A repeat of a holiday favorite, especially since I’m being lazy
I think I understand what Charles Dickens meant when he said, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”
He wrote these as the opening words of his historical novel, A Tale of Two Cities, a fabulous book by the way, even if it is a little stuffy and was written a billion years ago.
For me, 2019 was the best of years and the worst of years.
I had to have a painful surgery as a result of cancer. But then I was successfully healed of cancer.
The cancer surgery lead to the worst MS flare I’ve ever had, but that has led to the best MS treatment I’ve ever had.
No more injections- freaking yay!!!
I had to work extremely hard on a project only to have it released and be paid a generous amount that has helped with Christmas expenses.
The fatigue ramped up considerably this year, which led to a better appreciation of my waking hours.
My health was the worst it’s ever been, which helped me to realize the importance of stepping up and making good changes which are actually working.!
(Side note, did you know that it’s true that when you exercise you actually feel better? Who knew???)
I’ve had quite a bit of stress in 2019 which has helped me appreciate the great fun I’ve also had.
So I guess it is all in perspective. And my perspective is that whenever possible, we must try to appreciate the good and learn from the bad. 
To this end, I’m appreciating the fact that I absolutely love Christmas and need to enjoy the Christmas preparations as I usually do. Wrapping and baking with my favorite Christmas songs in the background.
Based on the knowledge that 2019 has brought me, this means I can be lazy and turn out an old blog for December.
Don’t worry, it’s actually a fairly popular one.
And though I’ve seen other people write something similar, I swear I didn’t consciously know that when I created it back in 2013. On this theme, my take on The Twelve Days of Christmas is a funny (good) look at what is often considered an annoying (bad) Christmas carol.
On the first day of Christmas MS brought to me: one ach-y bod-y
On the second day of Christmas MS brought to me: fingers all tingly
On the third day of Christmas MS brought to me: three MS hugs
On the fourth day of Christmas MS brought to me: lots of blurry vision
On the fifth day of Christmas MS brought to me: brain completely spacey…..
On the sixth day of Christmas MS brought to me: every day so sleepy
On the seventh day of Christmas MS brought to me: feeling kind of dizzy
On the eight day of Christmas MS brought to me: bladder very leaky
On the ninth day of Christmas MS brought to me: four shots so nasty
On the tenth day of Christmas MS brought to me: head feeling crappy
On the eleventh day of Christmas MS brought to me: legs acting lazy
On the twelfth day of Christmas MS brought to me: balance not so steady-
legs acting lazy, head feeling crappy, four shots so nasty, bladder very leaky, feeling kind of dizzy, every day so sleepy, brain completely spacey, lots of blurry vision, three MS hugs, fingers all tingly, and one, ach-y bod-y…..
Let’s sing it together, shall we? 
A special burst of Christmas gratitude to EverydayHealth which has included yvonnedesousa.com as one of the 10 Best MS Blogs to follow in 2020! I’m honored to be included among the list of such great bloggers!!!
Happy Holidays my friends! Whatever you are celebrating right now, celebrate the good and have fun!!
Somehow or another, you seem to have a skeleton key into my subconscious’ closet — and I don’t even have MS.
Thank you bunches for this!
I love how you phrase things my friend!
Merry CHRISTmas & a Blessed 2020 to you and yours, Yvonne! Your outlook on 2019 is the only way to go. It’s a process that takes time to get our head wrapped around it all. That’s okay. The best humans can do as we walk this earthly journey is exactly what you’ve done…celebrate & appreciate the good and learn from the not so good. I say if you’re there before the end of said year, you’re kicking butt, Sistah! Luv ya! 💕
Thank you so much my friend!!! You are a rock. Love you too!!!!
I try to do a little wrapping at a time so I don’t get overwhelmed and of Course I have to have Elvis singing Blue Christmas to get me in the holiday spirit. Way to go being one of the top 10 blogs and to think I have known you since we were 8years old, don’t forget us little people when your all famous. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and happy and healthy new year. LOVED spending time with you ladies the other night.
Love you my sister friend!!!!
“(Side note, did you know that it’s true that when you exercise you actually feel better? Who knew???)”
I knew! And you’d know, too, if you read my blog. I guess that’s why I’m not in the top 10. 🙂 Congrats, Yvonne. You’ve worked hard and earned it. Have a Merry Christmas and blessed Advent season.
I do read your blog my friend- I just didn’t believe you. You are also the one who thinks the Beatles are better than the Stones- hahaha!!! Merry Christmas to you and your family Rick! And thank you!!
I read all your blogs. You are a master of writing . Creative, authentic . In other words the real deal. Through you i truly empathize and understand MS and all you go through on a daily basis. That is why you are one of the best 10 bloggers of 2019. On to 2020.
Thank you so much Anita- I really appreciate it!! Many blessings to you and your family this holiday season and in the New Year!!
Love the recycled blog and love you! Congrats on your Award—well deserved! And ho ho ho happy holidays do you!
Thank you my friend and fellow kick ass writer!! Been a blessed year for you and I hope 2020 finds even more folks folks enthralled with your work! Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!!
So nice to read your post. You did have a bunch of tough times this year! The interesting part I read is that each time you point out a really good outcome afterwards! So you did walk through the fire but “yeah!” for the good endings!
I know people say how exercise helps you feel better. It makes me think of when I wore braces. They hurt so much – just constant. So I would grit my teeth every once in awhile to make it hurt worse because it gave a variance in pain. I look at exercise like that. It feels so good when you stop!
Have a wonderful Cape Christmas! Hoping to get to Nickerson this next year!
Thank you so much my friend!!! Wishing you and your family all the blessings of Christmas!!!