death

Reflections from the front line: Dying, an atheist (a)muses

If you noticed my sudden disappearance, it wasn’t because I was sacked. Surprising, I know. Just “MS MIA” ā€” missing in action with multiple sclerosis. While raving in the hospital, I was suddenly moved to my own private room. In Britainā€™s National Health Service (NHS), this could only mean…

MS Tied to 75% Increased Risk of Mortality in US Study

The overall risk of death is about 75% higher for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) than in the general population, according to a new study. “The association was independent of demographic, socioeconomic variables, lifestyle factors, baseline diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer status,” researchers wrote. The study,…

MS Tied to Increased Risk After Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis

People who develop colon cancer are more likely to die in the first year, from that cancer or other causes, if they also have multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study indicates. MS disability seems to contribute to this association. “These results warrant further investigation to determine what factors may…

Grieving Loss in a Year of Change and MS

Dealing with bundled change,Ā loss, and multiple sclerosis (MS) has turned out to be more of a challenge than I could have Ā imagined, and I have not been very good at it. Coming to terms with the loss of a loved one is overwhelming on its…

#ECTRIMS2018 ā€” Infections, Severe Disability Complications More Likely Causes of Death in MS Patients, Study Shows

Infections and complications from severe disability are the greatest contributors to mortality amongĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, according to a population-based study in British Columbia, Canada, which also found that that MS is a more common underlying cause of death among younger patients. The study, ā€œCauses that…

The Legacy I Hope to Leave Behind

Death. It will come to each of us; this is an indisputable truth. The recent deaths of Aretha Franklin and Sen. John McCain are the inspiration for this weekā€™s column. As I watched and listened to the memorials and eulogies, the rich legacy they leave behind is…

I Climb Through Grief from the Bottom Up

It has been a while since Iā€™ve written a column. Within one month, two of my relatives have passed away. Spiritually, I believe in eternal life. However, in my earthly existence, death has left its sting. Multiple deaths, physical pain, and disappointments have catapulted me into a cycle of…

Lessons Learned from Loss: A Tribute

Why me? Why us? What have I done? How much loss can I endure? Weā€™ve all been here. This was one of my weeks. The unexpected death of my nephew hurled me into this episodic gloom. I asked ā€œWhat else is going to happen? Is life trying to…

Nearly 75% of MS Patients in UK Study Went Through Progressive Decline Prior to Death

A new study Ā focused on an aspect of multiple sclerosis (MS) that is sometimes overlooked by researchers: progressive dwindling, or the tendency over time for people with MS to become increasinglyĀ frail and dependent on caregivers, with diminishedĀ energy and heightenedĀ disability. The report,Ā “Progressive Dwindling in Multiple Sclerosis: An Opportunity…