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A THOUGHT A OCCURRED TO ME.....

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    #1

    A THOUGHT A OCCURRED TO ME.....

    I was watching a program yesterday about Breast Cancer and the ladies were wearing t-shirts with "I'm a Breast Cancer Survivor" and that got me to thinking I'm I a "MS Survivor"? My answer was yes.

    Though I'm progressing I do consider me and everyone else a survivor. Everyday we make it through is a challenge and we survive it. Those that suffer with walking issues, those that suffer with fatigue, those that are confined to a bed or wheelchair and so forth. They survive everyday.

    I am a "MS Survivor". Everyone of y'all is a "MS Survivor". So we should be darn proud of everyday we survive with our issues.

    Do you consider yourself a "MS Survivor"?
    Dx'd 4/1/11. First symptoms in 2001. Avonex 4/11, Copaxone 5/12, Tecfidera 4/13 Gilenya 4/14-10/14 Currently on no DMT's, Started Aubagio 9/21/15. Back on Avonex 10/15

    It's hard to beat a person that never gives up.
    Babe Ruth
    Tags: None
    #2
    Interesting question

    Originally posted by Waydwnsouth1 View Post
    I was watching a program yesterday about Breast Cancer and the ladies were wearing t-shirts with "I'm a Breast Cancer Survivor" and that got me to thinking I'm I a "MS Survivor"? My answer was yes.

    Though I'm progressing I do consider me and everyone else a survivor. Everyday we make it through is a challenge and we survive it. Those that suffer with walking issues, those that suffer with fatigue, those that are confined to a bed or wheelchair and so forth. They survive everyday.

    I am a "MS Survivor". Everyone of y'all is a "MS Survivor". So we should be darn proud of everyday we survive with our issues.

    Do you consider yourself a "MS Survivor"?
    If that term works for you, use it and embrace it. We might not all have the same picture of who we wish to "be" as we deal with the day-to-day issues of MS. And, that's OK.

    I've been thinking about your question and the term "MS Survivor" since I read your question this morning. I've got sort of mixed, conflicted feelings about that term.

    Yet, so far, "MS survivor" is the best identifier that I've heard.

    I recognize that, like cancer survivors, that, every day that we make it through is a challenge and we survive it. And, I agree with you that we should be darn proud of every day that we survive with our symptoms and our issues. I also recognize that for many with chronic or other serious illnesses, that the term "survivor" can be empowering.

    I also must say that I like the term "MS survivor" much, much better than the term "MS victim". One conveys victory. The other seems to beg for sympathy.

    I also prefer "MS survivor" to "MS patient". As far as I'm concerned, I'm an MS patient when I'm in the doctor's office or the hospital. But, there's more to my life than being a patient, so that's not who I am on a daily basis.

    However, I've been searching for a term that "fits" me better. Something that would express my perseverance or my optimism, rather than my fighting a battle, and fighting is what I picture when I hear survivor. Although I recognize that, some days, MS can be a battle, that's not the metaphor that I want to live by or communicate to others.

    I'd be interested in hearing from more of you. Do you embrace the term "MS Survivor"? Do you consider yourself to be an "MS Survivor"? Or do you have any ideas for a different term"?
    ~ Faith
    MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
    (now a Mimibug)

    Symptoms began in JAN02
    - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
    - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08    .
    - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
    - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

    Comment

      #3
      Originally posted by Mamabug View Post

      However, I've been searching for a term that "fits" me better. Something that would express my perseverance or my optimism, rather than my fighting a battle, and fighting is what I picture when I hear survivor. Although I recognize that, some days, MS can be a battle, that's not the metaphor that I want to live by or communicate to others.

      I'd be interested in hearing from more of you. Do you embrace the term "MS Survivor"? Do you consider yourself to be an "MS Survivor"? Or do you have any ideas for a different term"?
      Interesting thread.

      While it still implies a fight, I feel more like an " MS Challenger ". Some days, the MS is winning and I am the opponent facing tough odds. Other days,I feel like I am holding my own. I can't say I ever feel like I am beating it, just that I am giving it an all-out fight.

      I guess I don't feel like a survivor because when I think of that term, I think of cancer patients who kicked cancer's butt and heard they are cancer free. I never feel like I am kicking MS's butt, just that I have learned to live with it. No one is going to tell me I am MS free. And if they do, I wouldn't believe them(already confirmed by two general neuros and two specialists). Maybe some day with HSCT or other treatments, but right now, I still have to live with it and fight it.

      That his where my mind is right now. Hope to see more responses and thought. Since MS can be so different for each of us, I always get so much insight when people share what they think.
      Kathy
      DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

      Comment

        #4
        Well, don't really know.
        When people ask me how I'm doing, I say, "Still alive."

        I used to say, "Still standing" but can't actually stand for long enough to have the conservation anymore.
        I am an MS survivor, but I'm also a MS victim and definitely a sufferer.

        "Cancer Surviver" suggests you've beaten it and the battle is over. Hopefully one day we'll be able to say that about MS.
        I'd happily wear a "MS Lab Rat" t-shirt.

        Comment

          #5
          MS acceptance

          mmmm, must think about this, provocative question...

          I have MS, took me a while to believe but yes, I have MS.
          Am I affected daily by my MS? Yes
          Am I still alive? Yes
          Am I a survivor...???

          I tolerate having MS, sometimes
          I accept/adapt to some of the challenges of MS, sometimes
          I am sad, sometimes
          I am mad, sometimes
          I forget I have MS, sometimes
          I grieve things I have lost due to symptoms, sometimes
          I celebrate not being worse, sometimes
          I am grateful for what I have, sometimes

          Not sure about how to define myself but for some reason don't like the label survivor. To me that means the end of a struggle and you are the victor.

          Comment

            #6
            I just like..MS fighter. It doesn't mean you are winning. Sometimes fighters give up and give in but they are still fighters!

            Comment

              #7
              Interesting discussion. I am a person who lives with MS every day. I am alive. Giving us a banner that we can put on a t shirt is hard. If I were to make a tee shirt it would probably say I HAVE MS AND IT SUCKS.

              Comment

                #8
                Great thread~!

                This is a wonderful question! I have been thinking about it this morning while getting the kids ready for school.
                I'm an MS survivor-sure. But it's not over yet...so I've not beaten anything. But here's to hoping that
                someday it will become a reality
                How about, "MS: Fighting the constant fight."
                That's pretty much what it is. Some days, I feel great! But my great day is shuffling
                around with my "rockstar" decorated cane, not getting dizzy much or losing balance, and
                being awake. The pain is less than usual, and my (lack of) vision isn't bothering me.
                And compared to some MS'ers, that is great. It's so relative.
                Maybe a shirt that says, "MS: it is what it is".

                This is a great topic-thanks for posting it Waydwnsouth1
                Dx 11/09
                Aubagio since 09/15

                Comment

                  #9
                  Originally posted by frosty123 View Post
                  mmmm, provocative question...

                  Not sure about how to define myself but for some reason don't like the label survivor. To me that means the end of a struggle and you are the victor.
                  What frosty said - the battle isn't over yet and I have a suspicion that when all is said and done that MS will be the victor

                  Comment

                    #10
                    I cast my vote for MS fighter.
                    God Bless Us All

                    Comment

                      #11
                      MS Warrior gets my vote.

                      Comment

                        #12
                        MS Challenger works best for me.
                        ~ Faith
                        MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
                        (now a Mimibug)

                        Symptoms began in JAN02
                        - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
                        - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08                        .
                        - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
                        - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Originally posted by MSW1963 View Post
                          MS Warrior gets my vote.
                          Me too! To me a warrior means someone who battles on in spite of losses and the "slings and arrows" flung their way. It is someone who will fall, but pick themself up and will courageously carry on against this war!

                          Thanks Way for this thread
                          1st sx '89 Dx '99 w/RRMS - SP since 2010
                          Administrator Message Boards/Moderator

                          Comment

                            #14
                            After reading some of the responses I took a few key words and went to the thesaurus. As one poster noted I came up with:

                            MS WARRIOR

                            I gave some thought to SURVIVOR and while we survive daily we haven't beat anything yet.

                            I also liked the: "I HAVE MS AND IT SUCKS" that pretty much sums it up.

                            But really we are WARRIORS. We cry, we laugh, we complain but in the end we fight the good fight. I really enjoyed reading some of the posts. I hope more people chime in.
                            Dx'd 4/1/11. First symptoms in 2001. Avonex 4/11, Copaxone 5/12, Tecfidera 4/13 Gilenya 4/14-10/14 Currently on no DMT's, Started Aubagio 9/21/15. Back on Avonex 10/15

                            It's hard to beat a person that never gives up.
                            Babe Ruth

                            Comment

                              #15
                              warrior

                              Warrior, yeh, I like that, although I admit, many days, victim fits my mood a lot better.

                              Comment

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