIENDS are like supporting pillars at a time like this and you'll be pleasantly surprised; most importantly BE LEGENDARY. 

MS is YOUR OPPORTUNITY to BE LEGENDARY. 

P x

First Day of Big School

Today was my first day at the Fashion Retail Academy. 

[Aka Big School]

I wore my backpack, wrote in my shiny new Selfridges yellow notepad and changed my outfit an appropriate amount of times before choosing the first option, of course. 

Coffee in hand I arrived EARLY and ready to take on the next life challenge- this time without MS. (No one needs to know I have it so that basically means I don't, right?) 

I'm bored of being too scared to live my life in fear of an MS relapse. 

On Friday I spent my last day in the Admissions and Marketing role I acquired around the time of diagnosis. Today I spent my FIRST day living my life exactly how it should be...loving every second, being inspired, meeting new people and challenging myself. Oh and BONUS...I came home in one piece - shock horror - no need to be afraid of life constantly in fear of MS. 

I took a Maths and English test, I made some lovely new friends, I received my timetable for the next 5 months and I visited my two favourite places in London - Liberty and Selfridges. Tomorrow I start my first lesson in Visual Merchandisisng for Retail and I CAN'T WAIT. 

Life is about taking risks. It's about finding what you love and pursuing that passion, making sure it's a part of your daily routine.

P

Rest & Recovery

Making sure I get 8 hours SLEEP a night is a key factor in CONTROLLING MS. 

It makes such a difference. But it's important not to seep TOO much as this can make fatigue worse. I get into bed around 9pm every night and try to be asleep by 10pm. This way I can start every day at 6am and have time to make the ESSENTIAL protein breakfast to set me up for the day :) 

I train hard in the gym and follow a strict routine of 2 cardio sessions, 1 HIIT aand 3 weights sessions a week. A combination of this + a sugar free diet allows me to be in control of my body and my condition. This will only work if I also give my body plenty of rest and recovery time. Therefore SLEEP time is ME time :) 

For reasons I'll explain better in my nutrition post, I also have a bowl of porridge every other night before bed. I make it with almond milk and top it with a couple of strawberries. This releases serotonin slowly and helps me sleep better therefore I recover better. = BEATING MS

Today was 6am cardio, a long day at work followed by coursework so It's 8.20pm and I'm already in bed! Movie night for me and I'll be sleeping like a baby by 10pm. 

Tonight's movie - BEST OF ME 

Sweet dreams people...

P x

A Belated Happy New Year!

INTRODUCING 2015 | Happy New Year!

2015 is here and it's set to be a BIG one. Well, it's actually 16 days in already but I've been getting on with so much that I have finally got around to re-designing, re-formatting and updating my blog! 

I don't want to dwell on last year but just to update you; I have not blogged for 2 months or so because I had acute appendicitis last November which was followed by a very complicated and messy surgery and a 10 day stint in hospital. It took me 6 weeks to recover so I simply took the time off from life, work and EVERYTHING to reflect and detox my body and mind ready for a fresh start in 2015. 

And what a start is has been.... I'm on this new medication, Fingolimod, and it's working wonders with no side effects! I feel like a new person compared to who was was when I was on the last injectable drug.

This year is all about being a FREE SPIRIT and taking RISKS to make the most of LIFE. 13 days into the year I handed in my notice at work and I'm off on to new ADVENTURES.  I've had enough of MS convincing me that I should play it SAFE and stay at home in a little job local to me 'just in case' anything goes wrong. 

I want to get back in to what I LOVE and that is being CREATIVE. I've been accepted on to a 20 week fast track course in VISUAL MERCHANDISING at the FASHION RETAIL ACADEMY to start immediately. 

The FIRST Wedding which I've planned from the very beginning is in July 2015 and I'm finally FINDING MY WAY.

I have also set up my very own BISCUIT BUSINESS offering DESIGNER Iced Biscuits... mmmmmmm! 

WATCH THIS SPACE 

p x