Relationships Can Thrive with MS

Jennifer (Jenn) Powell avatar

by Jennifer (Jenn) Powell |

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Jennifer Silver Linings

Relationships are a quagmire in and of themselves. Throw in a chronic, progressive disease, and you have yourself quite the ride. This ride has excitability, steady inclines, crescendos, fun and free times, steep ravines, and shake-ups. Inevitably, balance is restored.

That pretty much sums up my marriage.

Let me preface by acknowledging those who do not currently have a significant other: I feel you. Although I did not have MS when I met my husband, I did have severe endometriosis and had just come through a radical hysterectomy. I was 26. Meeting people, dating, trusting, and becoming intimate can prove intimidating. If you want a special someone in your life, always remember your worth.

While there are plenty of days I would be hard-pressed to admit it, my husband is a good man. He is loyal, honest, hardworking, thoughtful, funny, adventurous, and kind. We share many of these traits, each rooted in our core. They are our glue when trials and tears attempt to pull us apart.

And they do.

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We have endured some pretty intense challenges in our 21 years. These arduous times have bruised and even crippled our ability to thrive as a couple. We lick our respective wounds, take to our safe spaces, and shut the other out. Reactions to stresses vary, and we have both hurt the other through ours. Nevertheless, reactions are transient, and it is what you do after your impulsivity that defines your strengths as a couple. When I feel misunderstood as well as fatigued and in pain, it is almost impossible to see things clearly. Hence, it is not the best time to attempt resolution. My impulse may want clarity, but I must remind myself that it is the wrong time.

No one is perfect. Shocker, I know. Relationships morph over time and run somewhat on autopilot. While easier when coping with external stressors, it is imperative to check in. So often our needs go unmet due to an assumption that the other is distant or busy. Unmet needs create resentment. Make time to sit down and ask for what you need. Be as specific as possible. I have had to give up the romanticized notion that he can read my mind in favor of being direct. Romance is beautiful when defined by you and not a book read to you when you were 5.

Romance was once a beautiful candlelit dinner, a weekend getaway to the desert or the sea, or a jeweled gift.

My, how times have changed.

All of the above is wonderful, but will not sustain our long-term needs. The day we walked out of my neurologist’s office, everything changed. Our dynamic changed, as did our needs and the ability to meet them. Overnight and without consultation, our roles changed; he the caretaker and I so reliant. I still fight that word and hesitate to ask for help, but I am learning.

We are learning.

We are learning to be flexible in the throes of rapid change. We are learning to express and accept love through actions of kindness and respect. We are learning that a good marriage can have bad days, bad weeks, and bad months. We are learning that forgiveness is a powerful opportunity for growth. We are learning to give and receive freely and without expectation. We are learning that love transcends physicality, and although born of attraction, it is sustained of spirit.

We are learning to trust this ride we are on. The sudden turns, the unexpected dips, and overall capitulation have both ripped us apart and thrown us together. We are learning to reach out when distance exists between us, and hold on tight when side by side.

The ride may dictate the destination, but we will define the journey — together.

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Comments

Dallas avatar

Dallas

New to this
Diagnosed end April this year
Ppms 48 yrs old
HAVE taken the first full dose of ocrevus July, August.
Had anyone had any side effects?
Thanx

Reply
Debbie avatar

Debbie

I have taken two doses of Ocrevus so far, and have not had any side effects. I can't say I've seen improvement, but I haven't worsened either, which is the goal of Ocrevus.

Reply
Caroline Milne avatar

Caroline Milne

Beautifully expressed.

Reply
Geoff Krikorian avatar

Geoff Krikorian

I'm not currently in a relationship. I have PPMS, though the only people that know of this diagnosis are my brothers and close friends. I am taking Ocrevus and hope to stop the progression with this treatment. Your Love story is something I long for. Good fortune with your journey. God bless you both.

Reply
Cynthia King avatar

Cynthia King

Hi am a horrible person because I can't fight with my husband and this disease and the disease always wins. My husband was always one of those 'all eyes on me' kinda people, and ms takes away from him. And the problem is he thinks I'm nuts because that's not how he sees himself. So what am I supposed to do? So we fight and the end is always if I just did things his way we'd all be happier. Like I'm not allowed to go downstairs if he's not home because he can't be worrying about me while he's working. Ok, and I'm not supposed to bother him when he gets home because he tired from working. How many days in a row am I supposed to wear the same pair of underwear? He'll bring up the laundry when it's good for him and if I ask more than once I'm being a nag, because where am I going that I need clean clothes? Maybe it's better to have ms before getting married because at least you can see how he responds to the stress ms puts on a relationship. MS has turned me into someone I don't recognize anymore - a horrible person

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Marir avatar

Marir

Oh my God, I'm sorry you're so vulnerable to his whims because he sounds selfish and even, dare I say, somewhat cruel.

Reply
Theresa avatar

Theresa

Very lovingly expresses. Thank you for the hope.

Reply
Marie avatar

Marie

Oh my God, I'm sorry you're so vulnerable to his whims because he sounds selfish and even, dare I say, somewhat cruel.

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