Behind the Smile: Living with MS

06/26/2026

There’s tired… and then there’s chronic illness tired.

It’s the kind of exhaustion that sleep can’t fix.

The kind that follows you from the moment you open your eyes until you finally close them again.

You can sleep ten hours…
and still wake up feeling like you never rested.

You can be excited for plans…
only to watch your body make the decision for you.

So you learn to celebrate victories that most people never think twice about.

Getting dressed.

Making dinner.

Folding the laundry.

Laughing with your kids.

Simply making it through the day.

When you live with a chronic illness, ordinary tasks can require extraordinary strength.

Some days you miss the person you used to be—
the one who could go without checking the energy “bank” first.

Other days, you’re simply fighting to make it to bedtime with whatever strength you have left.

The hardest part isn’t always the pain.

It’s being told, without words, that you “look fine.”

People see the smile.

They see the moments you pushed through.

They rarely see the hours—or days—you spend paying for those moments afterward.

Living with chronic illness means carrying a battle that most people will never witness.

But every time you choose to keep going…

Every time you get back up…

Every time you love your family, show up the best you can, and refuse to let your diagnosis define your heart…

That’s courage.

So if today all you did was survive…

You didn’t fail.

You fought a battle no one else could see.

06/26/2026

I really, really hate Multiple Sclerosis.
Had my eye doctor appointment today, and the news wasn’t good. My left eye is significantly worse than it was before. The doctor said this isn't a simple glasses prescription issue—it is definitely an MS problem. Because my left eye is struggling so much, my right eye has been working overtime to compensate, and that constant strain is exactly where these brutal headaches are coming from.
Now, the next step is getting with my neurologist to figure out a medication adjustment to help slow this progression down.
I am tired, I am frustrated, and today, I just really hate this disease. Taking it one day at a time, but some days are just harder than others. 🧡

06/19/2026

Life & Health Update: I wanted to share a quick update on my health journey. Managing Multiple Sclerosis already requires a lot of listening to my body, but recently we discovered that the "recurring UTIs" I’ve been experiencing were actually a separate condition called Interstitial Cystitis (IC). Because MS can cause its own bladder nerve issues, it took some time to isolate that the bladder lining itself is actually dealing with chronic inflammation. While adding another diagnosis to the mix is a lot to process, I am deeply relieved to stop the cycle of unnecessary antibiotics and start treatments that actually target IC. Grateful for the answers and for everyone's continued kindness and flexibility!

A Look at What’s Happening Inside
When you have both conditions, understanding the difference helps you target the right symptom. The visual below highlights how IC specifically impacts the physical bladder wall.

06/15/2026

06/15/2026

Exciting news! 💙🧡💪

I’m beyond excited and honored to have a conference call Monday at 4:30 with Stephen Glass, founder of MS Mastery.

Stephen’s story is truly inspiring. He went from being in a wheelchair because of MS to competing in Strongman events, proving that our diagnosis does not have to define our future. His journey is a powerful reminder that hope, faith, and determination can carry us through even the hardest seasons.

After the rough couple of weeks I’ve had with my own MS flare, this conversation couldn’t come at a better time. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from someone who understands this journey and lives out a warrior mindset every day.

“MS may change the path, but it doesn’t have to steal the purpose. Warriors keep rising.” 💙🧡🙏

💪💙🧡

06/14/2026

Update:

Over these past two weeks, my MS journey has reminded me just how unpredictable this disease can be. There have been hospital visits, scary moments, countless questions, and days when simply making it through was enough. I’ve faced setbacks, dealt with flares, and been reminded that healing doesn’t always happen as quickly as we hope.

Ironically, two years ago today, I began my first infusion for Multiple Sclerosis—a treatment I knew would be part of my life for years to come. Looking back, I never could have imagined all the twists and turns this journey would bring. Yet here I am, still fighting, still believing, and still choosing hope.

These past two weeks have tested me physically, mentally, and emotionally, but they have also reminded me of the incredible love and support surrounding me. Even on the days when my body feels weak, my spirit refuses to give up.

MS may be part of my story, but it is not the author of it. I am still here. I am still fighting. And I will continue to share this journey—the hard days and the hopeful ones—because someone else may need to know they are not alone.

✨ “I may have been given a battle I didn’t choose, but I refuse to let it take away the joy, hope, and strength that God placed within me.” ✨

💙🧡

Promise to my family and kids I refuse to ever give up

06/14/2026

Two years ago today, I sat down for the first infusion of what I knew would be a lifelong journey with Multiple Sclerosis. I remember the fear, the questions, and the uncertainty that came with realizing this wasn’t something I would simply “get over.” It was the beginning of learning how to live with MS, not let it define me.

These last two years have brought challenges I never expected, tears I never wanted to cry, and battles I never asked to fight. But they’ve also shown me strength I didn’t know I had, taught me to celebrate the good days, and reminded me that even on the hardest days, there is still hope.

MS may have changed my life, but it hasn’t taken my faith, my love for my family, or my determination to keep showing up and fighting. Every infusion is a reminder that I’m choosing hope, choosing treatment, and choosing to keep writing my story.

“She didn’t know how strong she was until being strong became her only choice—and she wore that strength with grace and a smile.” ✨

💙🧡

06/12/2026

Update: Still feeling pretty crummy, but I’m choosing to think positive and tell myself I feel better since you don’t just Get Well Soon instead it’s Taking it one day at a time, holding onto hope, and trusting that brighter days are coming. ❤️ Hoping my body catches up with my mindset soon. 💜🧡

06/11/2026

Update: Back at the hospital again because healing is taking its time and taking a toll on me.

I’m exhausted, frustrated, and honestly just tired of being sick. But I refuse to quit. My kids are my purpose, my love bug is my reason, and my husband has been my rock through every hospital stay, sleepless night, and setback. My momma and daddy have been right there too, loving me, praying for me, and helping carry me when I feel too weak to do it myself.

This journey has tested me in ways I never imagined, but I’m blessed with a family that refuses to let me fight alone. On the hardest days, they remind me why I keep pushing forward.

One day at a time. One step at a time. One fight at a time.

Thank you to everyone who continues to pray, check on me, and support me. It means more than you’ll ever know. 💙🦋

💙