I’m not letting MS stop me from starting an outdoor backyard garden of my own

I have written about how much I enjoyed helping my grandma tend to her garden as a child, in the years before I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. She instilled in me a great love for plants and for being outdoors.

But with multiple sclerosis (MS) came increasing heat intolerance, and being outside under the Texas sun brought on migraines, chronic fatigue, episodes of vertigo, and spotty vision. Not being able to be outside was an incredibly difficult adjustment, as so many of the things I enjoyed doing meant being there.

Young Desiree Lama, right, helps her grandma re-pot a plant. (Photo by Manuela Lama)

Over the years, I have yearned to start my own garden and follow in my grandma’s footsteps, but I knew it would take a toll take on me.

I’ve lived in apartments most of my life, and maintaining an indoor garden of pothos, snake plants, monstera, money trees, and more, had been a happy medium for a while, until my cat began to treat my plants like a buffet.

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Back to nature

But a few months ago, my partner and I moved into a house that has three garden beds, and I’ve begun to feel like a could create the backyard garden of my dreams, just at a pace and scale that works for me. The weather hasn’t been unbearable, at least not yet, and I’ve been able to take advantage of the beautiful spring days without worrying that the heat will become overwhelming.

On the days when the heat does get to be a bit much, I tend to my plants either early in the morning or later in the evening, when the sun has gone down.

Petunias, marigolds, and a kalanchoe blossom in pots in the author’s new garden. (Photo by Desiree Lama)

I have also learned not to overexert myself because there would be a mountain of repercussions on my body.

My partner does some of the heavy lifting, reducing the physical strain on my body. I am grateful for this, and today we have a garden full of a variety of plants — zinnias, sunflowers, wildflowers, marigolds, nasturtiums, many different vegetables, and more.

As with many lifestyle changes following an MS diagnosis, all of my gardening efforts have to be approached in moderation.

Over the years, I’ve realized that being diagnosed with MS doesn’t mean being kept away in a small box. MS can put many limitations on daily life, but we can adjust as best we are able by practicing mindfulness and finding balance. We can still live a fulfilling life by finding new ways to live that replenish our bodies, our minds, and our spirits.

As I watch my garden grow and flourish, I feel my appreciation for life deepen, even with the cards I’ve been dealt.

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, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.