Living with Multiple Sclerosis - New Years Resolution.mpg

[barbcoppins]

Hi Lauren: It was so nice meeting you tonite in Kalamazoo. Your talk was very inspiring. You are amazing at how positive you are. Thank you for sharing your story and good luck on your TV job.

[laurenvparrott]

@barbcoppins Thank you so much for writing to me on YouTube! It was so nice meeting you! I hope you're feeling well!

[BlushingRoses]

LOLOLOL!!! I was watching this at work, and I - like you - love hearing stories from my elderly relatives about what they were like when they were my age, so I was really excited to hear this one =) I was laughing so hard that my co-workers were looking at me like I was a nutcase ^_^

You are so cute! Haha!

[laurenvparrott]

Hahah that's great!! I love hearing stories from older people! They are priceless! Thanks for writing!

[mkallion]

Funny story Lauren! I know you said your uncle told you this happened when he was 26, but around what year? I'm just trying to picture the cops, and the old police car, and the different simpler surroundings, when you can get away with something like that! That is so cool!

Mike

[laurenvparrott]

Hey Mike! I believe he was around 26 in the 1950's! Isn't it cool to think about the different surroundings at that time! And yes, how they could get away with doing something like that! Hahaha!

[mkallion]

So true! So now I can picture those cool 50's cars and a much better place. I swear, I think I was born in the wrong generation! By the way, I agree what you were saying about how important time is. So much so, that my license plate is:

TIMEVALU

It has more to do with investments, but applies to your version of time too!

Take care Lauren! Always a pleasure

Mike

[steven28long]

Lauren,

I just had my 24th infusion. My MS Nurse told me I have to give "new consnt" because they say there is more risk of PML after 2 years.

Have you haeard of that risk?

Steven

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Steven! I haven't heard about giving "new consent" after 2 years. I've had 27 infusions and I didn't have to do that. I would talk to your doctor. Good luck to you!

Lauren :)

[jupiter71]

Hi Lauren!!

So far so good 2010 has been wonderful!!

How about yourself?

You are absolutely right about dementia patients. I have heard pleanty of stories from the ppl I have taken care of in nursing home,and such. It is scary forsure,and my scariest symptom with ms is cognition problems. I was very close to dementia in 07 myself after a horrible flare. I still have some lasting problems from that flare,but with will power I am getting better day by day!!

God bless,

aly

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Aly! I'm so glad 2010 has been wonderful for you! Mine has been great as well! Dementia is definitely a scary disease and I find similarities with my own cognition problems.

I'm so glad you're getting better day by day! I hope you have a great week!

God Bless!

Lauren :)

[MrMarkafisher]

Hello Lauren,

You have done so many video's, they are great. It's all very good info, keep up with the excellent work. It's so good to hear someone so happy & full of life.

I was diagnosed in 1996, since then so much has happened.

Please look at a site: ms taking action

I'm helping by adding comments etc,

This may explain me a little.

regards

Mark

[laurenvparrott]

Hey Mark! Thank you so much! I looked at MS Taking Action and I thought it was great!! I wish you the best! Please keep in touch!!

Lauren :)

[JQ73]

Hello I'm 36 hv been on Tysabri 3yrs now, doing well on it. It's just nice to watch someone who can hv M.S and be as upbeat as u are. thx

James

[laurenvparrott]

Hi James! I'm so glad you're doing well! Thank you for your message! Wishing you the best!

[ChaozFear]

Hello again.

I just wanted to say that I hope you know how much these videos means for many of us with MS. I will promote your pages in Norway as well as I can.

I would like to make one in Norwegian and maybe one in English. I haven't found even one vlog in Norway that is about MS and the life around it. There are a few good blogs about it though.

I really wish you all the best for 2010 with all of my heart.

Big hug from Oslo, Norway.

-John-

[laurenvparrott]

Hey John!! My goodness you are so sweet! I think you should start a vlog in Norway! I'm sure you would do an excellent job! I wish you the very best!!

Hugs and kisses!

Lauren :)

[sandywatts500]

Dear Lauren. This such a great reminder! My grandparents have passed away now, but they lived into their late 90's.

I wish I had paid more attention. My own parents are in their 80's and in good health (altho I bought them "neuroactive" for Christmas). They laughed.

But have to get the video camera out!

Thanks

Sandy

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Sandy! Thank you for your comment! I think it's great you got your parents "neuroactive"! Haha...that will help them!

I would definitely get the video camera out!

Take care!

Lauren :)

[Scootchinman]

What a wonderful idea for a new year's resolution. Thanks for sharing Lauren!

It sounds like your Uncle is a blast to be around!

I'm in a similar boat with my grandparents. They are both in their mid 80s and have mild dementia. I always try to record their stories on video, or at least audio. Just hearing their voice adds a whole extra dimension to the words they say. It can be quite tricky though as my Grandma moves with surprising speed to avoid all cameras! :-)

Take care, God Bless

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you! Yes, my uncle is awesome! I think it's a great idea to record your grandparents stories.,..they will be priceless! That's cute that your Grandma moves so fast to avoid the camera!!

I wish you all the best!

Gid Bless!

[MSVlogSupport]

What a great resolution to make Lauren. My husbands grandfather just turned 90 and we were talking about all the things he has seen in his lifetime.

Amazing when you think about it, so many things we take for granted that he witnessed first hand.

We don't treat the elderly very well here and I use to be in Property Mgmt and saw that first hand, would make me so mad.

My Husband is Siciian so lot's of stories in the family!

This put a smile on my face.

Andrea

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Andrea! Thank you so much! Oh wow, I bet you've heard some great stories from your husband's grandfather! You're right, a lot of people don't treat the elderly well here. Thank you for your message - I hope you're doing well!

[lovingfatalist]

Great story about Uncle Lou - he sounds like quite a character!

I don't suppose you can find some family mafia connections by any chance? Maybe they could apply some 'pressure' in Italy to help get Zamboni practicing again? Just an idea ;-)

Toby x

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Toby! Yes my Uncle Lou is great! Hahaha...there are no mafia connections that I know of! If there were I would definitely have them apply some "pressure" to help us!! Have a great week!

xoxo

Lauren :)

[medad1]

ha ha ha DONT ask about the PAST Lauren :)

I'm so glad to see you today honey :)

I had my 10th infusion of Tysabry last week and I'm trying a new "local herbs" it might work (Alternative Medicine)

P.s. "sometimes past could be painful!!!" :)

Regards

Mody :)

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Mody! I know what you mean...remembering things from the past can be very painful. I hope the local herbs help you! Glad you got your 10th Tysabri infusion!

[MegF142857]

Very good. We've done that with older family too. My Dad passed and with dementia was still able to talk about childhood. If anyone has family with old film or even VHS tapes from videocameras, then try to get it digitized before they are gone. The old film will fall apart and so much lost. Also scan in old photos to digitize and put on DVDs.

[laurenvparrott]

You are so right! I'm sorry your Dad passed, I'm sure that was hard. I wish you the very best!

[NikiBoBicki]

My nanny is 93 now, and you are right Lauren, spending time is something that means so much to them. And the great stories you hear from them! What amazing stories and memories they have.

[laurenvparrott]

I would give anything to have my grandparents back with me...just to tell them I love them and have them tell me stories! I wish you and your nanny the very best in 2010!

[NikiBoBicki]

Thanks!

[dmplaura]

"I was in jail" lol!! Good stuff!

I used to love listening to my Nana's stories. RIP Nana :)

You're definitely right, spending time is a blessing no one should ignore and is a great gift to those around us.

Happy New Year Lauren! :)

[laurenvparrott]

Hey Laura! Haha I know isn't that hilarious! I agree - giving time is such a great gift to give! I hope you have a great 2010!!

[johnstonchantal]

Hi Lauren!

Happy New Year to you too! Thank you for sharing your resolution. I believe that it is important to have something to work on, to work for,, something like allowing the elderly to lean on you for support.  This might also help to distract you from what might be hindering you.

On a side note, I didn't notice any shaking from you in this video. I watched it again and watched your hair...never moved a bit. Also, your speech was steady.

Take care!

[laurenvparrott]

Hello!! Yes I completely agree with you! Thank you so much for saying that about me not shaking and me having steady speech...that means a lot to me!!

xoxoxo

[JesswithMS]

Great resolution! I am a caretaker of my great grandmother who just turned 100 years old on 12/10/09 and she has vascular dementia. A century old is a lot of stories to get and we plan on video taping her this coming week. (I am actually going to have my children interview her and ask her about her history). I had to put her in an ssisted/nursing facility two years ago, so I get to hear history from others as well. Best yet, is a 101 yr. old man who use to be a professional baseball umpire!

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you! Oh my gosh! 100 years old! That's amazing! I think it is absolutely AMAZING that you're going to have your children interview her on camera - that will be priceless!! Assisted living places can be incredibly helpful. I loved talking to the people who lived in my grandmother's place! Oh my gosh, a 101 year old man who used to be a baseball umpire! That's awesome!

[omexmc80]

happy new year, thats an amazing new years resolution, i enjoyed the story.. My best friend ( a vietnam vetran) in the USA had a stroke 2 years back and he also tells me some great stories from the past even though he has lost his short term memory. i visit him every 6 months and have been looking after him and talking to him everyday through skype for 2 years.. god bless you.. time is the best gift ever and true friendship..

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you so much! I think it's so wonderful that you look after your best friend and talk to him every day through Skype! God Bless you both!!

[Prissie28]

Funny story!! Great resolution!

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you!

[tonywilde1234]

Hi Lauren. I had no idea we had this in common! I know i told you before about me working in psychiatry, but i didn't say my job is as a team leader for mental health services fro older people. Our team was recently nominated for an award in our national dementia awards for innovative care practices. I have worked with dementia patients for 7 years now, and you got it 100% right TIME is the best thing you can give. my resolution is simply to say "yes" more. Stay well, Love your friend Tony xxx

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Tony!! Oh my gosh - another similarity! Congratulations to your team with the nomination for the award! Please let me know how everything works out!

Much love!

Lauren :)

[angelusa73]

Ciao bellissima!

You are soooo right about TIME being more important than anything else and I believe that the best thing for us is to spend time with children (I always did that and I loved it!!) and with the elderly, just like you said. You have a wonderful New Year resolution!

I hope that Luigi and your whole family is having a wonderful weekend! Thanks for sharing the story and thank you for the wishes. Happy New Year to you too!

Un bacio,

Angela

[laurenvparrott]

Ciao Angela! Thank you for your comment! I also love spending time with children and the elderly :) I hope that you and Keith are having a wonderful weekend!

Tanti baci!

Lauren :)

[navymuret]

Great suggestions! Happy New Year to you, Lauren! Ciao and God Bless, Andy.

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Andy!! Thank you! Ciao and God Bless!

[auntoni51]

You have no idea how this touched me ...The nursing home where i am now for my leg rehab, has so many elderly people of all differnt degrees....Up until yesterday i shared a room witrh a woman who has dementia too...she is a sweet lady who can tell me about her kids births, but cant remember 5 minutes after her husband has left....It breaks my heart and makes me respect our elderly like never before...I SO agree with you Laruen...Time is the BEST gift we can give:).....GOD bless you..ione marie

[laurenvparrott]

Oh my gosh - I really appreciate your comment! It's so nice to talk to someone who can completely understand what I'm talking about! I wish the woman you were in a room with, and the rest of the people at the nursing home the very best! I will keep you ALL in my prayers! God Bless You!

[vbeachy]

Hi Lauren!

Good to see you. Great New Year's Resolution! When I was in radio I thought it would be great to sit down with my Grandparents and record conversations...but, regretfully, I never did.

[laurenvparrott]

Hey Vern! Thank you so much! I also regret not video taping asking my grandparents questions. At least we have the memories that we can pass down!

[MaRiSa22Bunny]

great video.. havent seen you in awhile.. your new years resolution is wonderful.. spending time with the eldery is sooooooo great.. that is all they really want.. love and time is the best gift.. so great resolution!!-- also you seem a little more shakey than usual, did you recently have a setback ???-- I hope things are going well

[laurenvparrott]

Hey!! Thank you! Yes, that is all the elderly want...just you to spend time with them. No I didn't have a setback - I'm due for my next Tysabri infusion on Monday! I hope you are doing well!