today has been a real mixed bag, after 20 years in the security industry, I made an agreement with my company for me to step away from the business. This was fully down to my MS diagnosis, without MS I'd have continued my job for many, many years to come, to be fair even with it I'd have kept going. yesterday was my last physical shift, I have no doubt this is going to be a big thing to get use to but when one door closes another opens... I had Physio today where it was arranged for me to meet a specialist to discuss a FES machine, WOW, what an incredible machine it is, I suffer very badly with foot drop on my right foot, when walking using the FES I could actually walk! no foot drop at all. Ok still very hard on my legs but well worth it, It went so well I actually felt confident walking and I've not felt that in a very long time. Got to be totally honest, I got very emotional because of how it felt to actually walk properly, I actually did lose a few tears. absolutely suffering for it now, really painful legs and mega tired but so, so worth it. I'm being referred and I'm told that in a couple of months I could have one to bring home to use. 

Hi, How is everyone?. The last few days have been a bit of an eye opener, really pushing through the stress and strain that's been around, hopefully that is coming towards a conclusion. Had a fall on the stairs yesterday, somehow my arm managed to go up through the handrail and get stuck while I was laid on the top few steps, not quite sure how it happened to be fair but my legs were very wobbly, no injuries just a lightly dented pride. Back end of this week I've got the meeting with Physio about the FES machine, really hoping this happens and they can see how much it would help, because, walking and moving around isn't easy with my right foot dragging as much as it does. . Some new things for the podcast this week, recorded on the laptop, using a green screen and tried to learn some basic editing... that wasn't easy at all, may take some time to figure it out properly. I have made the decision that I want to take the podcast, blog and social media as seriously as possible, very soon I may well have lots of time to devote to it all. lots of learning incoming.

Hi, hope everyone is as well as can be. sorry I've not updated for a few days, as the title say's it's been a bit of a tough ride. lots of things on my mind, along with pains and not sleeping well at all. unfortunately I couldn't record a podcast this week, due to not really being in the right headspace. I will be back with that ready for release Monday as usual. my doctor has given me sleeping tablets but I'm trying to avoid taking them, unless its absolutely necessary. struggling with pains in my right leg mainly at the moment, more so the calf muscle but also my lower back isn't good, foot drop on my right is also causing me a lot of trouble (always does) but due to feeling quite stressed of late that seems to be making even more of an issue. I will fight back and come through this little rough patch, on a better note when I'm resting up I've been playing the guitar a bit more (just a beginner after years without playing) found a really lovely little riff that's fun and sounds great. next week I've got an appointment with Physio which they have someone coming to give me a trial with a FES machine, if that can help with the foot drop it would be awesome but will have to wait and see on that one haha. 

well hello again, it's been a few days after the infusion now and I'm feeling good, the tiredness has passed in the most part and apart from my normal pains and issues I'm doing ok. its been a decent few days, I've been on calls with both of the MS medical research studies that I'm helping with, one is to do with the emotional effects of diagnosis and the other is memory based, the tests I had to do for the memory study were really hard but actually very good. I did a live video on TikTok Thursday, really enjoyed it, had some brilliant conversations, I will be doing more when I've got days off work. the next podcast is released 13th March it's very much an update on how the week has gone. hope you have a good few days,

Hi all, hope you're all well. Today has been a good but kinda tough day, I went out this morning with my Dad and eldest daughter to go and look for decorating bits, I tried to walk as much as possible but, turns out that wasn't a good idea.... we did grab some lunch while we were out and I had an awesome Raspberry cheesecake, but, even though I used the wheelchair when it felt like it was needed when I got home the level of tiredness was massive, had a long nap on the sofa and then went up to bed until dinner, really found it hard to handle this fatigue today. honestly could have stayed in bed all day, maybe I need to start listening to my body more often. Still have a few days off before going back to work after annual leave so rest is absolutely in order.

Yesterday went very much to plan, I didnt have any reaction at all which was good, like I've said on the first half bag I did have a small itchy rash come up on my head but that came and went very fast. This time totally clear, I was going to blog when I got home yesterday but, honestly, I was so tired its unreal, kept dropping off to sleep on the sofa. waking up today I'm still really tired and very red in the face but so im told thats to be expected, other than tired I'm feeling fine, same everyday issues but nothing will change that. sat writing this blog with some music on (my rock mix on amazon music) trying to rest up as much as possible. well, I'll keep you all updated.

11:35 now and up to now things are going well, currently no reaction at all in fact I feel quite good, slightly sleepy but that seems to be the norm. little while longer with ocrevus then it will just be the flush, I've figured out how to write on the laptop with one hand... it wasnt easy haha. i've got sweets and cookies with me but right now they are safe... not sure for how long... being very restraint about them, for now.

Well here we are, round 2 with Ocrevus. In the hospital bright and early, my veins didn't fancy playing ball so I've got the canula in my left arm not my hand. I do have the Teddy bear plasters again which is awesome. Im having to write this on my phone one handed so any mistakes I'll fix later. So far so good and im not anywhere near as nervous today which is great... also had and awesome cuppa while the steroid was going in haha. Well I'll keep you all updated the best I can.

Hi everyone, well a few bits to update you all with. Firstly this Monday coming I've got my next half dose of Ocrevus, that couple of weeks has really flown past, sat and wrote another new poem which is on here, quite enjoyed that one I must admit. Had a rough few days in terms of pains and memory issues, not going to be helped by the fact the doctors got my pain medication wrong, so its possible I could be without painkillers for the next couple of days. On a much lighter note, I'm told my MS story will be published by Multiple Sclerosis news today on the 4th March, really honoured to have been chosen to have my story shared. I am writing this blog from my new/old laptop that I've bought to try and learn how to edit video's. In the near future my plan is to really ramp up the podcast and video's by making them a lot more professional, could be a lot of work because I know nothing at all about editing.

Hi everyone, how's things?. Well just an update on how things currently are, After 12 days off I'm back to work today. I took some annual leave ready for the first Ocrevus treatment, in the hope it would give me chance to get over any possible side effects, well thankfully I've been ok. currently things seem to be quite stable in the term's of no more new issues have come up, same pains and odd feelings like the water drop feelings on my head, electric shocks from time to time and lets not forget the major mobility, memory and fatigue issues. On the podcast this week I'm going to be discussing the emotional side to my MS diagnosis, quite a big subject for me to discuss to be fair but I really want to get it out in the open. Also toying with the idea of a new section to this website, thinking of maybe adding some photo's showing what I am and have been up to, any feedback on that would be awesome, so by all means drop me an email or pop across to any of my social media accounts and let me know what you think. email is mike@mikesmsjourney.com and all the social media links are in the contact section of this website. well I hope you all have a good few days and I'll update you all again really soon.

Hey, I hope everyone is well. Today has been a very good day, same old pains, same old tiredness but I had a conversation today that really helped a lot and I'm very grateful for it. Aside from that I took the scooter out to go and meet Lisa from work, lovely sunny day, bit of chill but really enjoyed it. Made such a basic error this morning, I took my painkiller which I have in a tablet divider box, so it reminds me if I've taken them during the day, it wasn't until the evening when I'm thinking Wow I'm hurting, I realised my afternoon tablet had been missed because instead of keeping the days box with me, I'd put it back in the locked box in the bedroom, haha oh dear. I'll be more mindful next time... I hope. Quite enjoying this week off, ok I'm still very tired but just having some time to relax is really helping. It's giving me time to make content for the social media and YouTube accounts, Like heading home with Lisa today we noticed a bird of prey (Red Kite) flying near us so, I stopped the scooter and filmed it for a short time (ok I'm no cameraman) but a video has gone up online and people seem to be enjoying it. well that's about it for now, I hope you all have a good few days.

Hi all, well let's start with last night, I probably had the best nights sleep I've had in ages, only woke once that was at 04:25 and I dropped right back off. Woke up with my face feeling a bit warm and looking red but felt fine, I jumped on Eleanor and took a ride around the parks to do my MS society challenge 28 for the day. Been very tired today, dropped off on the sofa quite a bit, even come up to bed at 9pm on a Saturday (my rock and roll lifestyle). I have managed to start a Facebook page as well now so please come and follow that, its found at Mikes_MS_Journey.