Columns Making a Difference - a Column by Cathy Chester. Mindfulness and Perspective: The Tools I Rely on While Living With MS Mindfulness and Perspective: The Tools I Rely on While Living With MS by Cathy Chester | March 6, 2019 Share this article: Share article via email Copy article link Several summers ago I had the misfortune of experiencing the simultaneous agony of kidney stones and gallstones. The level of pain was greater than I’d had with childbirth. It brought me to my knees and took two hospitals, one misdiagnosis, and two surgeries to get me back on my feet again. But my nightmare was far from over. My hormone levels plummeted, and some multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms kicked in. I refused the steroids my neurologist urged me to take, spiraled into a deep depression, and stopped wanting to eat or dress. I transformed from a typically happy person to one who was scared and unsettled. I had uncontrollable thoughts of financial ruin, worries about my family’s health, and fears of death. Then the troops arrived. My brothers visited as I sat on my couch wearing a bathrobe and staring out of the window. My subconscious shouted, āWho are you? Where are you?ā but I didnāt utter a word. They tried to talk to me, but I wouldn’t listen. Then I heard them say, āYou arenāt meant to be depressed for long. This person is not who you are. Weāve known you your entire life, and weāre here to tell you itās time to get help. Thereās no shame in talking to a professional counselor for talk therapy and medication. Think of it as your wellness plan. We know you can lick this.ā I was blessed to have people in my corner who cared enough to intervene and tell me the truth. I took their advice. I sought professional help, practiced cognitive behavior therapy, and took a short course of antidepressants. My brothers were right: I kicked depression to the curb with the support and love of those who cared. I’ve never looked back. My MS symptoms took longer to conquer. The numbness and weakness in my legs made it difficult to walk. My fatigue was relentless. I continued to refuse steroid treatment. Iād previously been on prednisone and had experienced horrible reactions. I decided to try a holistic approach to healing and began practicing guided meditation. I eliminated unnecessary stress, limited time on social media, and reduced consumption of news reports. I stayed away from toxic people, spending my time with my family, friends, and pets. I weeded out the unhealthy things and surrounded myself with calm, nurturing, and loving influences. We all face adversity at some point in our lives, whether from illness or other challenges. The trick to overcoming it is to find tools to help us to be happier and healthier. I want to share two of the tools I rely on to survive and thrive. Since my MS diagnosis in 1986, and following the aforementioned bout of illness, Iāve worked hard to turn new behaviors into beneficial habits. I hope you will, too. Ā Perspective Adversity can lead to new opportunities. We can improve our lives by learning tough lessons that build character and inner strength. I became a writer and returned to school for a certification in health advocacy because of my illness. I resolved to help others avoid the same dark holes I had experienced. Challenge yourself to see adversity through a different lens. Choosing to respond to life in a positive, productive way creates a healthier and wiser you. It sounds simple, but it’s true ā I am living proof of that. Find the silver lining in every situation, and you will realize that any hardship can become a teachable moment. Ā Mindfulness The term mindfulness has become a buzzword used by health and wellness professionals. The practice was popularized by Jon Kabat-Zinn who added his scientific research to what he learned from Buddhist teachers to develop a program to help people to manage pain, stress, anxiety, and illness by using āmoment-to-moment awareness.ā If you’d like to find out more about Kabat-Zinn, I recommend his book, āWherever You Go, There You Areā or find out more about his Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s website. *** Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis. Print This Page About the Author Cathy Chester Cathy Chester is an award-winning health advocate and freelance writer whose flourishing blog, www.anempoweredspirit.com, focuses on staying positive despite a diagnosis of MS. Diagnosed with RRMS in 1986 (before any approved medications or the internet) Cathy knows how frightening this unpredictable disease can be. Today she helps others manage their MS journey by using her unique skills as a writer, patient, and certified health advocate. Her work has been featured in the National Multiple Sclerosis Societyās Momentum magazine, NARCOMS Now, MSAA, and in countless online publications including Midlife Boulevard, BetterAfter50, The Mighty, BlogHer, SheSpeaks, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop and The Huffington Post. Cathy lives in New Jersey with her loving husband and son, plus two adorable cats. Tags mindfulness, perspective Comments Leave a comment Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published. Your Name Your Email Your Comment Post Comment