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The MS patient and Houseguests

© S. W. Hussey

**note to readers. I was out of touch due to an overwhelming exacerbation that lasted a month. I am back and hope you will continue to read my articles. Thanks, Suz

There it is! You've made it (mostly) through the dregs of summer's heat, you've coped with outdoor living (though it's not really easy for someone with MS to manage), and now the fall has arrived. At least a few days a week and you are suddenly facing the world of VISITING GUESTS!!!!!

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bStress DOES affect the MS patient, at any stage of the disease. Everyone wants to be the perfect hostess, especially on a weeklong guest's stay. I overdid everything. Amid hot flashes every fifteen minutes, I managed to give the house a thorough cleaning, prepared the menus, bought the groceries, came home, put them away, while managing to do the sprucing up necessary for our upcoming visitor ,I just wanted to be the hostess with the mostest. We live in a home with two complete bathrooms, that allows our guest to enjoy the privacy of his own bathroom EXCEPT the shower ceased to work a week before our guests arrival! Good natured, he had no qualms about walking with his toiletries from his room through the living room and into the bathroom at the other end of the house. All in all, it was stressful for me. Still, the hot flashes kept me weak and uneasy all through the visit. My husband could only take a couple of days off and so I entertained our guest with daily visits to the Food Network, Judging Amy and various soap operas. I am glad our guest was just fine to sit back and rest, having spent his prior week in Las Vegas's never ending entertainment. I am usually chipper and energetic in the mornings, in short windows. My afternoons are difficult, so in planning the meals, I had to really rally to get a nice dinner on the table, yet, I managed. When offering your home to house guests, let me offer a few suggestions:

• Make sure the visit is three days, no longer. (only because your MS symptoms are going to surface during that time, possibly rendering you fatigued and practically useless)
• Allow yourself to splurge for dinner out a night or two. You deserve to enjoy a restful, fun visit with your guests.
• Pace yourself and organize the most critical amenities for your guess in advance. You deserve to enjoy your guest's visit too!