What do you do for fun?

[HVAC]

When I was kid I loved riding horses. When I got MS I put an ad out that I wanted to ride. A nice lady answered my ad and I ride. I like to camp. I have gone camping at Big Meadows in the Shennadoah valley, on Ocracoke in the outer banks of NC, to Linville Falls in NC Mountains. I went on a hot air balloon ride. I trained one service dog now I am working on my second. I have friends with a mountain house and one at the beach so we have gone to both. I went sailing with my brother on his boat. I swim all the time over an hour a day. I go to concerts. We have free ones in the summer. I go out with my friends every week. I have a writing coach who is into writing to heal. I have books for the blind and listen to those.

Alex

[immisceo]

I was at in a museum gift shop last week and saw the most amazing adult-friendly colouring books there too! I'm so glad those are a thing now! I'm totally going to get some. The patterns and images were so beautiful, even unfilled. I'm thinking of maybe doing some with water colour or pastels, but I'm happy to break out the crayola if those ideas flop. Thanks for reminding me of this!

[rendean]

I still my photography which has been an on again off again passion dependent on my state of health. I really enjoy landscapes, as witnessed by my palm tree pic above. I also like gardening when the weather allows. Gardening is my therapy! love to dig in the dirt and watch my efforts florurish.

I play online scrabble and some "brain games" the rest of my time is spent with my pets and at the doctors' offices with my body going haywire just when I think it's fine tuned!

I do like ess's, immesco's and Alex's adventures! need to look into picking up my books again and rekindle my old love of reading.

@ Alex- sdorry things are slowly going downhill but you are making the most out of life than any of us and yo always have, even beofre your cancer diagnosis. I appalaud you!

Great thread!

Hugs to all,
Ren

[bbassel]

I have also been pondering this thread for awhile now. It is sad but I really don't have much fun these days.

Like everyone here I have beenn greatly affected by this Damn disease! I love to read and was heartbroken when I started having vision problems as well. Like everything we learn to adapt and keep shuffling on.

I can't really do much physically anymore and when I. Can get around with my walker I am constantly dropping things lol. I really can be quite a mess sometimes. Thhe whole walker thing did a number on my pride as well, but after a bit you realize if u didnnt have a walker you wouldn't be able to go anywhere. Also I am lucky I am not in a wheelchair yet.

I recently found out there are adult colouring books for sale. I just ordered one and am excited about it. I figure that at least it might help build some strength in my hands(since I can't even sign my name) I also think it could be fun so we shall see.

I think we all deserve some fun and a break from alll the craziness surrounding our lives that unfortunately is our norm!

Take care everyone,

Barb

[immisceo]

I was merely treading water in the fun department for a few years after my diagnosis. The long(ish) list of things above was made possible just as much by getting myself the psychological care I needed in addition to having mostly 'good days'. I've also been honest with my friends and family. They know that planning activities with me will likely always only be successful if hatched at the last minute.
"How are you feeling today?"
"Pretty well, actually!"
"Nice one. Let's go somewhere!"

I used to be an uber planner, but that's had to change. Some things I miss out on, because it's just not the day for it. Other times, the stars align and I spend a Sunday eating my first Korean food, walking through town with my bubble tea to go, happening upon an international percussion ensemble playing a gig for free, going down a road less traveled and finding UNESCO's top-ranked Art Nouveau building in Ireland, and finishing up by going on the parking roof of a shopping centre. Empty on a Sunday, and the panoramic views of a city I'm still in love with was the perfect finish. And these are the types of adventures I didn't really jump at before.

This is NOT a "Thank you, MS, for this wonderful perspective you've given me." Sod that! My perspective was fine before! But I've done a tonne of work with my CBT therapist, I've gotten my meds straight, and I know to relish this quiet, stable periods and have let go of my more controlling inner-planner. For me, 'fun' is so much more a mental game than a body game.

[HVAC]

I am so sorry for all who are so greatly affected by MS. I really am. MS is a terrible disease.

I guess I am very lucky in deed. I guess I can only relate to when I first was treated for cancer. I had half my organs taken out including my rectum. Then I had a rough chemo. I threw my guts up for months. I did not eat for months. My heart and kidneys started shutting down. I was failure to thrive. I was 20 pounds under weight. I had cancer in both ovaries, in my bowels four places, In my tubes and uterus, the lining of all my organs, in my liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. I was not expected to live. I just laid in bed with my pets and cried. I did get books for the blind that helped. I get twelve books at a time free. I did not drive for a year. I was angry at the world. I was 49 years old. I know that is not like MS.

I would like to say I was cured of cancer. I am not. My cancer is progressing even with 100 rounds of chemo. I will be on chemo for the rest of my life. It is in my liver, spleen, and lymph system growing month by month.

Alex

[essdipity]

Oh, thought of a couple of things. Years ago I used to enjoy backgammon. That's a fun game, keeps  o ne sharp without being too cerebral. And of course good old Scrabble. I know there are sites online to play these and other 'traditional' (not digital) games in case real partners aren't on the scene. I'd really have to brush up for that.