How To Survive The Holidays When You Have MS
Growing up, Christmas in my family was a BFD. It still is. Like an insanely, big deal. My mom gets up at 5, anxious to tear into presents and eat pie. My dad only encourages her by throwing open the sash (pre-dawn, natch), to bellow “Merry Christmas”, causing all the dogs within a 1/2 mile radius to lose their shit. Compared to these two, Clark Griswold was a hack. I can hardly be blamed for the sugarplums that dance in my head. It’s in my DNA.
Unfortunately Multiple Sclerosis is also in my DNA, so being able to fully participate in all the holidays have to offer is easier said than done.
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| Santa’s secret? It’s mostly Irish cream. |
Of course, what happens in December starts in November. And everything seems possible in November. I eagerly say yes to it all, seeing no problem in filling my calendar with concerts, parties, dinners and overall excess. But naive November, with its fall leaves and sense of can-do, is over. It’s mid-December now, which means colds, calories, and credit card debt. The half-decorated tree sits unwatered next to a mound of unwrapped gifts and a sink full of dishes, and somehow I thought I could go to not one, but two parties tonight. And, oh yeah, I promised to bring homemade cookies.
Who do I even think I am?
Rather than dropping my phone in the toilet and hiding under the covers for the next ten days (OMG there are still TEN DAYS of this madness), I’ve decided to come up with a plan. Turns out, my main concerns during the holidays are really my main concerns IRL, but in December they’re jacked up on cheap champagne.
Among them:
- I won’t have enough energy to entertain or shop for gifts.
- Changes in diet will eff up my delicate system.
- I’ll catch a cold and send my MS spiralling out of control.
- I won’t have the strength to do all the fun things. FOMO.
- People who haven’t seen me for awhile will be startled by my progression.
- I’ll look drunk without the benefit of actually being drunk.
Thankfully, all of this shit can be managed. Herewith:
How to survive the holidays with MS
Outsource
Did you know you can get a turkey on the internet now? Yup. A turkey. I’d like to be the kind of girl who can pull off a turkey dinner. And I am. Sort of. Secret sharing time: after deciding it would be super fun to host said supper, when the time finally came, I didn’t know how I was going to will my body into cooperation. Instead of bailing, I unapologetically ordered a pre-cooked turkey. And why would I apologize? I’ve cooked 4 turkeys in my entire life and Pusateri’s has cooked at least 7 thousand. They definitely know better than me. The goal wasn’t to prove I’m an awesome cook (I’m not). The goal was to eat a skin bowl with some of my besties and play fairy godmother to my godchildren. Fait accompli.
Drink through it
I know what you’re thinking. Here she goes telling us how alcohol is the solution. And you would be right. But downing 2:1 water for every cocktail is a life hack. You’re welcome. Because changes in my diet will affect how I’m feeling, I really do try to stick to my exercise and sleep routine. And to avoid the side-eyes of those who will blame my loopy gate on liquors, I like to do most of my drinking sitting down.
Stay away from the mistletoe
If you ask me, there’s simply too much touching at Christmas. At a time when passing the peace can feel more like passing the plague, a good quality hand sanitizer is my best accessory. And all the extra scrubbing means I also need a great lotion. I love my l’Occitane.
Get online
Duh, I know. This one is so obvious, I don’t need to plug its benefits, but it’s the reason why anyone who gets a gift from me, ever gets a gift from me. Santa is a MacBook for whom I don’t ever have to put on a bra.
Cut corners
People are coming over. I’ve known for weeks, and yet here we are shoving shit in a closet. Everything in its place. Sometimes that place is a sky-high fire hazard behind your bed.
Pre-nap
Like pre-drinking, but cheaper. Even if I don’t actually fall asleep, it’s important for me to be totally off my feet for an hour before going out or having anyone over in the evening which is typically a challenging time of day for me.
Know when to say Fuck it
There’s good, and there’s good enough (this blog post). I accept that I can’t be awesome all the time and maybe not everyone I’ve ever met is going to get a Christmas card from me this year (Spoiler: Nobody is). And, if I finish wrapping a gift only to realize I miscalculated how much paper I’d need, leaving a small exposed square, so be it. I already ruined the job anyway when I ran out of Scotch tape and decided to use painter’s tape.
Chill
It’s important to make time for loved ones and Netflix is no exception. Because Netflix gets you like your family never will. I like to put downtime in the calendar. It helps me recognize it as a priority.
Just say No
Sometimes I cancel plans. I don’t like to and I feel guilty, or I don’t. Because I know my presence isn’t going to make or break a great shindig. Plus, secret surprise – everybody wants to bail on stuff this time of year. Let yourself off the hook and then don’t be a dick the next time someone flakes on you. (Unless it’s my birthday. Seriously, I will cut you.)
Just say Yes
Because often the best nights are the ones where we rally. To get myself out the door when it feels impossible, I always plan a GTFO strategy. I tell myself I’m going for 15 minutes. Most of the time, the energy somehow shows up once I get to the actual event. Just show up.
You made it
I have a lot to look forward to as we wrap up this year, and when I look at my calendar and think about all the friends and family I’m going to eat, drink and be merry with, I’m reminded that it doesn’t matter if my base boards are gross (they are). I’m taking my niece to see her first Nutcracker.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Trippers. May you drink too much champagne and kiss someone lovely at midnight on NYE.
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