At 27 years old, Julie Stam was a young woman in the world of finance. All of the exciting young adult milestones lay ahead of her. But she was newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and the unknown effects of a chronic degenerative disease also awaited her.
„I remember how I felt when I was diagnosed, and I didn't want anyone else to feel that way,“ she says.
MS usually begins in young adulthood, between the ages of 20 and 50. For most young women, this period is filled with major milestones, new challenges in their careers, building relationships, personal growth, and deciding whether they want to have children.
Stam's diagnosis occurred midway through his career in finance.Now 42 years old, she is an author of children's books.A Few Days: A Story of Love, Ice Cream, and a Mother's Chronic Illness and patient advocates. She works every day to help others who are feeling the same way she did after her diagnosis. In hindsight, she calls her post-diagnosis career change „a great gift.“
„At the time, I felt like a complete failure. Everything I had worked so hard for was gone,“ she says, leaving the financial industry to manage her symptoms following her new diagnosis. she talks about it. „Right now, I'm so grateful for where I am and the life I've built.“
Stam likes to say, „Every morning starts off better.“ She had wanted to be a mother all her adult life, but after a long journey, she became a mother five and a half years ago. „If she dreams of becoming a parent, do it,“ she says. “What matters is that you love thoroughly and do your best.”
She balances her symptoms and motherhood by empowering words and making things fun with games like „Find the Toilet“ and „Air Mission.“ „It's fun for him. He doesn't think of it as, 'Oh, my mom needed to go to the bathroom right away,' or 'My mom got too hot, so she had to go.' „I haven't,“ she says. We made it fun and enjoyable. ”
Of course, being a mother isn't the only thing that requires a bit of balancing as a young woman living with MS. Mary Renthel, M.D., is director of pediatric multiple sclerosis and wellness at the Cleveland Clinic's Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Research and Research. „There are a lot of new drugs that can help treat MS, and the new drugs are becoming more and more effective over the years, which is very exciting,“ she says.
In addition to medication, Rensel says proper nutrition, hydration, sleep, learning about mental health, connecting with others, and having fun are all key to maintaining the best health possible. states that it is helpful.
„If someone is feeling stuck, it might be a good idea to hang out with people who are doing what they want to do. So hang out with people who exercise regularly or who prioritize healthy eating.“ „Let's spend some time together,“ she says. . “Actions are contagious.”
Stam, a children's book author, has a variety of ways to talk to kids about MS. However, these creative conversation techniques will help everyone understand, not just children. When it comes to energy, she likes to compare her own energy supply to that of her iPad battery.
Consider an iPad that is only 20% charged and you don't have a charger. You have to choose which apps to spend your time on with that 20%. “You have to be very selective about who and what you spend your energy on,” she says. Allocating your time properly will help you stay focused on each task.
For her, prioritizing her energy also means making plans. „Nothing just happens. Everything is thought out. Everything is planned,“ she says. „Plan properly and do the best you can. Everything will never go perfectly, but just knowing where the toilets are and how far you have to walk is very helpful. It is important.“
Advocating for yourself doesn't necessarily mean voicing your opinion during a doctor's appointment, but Stam encourages people to get a second opinion, give their opinion, and see a doctor. doing. But for her, asserting herself also means clearly communicating her needs and boundaries to those around her who may not understand.
As an example, consider the suggestion of a walk after dinner. Once Stam knows she's done for the day, she plans to let the person who invited her out for a walk know. She says it's hard for people to understand without explaining the details. “I think it’s important to tell people,” she says.
Finding support through family and friends is always important, but finding support groups at the hospital or through social media is also a good idea. „I think that no matter what your diagnosis, you need to find others who are also battling the same disease,“ Stam says. „They can have families and networks, but they can't understand what it's like on a day-to-day basis.“
She has a group of “MS sisters” who were diagnosed around the same time and are all at different young adult milestones and stages in life. „It's important to find others who are fighting this disease together and to vent, cry and laugh together,“ she says.
Rensel suggests starting with the National MS Society as a go-to resource. „The National MS Society has a great website that provides people with the latest research and lots of health tips. It's a great resource.“ She also recommends building a medical team that addresses what's important to you. We also suggest
„No one can predict where this disease will take you,“ Stamm says. „You know your body, you know your limits, and if you want something in life, go for it!“