Columns Fall Down, Get Up Again- a Column by John Connor Here Comes the Sun, and It’s All Too Much Here Comes the Sun, and It’s All Too Much by John Connor | July 6, 2020 Share this article: Share article via email Copy article link Yup, it’s the annual whinge about what heat does to most of us, this time livened up by a headline that includes two Beatles’ song titles. (Yes, I did have to scroll through their discography to find the deeply submerged second — a George Harrison number off “Yellow Submarine!”) Presume anyone with MS who lives in a hot climate has to bathe in air-conditioned surroundings to survive. Ironically, that adds to the atmosphere’s heat, but let’s not get bogged (also disappearing) down in present-day physical geography! Even living in London, I’ve had to accept that there will increasingly be days that knock me out. So when the weatherperson joyously imparted that the next day was going to be hotter than the Caribbean (32 degrees Celsius, or 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit), I thought, as ever, that I’d get through it. Phew, no wonder! It was only now, when I converted it into old money (we went decimal in 1971 and lost shillings), that I realized how hot it truly was! Actually, I survived that day. It was the next day when all the surrounding ground and house had soaked up all that radiation and dumped it into my wilting body. It was a tad unfair to be treating a vegan like a summer turkey on a slow roast! I sat in a huddle with fans turned up to 11 to little effect. I should have taken the advice of the equally annual newspaper column that recommends freezing large bottles of water and sticking them in front of the fans. It’s bound to happen again this summer. Note to self: This time, be ready. Make sure there are a couple of 2-liter lemonade bottles (just drink some first so that there is no bursting) and a bottle of Pimm’s handy. With the correct timing I could have a lovely summer cocktail! There may be no Wimbledon but we must struggle on regardless. After all, I am British! Thinking about it, there must be a surfeit of cheap strawberries on the market. That is, if the British are willing to pick ’em! I was in such a state that I had to pull a “sickie” (see below for meaning) from this august organ. I’m one of the MS Forum moderators on this site and that was certainly beyond me! For all you non-U.K. readers, a “sickie” is something you make up to get off work and go have a good time. A hot summer’s day is a prime example. Though obviously not for someone with MS. My idea of a good time would be to hang out in a butcher’s fridge. Now that I’m a vegan I’ve rather been hung by my own petard (which is a bomb, by the way). Anyway, if the butcher found out he’d tell me to sling my (butcher’s) hook! *** 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 John Connor In the ‘80s, John Connor created the first regular column about the burgeoning London stand-up scene. In 1990 he wrote a book about its effect on the Edinburgh Festival: “Comics: A Decade of Comedy at the Assembly Rooms.” That year he also devised and ran a live topical stand-up team show at The London Comedy Store, The Edge (It was destroyed in 2020!). In 2009 John was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, which cut short his main job as a TV casting director for “Black Books,” “My Family,” et al. Now, John writes “Fall Down Get Up Again,” an irreverent journey with MS. Tags heat Comments alice rigaud i live in a climate with ms I m always cold I tell my dr. she says I should be thankful Reply Alison Mc I am always amazed by your grasp of the English language-however you're feeling, you always seem to have a a great brain and a solid grasp of that pen. By the way, I live in Central Scotland and am waiting patiently for a stretch of summer - we've had lovely days but interrupted by that wet stuff. Reply John Connor Wot, me? Ta x Reply Arloa Raffler Thank you so much for your writings. I love reading them and they always lift me up. It is good that you write negative and then get the positive to help ease the line. I believe in staying positive. What you think is what you get, I believe. I live where there is a heat wave going on, but we have air conditioning, [so lucky]. Thank you again, you help a lot by your writings. Reply John Connor Cool [well u r!]. Ta Reply Deborah Mccorkle I, ENJOY READING ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING ON M.S.,I'M NEW TO TRYING DIFFERENT DRUGS UNTIL I,FIND THE RIGHT MEDICATION FOR MY M.S. THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO DO TO HELP US, WITH BREAKING NEWS M.S. THANKS Reply Phil Longford I get caught out, every year. After the long, cold winter, I get so excited when the sun shows itself. Then, very quickly, I am reminded that MS, and heat, are not good bedfellows! ? Reply Marcy I appreciate all the individual stories you publish about people in all walks of life living with MS. There is a good balance of science and practical info also. Reply Brissa A. Pérez Me ha encantado. Siempre disfruto leyendo sus escritos. Saludos desde México. Translation: I loved it. I always enjoy reading your writing. Greetings from Mexico. Reply John Connor Muchas gracias. x Reply Bill Meehan I turn 68 tomorrow and 23 years of MS and 3 years of wheelchairing. I have a very fine life somehow any way. I don’t read much of MS blogs and such. But today, I salute John Connor and each one of you with empathy, understanding, brother and sister hood and an unspoken connection only we can understand. Find a moment of peace and ease if you can or at least a very cold bath . Know we are all always together. Reply John Connor Ta. From your 63 year old brother. x Reply Meri Dear John, I am 51yrs old Diagnosed 11yrs ago. I was just married a few months it was Valentine's Day and I wound up in the hospital a spinal tap a few MRIs and by the end of the week WHAMO I have a diagnosis of MS. Not a huge surprise as I am 3rd generation, My grandfather had it and Ironically passed away on Valentine's Day from complications of his MS the year before I was born. My father was also Diagnosed at the age of 40 same as me he is still with us at 72 yrs of age. He is bed bound now. He has fallen more times than any of us can remember but as he says never broke a hip be cause he is a Pro at it. Lol. Back to me ugh. Less than 6 months after my diagnosis My husband left for work I was getting ready for work and heard a loud Boom, I thought MS was going to be the biggest change in my life boy was I wrong. My husband was hit by a speeding dump truck he was helicopter to the hospital one of many in and out of comas and finally had to be moved to hospice on Christmas Eve. Passing away 8 days later. I Lost the Love of my life who I had for such a short time 2 years in total. I was running on complete adrenaline and then I crashed. In and out of hospitals a few times a year on IV steroids. I have tried 6 MS drugs the most recent being Ocravis. Bad reactions to all. Thru it all I have tried to laugh and make Jokes. I got jokes I am one funny Bitch, But Menapause and MS that is no Joke my friend. When I get thru this freaking hot flash I will continue. Ok Back it is like being on an island that is 100 degrees Farenheit all the time and then some crazy person puts on the heat and raises it to 150 degrees and the night sweets are crazy I have had to put rubber mattress covers on because I sweat so much during the night I could probably help a small country out of a drought problem. I just want to shave my head and lay naked in a tub full of cold Jello for the rest of my life! Anybody out here have some advise for this Crazy MSer?? Reply 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
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