Home > Symptoms > The Autumn Redemption

The Autumn Redemption

By Michael Wentink
September 15, 2017

As fall begins, I can’t help but feel somewhat victorious. I survived – or to be more specific, my MS survived another grueling summer.

When I was younger and living on the East Coast, I had bittersweet relationships with the other three seasons. 

  • Autumn always brought changing colors and the start of football season; but it also signaled the start of school, studying, tests – and lots of raking!
  • Winter had excitement from snow, sledding, my birthday and Christmas, but it also had really, really, REALLY cold weather. 
  • Spring ushered in warmer temperatures, wearing shorts, flowers blooming; but unfortunately, it was always accompanied by days and days of rain.

But summer… well, when I was in my teens, there was really no downside to summer. School was out, we played outside until it was dark, pool, went to the amusement parks and had fireworks on July Fourth – I never wanted it to end!

But now, summer has become my own prison, and MS is the cruel, heartless warden.

For many with MS, heat or humidity can worsen symptoms. In some cases, it contributes to new relapses.

During the summer months, I often struggle to find energy to get up off the couch, let alone take part in family adventures.

I take medicine (daily) to help with my energy levels, but it’s not enough.

Without the meds, I can barely keep my eyes open. With them, my eyes squint wearily as my body begs for rest, on a bed, couch, floor, whatever – the location doesn’t matter, as I crave peace, quiet, comfort… and relief.

When I force myself to head outside, my body recoils the moment I encounter the hot, summer air.
I manage any excursions by finding shade, wearing ice packs around my neck to cool my body, bringing cold bottled water wherever I go and not pushing myself physically once the temperature exceeds 85 degrees.

Walks with the family, running errands and other activities are planned for early in the morning or late at night before sunrise and after sunset.

Exposure to the direct sun usually makes me dizzy and sometimes I have to literally lean on my wife to get from point A to point B.

My vision becomes blurry and will remain so until my body finds rest and cools down.

During the summer months, my risk of a relapse is high. The past few summers I’ve been lucky, but not so this year. For many weeks, I was unable to use my left hand for basic functions like tying my shoes, buttoning my shirt or cutting my food.

Did factors other than the heat cause this exacerbation?  Possibly. But the raised temperatures certainly didn’t help.

Mentally and emotionally, I struggle. My body screams rest, but my heart pleads to savor the long summer days with my family. 

My children want to play, go to the pool – be carefree kids, and I don’t want them to remember their summers as worrying about their daddy’s health or feeling like they were punished by my limitations.
My wife loves to eat outside, entertain friends and family, or take our children on new excursions, and I often fear that my body will fail her.

I do feel guilt, but mostly it’s just frustration. I wonder why, why does MS attack the things that matter so dearly to me?

MS is a punishing warden and that never takes a day off, bringing with it symptoms and relapses, no matter the season.

But as autumn approaches, there is an extra pep in my step and glimmer in my eye.  The first day of cooler weather, I have a tradition, much like Andy Dufresne, after escaping prison in “The Shawshank Redemption” – I stand tall, with my hands held high towards the Heavens, and rejoice.

In that moment of triumph, I feel like I’m 16 years old again… and nothing can stop me.

Michael Wentink
Blogger

In 2008, Michael Wentink was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. At 31, he was a new father, a recent MBA graduate and a Director at a Fortune 500 company. MS altered this path and after an early retirement, Michael is now navigating life on a road less traveled. A native of Northern Virginia, Michael currently resides in San Antonio, Texas with his wife and two young children. Read about his journey with multiple sclerosis at mjwentink.com and follow him on Twitter.

Related Posts

A Black person wearing athletic clothing exercising with a weight.

Breaking the cycle of exclusion: Embracing cultural competence in physical activity research for people with MS

Cultural competence in research involves considering the culture and diversity of a population.

Several cheerleaders in uniform dancing in formation.

Still Dancing: Overcoming MS to Become an Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader

An MS diagnosis in college didn’t stop Téa from cheering for the NFL.

Silhouette of a person against the sunset.

Till MS Do Us Part

For one blogger, an MS diagnosis became a chance to rewrite their story.

Advertisement