The disease multiple sclerosis might as well be abbreviated MS to stand for “multitude of symptoms.” While we use a relatively small number of drugs to deal with the disease MS, we all rely upon a vast spectrum of approaches to treat our multiple sclerosis symptoms.

I’ll not attempt to list the symptoms in this post because simply writing them down with descriptors would take up more space (and your reading time) than I think the benefit would warrant. Rather, I’d like you, as you so often and eloquently do, to take up that part of the conversation.

For many, the idea of treating their disease feels a bit obscure because we usually don’t feel what the disease-modifying therapies are doing, but we feel the effects in what our MS doesn’t do or does less — that is, attack or progress as rapidly as it might otherwise.

The treatment of MS symptoms is easier to get our (or at least my) mind around.

If we have a headache, we take an aspirin … leg cramp, we give it a stretch … heartburn, we reach for an antacid.

We’re a cause-and-response species.

I’ve struggled, and almost walked away from, a raw food diet for coming on 5 months. In that time I’ve lost all desire to eat bread, and bacon, and pizza. I used to love bacon and ham–they were a weakness for me for years. When it comes to raw breads, I’ve made them and called them failures. I really don’t miss bread, so why make a raw version anyway?

There are critics of the raw diet out there (of course) but what they’re critical of is the vegan part of it. Going raw is synonymous with going vegan. I refuse to eat a vegan diet. There are nutrients in animal products that people need in order to thrive. And not only in a selfish way.

Yesterday I ran a marathon. (Figuratively speaking)

It started with a visit to the lawyer at 9, then progressed to rehab at the hospital from 11 to 12. In between these things I started cleaning out my kitchen, a task I finished in the afternoon. I threw out a garbage bag FULL of food we’ve had forever and aren’t going to eat–stuff with gluten in it, old spices, ancient baking supplies.

I wiped down the cupboards, and vacuumed them and the floors, I organized the freezer and a couple of drawers. Mega overhaul. It felt so good.

Then after I picked Anselm up from school there was a bit of a break before I started in on a raw chocolate mousse (I got raw cream in the states yesterday) and an awesome dinner for Anselm and my brother. Oh yeah, I got two loads of laundry done too.

When I went to bed the dishes were done, Anselm’s lunch was packed, and one load of laundry was drying on hangers in the bathroom. It felt so unbelievably good to have a clean and organized home.