I CAN: Live with MS

March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness month. Before the month ends, I wanted to make sure to highlight it. In the summer of 2014, while I was six or seven months pregnant, my husband, Armand, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It's also known as MS. Honestly before his diagnosis I didn't know much about this illness. Oh, how quickly that changed. Talk about a blow. We were expecting our first child. Things were supposed to be great and a breeze. We weren't supposed to be dealt a card such as this, but we were. Honestly, all I can do is Praise God.

MS is not cookie cutter and affects each patient differently. It's truly been a blessing and amazing to see Armand live and cope with it. I praise God for that. It's been nothing but God that has allowed Armand to keep his job (most in his position on his job, wold have been medically retired), be an attentive husband, be an active father, active in ministry and really just be himself. Don't get me wrong, he has tough moments and some struggles, but with God he pushes through. I decided for this post, to have him share what it's like to live with this illness. Below, is a peek into life with MS for Armand.

1. When you received your initial diagnosis, what was your first thought?

What in the world is multiple sclerosis and how is this going to change my life?

2. Prior to your diagnosis, did you notice anything? Were there symptoms? If so, what were they?

In the months prior to my diagnosis, I was struggling with my balance, I also struggled with my short-term memory. But in hindsight, I always had a tough time remembering things. The worst symptom was the numbness on one side of my body.

3. What are the effects of MS that you deal with? How do you manage them?

The main side effect I have is the memory issue. I have to set reminders for things and make sure I write down important information.

4. What is your day to day like?

Day to day, I mainly try to enjoy what I can, while I can. Whether it's spending time with loved ones, or just enjoying the weather.! I work out, and hopefully my doctor won't fuss at me during our next visit. I have to sneak a break when I'm playing with the children. I'm always cautious not to overextend myself, and trigger my MS symptoms.

5. How have you coped with living with this illness?

I've had to rely on my faith. The first few months I was worried about life with MS. Needless to say, that didn't help. In fact, it hurt because stress can trigger my symptoms. I just had to trust God allowed me to get this for some good reason. I don't understand why, but He has to have a purpose for it. I just try to be upbeat, because it could be worse.

6. Do you have a community to rely/ lean on? Whether those living with MS or not.

My church family, and my friends check on me regularly. Some know of someone with MS, and it helps to keep me focused on living life to the best of my ability. Nobody wants to be around a Debbie Downer!

7. How do you manage your MS?

I take it easy! Yard work is stretched over two days now. I try to get plenty of rest. I make sure to take my medicine. (Although I forget sometimes, LOL!)

8. How has your faith helped with your diagnosis and life with it?

It has given me perspective. When I look at Christ, I don't think my situation is anywhere near as bad as what He went through for me.

9. What would you say to encourage anyone that has recently been diagnosed?

Once you get past the initial feeling of shock, enjoy life. It's ok to get down a little, but don't stay down. You have to adjust to your life with MS, not stop living it.

Watching Armand live with this illness is not always easy, but it's also encouraging. Not once, after the initial shock, has he been down on himself, lost faith or placed blame for having to live with MS. He encourages me as he pushes through each day, whether its good or tough. When he was first diagnosed, he asked me to do one thing, not to treat him different than prior to. I'll admit, that was hard, but I wanted to honor his request. It's hard to watch him lose his balance, forget things (that I just told him) and try to hide from me when one side of his body goes numb. But anyone that knows my husband knows, he doesn't want any special treatment and only wants to make people smile and laugh. I'm his wife and like him trying to hide things from me, on the sly, I'm looking out for him. Like Asking questions , trying to help him do things and more.

As I said before, MS is not cookie cutter and each patient I affected differently. So, what Armand experiences and his day to day is different than others. I encourage each of you to educate yourself a bit more about this illness. Please visit www.nationalmssociety.org