Changes to the Butterfly In The Attic Blog

 Many of you have been with me for quite a while and have watched my blog evolve and then de-evolve unfortunately.  I feel like I have been in a blogging slump for such a long time just trying to figure out what I should write about.  It is hard for me to write about myself but my son suggested that I focus more on my struggles with Multiple Sclerosis.  

I am not sure how much I have mentioned having this disease before but I decided to take his advice. I can remember how devastated and alone I felt when I was first diagnosed.  If my blog can help others not feel so alone and scared I will be so genuinely happy.  

While the blog is changing,  I am still an artist, kids book author, photographer and animal lover who loves to laugh so some of my posts will stay the same.  

Now where to start...

I was born in Wisconsin and always felt like I was not made for the cold winters.  I can remember hiding in the house for many months and even as a young child fighting with my parents about going outside to play.  In the summer months I lived outside but soon as temperatures started to drop I was done, nothing could get me outside.  This is maybe part of why I developed MS because studies have found a correlation to low Vitamin D levels and an increase in developing the disease.  But that is just one of the many theories on what causes or triggers MS and at this time there isn't anything concrete.  

I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in my 30's, which is common.  At the time I was under a lot of pressure. I was a non-trad student working on a math/science degree with 2 young kids. My son who is the youngest was just starting elementary school.  My daughter, also in elementary school, was having hundreds of seizures most days due to a different disorder.  And of course there was the day to day on top of all that.   In some ways I feel like I may have just pushed myself too hard and something had to break.  However, I can remember weird symptoms even as a young child so I have no idea when it started and what triggered it.

My diagnosis with relapsing/remitting MS was in the spring of 2003, which is incredibly significant for those just getting diagnosed now.  Because, that means I have known about and have been treated for MS for over 20 years and I am still working and enjoying life.  When I think about all the time I wasted imagining the worst and worrying about my future I sincerely regret it.  The fear of the unknown is where we can spend much too much of our precious life in darkness.  Stress is so unhealthy and I come from a long proud line of Queen Worriers. Joking, that is probably one of my worse traits, bad for someone in general and especially bad for someone that has MS.

I always found it funny that doctors would tell me that it is so important for me to reduce stress after they just diagnosed me with a life changing disease.  I am not sure how many of you have been given that great piece of advice but personally it was not helpful.

I need to keep my posts short since I will be starting work in a few minutes but I will be interested
in hearing from everyone your thoughts on my new direction and if you want to know anything specific about my experience with MS.  (please keep it kind and PG) Until next time have a blessed day.