Making Lemonade

Everyone knows the saying, ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade’, well, life has donated a bumper crop to me over the last five years and I am doing my very best to transform them into something palatable.

It began in 2015 when I was diagnosed with MS following years of strange symptoms and multiple trips to the doctor.

Then, just over a year ago, I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer.

Was life trying to tell me something? Perhaps.

Under the circumstances, it might seem reasonable to assume that my time was effectively ‘up’. What, after all, did I have to look forward to? My MS is incurable and degenerative. And, having done the research, I knew just how extensively it would strip me of my physical and mental abilities, leaving me a shell of my former self.

My cancer was caught very early and my treatment started straight away, but the odds of survival were at best around 80% even after chemo and radiotherapy. This sounds good until you turn it around. One in five people in my situation won’t make it to ten years. I was fifty-four at diagnosis, so a pension no longer seemed something to worry about.

Depressing though this might seem, I do believe that life was trying to tell me something and not that there was no point in even trying any more. Perhaps it is simply my inner optimist speaking, but I genuinely feel that it was giving me an opportunity to reevaluate everything; to see that there is, in fact, another way to live, a way that, for however long I’ve got will be more fulfilling and more valuable than the one I’ve had to leave behind.

So join me in exploring how to make the best of life with chronic illness and specifically MS.

I shan’t be preaching at you, but I would like to share any and all the things I have found that make life easier or at least more bearable.

Real lemonade, like life, is bitter sweet, but no less delicious for it.

30 thoughts on “Making Lemonade”

    1. Hi Lin
      Well this is an adventure! I wish you were here to guide me through the IT maze. In total admiration of you managing it so well. Learning something each day – so keeping the grey cells active at least! Let me know when you will be heading South! Love Karen xx

  2. Hi Karen – you really have had your bumper crop of lemons, but being the positive kind of lady that you are I’m sure your new blog will help and encourage those suffering from MS. I have a Canadian friend who will be very interested having been diagnosed over twenty years ago. I shall certainly share on Facebook……Sue

    1. Thank you for your kind words – yes, life has been rather challenging recently – but it is difficult for so many of us in one way or another. It would be brilliant if you pass it on to your Canadian friend. If anything I write helps – I will be delighted!

  3. Well done Karen, a great start to your blog. I know It’s really about MS but I’m sure it will be helpful to all of us with chronic conditions. Looking forward to the next episode! X

    1. Hi Linda
      Thank you! It is intended for everyone coping with life – but especially those of us facing extra challenges. I hope you will enjoy future posts! xx

  7. You are an inspiration Karen.
    What a great first post, beautifully written. Looking forward to reading the next one! Xx

    1. Thank you Gocken. Next one out on Friday. I’m aiming for once a week – wish me luck!! And hope we can get together again soon! xx

  8. Looking forward to the next, Karen. Very positive and typical of the Karen I know. James.

    1. Thanks Sue. Last few years have been somewhat trying, but ‘That which does not kill me …’
      Love your cheery FB posts and they make me a bit homesick for SC!!

  10. Wow, how life can change. Karen I love your positiveness, great new site.
    I’ve just had a polyp removed size of a grapefruit from my colon. Only just caught in time. If it hadnt been for my sister I wouldnt have known!
    All ths best

    1. Hi Julia – Thank you! I didn’t get to see the end of your message – just a polyp.. Hope it isn’t too horrible. (Total newbie with the technology, so might find it eventually!!)
      Please send my love to the boys and I hope you enjoy future posts (it’s not all about MS!!)

  11. So sorry to hear your news Karen. Love your attitude and positivity and would love to follow your blog.

    1. How sweet! Thank you Elizabeth but I think you are doing a very good job yourself! xx

  13. So I ask you to join me in working towards being true alchemists: turning suffering into kindness, pain into the gold of compassion. Let us be the hero of our own unique story. Let us begin….

    LOVE IT!
    Wow! I love your writing.

    1. Thanks Gokcen. It’s so good people are reading and enjoying the blog posts and it is particularly heartening that those without MS can find something within them. (That was the plan – but one never knows if one has succeeded!!) Take care. xx

  14. Hi Karen,
    How brave you are! How beautifully you write!
    Your heartfelt words resonate with inner strength and wisdom. When confronted with adversity, you dig deeper.
    Let us all dig deeper and embrace your call for more kindness and compassion in the world.
    I look forward to reading your next post and I will share this one with two friends who live with MS.

    1. Thank you Lynn (and good to hear from you! I hope the family is well). If you can pass this on to friends with MS that would be brilliant. xx

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